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SCHEDULING, TIME, AND FELLOWSHIP FOR YOUR SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY

1.   Scheduling the day to meet is entirely up to the needs of the  Group. Some may prefer morning Small Group Bible Study and others may  prefer evening Small Group Bible Study. 

2.   A time to start your Bible Study will vary from Group to  Group. However, it has been a new trend to begin at 10:30 am or an  evening time that will also meet the needs of the Group. The discussion  and real-life application of the Biblical topics discussed usually lasts  one hour to one and a half hours.

3.   In addition to the day and time, you may choose to have your Bible  Study every week or every other week. Some Women like a little more time  to prepare, therefore, every other week works well for them.

4.    When the Bible Study comes to a conclusion that day, the Group goes  out for lunch or dinner together for Christian fellowship time.

​​HOW TO START YOUR SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY

1.   Place a small announcement in your Church bulletin that a Small Group  Bible Study for Women is starting and give your contact information.
2.  Make an Announcement in Sunday School Classes where Women attend.
3.  Ask your friends if they are interested in a Small Group Bible Study.
4.  Ask your friends to call someone they know that might be interested in a Small Group Bible Study.
5.   The Bible Study is not necessarily affiliated with a particular  Christian denomination or Church.  It may be an opportunity for new  believers or Women unsure about their faith to draw nearer to the Lord  and have fellowship with other Christians.

WHAT WILL YOUR SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY LOOK LIKE

1.   The best Group size is between six and eight Women as studies have  shown conversation flows more freely in a Group of this size.  If Groups  grow larger than ten, it is best to split the Group. This can be done  by drawing names or other methods.  Usually, the newly formed Groups  will then gain new members.
2.  All ages are included in the group. However, if there is a practical need to group some ages together, this is fine.

WHERE DO YOU MEET FOR YOUR BIBLE STUDY

1.  You may meet in a members home, a church, a restaurant, etc.
2.   It is better to meet in a smaller rather than larger  room arranging chairs or other furniture for sitting in a loose circle.   It may be necessary to move chairs toward each other in order for the  Group to form a loose circle.
3.  It is preferable to not sit at tables as this has been shown to inhibit conversation.

4.  It is best to have only beverages available to the Group members such as coffee, lemonade, tea, or soft drinks. 

WHAT HAPPENS AT YOUR SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY 

1. At the beginning, prayer requests are taken, and a prayer is offered by any member who would like to do this.
2.   A Facilitator and/or Co-Facilitator ask simple open-ended questions  directed toward the members and pertaining to the Bible Study for that  week.  An open-ended question is a question that cannot be answered by a  simple "yes" or "no".  For example, "What do you think the Lord was  saying to believers ? What did you find the most challenging?  What did  you personally take away from the study that will change your life for  Christ? Who was an inspiration or encouragement to you and why?"

3.   If your group would like to use a supplemental DVD for the study, it is  best to limit the DVD lesson to 15-20 minutes. This allows for plenty  of time for discussion and personal application.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND RESOURCES FOR YOUR BIBLE STUDY

1. There are many sources with good Bible Study materials.  These include but are not limited to:

a)  Christian Book Distributors

b)  The Navigators which publishes through NavPress

c)  Lifeway publications

d)  Many of your favorite radio and television Pastors offer Bible Study materials on their websites.

e)  Visit your local Christian bookstore for material