How to host a Simply Bible study this fall...
Hi friends,
After hiking and chatting with a friend yesterday, she is now praying about hosting a Simply Bible study in her home this fall. Here are a few thoughts that I jotted down for her. Whether you are hosting a small group at church, in your home or online, this information may be helpful to you.
Honestly, this is just like hosting any other Bible study in your church or home. You’re just choosing to utilize the Simply Bible resources. Because Simply Bible is a different method of study, I also like to provide help and encouragement for both leaders and participants. Find below the various helps planned for this fall.
Leader’s Help: As a leader of a Simply Bible study group, you’re welcome (not mandatory) to join other leaders and myself as we go through the study together ahead of time. I call it Leader’s Live, and we meet on Monday evenings from 7-8pm via Zoom. I will begin meeting with leaders August 23rd for the study of Ruth. I'd love to have you join us!
Help for all participants:
The Simply Bible books are available on Amazon: Ruth and Esther. We will study Simply Bible Ruth (5 weeks) beginning in September and Simply Bible Esther (6 weeks) during October and November wrapping up just before Thanksgiving. Encourage participants to order books early.
Daily “Study-Buddy videos will begin rolling out on September 6th, one per day Monday-Thursday. These videos aren’t necessary for successfully completing the Bible study, but are merely intended to provide encouragement and practical study help. (I try to keep these to ten minutes.) These videos are accessible for free on the Simply Bible YouTube channel. It seems easiest if women subscribe directly to the Simply Bible channel.
Weekly Teaching Video: The weekly teaching videos are longer and more comprehensive. In these, I try to do an overview of the chapter or talk about themes and ideas that I don’t get to address in the daily videos. Again, not necessary, but women will have access and can use them as desired through the Simply Bible YouTube channel.
Bi-monthly e-news: Beginning August 1st, women can begin receiving bi-monthly e-news that will give insight to Simply Bible, short mini-lessons with printable guides, study tips, up-to-date news, etc. Women can sign up HERE.
Online study groups: For those looking to connect in a group, Simply Bible will offer a few of online study groups. (This is for women not involved in an in-person group and registration is limited. Registration will open in August and be hosted through the Simply Bible Study website.) If anyone is interested in leading an online group for Simply Bible, please contact me.
Whether meeting in-person at church, in a home, or your own online group, the easiest way to host a study is to:
Extend invites to those women who you want to invite.
Begin sometime after September 6th. I recommend starting the week of September 6th with a meet and greet, get to know one another, and introduce the study. Assign homework (chapter 1). Then discuss Ruth chapter 1 the following week.
Share all the above information with the participants so that they know how to order books, find videos and sign up for study helps.
If you’re leading a Simply Bible study group and would like support, join us via Zoom for Leader’s Live on Mondays 7-8pm.
I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions at all. This is new way of serving others and your feedback helps!
So grateful for the way God is going before this Simply Bible mission to help women know and enjoy Him through His Word. I can’t wait to study with you soon!
With joy,
Carmen