How to Organize a Prayer Group or Bible Study on Campus
"What steps should I take to begin my group?"
Be sure that this is the direction God wants to go. Remember Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.
Be organized.
Write out a club charter that describes the purpose of your club (see A Sample Bible Club Charter). Find out a convenient time for people to meet. Plan how long you want meetings to be and how the meetings should be arranged.
Find a club sponsor.
Most schools will requite you to have a faculty sponsor. You and a friend should choose a candidate, then politely ask that person if he or she would be willing to be your sponsor.
Find people to help you.
It's impossible to do all the work by yourself to make your group successful; not only that, it's not what God wants you to do! ("Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor." [Ecclesiastes 4:9] Also see Exodus 18:13-26) Find some people who can help and divide up what needs to be done.
Be sure everything is ready.
Have all materials (devotionals, extra Bibles, prayer cards, etc.) ready beforehand. Make sure the room you are meeting in is reserved. Be early to the meeting and have everything set up before people arrive. "How can I promote my group?"
Ask the administration.
Once you have a sponsor, set a meeting with your school administrator (or whoever is in charge of clubs) and present your request, along with your charter.
Posters.
Put posters on bulletin boards, .lockers, in the cafeteria, in bathrooms, and on school entrances where everyone will see them. Be creative in your placement, but be sure that you have the administration's permission before you start posting. You can make your own or print out some from
www.yesGod.org.
Youth Ministers.
Ask local pastors to pray for you and mention then and where your group is meeting during their youth groups. Try to get several youth groups involved.
Personal Invitations.
This is often the most effective method. Have each person in your group invite two or three people.
A quick reminder.
If school officials exclude your group from facilities or services that other groups are allowed to use, they may be violating your rights. For more information, get in touch with the legal contacts listed in this pamphlet. "Let all things be done decently and in order" I Corinthians 14:40
Public Address System.
See if your principal will allow you to promote your club during regular announcements.
(next....) Sample Bible Club Charter