Lesson Template

Basic content blocks

There's not one right way to construct a lesson or small group Bible study. Below are some of the basic content blocks used by many people for the teaching-learning time. As always, adjust and adapt for your context and your people.

Opening Question

This should be general in nature. See Fresh Openers for questions that go beyond "highs and lows."

Warm-up Questions

These should be related to the passage you'll be reading. They will help lay a foundation for the hearing, discussing, and learning that will follow. So for a passage about prayer, you can ask people what they think of prayer, how they pray, if they think there's a right way to pray, and more. Here are some examples of actual warm-up questions for a lesson on prayer in the Head-Heart-Hands series.

Scripture Reading

This page offers some ideas about what passages of the Bible to read in your small groups or one-on-ones. Read the passage aloud several times so people have the chance to digest it well. We have some helpful ideas about communal Bible reading for you.

Scripture Engagement

Besides reading and discussing the Bible, it's also important to engage it in new and fresh ways. Here are some creative ways to engage and interact with Scripture. Choose one, or create your own, that best fits the specific passage and your people.

Discussion

This time should be driven by open-ended questions related to the passage (avoid asking things that simply restate details like "What did Jesus do next?" or "What did the disciples say to Jesus?"). The goal is to guide people toward discovery, reflection, learning, and transformation. "Why" or "what do you think about" are good on-ramps. Also invite people in the group to ask their own clarifying or conversation questions.

Wrap-up

This is a short closing thought based on the group's questions, insight, observations, and reflections. It can be leader-driven or collaborative. It does not need to be an application or an action-step (though it can be). It might simply be an important truth that people want to remember, a key verse they want to memorize, or a new idea they want to keep thinking and praying about during the week.