How to Start a Bible Study With Friends: A Simple Guide
Some of the most life-changing hours many believers ever spend are not in a church service but around a kitchen table, with a few friends, an open Bible and honest questions. Starting a Bible study sounds like a job for a pastor. It isn't. If you can invite a few people and read a passage aloud, you can start one.
Why start a Bible study?
The early church "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42), and much of it happened in homes (Acts 2:46). The Bible was always meant to be read together, not only alone.
A small group reading Scripture together does something sermons and podcasts cannot: it lets ordinary people ask questions, wrestle with what they read, encourage each other, and help each other actually obey it. It is also one of the simplest ways to disciple someone, and a natural next step for friends who are curious about Jesus.
You don't need all the answers to start. You need an open Bible and a few people willing to open it with you.
Who to invite
Start small: two to five people. Think about:
- New believers who need somewhere to grow.
- Christian friends who want to go deeper together.
- Curious friends who don't yet believe. Many people are open to reading the Bible for themselves if it is honest and pressure-free. A simple invitation works: "A few of us are reading through the life of Jesus for six weeks. Want to join?"
The people already in your life are the best place to start. Mapping your oikos can help you think of names.
What to read first
Start with a gospel, so the focus is on Jesus Himself. Mark is short and fast-moving, ideal for a first study. Luke is rich in stories and detail. John is especially clear about who Jesus is and why He came. Read a short passage each week, around 10 to 20 verses, and work through the book in order.
A simple format for each meeting
Catch up and look back (15 minutes)
Share how life is going and what you are thankful for. Then ask: how did it go with what we decided to do last week?
Read and retell (10 minutes)
Read the passage aloud, then ask someone to retell it in their own words. Retelling surfaces confusion early and helps everyone remember it.
Discover together (25 minutes)
- What does this passage show us about God, or about Jesus?
- What does it show us about people, and about us?
- Is there anything here that surprises you or that you don't understand?
Respond and pray (10 minutes)
- How will I respond to this, specifically, this week?
- Who could I share it with?
Close with a short prayer for each other. If some members aren't believers, invite them to share a need you can pray for, rather than asking them to pray aloud.
Leading well
- Let the Bible lead. Your job is to guide the conversation, not to deliver a lecture. Point people back to what the passage says.
- Ask more than you tell. Good questions draw everyone in; long explanations shut people down.
- Say "I don't know" freely. Then look it up together or come back next week. Honesty builds trust far faster than having every answer. Our guide on answering hard questions helps when tough ones come up.
- Keep it welcoming. Avoid church jargon, never embarrass anyone for not knowing something, and keep time limits.
- Aim for obedience. "Do not merely listen to the word... Do what it says" (James 1:22). The real measure of a Bible study is changed lives.
When someone wants to follow Jesus
Reading the gospels together often leads people to faith. When someone is ready, be ready too: explain the gospel simply, and see how to lead someone to Christ. Then keep walking with them, and help them connect with a local church.
Multiply
Healthy groups do not just grow bigger; they multiply. Once members are comfortable with the format, encourage them to start their own study with their own friends, using the same simple questions. That is how one kitchen table becomes many, and it is the heart behind Evangelize.World's vision of multiplying groups around the world.
Start this week
Pray about two to five names. Invite them to read the Gospel of Mark together for six weeks. Pick a time and a place, read Mark 1:1-20 at your first meeting, and ask the questions above. That is a Bible study, and you can start it now.
All for God's glory.
Step by Step
How to start a simple Bible study with friends
- Pray and invite a few people. Ask two to five friends, including people who are curious but don't yet believe, to read the Bible together for a few weeks.
- Pick a time, a place and a book. Meet weekly in a home, café or workplace break room. Start with a gospel such as Mark or Luke.
- Read a short passage aloud. Read 10 to 20 verses, then have someone retell it in their own words so everyone understands it.
- Ask simple discovery questions. What does this passage say about God? What does it say about people? How will I respond this week? Who could I share it with?
- Let the Bible lead, not you. Guide the conversation instead of lecturing. When questions come up, look at what the text says and be honest about what you don't know.
- Pray, follow up and multiply. Close with a short prayer, check in next week on how people responded, and encourage members to start their own groups over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you start a Bible study with friends?
Pray, invite two to five friends to read the Bible together for a few weeks, and choose a regular time and place. Each week read a short passage from a gospel such as Mark, retell it, discuss a few simple questions, decide how to respond, and pray.
What questions should we ask in a Bible study?
Simple questions work best: What does this passage say? What does it show us about God? What does it show us about people? How will I respond this week? Who could I share this with?
Can non-Christians join a Bible study?
Yes. Many people who don't yet believe are curious about Jesus and appreciate reading the Bible for themselves in an honest, pressure-free setting. Starting with a gospel lets everyone meet Jesus directly.
What book of the Bible should we study first?
A gospel is the best starting point, such as Mark (short and fast-moving) or Luke (detailed and story-rich), because it centres on Jesus: who He is, what He taught, and what He did.