The Ultimate Guide to Running a Catholic Bible Study

Thank you for your willingness to lead a group. Your yes to your parish community is a yes to Christ!

Being a Bible study leader, or leading a small group, is not about being an expert theologian, it is about being faithful, prepared, and passionate about bringing the Gospel to life. 

This is your all-in-one guide, or rather your Ultimate Guide to Running a Catholic Bible Study, to begin and successfully journey through Ascension's adult faith formation programs, deepening faith and cultivating lasting community along the way.

No matter what kind of experience your group has with studying the Bible—whether you're leading a men's group, women's group, young adults' study, Scripture study, devotional program, or anything in between—this guide can be your starting point for leading a group that helps others grow in their faith.

Would you like an interactive, fillable, and downloadable Ascension Bible Study Leader Quick Start Guide? Click below to request your free guide, delivered straight to your inbox, and follow a step-by-step plan to launch your Bible study from start to finish.

Allow the Holy Spirit to Guide the Way 

First things first: Come, Holy Spirit.

Before you get started, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you begin the journey of leading a small group. Open your heart as you ask: Are you being called to serve as a leader? Who is your small group for? How can you best serve the people God is placing in your care?

Taking time to prayerfully reflect on these questions helps keep Christ at the center of your leadership, allowing him to direct your plans and your purpose.

Select Your Study 

Ascension offers a wide variety of small group programs, including foundational studies that build and reinforce the basics of Scripture and Tradition, Bible studies on individual books of the Bible, studies on Catholic beliefs and practices, and programs focused on Catholic spirituality and devotions.

When choosing which study to lead, consider the spiritual maturity, age range, interests, familiarity with Scripture, and parish environment of your group.

If your group is just beginning, we recommend starting with a foundational study. Many groups begin with these programs before diving into more specialized topics, but there's no wrong place to start. Follow where you feel the Lord is calling you:

Foundations of Salvation History

• The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation (24 sessions)

• Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible (8 sessions)

Foundations of Catholic Beliefs and Practices

• Foundations of Faith: A Journey Through the Catechism of the Catholic Church (24 sessions)

• What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith (10 sessions)

Build Your Support System

Remember, while you may be leading a small group, you are not meant to do it alone.

A strong support team helps make your study both sustainable and enjoyable. Sharing responsibilities allows others to use their gifts while preventing any one person from taking on too much.

Consider inviting volunteers to serve as:

• Small group facilitators
• Prayer coordinators
• Hospitality coordinators
• Promotion coordinators
• Registration coordinators
• Logistics coordinators
• Childcare coordinators
  

Click below to access your free Small Group Leader's Companion for practical guidance on organizing and facilitating your group, along with additional tips to help you lead with confidence.

We typically recommend one small group facilitator for every eight to twelve participants. This can include you. If possible, pair experienced leaders with newer ones to:

• Create a welcoming environment
• Keep discussions focused
• Manage time well
• Encourage everyone to participate

Don't forget to involve your parish leaders. Invite your priest or deacon to participate, keep your parish secretary in the loop, and partner with your faith formation director for additional support.

Most importantly, remember that you don't need to be a Scripture expert. Ascension studies feature trusted Catholic teachers and authors through engaging video presentations and thoughtfully designed study materials. Your role is to create a welcoming environment, guide discussion, keep the group on schedule, and encourage participation. 

Follow the structure of each study, trust the Holy Spirit to guide your group, and enjoy the journey together.

Plan the Details 

Now that you've identified the big-picture elements of your study, it's time to plan the details. 

As you prepare, keep the following in mind:

• Choose a consistent meeting time. Pick a weekly day and time that works for most participants. Consistency helps build commitment and encourages regular attendance.

• Select a welcoming meeting space. Choose a location that is comfortable for discussion, accommodates groups of 8–12 participants, and has the audio/visual capabilities needed to play the study videos.

• Order your study materials. Make sure you have everything you'll need before your first session, including study workbooks, Catholic Bibles, copies of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and access to the study videos.

