Just take the plunge: Three reasons why you're (probably) ready to start a post-college Bible study

This is the second post in a multi-part series: Creating a sustainable new ministry at your Parish

It’s 6:52pm. I’m extraordinarily nervous, trying to invent ways I can avoid having a house full of people I don’t even really know. I am imagining the mixture of devastation and relief that I might experience if no one shows up.  Fretfully shuffling between my kitchen and dining room, I’m hoping to ensure my guests experience hospitality through a plethora of beverages, cookies, and brownies.

You may remember from a couple of months ago, a post I wrote about creating a sustainable new ministry at your Parish. My plan has been to start a Bible study of young adults from my parish who would then lead our Confirmation students in Bible study. I have been uneasy because I am testing a new idea and have no clue if it will work or if people will even be interested. Well, I asked folks at my parish, the Director of Religious Education, and some young adults, and found about nine young adults who said they were interested. They are about to show up to my house for our first meeting. I feel a little like I’m about to go on a first date: clammy hands, nervous stomach, overly concerned with my outfit. 

It’s three minutes to 7, and they should be showing up any time now. Wait, I think to myself, should I do a different getting-to-know-you activity? Maybe the questions I plan to ask are stupid. Ugh, there’s no time to rework the plan, I’ll just have to go with it.

Two minutes ‘til 7. I take a deep breath. This is not so different from how I felt when I led a FOCUS study at CU 7 years ago. My stomach was in knots as I anticipated the arrival of girls I barely knew. They arrived and crowded in a large storage closet in the basement of the St. Thomas Aquinas Student center. I didn’t know them well, had no experience leading a Bible study, and felt completely unequipped.  The girls came, we ate cookies, cracked open the Bible, poured out our hearts, and the course of their college experience (and mine!) was changed forever.

But as I stand here in the living room of my downtown house, a big upgrade from that musty basement in college, my mind is exploring worse-case scenarios. It keeps telling me the location is probably not the only thing that’s different with this 20-30-something crowd. They won’t really care about the Bible like those college girls did. They are already too busy, I’m thinking. Sure, I enjoy talking about Jesus and coming to more deeply understand His plan for my life, but these total strangers aren’t going to be so eager.

7:02, I’m pretty convinced that they’re not coming. Then the doorbell rings. My roommate Sarah, the one member of the study I know, comes dashing down the stairs and answers the door. Three people are standing the porch, clearly unsure if they’ve come to the right place. Sarah invites them in and although a few awkward moments pass while others arrive, people pour their beverages, sweets are secured, and we’re finally ready to get started.

7:11, we go around the circle introducing ourselves, giving details about our job, home state, and history with Bible study. Everyone has totally different backgrounds. Our group represents Texas, Oklahoma, California, Chicago, and Denver. We are engineers, teachers, interior designers, looking for work. But most of all we’re looking for God. As people timidly go around the circle sharing their experiences one girl, a fairly quiet girl in her early thirties dressed mostly in black, cracks a joke, the ice is broken, and for the first time that night I exhale. 

Time finally fades from the picture. The remainder of the meeting is spent sharing our experiences with ministry and interacting with teenagers. A lively discussion breaks out about how desperately that generation needs to have a platform to discuss faith. Wow, I’m sitting around with the perfect group to have in Bible study AND to reach out to teens, I think to myself. God is good.

OK, so I spent most of this post sharing my experience with my first Bible study because I wanted to illustrate to you why I think you’re probably ready to start a Bible study too.

Here is why I think you can do it!

1. Young adults are desperate for authentic community and mission.
   
   One thing that was true among EVERY member of my new Bible study is that they are looking for authentic community and mission. Every last one desires to draw closer to Christ and to be strengthened by fellow Christians. I would venture to say that this is true in your community as well. Perhaps you will need to do some deep searching to find the young adults, but I assure you they are there and they are looking for hope.
   
   
2. You have the heart and you can develop the skills.
   
   If you have entrusted your life to Jesus Christ and are striving daily to draw closer to Him then you can bring others on the journey with you. You don’t have to be a theologian to lead a Bible study. You just need to know the deep, transformative love of Jesus, lead others to know Him, and teach them to do the same (2 Tim 2:2). You may have to fumble through leading at first, but I assure you, you can learn (see How to Lead a Bible study on FOCUS equip)
   
   
3. It’s ok to fail.
   
   Curtis recently wrote an article for the FOCUS Alumni eNewsletter about how God loves failure. This is true. Maybe you’ll give it a good ol’ college try and it just won’t work. That’s ok. If you fail at leading a Bible study it doesn’t mean you’re a failure. God will certainly bless you for your efforts and draw you closer to Him.  He will help you become who He is calling you to be through that experience. But as the old adage says “you can’t steer a parked car.”

Question: Have you led a Bible study since college? What did you learn?