Teach Your Study Group to Dive Deeper into Scripture!
Teach Your Study Group to Dive Deeper into Scripture
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8
What a promise!
As a Bible teacher for teens, my goal is to help them approach God confidently, knowing He is near when they seek Him. Recently, I’ve been teaching my groups simple Bible study techniques they can use for a lifetime—and I want to share both the methods and how I teach them.
Be sure to grab your FREE Study the Scriptures Handouts at the end of this post—there are three in total! My current favorite is the S.O.A.P. handout, which has been a game-changer in my groups.
Guided Bible Study
When I introduce a new study method, I invite the group to experience what it looks like to meet with God in Scripture. Together, we move through the process in a way that encourages noticing, reflecting, and responding to what He is saying:
- Start with Prayer – We pause to thank God for His Word and ask Him to guide our hearts and minds.
- Read Together – We read a passage (not just a single verse), giving attention to the whole story God is telling.
- Observation – Students share out loud what stands out to them, noticing details, repeated words, and key ideas.
- Application – We discuss how God is calling them to respond in their own lives after reading the passage.
- Closing Prayer – We pray about what we’ve discovered and ask God to help us live it out.
This approach shows teens that studying Scripture is about encountering God, not just completing a set of steps.
From Guided to Independent Practice
After teaching the process, I model what it looks like to study Scripture “alone.” I read the passage and complete the handout step by step while the teens help and observe my thought process. This lets them see how to engage with God’s Word independently, with guidance and support.
At the next meeting, I assign a passage and give them 10–15 minutes to practice on their own using the handout. Then we come back together to share insights and discuss what God is teaching each of us.
Sometimes, I play soft background music during this time—it helps ease the silence and creates a more focused atmosphere.
As they grow more comfortable, I encourage them to use these methods on their own during the week. The goal is simple: to equip them with tools so they can open their Bible with confidence instead of feeling overwhelmed.
One teen recently shared that she’s been using the S.O.A.P. method to study on her own—and that it’s made reading her Bible simple and enjoyable. That kind of growth is exactly the goal!
📖 Get your Bible Study Handouts HERE!
Reflect & Connect
1. Which part of the Bible study process do your students tend to struggle with most?
2. How can you better guide your group in seeing Bible reading as a way of meeting with God, not just completing a task?
3. What is one step you can take this week to help your students begin studying Scripture more independently?
