If you’ve ever led a Bible study, small group, or Sunday school class, you know the frustration. You assign the lesson, send reminders, maybe even offer incentives—and still, week after week, a large portion of the group shows up unprepared. It’s tempting to sigh, shake your head, and wonder: “Why can’t they just read the material?”

The truth is simple: people will read when what they’re reading feels worth their time. It’s not about guilt, obligation, or nagging. It’s about value. And here’s the key: most traditional curriculum, no matter how well-intentioned, doesn’t feel valuable. It often feels dry, abstract, or like busywork. If you want everyone to read their lesson, you need to give them something better to read.

We just released a Bible Study on Take Every Thought Captive. This is just one good example of curriculum (books) people will read. 

Step 1: Make Books Your Curriculum

The solution isn’t to add more pages, worksheets, or discussion questions—it’s to replace the curriculum with books that people actually want to read. High-quality, engaging books by authors like Max Lucado, David Jeremiah, or other New York Times bestsellers bring Scripture to life in ways that a standard lesson packet rarely does. These books don’t just present information—they tell stories, paint vivid pictures, and draw readers into the truth of God’s Word.

Imagine this: instead of handing out a dry chapter outline on “faith” or “forgiveness,” you assign a Lucado book that tells real-life stories of hope, struggle, and redemption. Suddenly, your group members aren’t just reading to check a box—they’re reading because they want to know what happens next. They’re not completing a lesson—they’re experiencing it.

Step 2: Choose Books That Teach While They Captivate

Not all books are created equal. The books you choose must do two things: teach biblical truth and captivate the reader. Max Lucado’s storytelling makes profound spiritual lessons feel accessible. David Jeremiah explains Scripture in a way that sticks, providing practical application that readers can take into their daily lives. When your group reads these books, the lesson is internalized naturally—they are growing spiritually without even realizing it.

The difference is striking: most curriculum asks people to study; great books pull people in, and the study happens almost effortlessly because they are engaged with the material. Reading becomes something they look forward to, not something they endure.

Step 3: Make Reading a Shared Experience

Books are powerful, but they become even more effective when paired with meaningful conversation. Encourage your group to come ready to discuss what they read. Ask questions like:

• “What story in the book stood out to you this week?”
• “What did this reading teach you about God’s character?”
• “Was there a verse or insight that challenged you?”

When people know their reading will spark meaningful conversation, they naturally prioritize it. Accountability isn’t about shame—it’s about participation. Reading becomes a doorway to community, and community makes reading irresistible.

Step 4: Celebrate the Habit

Recognize and celebrate the reading habit itself, not just the knowledge gained. Highlight insights from the group, share favorite quotes in your newsletter or social media, or start your session by asking, “Who read something that really stuck with them this week?” Recognition builds momentum. People read when they feel their effort matters and is noticed.

Step 5: Give Choice and Variety

Different voices resonate with different people. Rotate authors, themes, or even allow the group to vote on the next book. Some may love Lucado’s warmth and storytelling; others may be drawn to Jeremiah’s insight and prophetic perspective. Choice increases ownership, which in turn increases engagement.

Step 6: Turn Reading Into a Spiritual Rhythm

When books replace traditional curriculum, reading can become more than just preparation—it can become a spiritual discipline. Encourage group members to read with prayer, reflection, and application in mind. Let the reading guide their personal devotions and their participation in group discussion. The rhythm of weekly reading, reflection, and conversation becomes a natural part of their spiritual life.

Conclusion

If you want everyone to read their lesson, stop trying to force them to read something they don’t care about. Stop sending out reminders, nagging, or pleading. Instead, give them books that are worth their time—books that teach, inspire, and captivate. Make reading the lesson a joy, not a chore. Build a culture where reading is celebrated, discussed, and applied. When the material is worth opening, people will open it—and they’ll come ready to grow.

Because the truth is simple: people read what they love, and they love what moves them. Give them the right book, and they’ll read every week without being told.