Discussion among adults can be a pooling of ignorance or a highly satisfying swapping of insights. When scripture is involved, it makes sense to do all we can to create a group that encourages the latter.

Methods of scripture study abound (view some here), but the method that sustains worthwhile discussion generates the most excitement. Speaking out in a discussion sharpens our learning skills. Since we remember about 90 percent of what we say compared to 10 percent of what we hear, we will remember the biblical insights that we verbalize in our study groups and thereby increase our potential for living out these insights in our lives.

Being a participant in a group that studies scripture implies a certain sense of responsibility for the group as a whole – a willingness to help all group members learn from the text and from one another. The group then becomes our group not just the leader’s group. Positive, contributing members of an effective group enjoy the time and want to attend. They are motivated to grow spiritually. They take part in decisions about group plans and ground rules. They come to the group prepared, having read and reflected on the assigned text.

Agreeing on group goals and expectations helps a group function smoothly and prevents confusion and disap- pointment for group members. Participants can commit themselves to a group more readily if they know what to expect. Each group must decide on its own set of guidelines, but the following list may suggest some possibilities.

• Plan to meet regularly, choosing a comfortable, convenient meeting place and setting the time, length of meetings, and number of weeks to meet.
• Decide on ways to divide the time during a meeting: for example, 45 minutes for discussion, 10 minutes for refreshments, 30 minutes for personal sharing and/ or prayer.
• Commit to regular attendance, arriving and leaving at appointed times.
• Spend time praying and preparing for the group.
• Be faithful to the chosen method of study.
• Contribute to the discussion only if you have studied the text.
• Decide leadership style – one leader or shared or rotating leadership.
• Focus on the Bible itself as the text, rather than reading commentaries during the discussion.
• Promote an atmosphere of mutual respect and informality.
• Stress equal talk time for each participant.
• Make decisions about group size and growth.
• Have extra Bibles for newcomers.
• Decide if and when to serve refreshments.
• Plan for periodic evaluation of the group: methods, materials, communication, etc.

Though scripture study obviously centers in the Bible, supplementary study tools expand our understanding of the text and become a necessary part of preparation. However, using them in the meeting itself can squelch spontaneous sharing. Here are some resources to have on hand for reference:

• The Bible in Different Translations: examining different Bible translations invites comparisons of how the different translators deal with specific words and phrases (Examples: New Revised Standard Version; The Good News Translation; The New American Bible; The New International Version)
• A Study Bible: a Bible that includes some explanatory notes, commentary, maps, and other helps within it. (Examples: The New Interpreter’s Study Bible/NRSV; HarperCollins Study Bible/NRSV; The Catholic Study Bible/NAB)
• A Bible Dictionary: alphabetical listing of biblical words, people, and places, giving expanded definitions and explanations (Example: Harper’s Bible Dictionary)
• A Commentary: explanatory notes on scripture passages (Example: Harper’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible)
• A Concordance: an alphabetical listing of significant words in the Bible, citing their occurrence. Although concordances still come in printed volumes, having a Bible translation on your computer gives you a faster and better concordance because most programs allow you to search the text not only for single words but also for particular phrases or combinations of words.
• A Bible Atlas: maps, charts, illustrations related to biblical history and geography (Examples: Hammond Atlas of the Bible Lands; Oxford Bible Atlas)
• A Study Guidebook: available by books of the Bible, by biblical topics, by popular themes, by season of the Church year, etc.

Living the Good News is a lectionary curriculum (RCL) for ages Preschool through Adult published by Morehouse Education Resources, a division of Church Publishing. The adult component of the curriculum is an excellent resource for a weekly Adult Bible Study small group and includes a Leader’s Guide as well as participant booklets for home or classroom guidance and reflection.