Tips for Organizing a Bible Discussion Meeting by Kiki & Maya

How do you create a good Bible discussion? How healthy is your BDM (Bible Discussion Meeting)? What preparation is needed? What is the role of the host or homeowner in a Bible discussion meeting?

At the midweek meeting of the West Jakarta Married Ministry last month, the couple Kiki Suherlan & Maya were invited to discuss how to create an engaging and effective Bible discussion meeting. Kiki & Maya are from the Central Jakarta married group. Their group holds BDM almost every week, and their home has been a BDM venue for several years. Their BDM is very fruitful and has helped many married couples in Central Jakarta.

Here are some tips for creating a Bible discussion meeting from Kiki & Maya:

The role of PDG in organizing a Bible Discussion

Before getting into the tips, Kiki & Maya first discussed the role of group members (PDG) in making a BDM event happen.

In their BDM, Kiki & Maya assign 2 group PDG members to be responsible for the BDM event. In addition, their larger group has a Secretary General whose task is to arrange who will be the speaker, who will provide refreshments, praise, MC, and so on.

Attitude that needs to be taught

Even though there are people assigned in the BDM, every group member plays a role in the success of the event. There are several attitudes that must be shown by the group in preparing for and carrying out the BDM event.

As hosts, we must be examples. The host referred to here is not merely the homeowner, but ALL group members! Sister Maya added that the willingness of all group members to serve is very important in a BDM.

Brother Kiki said that a married BDM event will certainly be related to marriage. The quality of our marriage will be seen in the event we create. Therefore, we must guard our marriage.

Marriage with your spouse

In the same way, you husbands, live wisely with your wives, as with the weaker vessel. Honor them as fellow heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. - 1 Petrus 3:7

Brother Kiki emphasized that a good marriage will greatly affect the quality of our BDM. If our relationship with our spouse is not good, prayers will be hindered. More than that, if the relationship is not good, how can we inspire the guests?

Besides maintaining our relationship with our spouse, we must also maintain our relationship with group members. We are one body that needs every part. If one part does not function, it will affect the others. We need a complete and healthy body to work and win souls, or to create an impactful BDM. If there is a problem, we must settle it immediately. Do not use the BDM event as a reason to delay reconciliation. Resolve it!

Marriage with God

Surely the LORD's hand is not too short to save, and His hearing is not too dull to hear; but your iniquities are what separate you from your God, and your sins are what make Him hide Himself from you, so that He does not hear. - Yesaya 59:1-2 Besides marriage and relationships with others, we must look at our relationship with God. How about our purity? Is there sin we have not been open about and talked through? We need to ask ourselves this and discuss it in the group before preparing for the BDM. Our holy lives will inspire the guests who come.

After discussing attitude and heart, Kiki & Maya then discussed practical things in creating a BDM. They divided them into 3 parts, namely:

Before the Bible Discussion

1. Prepare an interesting topic. An interesting topic will make people interested in coming. Try to look for topics that are currently being widely discussed or seem unique.
2. Inviting guests. Try creating a chat group specifically for the BDM. You can add disciples and guests who have often attended the BDM. Make sure you have already asked permission that you will invite them into the chat group. This will make it easier for you and the coordinators to prepare for and anticipate the event
3. Ratio. A BDM will not be effective if the number of guests is too small or too large. 1:1 (disciple:guest) is the ideal ratio you can aim for when organizing a BDM.
4. Make sure your group has a PIC for each of the tasks that exist. The tasks referred to are: Program, Food, Games, MC, Speaker, and so on.
5. Remind your group to pray before the BDM. Prayer can be done in the afternoon before the BDM or a few hours before starting the event. Ask for God's presence in the event you are about to hold.

During the Discussion

1. People: Make sure the disciples, guests, speaker, song leader, singer, and PIC for every need are present on time.
2. Place: A strategic, safe, bright, clean location, setting up the chairs well, and adequate toilet and parking access will make the BDM experience better.
3. Content: Review the word of God (Scripture) that will be shared, make sure there is life sharing, make sure there is fellowship before and after the event. Make sure your group is active in answering questions. Appoint a few people to give responses after the lesson. Give room for questions and answers or discussion.
4. God: As discussed above, make sure your relationship with God, your spouse, and your group is right before starting the Bible discussion meeting.

After the Discussion Ends

1. Make sure you follow up with the guests who came. Invite them to the next BDM meeting.
2. Conversion to Bible study (inviting them to study the Bible): Begin by asking how much this BDM helped them. Then make sure there is someone who shares about how their life was helped by Bible study. Invite them to lunch or for coffee. Build a relationship between the guests and the disciples before inviting them to Bible study.
3. Evaluateyour event. What was lacking? What was already good? What is the goal for the next BDM meeting?

Brother Kiki together with the brothers from the West Jakarta married ministry

After discussing tips on creating a BDM, Kiki & Maya were given the opportunity to answer several questions from the brothers and sisters:

How do we give confidence to group members so that they are willing to give?

Simply encourage them. There is no need to force an amount; let them give according to their conviction. Remind them that what they give will be enjoyed together. Do not let funds become an obstacle. We also need to be creative in putting an event together.

Is BDM content always related to marriage?

BDM content does not always talk about marriage. Still, because we are a married ministry, the point of the lesson can always be connected to the marriage relationship. The key is that we must be willing to be open about life. You can talk about work, family relationships, and so on.

How do we handle a guest who seems dominant?

A strong mediator is needed during discussion. Besides that, keep thinking positively. Know that this person is someone we need to reach out. There will be a time when God works.

As a speaker, how can we lead an engaging BDM, since we will surely face people with different understandings, backgrounds, and so on.

Choose speakers whose lives are inspiring. You need to be selective about the people who will speak at your BDM. In addition, you must not compromise on the lesson. Keep preaching the truth!

How do we invite guests?

One of the best ways to invite guests is through everyday interactions. In our housing complex, at the office, or at our children's school. We can also encourage our guests to invite their friends. As a group we must continue to persevere in inviting guests.

Related article: God's Design for Marriage