When the cold winds of winter roll in, most homeowners know it’s time to winterize their house—checking insulation, sealing drafts, and making sure the furnace is ready to keep everyone warm. In the same way, Bible study leaders can “winterize” their groups to ensure they remain strong, connected, and spiritually nourished during the colder months of the year. Just as a house needs preparation to withstand the season, our groups need intentional care to thrive. Here are three practical ways to winterize your Bible study group.

1. Seal the Drafts: Strengthen Relationships

A house loses heat when cold air sneaks in through cracks and gaps. In Bible study groups, “drafts” appear when members feel disconnected, overlooked, or discouraged. Winterizing means sealing those relational gaps so warmth can be preserved.

• Check for drafts in attendance. Notice who has been missing lately. A quick phone call, text, or handwritten note can remind them they’re valued. In extreme cases, a quick porch visit may be what is needed the most.
• Encourage sharing. Create space for members to talk about their lives, not just the lesson. A simple icebreaker—like “What’s one blessing you’ve seen this week?”—can help seal relational cracks.
• Foster hospitality. Winter can feel isolating, so invite members to share meals, coffee, or even a virtual gathering outside of class.

By sealing these drafts, you keep the warmth of fellowship circulating, ensuring no one feels left out in the cold.

2. Insulate the Structure: Deepen Spiritual Practices

Insulation keeps a house warm by holding in the heat. For Bible study groups, insulation comes from spiritual practices that help members stay rooted in God’s Word and prayer. Without insulation, the chill of busyness, stress, or discouragement can seep in.

• Encourage daily Scripture reading. Hopefully, your group is using an ongoing Bible study curriculum series. If it is, then encourage your group members to read ahead and be ready to discuss the upcoming study. My company produces a variety of Bible studies for groups like yours – some are book-by-book, some are chronological, and others are topical. But the common denominator is that each of those series has Personal Study Guides to help people self-feed in between group meetings.
• Model prayer. Begin and end each session with intentional prayer, and invite members to pray aloud for one another. Even better, place group members in triads or quads and have them pray for one another in “micro groups.” This builds spiritual “insulation” that strengthens the group’s unity.
• Offer resources. Share podcasts, articles, or books that align with your study. These extra layers of insulation help members grow beyond the weekly meeting.

When a group is well-insulated with Scripture and prayer, it can withstand the coldest seasons of life with confidence and hope.

3. Maintain the Furnace: Keep the Mission Burning

Even with sealed drafts and strong insulation, a house still needs a working furnace to generate heat. For Bible study groups, the “furnace” is the mission—our purpose to grow as disciples and reach others with the gospel. Without regular maintenance, the fire of mission can grow weak.

• Revisit the group’s purpose. Remind members why the group exists: to study God’s Word, encourage one another, and invite others to join.
• Plan outreach. Winter is a great time to serve—collect coats for a local shelter, write cards to shut-ins, or host a holiday gathering where guests are welcome.
• Identify new leaders. Just as a furnace needs regular upkeep, groups need fresh leadership. Encourage members to take small steps—leading prayer, facilitating discussion, or organizing fellowship events.

By keeping the mission burning, your group won’t just survive the winter—it will thrive, radiating warmth to those around it.

Winterizing a house takes foresight and effort, but the reward is a cozy, secure home. Winterizing a Bible study group works the same way. By sealing relational drafts, insulating with spiritual practices, and maintaining the furnace of mission, leaders can ensure their groups remain vibrant and welcoming—even in the coldest season.

So as you prepare for winter, don’t just think about pipes and insulation. Think about your Bible study group. With a little intentional care, you can create a place where warmth, fellowship, and God’s Word sustain everyone until spring arrives.