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One to One Bible Readinga simple guide for every Christian byHelm
Imagine if there was a way that people could grow in their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ—a way that returned gospel growth to the everyday fabric of personal relationship, rather than relying on church-run programs. That guided people in a deeper, more meaningful way than an event, program or class could possibly do—guided on an individual basis by someone who cared for them personally.What is this way? What is this activity that is so simple and so universal that it meets the discipleship needs of very different people at very different stages of discipleship, even non-Christians?We call it reading the Bible one-to-one.But what exactly is reading the Bible one-to-one? Why should we do it? Who is it for?In One-to-One Bible a simple guide for every Christian, David Helm answers these important questions.About the AuthorDavid Helm is a pastor at Holy Trinity Church in Chicago, and Chairman of The Charles Simeon Trust, a ministry devoted to equipping expository preachers. He longs for all Christians to read God’s word for themselves and with others.
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First published April 1, 2012
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About the author
David R. Helm
27 books39 followersDavid R. Helm, along with Arthur Jackson, serves as Lead Pastor of the Hyde Park Congregation of Holy Trinity Church Chicago. David is Chairman of The Charles Simeon Trust, a ministry devoted to equipping men in expository preaching.
A graduate of Wheaton College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, David is ordained in the PCA and serves on the council of The Gospel Coalition. He authored I, II Peter and Jude in Crossway’s Preaching the Word series, and contributed to Preach the Word:Essays in Expository Preaching in Honor of Kent Hughes. In addition, David has written The Big Picture Story Bible, One to One Bible Reading and The Genesis Factor (the latter with Jon Dennis). His forthcoming book on preaching is titled Expositional Preaching: How we speak God's Word Today which will be released in April of 2014.
David and his wife, Lisa, have five children (Noah, Joanna, who is married to Ben Panner, Baxter, Silas and Mariah) and reside in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
A graduate of Wheaton College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, David is ordained in the PCA and serves on the council of The Gospel Coalition. He authored I, II Peter and Jude in Crossway’s Preaching the Word series, and contributed to Preach the Word:Essays in Expository Preaching in Honor of Kent Hughes. In addition, David has written The Big Picture Story Bible, One to One Bible Reading and The Genesis Factor (the latter with Jon Dennis). His forthcoming book on preaching is titled Expositional Preaching: How we speak God's Word Today which will be released in April of 2014.
David and his wife, Lisa, have five children (Noah, Joanna, who is married to Ben Panner, Baxter, Silas and Mariah) and reside in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
August 25, 2013
When we talk about "Bible study," we usually refer to one of these two things: small group discussion or personal time with God. People study the Bible alone, or they study it in gaggles. But David Helm, in his short but wonderful book One-to-One Bible Reading, offers another option--that of studying the Bible with someone one-on-one.
It only makes sense. One-on-one meetings are more common, more personal, more interactive, and more individually tailored than any other type of meeting. One-on-one meetings can produce intimate friendship and vigorous dialogue. Most people are used to them and take part in them regularly with friends, neighbors, and coworkers. But many people don't think of reading the Bible in such settings.
As the book states, "The Bible really is a book you can read and understand--including in a one-to-one context. You don't need someone else to tell you what the Bible is saying. You can simply sit down with a friend and read it together, and hear God speak."
In the US, we're used to saying "one-on-one" rather than "one-to-one," but don't let that difference turn you off to this book. I highly recommend it.
Helm references a survey conducted by Ed Stetzer where people were asked whether they would be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked them to. For respondents age 30 and above, 42% said yes. Among 20-somethings, 61% said yes. Among younger generations, people show greater interest in reading and discussing the Scriptures with people they know. This fact provides a great opportunity.
Is there someone you've been reaching, whom you'd love to introduce to Christ? Have you tried inviting them to church, but they haven't been interested? Perhaps you could ask this person to meet over coffee for a few weeks to read and discuss the book of Romans.
Do you know a new believer in your congregation who hasn't made many friends yet? Would she benefit from a low-pressure situation where she can discuss the Bible and learn to understand it better?
