Using Active Learning Techniques in Ongoing Bible Study Groups

Church leaders are constantly seeking ways to drive group engagement and learning. Although a lecture-style model may be comfortable for the leader, this method may not fit the learning preferences of everyone in the group. Moreover, going through the lesson content in the same lecture format week after week can lead to disengagement over time. To address this issue, academic institutions across the country have adopted an active learning methodology.

Starting in the fall of 2024, The Gospel Project Bible study for adults will employ the active learning method to enhance learning and engagement. However, trying new teaching methods may sound daunting for leaders. Below is an explanation of the active learning method, along with four tips for ensuring this model’s success in your church.

Making the Change to Active Learning

Active learning is a teaching method in which the group is asked to review new lesson materials prior to engaging with the lesson in a group setting. For instance, they may read an article or pertinent content pertaining to the session before group time and then engage with the lesson via group activities designed for multiple learning styles. Leaders, however, may wonder how they can encourage the group to prepare for the lesson each week when many of them may want just to show up.

1. Leadership from Above

It is crucial to have leadership support for the active learning model. The group is much more likely to consistently prepare beforehand for the group time when they hear their pastors supporting this model. Pastors and ministry leaders can discuss how excited the church is to adopt this learning method while they highlight the available groups. As time goes on, they can share stories about how this new model has helped those attending these Bible studies understand the Scriptures and grow in their walk with Christ more so that others can see how active learning is beneficial.

2. Leadership at the Group Leader Level

Similarly, group leaders must communicate the new expectations to their groups and be excited about it! Active learning benefits group leaders also because they can spend more time answering questions about the Scripture passage and applying the concepts than they do setting up the context. The group has begun processing the content on their own time already.By expecting the group to prepare in advance, leaders can jump into exploring and applying the main message of the Scripture passage.

3. Communicate How the Active Learning Addresses Multiple Learning Styles

One challenge of a lecture teaching model is that the key concepts are communicated in one way. Even if the group reads ahead of group time – the lecture format leaves little time for engaging with the content in multiple learning styles, such as visual, auditory, social, kinesthetic, etc. However, using the active learning method enables the group time to vary in multiple learning styles. Communicating the opportunity for enhanced learning and providing examples of how this method caters to multiple learning styles will help the group understand the value of active learning.

For example, you could place the group into pairs to share their thoughts on questions pertaining to the material or role-play a scenario which engages social learning. You could use the group time to play a game or build something illustrating a key concept, engaging in kinesthetic learning. Some other examples include evaluating a case study or debating a topic pertaining to the lesson. Thus, active learning engages several learning styles instead of catering to one, creating the opportunity for the group to engage with Scripture in the way God wired them.

4. Provide Leader Training

Of course, it is crucial to provide leader training for the active learning model. During the training, model active learning by expecting your leaders to watch or read some of the material in advance and then pick a few group activities to model the concepts. Encourage your leaders to observe others using active learning techniques.

With support from church staff and ample training for group leaders, active learning techniques will help groups thrive, as everyone engages with the lesson before group gatherings, and apply concepts better by leveraging multiple learning styles.