How to Start a Bible Reading Club
A clear, practical framework for starting, running, and growing a local Bible Reading Club chapter in your home, parish, or neighborhood.
Start a Chapter
The Chapter Steward
The person who starts and coordinates a local Bible Reading Club chapter. The Chapter Steward is the primary administrator and point of contact for the chapter.
Meeting Venue & Rotation
Choose a convenient place to meet: the Chapter Steward’s home, another member’s home, or another suitable private/community venue. We suggest to use different locations every time or rotate among members.
Warm, Inclusive Invitations
Invite friends, relatives, neighbors, colleagues, and families. Fellowship and participation is open and welcoming; the club is not restricted by age.
Children Welcome
Children may participate, including children who have not yet received First Holy Communion, subject to appropriate parental/guardian consent and supervision.
No Scholars Required
Keep the chapter welcoming to people at different levels of Bible knowledge. No one needs to be a Bible scholar to participate.
The WhatsApp Group
Create one official WhatsApp group for the chapter. Use it exclusively for meeting coordination, reading schedules, reminders, and Bible-related communication.
- Admin-Only Posting: Only the Chapter Steward (or an appointed co-admin) should post. This keeps the group focused and prevents it becoming a general social-chat group.
- Meeting Prep: Use the group to post reading portions, venue location details, and meeting time reminders.
- Queries for the Meeting: Questions, queries, and doubts may be collected by the Chapter Steward and brought into the next meeting. Where appropriate, these can be shared with the group for research or discussions before the meeting.
- No Spam or Ads: No forwarded promotions, chain messages, political campaigning, commercial advertising, or unrelated material.
- No Routine Greetings: Avoid routine ‘Good Morning’, ‘Good Evening’, feast or festival greetings, memes, stickers, and similar messages. The purpose of the group is Bible Reading Club communication.
- Respect Privacy: Do not forward members’ personal information, photographs, conversations, or prayer requests outside the group without permission.
How Often Should the Club Meet?
Weekly Rhythm
The recommended minimum is once every week. Chapters may meet two or three times a week if members prefer.
Consistency & Time
Fix a convenient time and try to keep it consistent. Start and finish on time to honor members' schedules.
Manageable Size
Aim for a manageable group size where everyone can participate. If a chapter becomes too large for meaningful discussion, members may consider forming a second chapter.
The Standard Meeting Format
A typical BRC gathering lasts 60 to 75 minutes, divided evenly between reading God's Word together and respectful discussion.
Bible Reading Aloud
Read the agreed portion aloud together. Members should use a physical Bible whenever possible to connect deeply with Scripture.
Discussion & Questions
Discuss what was read, ask questions, compare passages, and explore meanings and historical context in an open, cordial setting.
Research is Encouraged
If a question cannot be answered during the meeting, members can research it using reliable Bible resources, consult a knowledgeable person, and bring the findings to the next meeting.
Understanding Over Arguments
Keep the focus on understanding Scripture rather than winning arguments. Different interpretations should be discussed respectfully and, where necessary, identified as interpretations rather than presented as established fact.
Optional Closing Prayer
Optional closing prayer/reflection may be included according to the chapter’s tradition and the comfort of its members.
Read the Bible Together — Set a Target
12 to 18 Month Completion Target
Every chapter should adopt a reading plan and agree on a target completion period. A practical target is the complete Bible in approximately 12–18 months. Chapters may choose a different pace based on their members’ availability.
Structured Reading Options
Reading plans may be chronological, book-by-book, or another structured plan chosen by the chapter. Digital group reading plans can also be used.
Chapter Steward Progress Tracking: The Chapter Steward should maintain a simple record of the reading progress and announce the next reading portion before each meeting.
Participation & Discussion
Everyone should have an opportunity to participate. The Chapter Steward’s role is to facilitate, not dominate the discussion.
Encourage Open-Ended Questions
Never Ridicule
Do not ridicule questions, especially questions from children or people new to the Bible.
Avoid Sermons
Avoid turning the meeting into a sermon, political discussion, or personal grievance session.
Courteous Resolution
When a disagreement arises, return to the relevant Scripture and credible sources, and maintain courtesy.
Grow the Club
Simple Annual Goal
Every member is encouraged, as a simple annual goal, to invite at least two or three new people or families to experience the Bible Reading Club. Invitations should be personal and welcoming, never coercive.
Family Habits & Multiplying
Encourage members to bring their families and to help children develop the habit of reading Scripture. As the chapter grows, identify reliable members who can help facilitate discussions and, when appropriate, start new chapters. This allows the movement to multiply organically.
Safety, Respect & Good Conduct
Safe Environment
The club should be a safe, respectful and welcoming environment. No harassment, bullying, discrimination, abusive language, personal attacks, or pressure on members to disclose private matters.
Safeguarding Children
For meetings involving children, parents/guardians remain responsible for their children, and chapters should use appropriate adult supervision and safeguarding practices.
Professional Boundaries
The Bible Reading Club is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, legal or financial advice. Where such issues arise, members should be directed to qualified professionals.
The Spirit of the Bible Reading Club
“The purpose of a chapter is not simply to complete a reading schedule. It is to build a regular habit of reading Scripture together, asking honest questions, learning from one another and allowing the Word of God to become part of everyday life.”
Simple Chapter Checklist
Use this checklist as your step-by-step roadmap when launching and establishing your new Bible Reading Club chapter.
Suggested Chapter Identity
Keep this identity record handy for chapter administration and member orientation.
Ready to launch your group?
Submit your chapter details to connect with resources and other leaders.
