How to Use the Groundwork Podcast as a Personal or Group Bible Study

If you’re looking for a free tool to deepen your understanding of Scripture, the Groundwork podcast is a great resource to incorporate into your personal or group Bible study. 

Groundwork offers rich half-hour-long biblical discussions that are easy to follow and require little preparation. With structured study guides, clear theological teaching, audio transcripts, and a format designed for thoughtful reflection, Groundwork makes studying the Bible more accessible. 

Here’s how you can utilize the free Groundwork podcast for personal or group Bible study:

How to use Groundwork for personal Bible study

1. Prepare your heart and mind

Before you press play, take a few moments to quiet your mind. Read the Bible passage covered in the episode and note any thoughts or questions that come to mind. Most Groundwork episodes include a companion study guide, so glance through it for an overview of key themes and consider the Awareness questions. Most importantly, ask God to open your heart to his wisdom and guidance.

2. Listen with focus

Listen in a way that works for you. Maybe that’s in a quiet place, while walking, or in your car. Do your best to reduce or eliminate distractions, so you can listen well. Follow along in your Bible as the hosts discuss Scripture, and take notes on any insights or questions that resonate with you. If a particular section stands out or challenges you, pause and reflect, read that portion of the transcript or replay that part of the episode.

3. Reflect and apply

After you’ve finished the episode, reflect on the content. Let the episode study guide walk you through a review of key points and reflective questions. Explore the additional supporting Scripture references to let God’s Word deepen your understanding of the topic. Review your notes and key takeaways and reflect on how the lessons from this study apply to your life. Then, close your time with prayer.

How to use Groundwork for Group Bible Study

1. Minimal preparation required

Leading a Bible study can feel overwhelming, but with Groundwork, there’s no need to spend hours preparing a lesson. Gather your group, open your Bibles, and play the episode (or have members listen beforehand). The hosts provide structured, theologically sound teaching that allows everyone to engage equally without putting pressure on a single leader.

2. Use the episode study guides

To keep your group discussion on track, use Groundwork’s episode study guides. These resources introduce the topic, provide focus points, and offer discussion questions that help guide meaningful conversations. By following these prompts, you can ensure your group stays engaged and on topic.

3. Prayer and discussion

After the episode, encourage your group members to share their thoughts, ask questions, and apply the lesson to their lives. Close your time together in prayer, lifting one another’s needs and asking God to help you live out what you’ve learned. If possible, commit to meeting regularly and working through a complete series of Groundwork episodes together.

Whether you’re studying on your own or with others, Groundwork offers straightforward, structured content to help you engage with Scripture in a meaningful way. Solid biblical teaching, ready-made discussion materials, and an easy-to-use format make it a valuable tool for deepening your faith in a group or on your own.

Learn more benefits of using an audio Bible study or get started with Groundwork’s entire episode library.