Engaging the Bible
Every year, InterVarsity trains thousands of college students from every background to lead engaging and transformational Bible studies. We’ve been at it for a long time, and over the years we’ve discovered a tremendous secret that makes it possible for someone with even limited training to lead powerful Bible studies. We created this site to happily share what we’ve learned with anyone who’s been called to lead others into God’s Word. If you’re a current college student, we hope you’ll consider joining our movement! If you’re an InterVarsity alumnus, we hope this site will help you share what you learned on campus with your church.
Welcome!
Get your bearings and start your journey into confident Bible exploration.
Open Your Heart to God's Presence
Throughout church history, believers have prayed the Scriptures. There are a number of reasons why the Bible can be a particularly helpful resource for our prayers.
Discover for Yourself in Scripture
The following method is designed to help you discover the core message of a passage and experience Jesus in his Word. Whether you are new to the Bible or have read it a lot, this approach will open up
Get Started in Reading the Bible
If you’ve read a novel, you already know how to read the Bible! But a few tips might help . . .
Why the Bible?
The living God, whose words brought the cosmos into being, is eager to relate to us. He has not left us to guess at his character and intentions like some kind of charades game or to try to interpret
Questions to Discover the Gospels
Meet Jesus in the text – perfect for curious minds and honest conversations.
The Bible – What If?
What if the one who made you would LOVE to talk with you every day, about big things and everyday matters? What if he gave us the Bible so he could do just that? What if there were an easy way to lear
Discovery Questions – Matthew
Use these Discovery Questions in Matthew which provide you three unique study questions for each reading, joyfully offered to help you meet God in his Word with greater perceptivity, understanding, an
Discovery Questions – Mark
Use these Discovery Questions in Mark which provide you three unique study questions for each reading, joyfully offered to help you meet God in his Word with greater perceptivity, understanding, and p
Discovery Questions – Luke
Use these Discovery Questions in Luke which provide you three unique study questions for each reading, joyfully offered to help you meet God in his Word with greater perceptivity, understanding, and p
Discovery Questions – John
Use these Discovery Questions in John which provide you three unique study questions for each reading, joyfully offered to help you meet God in his Word with greater perceptivity, understanding, and p
Bible Study 101
Nervous? Excited? Start here – simple tools, no shame, real confidence.
Leading Inductive Bible Study
Spending time as a small group in inductive Bible study is a key way to encounter Jesus together. This resource will walk you through the steps of leading a time of inductive Bible study with your sma
What is a Manuscript?
Learn about what a Manuscript is, why InterVarsity uses them, and how to make one yourself.
Selecting Passages for Bible Study
10 Passages to start with and how to choose your own.
Starting to Study
Understand what you can do to help unlock a powerful study.
The Shape of an InterVarsity Bible Study
Explaining the shape of the OIA graphic.
Observing a Passage
If you know what types of things to notice when observing a passage of the Bible, you’ll be able to see more than you normally do.
TIGHT Interpretation Questions
Great questions are at the heart of any solid Bible study. Here are five characteristics of great questions that will guide the interpretation part of the conversation deeper and help your group unloc
Preparing a Bible Passage Summary
The summary of the passage is a short paragraph that helps clarify the heart of the passage and launches into application. It is the bridge between discussing the meaning of a Bible passage to discuss
Identifying the Core Message
The core message is the essential meaning of the passage. If the summary is a paragraph, the core message is a tweet—one key repeatable sentence that participants will remember from the study.
SHARP Application Questions
The goal of a Bible study is not information, but transformation, and this is what the application phase of the conversation is all about. Here are five characteristics of application questions that w
Growing as a Reader
Move beyond the surface—learn to read with depth, delight, and curiosity.
InterVarsity's Interpretive Commitments on Scripture
We all naturally have a set of ‘lenses’ through which we view and understand the Bible. Since InterVarsity brings together Christians from a broad range of churches, ethnicities, and cultures, a core
Bible Study Resources for Extra Research
Reference these books and other online resources to enrich your Bible Study.
Leading Others
You don’t need to be an expert, but these tools can help!
How to Prepare a Bible Study
With God's help and a little preparation, you too can create a space where Jesus takes center stage. When preparing, spend about half your time getting to know the passage and the other half preparing
How to Lead Observation for Inductive Bible Study
In this first phase of your group's conversation, called “Observation”, you want to see your group grow increasingly curious about the passage as they look closely at what’s there and share what they’
How to Lead Interpretation for Inductive Bible Study
During the second part of the conversation, called “Interpretation”, your group will gain clarity about what the passage means as they share and discuss their questions together.
How to Lead Application for Inductive Bible Study
During the third part of the conversation, called “Application”, you’ll help your group put into practice what God has made clear through his Word.
Leading Online Bible Study
These resources are yours to use and distribute as you find helpful. The Instructions for Prep and Quick Guide below are tools to help you prepare and lead a study.
Growing as a Leader
Sharpen your skills as you continue on the journey of leading others.
Creative Observations for Bible Study
A Creative Observation activity asks your group to put themselves into the passage and make observations from “inside” the story. This will engage their imagination and add energy and depth to your st
Strengthening Group Conversations
Try these tips to help you facilitate group conversations in your small group setting.
Pacing Templates for Bible Study
This handout outlines how to pace your small group's Bible study, depending on how much time you have available.
Reviewing Your Bible Study
Use this review sheet as you reflect on how leading your Bible Study went.