Maybe you serve in a particular role in your church. Can you think of someone you could train to help out or take over? If so, could you pass on the biblical principles that drive you in your decisions? Can you train the person not only to do the job but also to think biblically about it?
Helm shows how one-on-one Bible study works with both Christians and non-Christians, of any maturity. And he goes on to explain how to do it. He walks through meeting dynamics and sample discussion questions. He does it all in 75 pages and a few appendices.
It won't take long to read, but this book will increase your confidence that you can teach God's word to others. Check it out!
It only makes sense. One-on-one meetings are more common, more personal, more interactive, and more individually tailored than any other type of meeting. One-on-one meetings can produce intimate friendship and vigorous dialogue. Most people are used to them and take part in them regularly with friends, neighbors, and coworkers. But many people don't think of reading the Bible in such settings.
As the book states, "The Bible really is a book you can read and understand--including in a one-to-one context. You don't need someone else to tell you what the Bible is saying. You can simply sit down with a friend and read it together, and hear God speak."
In the US, we're used to saying "one-on-one" rather than "one-to-one," but don't let that difference turn you off to this book. I highly recommend it.
Helm references a survey conducted by Ed Stetzer where people were asked whether they would be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked them to. For respondents age 30 and above, 42% said yes. Among 20-somethings, 61% said yes. Among younger generations, people show greater interest in reading and discussing the Scriptures with people they know. This fact provides a great opportunity.
Is there someone you've been reaching, whom you'd love to introduce to Christ? Have you tried inviting them to church, but they haven't been interested? Perhaps you could ask this person to meet over coffee for a few weeks to read and discuss the book of Romans.
Do you know a new believer in your congregation who hasn't made many friends yet? Would she benefit from a low-pressure situation where she can discuss the Bible and learn to understand it better?
Maybe you serve in a particular role in your church. Can you think of someone you could train to help out or take over? If so, could you pass on the biblical principles that drive you in your decisions? Can you train the person not only to do the job but also to think biblically about it?
Helm shows how one-on-one Bible study works with both Christians and non-Christians, of any maturity. And he goes on to explain how to do it. He walks through meeting dynamics and sample discussion questions. He does it all in 75 pages and a few appendices.
It won't take long to read, but this book will increase your confidence that you can teach God's word to others. Check it out!
October 25, 2022
A fantastic resource for anyone who wants to do a 1-1. Extremely practical beginning with who to do a 1-1 with, how to do it and example questions to ask for different types of biblical literature. Great short read.
June 17, 2020
The idea is excellent: get more people, especially Christians, to read the Bible. It isn’t mainly about church programs or events (though they may help), but instead about getting individual Christians to sit down with other individuals (Christians or not) to really read the Bible. And grounding this whole book is the belief that engaging God’s word truly is life-changing. (And this belief is founded both in God’s word itself and in statistics that show that by far the most important factor in someone staying in the faith and in a Christian’s growth is if they read the word).
That all was great. And if someone reads this book to have that idea introduced to them or refreshed to them, then great. The reason I give the book 4 stars and not 5 is *not* because I disagree with the premise. I do with all my heart. But instead because I think it was lacking in a little detail. I get that they didn’t want it to be a long book, and they did include some practical stuff, but they could’ve explained a bit more about what the time together would look like in terms of awkward silences, asking non-written-out questions, etc. For my fear would be that someone would read this book, pursue one-to-one Bible reading, and find it more awkward and hard than they expected. Perhaps not, but perhaps so. And that would hinder them from doing it again.
But overall, I love the idea. And just like *The Trellis and the Vine*, I love Matthias Media’s approach to ministry and discipleship. It’s biblical, refreshing, and I think a needed correction to our event- and program-based evangelical church model we’ve had for some time.