What Does a Typical Small Group Session Look Like?

Each Ascension small group study is designed to help participants grow in faith through Scripture, discussion, and prayer. A typical session includes:

Home Preparation

Participants complete the assigned reading, workbook questions, and reflection before arriving.

Small Group Meeting

• Discuss the response questions and real-life application.

• Watch the teaching segment together.

• Close in prayer and preview the next session.

If Time Is Limited:

• Assign videos as at-home preparation. Ascension study videos are available online and through the Ascension app.

• Use meeting time primarily for discussion and community.

If You Cannot Meet in Person:

• Have participants watch videos individually.

• Meet through Zoom or another video platform.

• Use breakout rooms for smaller discussions.

With intentional facilitation, online studies can be just as fruitful as meeting in person.

Spread the Word

Share the good news about your small group and invite others into the journey! 

Begin promoting your study about 8 weeks before launch to give your parish community time to discover the opportunity and prayerfully consider joining.

The most powerful way to grow your group is through personal invitation. You can also spread the word through pulpit announcements, bulletin announcements, flyers and posters, parish emails, social media posts, and by sharing a free trailer or preview session.

Every Ascension small group program comes with free leader resources to help you invite and equip your community, including sample pulpit and bulletin announcements as well as sample email blasts, promotional graphics, flyers, posters, registration sheets, video trailers, and certificates of completion.

Gather Your Group

After spreading the word about your small group, use Ascension’s customizable registration form to gather participant details, including their names, contact information, and small group preferences.

Once people sign up, keep the connection going! Create an email list or group chat to send reminders, share Scripture verses or words of encouragement, and help your group stay engaged. You can also create a Facebook group for your participants and look for opportunities to connect with them when you see them at Mass or other parish events.

Remember, small groups are about more than just completing a study, they’re about building relationships. The friendships and sense of community formed in small groups are often what keep participants coming back year after year.

Be a Servant Leader

When it comes to leading a small group, like anything in life, there will always be things outside of your control. 

However, there are two important areas you can focus on: creating a welcoming environment and helping participants stay engaged from session to session.

Encourage positive and supportive conversations through respectful listening, honest sharing (while maintaining healthy boundaries), applying Scripture to daily life, and praying for one another’s intentions.

Hospitality also plays an important role in building community. Simple gestures like greeting people warmly, sharing snacks, reaching out when someone misses a session, and checking in throughout the week can make a big difference.

When participants feel welcomed and valued, they begin to develop a deeper sense of belonging and commitment to the group. 

Ten Commandments for Small Groups 

1. Enjoy yourself! 

2. Speak with respect and charity. 

3. Do not ridicule or dismiss what others say. Keep comments positive. 

4. Come prepared. 

5. If you were not able to prepare, let others speak first. 

6. Stick to the topic and questions at hand. 

7. Start and end on time. 

8. Allow silence. Give people a chance to think. 

9. Listen to others without interrupting. 

10. Keep personal matters within the group.

Keep the Momentum Going

Keeping your group engaged doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Small, consistent actions can make a big difference. Start and end each session on time to respect your participants’ schedules, send reminder emails or texts to help them stay connected, personally invite people back each week, celebrate small milestones along the way, and encourage facilitators to check in with their groups outside of your regular meetings.

These simple gestures help participants feel seen, valued, and welcomed. Consistency builds trust, and that trust creates the foundation for a strong, connected community.

Continue the Journey

As your study comes to a close, take time to celebrate all that your group has experienced together. Host a final gathering, invite participants to share how the study impacted their faith, and recognize their commitment with Certificates of Completion from Ascension.

But the journey doesn’t have to end when the study does. Stay connected through prayer, shared resources, and continued fellowship. Before wrapping up, ask your group: What should we study next? Who else can we invite? How can we continue growing together?

Bible study is more than a single event. It’s the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, friendship, and formation.

Want more free resources and practical tips for leading a small group? Click below to explore everything Ascension has to support you throughout your leadership journey.