Evangelism is at the heart of the Great Commission, yet many Bible study groups struggle to move beyond fellowship into active outreach. A group can be warm, welcoming, and spiritually rich, but if it never multiplies or reaches new people, it risks becoming inward‑focused. The good news is that evangelism doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can grow naturally out of the rhythms of your group life. Here are three practical ways to increase your Bible study group’s evangelism efforts.

1. Cultivate a Culture of Invitation

The simplest yet most powerful evangelism tool is a personal invitation. Many people are open to attending a Bible study if someone they trust asks them. Unfortunately, group members often assume others wouldn’t be interested or fear rejection. Leaders can help by normalizing invitation as part of group life.

• Model the behavior. Share stories of people you’ve invited, even if they didn’t attend. This shows that the act of inviting itself is valuable.
• Equip members with language. Provide easy phrases like, “We’d love for you to be our guest” or “There’s no pressure, just come and see if we are a good fit for you.”
• Celebrate attempts, not just results. When someone invites a coworker or neighbor, affirm their courage regardless of the outcome. The success is in the obedience, not the result.

Over time, this builds a culture where inviting is expected and celebrated. Imagine the impact if every group member extended one invitation per month—your group’s reach would multiply quickly.

2. Engage in Community Service Together

Evangelism isn’t only about words; it’s also about demonstrating Christ’s love in tangible ways. Serving together in the community creates visibility, credibility, and opportunities for spiritual conversations.

• Choose service projects that align with your group’s passions. For example, if your members care deeply about children, volunteer at a local school or mentoring program. If your group is composed of older adults, choose ways to serve that are less physically strenuous.
• Make service relational. Don’t just complete tasks—take time to talk with the people you’re serving. Ask questions, listen to their stories, and build connections. And when the service you provide is completed, consider building in some relational time for your group members by going to lunch, or grabbing some coffee and having a quick debrief about the experience.
• Invite others to serve alongside you. Sometimes people are hesitant to attend a Bible study but are willing to join a service project. This can be a gentle first step into your community of faith. Lifeway Research, in their book Together: The Power of Groups, reported that some people connect with a group around the ministries of the group to others – serving people is important, and it is attractional to many adults as an entry point into group life.

Community service shifts the group’s focus outward and provides natural bridges to share the gospel. It also helps members see evangelism as more than a one‑time conversation—it’s a lifestyle of love and witness.

3. Empower Members to Share Their Stories

One of the most effective evangelism tools is a personal testimony. People may argue with theology, but they can’t deny the reality of a changed life. Encourage group members to articulate how God has worked in their lives.

• Provide training. Teach members to share their story in three parts: life before Christ, how they encountered Him, and the difference He has made since.
• Practice in a safe environment. Create space during group meetings for members to share their testimonies with one another. This builds confidence and clarity.
• Highlight diverse experiences. Not every story involves dramatic transformation. Ordinary testimonies—like finding peace in anxiety or purpose in daily work—are powerful because they resonate with everyday struggles.

When members are equipped to share their stories, evangelism becomes personal and authentic. Instead of memorizing scripts, they simply share what God has done in their lives.

The Sum of it All

Increasing evangelism in your Bible study group doesn’t require complex strategies or professional training. It begins with cultivating a culture of invitation, engaging in community service, and empowering members to share their stories. These three practices help groups move from inward fellowship to outward mission, fulfilling the call of Jesus to make disciples.

As leaders, our role is to cast vision, provide tools, and celebrate steps of faith. Evangelism is not about perfection—it’s about obedience and love. When your group embraces these practices, you’ll find that outreach becomes a natural extension of your life together. And as new people encounter Christ through your group, you’ll experience the joy of seeing God’s kingdom grow right before your eyes.