Attendance is Dropping...Help!
Remember perfect attendance certificates? This was the one award I didn’t try hard to receive while in school. But wouldn’t you love to hand out perfect attendance certificates in Bible study? I sure would!
Numbers have most likely dropped a bit since the beginning of Bible study. Don’t panic. I have observed this pattern in almost every Bible study I’ve been a part of, as a participant and as a leader. Whether the Bible study started with 500 or 15 participants, numbers seem to dip a bit midway through. Even so, it is good and right to want all participants to remain engaged throughout the whole Bible study. We don’t want them to miss the rich truths of God’s Word, experiencing the joy of discovery along the way. I’ve included a few ideas that have been helpful in maintaining attendance throughout Bible study.
Cultivate Safety
When Bible study is a safe place to learn, to share discoveries, and to ask questions, participants will prioritize attendance. Everyone craves a place to be open and honest about doubts and discoveries. When questions are asked or when doubts are confessed, respond with compassion and curiosity. You can say something like, “Thank you for sharing that doubt. That sounds hard. I’ve had times of doubt too.” Or, “Has anyone else had similar questions? How were you encouraged in your season of doubt?”
Use language and gestures that communicate that you are also a learner and a limited human being.
This cultivates safety, and it cultivates an atmosphere that invites discussion rather than only learning from the “teacher.”
My husband and I recently started a Bible study for high school students in our home. We prioritized safety in this study by welcoming doubts, questions, and discoveries. Although several students in this study do not yet know Jesus Christ, they don’t miss. One participant changed his work schedule in order to prioritize Bible study because he can ask the questions that weigh heavy on him.
Create Accountability and encourage contribution
Participants will prioritize attendance when they have a job to do in Bible study.
Email a participant each week. and ask her to begin discussion the following week. Give her the question she will answer so she has time to think through it. For instance, you can say something like, “Sue, I’m so glad you are a part of our Meet Me in Colossians + Philemon study! I’d love to hear your thoughts next week. Will you begin discussion by sharing what you discovered about people in this week’s text? I bet Sue won’t miss. And she will feel valued, knowing that you want to hear her insights.
Delegate responsibilities.
Recruit a note-writer who will send a hand-written note to each participant throughout the study.
Recruit a time-keeper. Ask someone to set a (pleasant-sounding) alarm on their phone to serve as a gentle reminder that it is time to wrap up discussion time. This takes a lot of pressure off of the discussion leader.
Recruit someone to plan a time outside of Bible study to get together.
Don’t do all of the talking. Be intentional to invite others in the group to share.
Build Camaraderie
When Bible study is a place that participants feel seen and cared for, they will show up. Our master teacher, Jesus Christ, built friendships with his disciples. He did not always teach them, he also spent time walking and visiting and eating with them. Below are a few ways to build a sense of belonging and camaraderie in your Bible study:
Plan a time outside of Bible study to get together. Go to dinner together, or plan a night around a fire pit to sip hot chocolate and get to know one another better. If it is challenging to plan a night outside of Bible study, set aside one Bible study time to eat together and visit. Fun was God’s idea, so have FUN together! For the Bible study that I lead at my church, we plan a mid-study Pause Night. We eat mini pies, drink coffee, and visit during our typical small group discussion time, then we move to a time of guided reflection and worship. It is one of our favorite nights of Bible study. I've included a photo from Pause Night above.
Use language that communicates that you are a co-learner alongside the participants. Share your questions and discoveries alongside theirs. This will foster a sense of belonging.
Come up with a name for your Bible study that everyone decides. Or make t-shirts. This sounds silly, but it is a way to communicate belonging. Wes and I purchased matching Bibles for the kids in our high school Bible study. They love this! When they invite another student, they can’t wait for the new participant to receive their matching Bible. It is a little taste of belonging to something.
Call or text your participants every once in awhile. Let them know how you are praying for them.
Consider the Small Group You Enjoyed the Most
Think back to your favorite small group or Bible study. Write down what you enjoyed about it. How can you introduce what you loved about Bible study to the study you are leading?
Don’t grow weary in doing good, even if attendance dips a bit. Remember, Jesus taught crowds, and only a few stayed with him, following his teaching. Do your best to cultivate safety, create accountability, and build camaraderie, and ask God to do what he wills among your participants.