That all was great. And if someone reads this book to have that idea introduced to them or refreshed to them, then great. The reason I give the book 4 stars and not 5 is *not* because I disagree with the premise. I do with all my heart. But instead because I think it was lacking in a little detail. I get that they didn’t want it to be a long book, and they did include some practical stuff, but they could’ve explained a bit more about what the time together would look like in terms of awkward silences, asking non-written-out questions, etc. For my fear would be that someone would read this book, pursue one-to-one Bible reading, and find it more awkward and hard than they expected. Perhaps not, but perhaps so. And that would hinder them from doing it again.
But overall, I love the idea. And just like *The Trellis and the Vine*, I love Matthias Media’s approach to ministry and discipleship. It’s biblical, refreshing, and I think a needed correction to our event- and program-based evangelical church model we’ve had for some time.
August 10, 2021
This resource from David Helm is as simple and as it is profound. What does the church need? It doesn’t need more programs. It doesn’t need more innovation. It doesn’t need more marketing. It needs more Christians reading the Bible together. It needs more Christians reading the Bible with new believers. It needs more Christians reading the Bible with non-believers. It is toward this simple end that Helm writes. Read to be encouraged by the simple means of grace that God has given us to carry out the mission of his church. Read to be equipped to read the Bible with others. Read to be challenged at the need for reading the Bible with others.
March 5, 2023
Short, practical, helpful.
Quick read, but this book wants you to read a different book anyway
The guided questions for different genres of the Bible, basic steps for Bible study, and straightforward encouragements make this book a good resource for any Christian.
Quick read, but this book wants you to read a different book anyway
The guided questions for different genres of the Bible, basic steps for Bible study, and straightforward encouragements make this book a good resource for any Christian.
May 10, 2025
Super practical book that comes with 8 week reading plans and questions that can be applied to any book of the Bible as well as specific genres. Meant to be used with someone who isn’t a Christian but is interested, a new Christian, or a Christian ready to lead or serve, and is meant to be for just a set amount of time. A really helpful resource!
March 22, 2012
Great simple approach to a simple framework for discipleship with another believer.
Maybe too simple to warrant a book and not a blog post?
Imagine if all Christians, as a normal part of their [walk with God], were caught up in a web of regular Bible reading—not only digging into the Word privately, but reading it with their siblings before bed, with their parents over breakfast, with a non-Christian at school once a week over lunch, with a new Christian for follow-up every couple of weeks for mutual encouragement, and with a mature Christian friend once a month for mutual encouragement.
It would be a chaotic web of personal relationships, prayer and Bible reading—more of a movement than a program—but at another level it would be profoundly simple and within reach of all.
It’s an exciting thought!
Tony Payne and Collin Marshall, The Trellis and the Vine
Maybe too simple to warrant a book and not a blog post?
Imagine if all Christians, as a normal part of their [walk with God], were caught up in a web of regular Bible reading—not only digging into the Word privately, but reading it with their siblings before bed, with their parents over breakfast, with a non-Christian at school once a week over lunch, with a new Christian for follow-up every couple of weeks for mutual encouragement, and with a mature Christian friend once a month for mutual encouragement.
It would be a chaotic web of personal relationships, prayer and Bible reading—more of a movement than a program—but at another level it would be profoundly simple and within reach of all.
It’s an exciting thought!
Tony Payne and Collin Marshall, The Trellis and the Vine
July 30, 2025
This is a marvelous tool for informal gatherings or structured Bible study. This method can also be used in private Bible reading and study. It can be used for getting the big picture or digging deeply.
April 6, 2022
Great little book! And a wonderfully simple approach to discipling others and growing in God's Word. I would like to think more about how to encourage the congregation at my church to jump into One-to-One bible studies.
July 12, 2022
This book was delightfully simple. So simple, we shouldn’t have to have a book on it. Yet, as many have noted, the simplest truths are often the easiest to forget. Reading our Bibles shouldn’t always be a solitary act. We should seek opportunities to read the Bible one on one with nonbelievers, new believers, and mature believers. For, after all, the Word of God has the power to transform and mature all of us. The only thing that bugged me was that David Helm didn’t include the Law as a genre of Scripture. Still, this book is a great resource for the church.
