Clearly, I’m nothing but a lowly, decrepit heathen after saying that I hate Bible study, but I’ve attended a fair few over the years. Some of them were less than stellar. Not all of them were bad; some were even truly good. I certainly don’t object to studying my Bible or doing the same with other people. However, I’ve noticed some common problems that could be avoided. Some of these blunders, if particularly egregious, can be hateful enough to drive people away from the Bible studies altogether.

1. Equating Pizza and Cookies with Fellowship

You know how “worship” in church generally means a group of people at the front are going to lead the congregation in singing a few songs? Well, "fellowship" follows the same vein. While worship is reduced to music, fellowship is used to mean food. Cookies and other snacks become a go-to incentive. Advertise pizza to get teenagers to show up. Sharing a meal with your Bible study friends isn’t a bad thing at all. It can even be a honest and positive form of communion and expression of love.

However, using food as a juvenile reward for coming to Bible study is not a good move. It distracts from the spiritual purpose of the group and cheapens its very nature. These misguided attempts at fellowship ignore the real struggle and full dimensions of the word. Fellowship can be prayer, study and yes, even pizza or cookies. Food, however, shouldn’t be a bribe to increase attendance.

2. Demographic Divisions

Have you ever read a bulletin or heard an announcement like this? The Women’s Bible Study meets at four on Saturday afternoons, the Men’s at seven on Tuesday mornings, and Youth Group on Wednesday evenings. Don’t get me wrong; having a group targeted to a specific audience isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Spending time and studying with people you have something immediately in common with is both fun and valuable.

The trouble comes when basic demographic information like age, sex or marital status are used to make poor assumptions about the people they describe. Not everyone in a single’s group wants to be subjected to another lecture about purity. Women should be allowed to study the same tough issues as they please. A frilly and watered down theology is demeaning. A youth group doesn't need for the Bible to be "made cool" for them. Demographics are good for finding a general idea of what a given set of people might be like or have in common. It’s good for building community, but we shouldn’t forget to reach across these lines for mentor-ship, for unique friendships and for just being acquainted with our spiritual families.

3. Purpose

A friend at a Bible study I attended accused another group that I participate in of "loving God only with the mind." I wasn't sure if this accusation was even true, and, to my disappointment, this friend didn't notice the failing of the Bible study we were both attending. One night, I admitted in front of this group to some doubts and questions that I had about God and the Bible. I was treated to something between a lecture and a pep talk about trusting God and His love, which is important. They prayed for me. That was helpful, thought it almost entirely missed the point. I didn't need more faith or feeling; I felt keenly that I lacked knowledge. Caught up in accusing the other group of being basically "all head," they were blind to the their own fault of being "all heart."

The purpose of a Bible study might differ from those who attend and teach, yet attitude matters as well. Don't suggest a Bible study just because your church needs more programs. Don't host a Bible study in your dorm simply to get all your Christian friends together. Do it because you love God and His Word. Treat others with respect, and be mindful of the speck in your own eye. Trying to strike a balance between the solely intellectual pursuit and sentimental pursuit of soul might be challenging. Even so, the best test for purpose, I would argue, is asking if it gives the glory to God. Studying the Bible should be a form of worship and communication with Him. Are you doing (or trying to) both?

4. Book Studies

I love book clubs. I don't love it when I hear a Bible study being advertised, only to arrive and find myself forking over $10 for the decidedly non-Bible book or novel that will be studied. I think that sometimes a kindhearted individual will find a nauseatingly "inspirational" book and decide to share it with friends. That's fine. Then this well meaning person calls, "Sharing it with friends," Bible study. That's not so fine. I thought that I was here to read something else.

Even if the book is fantastic and you've learned so much from it, don't call it, "Bible study," unless the Bible is going to be the main source of your discussion. Commentaries are beneficial, as are lay-books written by historians, philosophers and theologians. Some of those inspirational books I disparaged are actually well-written and profound. Read and study whatever is helpful for building you and your neighbor up; just please keep the advertising honest.

5. Troublesome Discussion

Imagine this: You're reading a passage aloud at Bible study, and you come across a passage that implies a controversial doctrine. Do you:

A. Have someone tell you exactly what it means for sure. Never mind the centuries of scholarly debate because your pastor, group leader or denomination has it all super correct forever;

B. Argue about it, and start insulting people who disagree;

C. Ignore the centuries of scholarly debate, and spend 15 minutes agreeing with everyone else that it totally doesn't matter because its not a "salvation issue?"

Hopefully, you thought that none of those choices sounded right. Having doctrine isn't bad nor is debate, but blindly trusting a person or list isn't nor is refusing to believe you might be wrong. Lest we go too far in the other direction, endorsing a wide relativist position and claiming it doesn't matter is hurtful, too. It makes a mockery out of the real doubts and questions that people have, leaving them worrying and without consolation. The best discussion is open, prayerful and charitable.

Be mindful of the things on this list and other common problems to create the best atmosphere for a Bible study. Under the right circumstances, Bible study can be an educational, communal and spiritual experience.