Bill Donahue: Bible Study--so-so or so what?

Study is another common group activity, even in task groups with limited time. Most groups use a curriculum to help them study Scripture. It's up to the leader to move the group from debating content to applying truth to members' lives.

Consider this question from a curriculum for Hebrews 12:1. The verse concerns "running the race set before us" and exhorts us to "throw off everything that hinders" so we can run for the prize. The curriculum poses the question, "What are some problems some Christians have running the race?" If we stop here, we will never get to the heart of the issue.

I (Bill) lead a small group early every Wednesday morning. One man always pushes us toward application: "So, what are we going to do about this?" Members answer, and he asks, "Well, then why not now?" Someone replies, "Frankly, because I don't feel like it." Now that's like throwing down the gauntlet in a men's group. You can get great content in a book or sermon or on tape. But the small group is the only place where someone will look you in the eye and say, "So what?" Don't be satisfied with merely sharing common information when you can use Bible study for transformation, creating a moment where truth meets life.

--Building a Church of Small groups