January 24, 2020
Easy, simple way to engage others in discipleship. Uses the acronym COMA, context, observation, meaning, application, to help people read, understand, and apply the Bible. It also includes sample questions and examples of how to use this system.
September 17, 2021
A short treatise on very simple Bible study. There are a number of suggestions that are easy to try with a partner or a small group. Nothing earth shattering here.
November 25, 2022
Short, clear, and very helpful. If you desire to read the Bible with someone, whether a non believer or mature Christian, this book will give you the proper framework for how to read the Bible and ask good questions. Definitely recommend
November 21, 2019
A short yet concise read, this handy little books give a good framework for not just one-to-one bible reading but can also be applied to personal devotions and to smaller groups too. Clear to follow without claiming to be the sole or definitive method, the process to follow is simple and can lead to reading the Bible more effectively for better results.
September 25, 2023
Very good resource for those beginning discipleship or just changing up your personal Bible reading. This guides you through preparing and practicing reading the Bible with either a non-believer, new believer, or long time believer. It presents the Swedish and COMA methods as tools for your meetings. The book gives lots of examples and lays everything out so well.
September 7, 2025
Excellent and super quick read. About half of it is more a resource to refer to as needed. Designed to help equip ordinary and non-confident people to sit down and read the Bible one to one with someone. And it does a great job.
September 27, 2023
Good, wish i had this resource earlier in ministry
June 18, 2025
This little book wasn’t on my “to-read” list, but I’m really thankful it was suggested and loaned to me. As a Christian who is being nudged (sometimes shoved) toward the need to walk along side sisters in mutual growth and study of scripture, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and paralyzed; I don’t know enough, I’m not naturally a teacher, it’s intimidating, it’s hard work, I don’t know what to say, I’m not trained, I don’t know where to start, what if there’s a question I can’t answer, etc.
The biggest problem with all of that - I’m focused on me. I’m assuming somehow I bear the weight to incite change and growth, and I fail to see that it is SCRIPTURE that changes people. This book is helpful and encouraging in redirecting the reader to the truth, that God uses His Word, in the hands of His people, to bring transformation. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just. read. the. Bible. together.
So here is my commitment. It is time for me to pick a couple people and invite them to read scripture with me once per week, for six weeks, starting the first week of July.
The biggest problem with all of that - I’m focused on me. I’m assuming somehow I bear the weight to incite change and growth, and I fail to see that it is SCRIPTURE that changes people. This book is helpful and encouraging in redirecting the reader to the truth, that God uses His Word, in the hands of His people, to bring transformation. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just. read. the. Bible. together.
So here is my commitment. It is time for me to pick a couple people and invite them to read scripture with me once per week, for six weeks, starting the first week of July.
April 21, 2025
I hate to rate this relatively low because I think the overall message here is valuable. I would like to move towards more one-to-one bible reading and I would encourage others to do the same. That said I think the gist of this book could have been in an online article and the same message would have been received. Personally, I don’t find the tangible strategies for studying through the Bible that helpful either. I find them more limiting as I think I do what they are saying on my own implicitly. So I would encourage people to read the Bible one-to-one with people but I wouldn’t say this book is requirement for doing that. But if you are feeling lost or hesitant in doing so this might be helpful.
July 13, 2019
This is a great book for using the Bible to disciple someone regardless of where they are and regardless of where you are in your journey with Christ.
It is short and easy to read which makes it a great resource. It provides encouragement (the why) and practical tips on the how. There are different methods provided that can be used to guide study/reading and questions that can prompt thought and discussion.
While it isn't an indepth guide on "how to study the Bible" (nor was it written to be one) it is a great guide to help equip believers to share the the joy of the Word of God with unbelievers and believers alike
It is short and easy to read which makes it a great resource. It provides encouragement (the why) and practical tips on the how. There are different methods provided that can be used to guide study/reading and questions that can prompt thought and discussion.
