What is Bible Study Fellowship?
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) is an interdenominational Bible study program that involves people gathering together in local groups to study the Bible. BSF aims to help people know God and equips them to effectively serve the Church throughout the world.
The History of Bible Study Fellowship
Bible Study Fellowship was founded in 1959 by Audrey Wetherell Johnson, a pastor’s wife from San Francisco. After leading Bible studies for women in her church, Audrey felt called by God to start a new interdenominational Bible study ministry focused on in-depth study of the Scriptures. She started the first BSF class in her home with just a handful of people.
Over the years, BSF grew through word of mouth as people invited friends and neighbors to join the studies. By 1969 there were over 1,000 people involved in BSF classes across the San Francisco Bay Area. As more people wanted to start BSF classes in other cities and states, Audrey realized the need for BSF to have a more formal structure and organization.
In 1971, Bible Study Fellowship was officially established as a non-profit ministry. Volunteer class leaders and regional administrators helped expand BSF across the U.S. and later to countries around the world. Today, BSF has over 400,000 participants worldwide in over 40 countries.
The Mission and Purpose of BSF
The mission of Bible Study Fellowship is to help people know God through in-depth Bible study. The purpose is to create an environment where people can open their Bibles, encounter God through His Word, and be transformed by the Holy Spirit.
BSF aims to accomplish this by facilitating discussion-oriented Bible studies that engage people’s hearts and minds. Participants explore books or sections of the Bible over the course of 6 to 9 months. This allows time for in-depth understanding of Scripture through observation, interpretation, and application.
The format of BSF studies is intended to create a welcoming community where people can learn, grow, and share insights with one another. Participants come to understand the Bible as God’s authoritative Word, sufficient for knowledge of salvation and instruction for living by faith.
Overall, BSF seeks to ground, build up, and mobilize people in the Word so they can know Christ, make Him known, and serve Him with their lives. The goal is that through regular Bible study, participants will deepen their relationship with God and their faith will overflow in love for others.
The Format of a BSF Bible Study
While BSF operates on five continents, the format of the Bible study is relatively consistent worldwide. The basic structure of a BSF class is as follows:
– Classes meet weekly and last approximately 2 hours.
– Each class has a discussion leader who guides the study. Other class members are participants.
– Participants prepare in advance by completing lesson notes at home. These lesson notes have fill-in-the-blank questions to complete while reading an assigned Bible passage.
– At the start of class is an optional worship and prayer time led by the discussion leader.
– The lesson notes provide the framework for group discussion. The leader will call on various class members to share answers to the lesson questions.
– The leader may pause during the lesson to clarify concepts or have participants reflect on certain passages.
– Towards the end, the leader will summarize key points from the Bible study.
– Participants can volunteer to share praise reports about how God is working in their lives.
– At the close there is a closing prayer.
This basic structure facilitates dynamic discussion as participants share their observations directly from Scripture. The leader guides the group through key aspects of the selected Bible passage.
BSF study notes are carefully crafted to draw out biblical truths and promote conversation. The lessons aim to uncover the meaning of a passage, highlight how it applies today, and motivate action based on God’s Word.
The Curriculum of BSF Studies
The curriculum for BSF studies focuses primarily on books or major sections of the Bible. Typically a study will work through one or two biblical books over the course of a year.
Some examples of past BSF studies include:
– The Gospel of Matthew
– Acts of the Apostles
– Genesis
– Exodus
– Isaiah
– The Life of Moses
– The Early Church
– Romans
– Revelation
The curriculum aims to cover the major narratives, themes, and theology contained in a particular book or section of the Bible. This equips participants with in-depth knowledge of that portion of Scripture.
In selecting study topics, priority is given to books that will engage people in all stages of spiritual growth. Studies alternate between Old and New Testament books to provide breadth and balance in biblical understanding.
In addition, BSF periodically offers topical studies focused on biblical themes or important Christian disciplines. Examples include studies on Christian Leadership, Prayer, or Evangelism.
While specific lesson content varies based on the study topic, all BSF curricula are rooted in observing the text, interpreting the context and meaning, and applying biblical truths. This emphasis on personal Bible study before group discussion cultivates a high degree of biblical literacy and spiritual maturity.
Leadership in a BSF Class
Each BSF class is led by a volunteer discussion leader. Leaders must be biblically knowledgeable and able to facilitate lively discussion among people with varying personalities and spiritual backgrounds.
The primary role of a BSF discussion leader is to guide participants through observing and interpreting the Bible passage for themselves. Leaders pose thoughtful questions to prompt insights, clarify difficult concepts, highlight connections to other Scriptures, and keep discussion on track.
Leaders must create a welcoming atmosphere where participants feel comfortable sharing vulnerably. They need to be affirming while gently probing and correcting misconceptions when necessary. Leaders should model humility, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and passion for God’s Word.
In addition to leading weekly discussion, BSF leaders provide encouragement, counsel, and prayer support to class members. They help foster relationships within the group and motivate participants to persevere in study.
Leaders receive extensive training in proper principles and methods of leading inductive Bible study. They utilize BSF Teaching Guidelines that equip them to teach God’s Word with faithfulness, integrity, and consistency across classes.
Joining a BSF Bible Study
Bible Study Fellowship welcomes people at all stages of spiritual growth to join their Bible studies. Anyone can visit a local BSF class at any point during the study cycle.
To find a group, you can search on the BSF website for classes within driving distance that meet on a suitable day and time. First-time visitors should arrive 10-15 minutes early to get oriented.
You will join a discussion group with 8-12 people led by an experienced leader. Let the leader know you are new so they can help you get settled with some basic overview of how the class functions.
As a new participant, you will receive some catch-up lecture notes to enable you to jump into the current week’s lesson. You can purchase the course study material so you can follow along with the daily readings at home.
Within a few weeks, you will get to know others in your discussion group. You will grasp the flow of the study as you follow the lesson notes each week. Consistent participation in BSF provides tremendous rewards of biblical community and spiritual growth over time.
You can keep attending at any frequency – whether weekly, occasionally, or seasonally based on your schedule. The priority is engaging with God’s Word together with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Benefits of Bible Study Fellowship
There are many benefits to be gained through active participation in a Bible Study Fellowship class:
Biblical Literacy – By regularly studying books or sections of the Bible in-depth, you will gain a thorough understanding of the themes, meaning, and application of Scripture.
Bible Study Methods – You will learn how to observe, interpret, and apply the Bible through use of the inductive study method. This equips you for personal study.
Christian Community – The small group format and discussion atmosphere provides a place to build caring relationships and share life experiences.
Accountability – Being part of a regular Bible study motivates you to stay engaged with God’s Word and apply it. Fellow participants help keep you accountable.
Prayer Support – Your small group becomes like a family who can pray for each other’s needs and spiritual growth.
Leader Development – Opportunities to volunteer for leadership roles further enhances your biblical and ministry skills.
Global Connections – Participating in the same study as 400,000 people worldwide knits your heart together with the broader Body of Christ.
As you commit to studying the Bible with others through BSF, you will enrich your spiritual life as you grow closer to God and one another.
How to Get the Most out of BSF
To gain the greatest benefit from your BSF class, here are some tips:
1. Attend faithfully and come prepared – Make it a priority to attend each week and complete the lesson notes ahead of time to actively participate in discussion.
2. Engage during class – Share your insights when prompted and listen thoughtfully to others. Seek to learn from your leader and group members.
3. Apply the Scripture – Ask the Lord to show you how to live out what you’re learning. Discuss applications with your group and be accountable.
4. Make local connections – Introduce yourself to others and pursue relationships outside of class through small groups and social activities when possible.
5. Pray for your study – Ask God to teach you through His Word and for unity in your class. Share prayer requests and pray for one another.
6. Invite others – Help BSF grow by bringing friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers along with you to experience it.
7. Complete the study – Plan to participate for the entirety of the study, which generally lasts 30-40 weeks. Stay the course to gain the full benefit.
8. Consider serving – Prayerfully consider if God may be calling you to volunteer as a leader, childcare provider, host home, or in another role.
As you wholeheartedly engage in your BSF study, you will be transformed through the power of God’s Word. The blessings you gain will overflow to impact others around you.
Challenges of Participating in BSF
While tremendously worthwhile overall, participating faithfully in BSF Bible studies can present some challenges that need to be navigated:
Time Commitment – Between the at-home lessons and weekly 2-hour classes, it requires 5+ hours each week. It can be hard to free up that time consistently.
Group Dynamic – Each class has a mix of personalities that doesn’t always mesh perfectly. Patience and understanding is required when interacting with others.
Staying Motivated – During lengthy studies, it’s common to lose some steam. Life gets busy and it’s easy to disengage or be inconsistent, so perseverance is key.
Processing Content – The amount of weekly content covered can be overwhelming for some. It takes time and technique to absorb and comprehend it.
Serving Needs – Volunteers are needed to teach, host groups, assist with childcare, and help with administrative tasks. This pulls people from their busy schedules.
Travel Factors – Those who live far from a class location may need to commute long distances which takes time and resources.
Health Issues – Sickness or chronic health conditions can make the long classes exhausting and difficult to sit through. Accommodation and support is often necessary.
While BSF tries to minimize obstacles to participation, some challenges will be unavoidable. With prayerful perseverance and help from others, these hurdles can be overcome. The enriching experience makes pushing through the challenges well worth it.
Conclusion
Bible Study Fellowship aims to help ordinary people engage in extraordinary encounters with God through studying the Bible together. The model of in-depth Bible study in a discussion format allows God’s Word to be understood and applied for transformation.
By learning from seasoned leaders and sharing life with fellow participants, BSF facilitates community across denominational lines. The international scope provides connection to the diverse Body of Christ.
If you desire to know God more deeply through His Word, BSF presents a proven approach. As you commit to studying the treasures of Scripture with an open mind and heart before God, you will uncover truth that changes your life forever.