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To the Leader

To the Leader

Welcome! This is a study for those who love the Bible and look to it to help them find meaning and purpose for their lives. It is also a study for people who are willing to wrestle with portions of the Bible about which they have questions. Finally, it is a study for people who are largely unfamiliar with the Bible but who are curious and want to know more.

Adam Hamilton, author of Making Sense of the Bible, envisions the book as a conversation on his back porch, with each participant enjoying a glass of iced tea or lemonade. The conversation is an attempt to wrestle honestly with the tough questions often raised by thoughtful Christians and non-Christians concerning things taught in the Bible. Hamilton has sought to distill the work of scholars, while offering his own reflections as one who preaches and teaches the Bible and who regularly engages with the questions of laity and pastors alike.

The book is divided into two parts. The first section addresses some foundational questions: What is the Bible, exactly? In what sense is it God’s word, and in what sense is it human reflections on God? What do we mean by calling it “inspired”? Is it inerrant or infallible as many Christians believe? This section also deals with how and when the Bible was written, the various types of writings found in it, and how and why some books made it into the Bible and some were left out.

The second section digs into troubling questions and issues, such as historical accuracy, violence, and end times. The book ends by looking at various ways to read the Bible, with the aim being for persons reading it to hear God speak through its pages and find its words to be life changing and life giving.

This six-session study makes use of the following components:

 • Adam Hamilton’s book Making Sense of the Bible;

 • a DVD in which Hamilton, using stories and Scripture, presents and expands upon key points from the book;

 • this Leader Guide.

Encourage participants to bring a Bible to every session. If possible, notify those interested in the study before the first session so that they can come prepared. Ask them to read the introduction and the first seven chapters in advance of the session. Then, each week, you will give participants a reading assignment for the following week. By the end of the study, they will have read the entire book.

Because of the book’s length, some participants may be unable to keep up with the reading. Encourage them to come anyway because each session will include a ten- to fifteen-minute video in which Adam Hamilton presents many of the important points from the book. Our hope is that participants who don’t have time to read the book during the study will turn to it afterward to explore the Bible more deeply.

Using This Guide with Your Group

Because no two groups are alike, this guide has been designed to give you as study leader some flexibility and choice in tailoring the sessions for your group. The session format is listed to assist you in your planning.

It’s important to note that there are more activities in each session than most groups will have time to complete. As leader, you’ll want to go over the session in advance and select the activities you think will work best for your group in the time allotted. You may choose any or all of the activities, adapting them as you wish to meet the schedule and needs of your particular group.

The book seeks to do just as its title suggests—help to make sense of the Bible. Participants will discover a rich offering of information presented in an accessible way. Each session will cover a number of chapters and attempt to address a plethora of issues and a good deal of information. As study leader, you will want to tailor your session activities to the needs and interests of your particular group, as well as to the time frame you have available.

Session Format

Planning the Session

Session Goals

Biblical Foundation

Special Preparation

Getting Started

Opening Activity

Opening Prayer

Learning Together

Video Study and Discussion

Book Study and Discussion

Wrapping Up

Closing Activity

Closing Prayer

Helpful Hints

Preparing for the Sessions

 • Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit as you prepare for the study. Pray for discernment for yourself and for each member of the study group.

 • Read the book in its entirety before the study begins. Identify which questions and issues are particularly troubling to you. Offer a special prayer that you will be open to the Spirit’s movement on those issues and that you will be able to facilitate the sessions without trying to influence the group in the direction of your own leanings.

 • Secure a TV and DVD player in advance.

 • Before each session, familiarize yourself with the content. Read the week’s book chapters again and watch the video segment.

 • Choose the session elements you will use during the group session, including the specific discussion questions you plan to cover. However, be prepared to adjust the session as group members interact and as questions arise. Prepare carefully, but allow space for the Holy Spirit to move through the group members and through you as facilitator.

 • Prepare the space where the session will be held so that it will enhance the learning process. Ideally, group members should be seated around a table or in a circle so that all can see each other. Because the group will often be forming pairs or small groups for discussion, movable chairs are best.

 • Bring a supply of Bibles for those who forget to bring their own. Having a variety of translations is helpful.

 • For most sessions you will need a chalkboard and chalk, a whiteboard and markers, or an easel with paper and markers.

 

Shaping the Learning Environment

 • Create a climate of openness, encouraging group members to participate as they feel comfortable. Remember that some persons will jump right in with answers and comments, while others need time to process what is being discussed.

 • If you notice that some group members never seem able to enter the conversation, ask if they have thoughts to share. Give everyone a chance to talk, but keep the conversation moving. Moderate to prevent a few individuals from doing all the talking.

 • Communicate the importance of group discussions and group exercises.

 • If no one answers at first during discussions, do not be afraid of a silence. Count silently to ten; then say something such as, “Would anyone like to go first?” If no one responds, venture an answer yourself and ask for comments.

 • Model openness as you share with the group.Group members will follow your example. If you limit your sharing to a surface level, others will do the same.

 • Encourage multiple answers or responses before moving on.

 • To help continue a discussion and give it greater depth, ask, “Why?” or “Why do you believe that?” or “Can you say more about that?”

 • Affirm others’ responses with comments such as “Great,” “Thanks,” or “Good insight”—especially if this is the first time someone has spoken during the group session.

 • Monitor your own contributions. If you are doing most of the talking, back off so that you do not train the group to listen rather than speak up.

 • Remember that you do not have all the answers. Your job is to keep the discussion going and to encourage participation.

 

Managing the Sessions

 • Begin and end on time. If a session is running longer than expected, get consensus from the group before continuing beyond the agreed-upon ending time.

 • Involve group members in various aspects of the group session, such as playing the DVD, saying prayers, or reading the Scripture.

 • Note that the session guides sometimes call for breaking into smaller groups or pairs. This gives everyone a chance to speak and participate fully. Mix up the groups; don’t let the same people pair up for every activity.

 • One key to making sense of the Bible is the willingness to wrestle with questions and difficult issues. Participants will bring a range of understandings and opinions on these issues. The study will be most successful if group members treat one another with respect and are willing to listen to opinions that differ from their own. Work to ensure that the study offers a safe space for exploring the Bible.

 • Because many activities call for personal sharing, confidentiality is essential. Group members should never pass along stories that have been shared in the group. Remind the group members at each session.