Starting a new Bible club is both exciting and a wonderful adventure in working with the Lord.  When the start-up process is broken down into its component parts, as listed below, the steps become easily manageable for those who are committed.

 

PURPOSE

Never lose sight of the purpose of your Bible club.  Your purpose is to advance God's kingdom by growing as a Christ follower and lovingly pointing others to Christ.  Therefore, everything you do should both honor Him and honor others.  Everything your club does should be an act of worship, in spirit and truth (John 4:24).   The students who lead the club must cling to this.  There will eventually be other students who are drawn to what is occurring in the Bible club that are difficult to love.  You may be the only Jesus they get to see.  You are tasked to reflect God's love to others by the way you live, by what you say, and by your interactions with others. 

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CONSIDERATIONS

The leaders of the club should create a mission statement, or a set of goals, for the organization.  The mission can change each year, but it provides focus for the students in charge, and ultimately guides the student leaders' decisions.  Do not confuse this with the club's vision.  The vision of the club is where God wants the club to go.  God's vision must drive the club's future.  The mission will be driven by the overall vision.

 

​​Pray it over - leading a Christian club is a commitment.  It is not over in a season; it requires time and effort.  ​
 

Assure the teacher that you are asking to sponsor your club that they will only be supervising the your club meetings - they will NOT be participating, merely watching.

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Approach your building principal with the idea - if he or she is apprehensive, do not make demands.  Talk to your adult mentor; the AllianceDefendingFreedom.org can offer assistance.

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Begin meeting as a club - even if your club consists of you and a friend, it's a start.  Let God add from there. ​

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Refer to the legal rights section to stay within the confines of government guidelines.  Your goal is NOT to attract legal problems for your school! 

 

If other noncurricular clubs meet on your school campus, then so can you!

 

 

Can you start a club?  YES, for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Phil 4:13

 

 

 

 

STEP-BY-STEP START UP

 

The following offers a schematic step by step suggestion for starting a Bible Club.  Certain documents are needed to start and run a Bible club.  Sample documents for all documents suggested below, are provided in the next section - Club Docs.

 

1.  Pray for God's leading, direction, and those who would join you.

 

2.  Contact other Christians to form a core group of leaders who wants to start the club.

 

3.  Leaders need to sign a "Leaders Commitment Form" and determine who will be the club officers.

 

4.  Determine the most convenient time to meet and the best location.

 

5.  Find an adult mentor - a youth pastor, parent, or community member willing to coach your club

     leaders off campus.

 

6.  Talk to teachers about being a sponsor for your club.  Ask for a written commitment to show the    

      principal that you have a teacher willing to be the club's sponsor.  They do not partake in running

      the club.  They just assure the principal that adult supervision will be present.

 

7.  Prepare package for principal - Consisting of Vision Statement, Mission Statement, Constitution,

     and list of club officers.  Samples of these documents are provided in next section, "Club Docs".  Also

     print out the Legal Rights information so that it will be handy if the principal believes it is illegal to

     have a Bible Club.

 

8.  Meet with principal.  Discuss school requirements for having a club and for permission to have a club.

 

9.  Write out schedule of first three meetings.  Skits, lesson plans, prayer, Bible study.  See the sections

      under "Running Club" for ideas and examples.

 

10. Pick a kick-off club date.

 

11. Make flyers and posters, and with club sponsor or principal's permission, post them around the

       school.

 

12. Decide if you would like a youth pastor to speak at your first meeting.

 

13. Put an announcement in the school newspaper.  Create an excitement for the new club.

 

14. Keep praying.

 

15. Have the first meeting.  The club needs to inform about God's Word, honor God, and have fun.

 

16. Review each meeting and make changes as needed.

 

 

To download a copy of the above "Step-By-Step Start Up" chart, click here.

 

To visit the next page, "Organization and Identity", click here.