Before You Begin
Thank you for choosing to lead one of our Bible studies. We’re honored to come alongside you as you open God’s Word with others.
Setting expectations from the outset helps create a welcoming, focused, and fruitful group experience. Below are suggestions to help guide your group’s structure and shared commitments. If you would like our optional Leader Notes (which include sample answers for every question), email us at info@createdforhope.com.
Group Expectations
Consider establishing these at your first meeting:
- Availability
Prioritize regular attendance to encourage consistency and connection. - Confidentiality
Respect what is shared. Group discussions should remain private. - Authenticity
Be open and honest. Vulnerability helps others do the same. - Respect
Speak with kindness. Listen well. Disagree without division. Stick to one conversation at a time. - Participation
Encourage everyone to speak—but not to dominate. It is best when everyone completes the weekly lesson and arrives ready to learn together.
Leading the Group
- Prayer and Preparation
Before each meeting, spend time in prayer and review the lesson. Familiarize yourself with the passages and questions so you can guide discussion with confidence and focus.
Prepare any additional resources that may enhance the study experience. - Opening Prayer
Begin the group time with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to help everyone understand and apply God’s Word. - Facilitate the Lesson
Work through the questions together. Encourage each person to share their answers and thoughts, but ensure no one dominates the discussion—including you, the leader. Discuss how the passages can speak to your lives today to help you be more like Jesus, living in obedience to God. Be prepared to gently refocus the group if the conversation drifts too far off-topic. - Read the “Refresh”
Conclude each lesson by having someone read the Refresh section aloud. It serves as a closing reflection and takeaway. - Closing Prayer
As the leader, end the lesson with a brief prayer, thanking God for His Word and asking for continued understanding and growth in living obediently to it.
Final Group Prayer
Ask for any prayer requests, and consider writing them down in the Lesson Notes section. Then have each person pray out loud—even if it’s simply “Thank You, Lord, for today.” For larger groups, break into smaller prayer circles.
Praying aloud may feel uncomfortable for some at first, but a Bible study group should be a safe place where everyone encourages and supports one another. Cultivating this practice fosters trust and builds community within the group.
Planning for a Retreat?
Our 4-lesson studies are ideal for retreats. If you are hosting one and would like a sample retreat schedule, suggested answers to study questions (Leader Notes), help choosing a study, or if you have any other Bible study-related questions, email us at info@createdforhope.com.