You have a wealth of biblical study resources unlike any people in history have known before.

Need a book or commentary? Order it on Amazon, and it arrives at your house within a day (or on your Kindle in seconds).

Need an immediate background on a book of the Bible? Your ESV Study Bible provides that and so much more, including articles and resources on everything from Bible history to the original languages to how Christians should biblically engage hot-button issues such as bioethics and capital punishment.

Oh, and maps. Lots of maps.

These are just a few of the resources you have at your fingertips as you prepare to lead your Home Group into the depths of God’s Word and apply it to real life. We encourage you to have in-depth study together at least twice a month, so we want to lead you in thinking about how to best over-prepare and steward the study time.

Our Home Groups pastors and ministers continually focus on charting out and resourcing you with the best in biblical scholarship and principles to effectively disciple a group of people in (and out of) your home.

When you begin your study, you find a resource in the Study Guide and most likely a study Bible. Some of you may also consult a favorite commentary. Even at this point, without adding any further resources, you’ve got more information and discussion questions than you could probably use in your group meeting time.

And that’s just the point.

Our hope for you as you get ready to facilitate a discussion on the Bible’s revelation is that you would be over-prepared and practice the discipline of limiting yourself in your dissemination of information. This is an exercise in self-control and humility. It makes you very aware that you are not the smartest person in the room or that you are the only one with insight. Any life change in your group will be not because of your might or power in study but by the Holy Spirit of God. May He overflow out of your preparation and prayer.

Your mission is to lead and shepherd a discussion that is faithful to the text of Scripture and the demands it makes upon God’s people. Pray fervently as you prepare and consult your resources. Make notes that keep to the main point and let that be your guidepost in leading discussion/application. Prepare a place for Jesus to make Himself known all the more in people’s hearts.

Above all, be open to what the Spirit leads. Be still and know that God is God as you lead. You may have every intention of leading a wonderful discussion only to have a group member confess sin or hardship. At that point, lesson plans take the backseat to your leading out in biblical counsel and group intercession to the Father on their behalf.

And it’s exactly that for which we pray and over-prepare ourselves.