While it isn't an indepth guide on "how to study the Bible" (nor was it written to be one) it is a great guide to help equip believers to share the the joy of the Word of God with unbelievers and believers alike
April 17, 2024
I struggle knowing when to give a book 5 stars sometimes. Because it wasn't anything revolutionary, but the book accomplished exactly what it was meant to, and it did it efficiently and with great lessons and examples laid out for you.
I'm not giving it 5 stars because it's so amazing, I'm giving it 5 stars because it's just exactly what you want from it and I appreciate how concise David Helm presents all the information. I'd highly recommend it for Christians who'd like to lead a Bible study or just pick up some good Bible reading habits (i.e. COMA and Swedish methods). Super super applicable book.
Final rating:👍📚
I'm not giving it 5 stars because it's so amazing, I'm giving it 5 stars because it's just exactly what you want from it and I appreciate how concise David Helm presents all the information. I'd highly recommend it for Christians who'd like to lead a Bible study or just pick up some good Bible reading habits (i.e. COMA and Swedish methods). Super super applicable book.
Final rating:👍📚
April 19, 2020
This good is helpful for what it is—a brief explanation of one to one Bible reading, a couple frameworks, and a plethora of reading suggestions. The most helpful parts of this book for me were, 1) the outlined schedules for various books of the Bible and 2) how to apply the COMA framework to the various genres of the Bible. Overall, this book is more of a resource to reference than a book to be read straight through for knowledge.
July 15, 2023
A super practical and helpful guide for anyone who is looking for help in getting started reading the Bible with another person. Helm offers advice dependent on who you're reading with—whether they're a non-Christian, new believer, or a long-time Christian. He also gives helpful questions to ask as you read the text, with consideration for the text's genres. Finally, at the end of the book, he includes a few one-to-one study ideas to get you started. I love this!
October 29, 2017
A really quick and easy introduction to one-to-one Bible reading in two parts. Part one explains why it is such a good thing to and how to go about it generally. Part two offers more practical tips and techniques for reading with different groups: non-Christian, new Christian and established Christian. I found it encouraging and hope to put some of it into practice..
February 5, 2022
This book is great and very direct. It talks about discipleship and different methods we can use to walk through scripture with a friend, co-worker, or relative. This book is super practical and I’d recommend it for anyone because we are called to make disciples and this is a simple way to get the ball rolling.
March 25, 2024
Excellent, undaunting ideas and tips on how to read the Bible with a friend, either lost or a fellow believer.
Helm does an excellent job at presenting and demystifying evangelism and discipleship through his one-to-one Bible reading method. An easy and quick read but one that I think will prove practical and sticking for many interactions and years to come.
Helm does an excellent job at presenting and demystifying evangelism and discipleship through his one-to-one Bible reading method. An easy and quick read but one that I think will prove practical and sticking for many interactions and years to come.
January 21, 2018
I appreciate the practicality of this book - specifically the plans/approaches for working through Scripture 1-1. While intended/focused on adults, I found the "Sweedish method" particularly interesting when contemplating a Bible study approach with our two middle-school-age children.
July 7, 2020
An excellent tool to just getting together and reading God’s Word with someone else! This is not rocket science or re-inventing the wheel but if you’re looking for something to get you started on the road to basic discipleship, this is a great introduction to the topic! Well done!
March 10, 2023
This book is very good. It is not a Bible study method I am familiar with but one I would like to try. It is advocating the best way to read your Bible is with another person. I am not sure how it work for me but I am willing to keep this in mind for future discipleship opportunities. Good stuff
September 9, 2024
Great resource.
Piggy backing off of trellis and the vine (which is also a great book).
Very encouraging and practical ideas for how to grow (both yourself and someone else) through reading Gods word together.
This one is a Billy Hanna special🫶🏾
Piggy backing off of trellis and the vine (which is also a great book).
Very encouraging and practical ideas for how to grow (both yourself and someone else) through reading Gods word together.
This one is a Billy Hanna special🫶🏾
Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews