Christian Ministries
Christian Small Groups and Bible Studies
A Christian small group or Bible study is a handful of people who meet regularly, often in a home, to read the Bible, pray, and share life. It offers what a big service cannot: to be known by name, cared for, and helped to grow. Most are run by local churches; several ministries also lead in-depth Bible studies open to all.
What small groups and Bible studies are, and what they offer
Sunday gatherings are wonderful, but it is hard to be truly known in a crowd. Small groups and Bible studies are where that happens, a handful of people meeting weekly or biweekly, usually in someone's home or a quiet room, to open the Scriptures together, pray for one another, and share the ordinary and hard parts of life. This is where faith gets personal, where people are missed when they are gone, and where the church stops being a building and starts being a family.
It is the pattern the first believers kept from the very beginning.
How to find one near you
The simplest way to find a small group or Bible study is through a healthy local church. Most churches either run one themselves or can point you to a trusted ministry nearby. You do not have to have it all figured out to walk in the door; you only have to come.
Start with a church near you. The Living Bread keeps a growing directory of churches you can search, so you can find a congregation and simply ask what they offer.
Our church graph is how discovery turns into belonging: search brings you to a page, a page brings you to a congregation, and a congregation brings you to people who will actually know your name.
Real organizations in this space
Most small groups are organized by a local church. Several ministries also run in-depth Bible studies that anyone can join, often meeting in churches.
- Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)
- An international, in-depth study of the Bible with local classes for men, women, and children.
- Community Bible Study (CBS)
- Offers in-depth, interdenominational Bible study classes in communities worldwide.
- Precept Ministries International
- Founded by Kay Arthur, it teaches inductive Bible study so people can study Scripture for themselves.
- Local church small groups
- The most common form, home groups and studies organized by a congregation; a nearby church is the easiest way in.
The groups below are named for information only, not as an endorsement, and this is by no means a complete list. Ministries vary widely, and the best fit for you is usually the one nearest to you. Look to your own local church first, and weigh any ministry by Scripture and by the counsel of people you trust.
Come and belong
Behind every ministry is one simple thing: people who need one another and a Saviour who came to gather them. A small group or bible study is only worth anything because it helps someone find Christ and the family he is building. You do not have to arrive whole. Come as you are, and come and see.
Jesus Christ is Lord.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a small group and a Bible study?
- They overlap. A Bible study focuses on studying Scripture together; a small group usually adds prayer, fellowship, and life-sharing around that study. Many groups are both at once.
- Do I need to know the Bible well to join?
- No. Groups welcome beginners and longtime believers alike. The point is to learn and grow together, not to already have the answers, and good groups make newcomers feel at home.
- How do I find a small group near me?
- Ask a local church about their small groups, or look for studies like BSF or Community Bible Study nearby. The Living Bread can help you find a church to start with.