As the pace of life picks up and the air turns crisp, fall offers a natural opportunity to re-engage your Bible study group with fresh energy and purpose. Whether your group took a summer break or just slowed down because people went on vacations and were a bit AWOL, this upcoming season is a great time to reconnect, refocus, and relaunch.

Here are three practical ways to get your group ready for a meaningful fall:

1. Celebrate the New Season with a Kickoff Gathering

Before diving into your next study, consider hosting a fall kickoff event. This doesn’t have to be elaborate—just something fun and welcoming to mark the start of a new season together. Think of it as a “welcome back” party that sets the tone for the months ahead.

Some ideas:

• A chili cook-off or soup night
• A bonfire with s’mores and worship music
• A potluck dinner with fall-themed dishes
• A simple coffee and dessert night with time for sharing summer highlights

Use this time to cast vision for the fall, introduce any new members, and build excitement for what’s ahead. A kickoff gathering helps people reconnect relationally and reminds everyone that your group is more than a meeting—it’s a community.

2. Reach Out to the Missing

Every group has them—those members who were once regular attenders, but have drifted away over time. Fall is the perfect season to reach out with warmth and intentionality. Life gets busy, and sometimes all it takes is a personal invitation to help someone re-engage.

Here’s how to do it well:

• Make it personal: A quick text is fine, but a phone call or handwritten note can go a long way in showing you care. Consider making a fast “porch visit” for the more chronically absent members. If your group uses a personal study guide, take them a copy and invite them to come back.
• Be gracious, not guilt-driven: Let them know they’re missed, not judged. Something like, “We’ve missed seeing you and would love to have you back this fall!” keeps the tone welcoming.
• Invite them to something low-pressure: Your kickoff gathering or the start of a new study is a great on-ramp for returning members. Most people love parties and fun fellowships, so consider leading with that. Make it easy for absentee members to reconnect – and guilt free.

Encourage your current group members to think of one person they haven’t seen in a while and reach out. Reclaiming absentee members isn’t just about boosting attendance—it’s about restoring connection and community.

3. Create a Culture of Invitation

Fall is one of the best times of year to invite new people into your group. Many are looking to reconnect with church, find community, or start fresh spiritually. Your group can be the open door they need.

Here’s how to foster a culture of invitation:

• Encourage personal invites: Challenge each group member to invite one person. It could be a neighbor, coworker, or someone new at church. The Lifeway Research book Together: The Power of Groups recently reported that 47% of people come to a Bible study group because of the invitation of the group leader or group members. That’s a lot! In fact, the most powerful tool available to groups is the power of the personal invitation.
• Make it easy to participate: Ongoing Bible study groups should use ongoing curriculum that’s easy for newcomers and returning members to jump into without feeling behind. In an ongoing Bible study series, such as Lifeway’s Explore the Bible, Bible Studies for Life, or Gospel Project, each session is a complete and satisfying Bible study experience.
• Be intentionally welcoming: Assign a couple of “hospitality champions” to greet new folks, follow up with them, and help them feel at home. I’ll guarantee you that you’ve got people in your group with the gift of hospitality, and they may be your best-kept secret! They’ll be excited to introduce newcomers to current group members and will make them feel seen, valued, and welcomed.

When your group becomes known as a place where people are welcomed and wanted, it naturally grows—not just in size, but in spiritual depth and impact.

Let’s Wrap it Up

Fall is a season of fresh starts, and your Bible study group can be a place where people find renewed faith, deeper friendships, and a stronger connection to God’s Word. With a little planning and a lot of prayer, you can help your group step into this season with fresh energy and purpose.

So unpack those sweaters, buy some pumpkin spice K-cups, and commit to a fresh start —this could be your group’s most meaningful season of Bible study yet.