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Unleash the Word
This is a very good book indeed. I will use this book myself as a regular refresher, and recommend it to students as essential reading. Andy Gemmill, Co-director, Cornhill Scotland
110 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
5 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Karen Soole
2 books12 followersKaren Soole has been teaching the Bible in groups and one to ones for over twenty five years. She currently divides her time between her family, leading small group Bible studies and supporting the North West Partnership Ministry Training Course. She is the chair of the Northern Women s Convention and Equipped!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 28, 2022
I put this book down with a new excitement for bible studies this year. This book has wonderful insights into helpful ways to read the Bible together, looking at a perspective change and practically.
December 1, 2022
A really helpful little refresher/reminder after a few years of leading Bible studies. Strengthened my convictions but also challenged some aspects of how I write my studies- feel reenergised for the coming term at StudentPlus!
February 25, 2024
Excellent short book on Bible studies - I wish I had read it sooner!
October 4, 2025
Church Bible studies used to follow a very formal pattern. The minister led an examination of a Bible passage in what amounted to a lecture or a sermon. Either way, the actual Bible study took place in the privacy of the leader’s home, not in the meeting, where the leader simply shared the fruits of that private study. The quality of those meetings depended entirely on the leader.
In the 1980s, our church began to experiment with small group Bible studies. The main reason for this was the hope that the informal home setting would encourage more members of the Sunday congregation to attend and take part in what was also a prayer meeting. Another change arose out of this arrangement.
Having a number of small groups required several leaders, not just the minister. As a result, published Bible studies were often used so that groups covered the same ground and leaders did not each have to prepare a study. Published studies at the time consisted of a series of questions that the group would be encouraged to answer. This led to Bible studies that were more interactive. So, although our studies were still very much led, they became increasingly participatory and interactive. The quality of the Bible study now depended as much on the group as on the leader.
This approach has its pitfalls and Karen Soole is well aware of them. Questions can be met with embarrassed silence because the answer is too obvious, or for fear of getting it wrong, or because no-one understands what the question is getting at. Leaders may fail to ensure that discussion stays on topic and anchored in the text. Some people may dominate and others be cowed into silence.
Nevertheless, the author maintains that there is great value in small group Bible studies because they help us fulfil Paul’s exhortation: “Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Col 3:16). The leader’s job, she says, is first to enable the group to engage with the text so that they are rooted in Christ, and secondly “to make sure that the Bible is handled well within a context that handles people well.” If led well, this kind of Bible study helps us all to learn as different people draw out the emphases and truths they have discovered.
Soole describes four approaches: the ‘detailed study’, which can get bogged down in the minutiae of the text; the ‘chunk study’, which looks for a main point a section at a time and tries to apply it; the ‘application study’, which goes straight to an application scenario at the start; the ‘open study’, in which everyone studies and annotates the passage separately before sharing their findings.
Soole sees weaknesses in all of these. She emphasises the need for a group leader to have good grasp of the Bible’s teaching and content, so that any straying from Biblical truth can be corrected. Even so, she says, a good group study can be based on three very simple questions (or types of question), which can be applied to any passage: (1) What does the passage say? (2) What does the passage mean? (3) So what? (What does the passage imply?) These basic questions can be sufficient or they can be fleshed out to be more specific to the passage.
In a couple of chapters, Soole goes on to give some helpful, practical advice and demonstrates how what she calls her ‘Big Question’ model (set out above) can be used to study any passage. The book ends with some Bible studies in Mark’s gospel, following the ‘Big Question’ model.
Having led small group Bible studies for more than 40 years and read a few ‘how to’ guides, I found this refreshing and helpful. It is not so much a ‘how to’ guide as a set of principles and strategies that are not difficult to put into practice. I recommend it to all who lead small group Bible studies.
In the 1980s, our church began to experiment with small group Bible studies. The main reason for this was the hope that the informal home setting would encourage more members of the Sunday congregation to attend and take part in what was also a prayer meeting. Another change arose out of this arrangement.
Having a number of small groups required several leaders, not just the minister. As a result, published Bible studies were often used so that groups covered the same ground and leaders did not each have to prepare a study. Published studies at the time consisted of a series of questions that the group would be encouraged to answer. This led to Bible studies that were more interactive. So, although our studies were still very much led, they became increasingly participatory and interactive. The quality of the Bible study now depended as much on the group as on the leader.
This approach has its pitfalls and Karen Soole is well aware of them. Questions can be met with embarrassed silence because the answer is too obvious, or for fear of getting it wrong, or because no-one understands what the question is getting at. Leaders may fail to ensure that discussion stays on topic and anchored in the text. Some people may dominate and others be cowed into silence.
Nevertheless, the author maintains that there is great value in small group Bible studies because they help us fulfil Paul’s exhortation: “Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Col 3:16). The leader’s job, she says, is first to enable the group to engage with the text so that they are rooted in Christ, and secondly “to make sure that the Bible is handled well within a context that handles people well.” If led well, this kind of Bible study helps us all to learn as different people draw out the emphases and truths they have discovered.
Soole describes four approaches: the ‘detailed study’, which can get bogged down in the minutiae of the text; the ‘chunk study’, which looks for a main point a section at a time and tries to apply it; the ‘application study’, which goes straight to an application scenario at the start; the ‘open study’, in which everyone studies and annotates the passage separately before sharing their findings.
Soole sees weaknesses in all of these. She emphasises the need for a group leader to have good grasp of the Bible’s teaching and content, so that any straying from Biblical truth can be corrected. Even so, she says, a good group study can be based on three very simple questions (or types of question), which can be applied to any passage: (1) What does the passage say? (2) What does the passage mean? (3) So what? (What does the passage imply?) These basic questions can be sufficient or they can be fleshed out to be more specific to the passage.
In a couple of chapters, Soole goes on to give some helpful, practical advice and demonstrates how what she calls her ‘Big Question’ model (set out above) can be used to study any passage. The book ends with some Bible studies in Mark’s gospel, following the ‘Big Question’ model.
Having led small group Bible studies for more than 40 years and read a few ‘how to’ guides, I found this refreshing and helpful. It is not so much a ‘how to’ guide as a set of principles and strategies that are not difficult to put into practice. I recommend it to all who lead small group Bible studies.
February 15, 2020
How Bible reading and teaching in a group setting should be structured and why. Short and sweet. Found it encouraging.
August 13, 2020
Really helpful on group Bible studies.
Helpful assessment of the context of small group Bible studies - covering some typical approaches to church small groups, and the opportunity and importance of these small groups.
Helpful wisdom on the conflicting approaches of 'questions with right/wrong answers' and a more postmodern approach - advocating an approach where 'people really engage with God's Word' and making sure 'the Bible is handled well within a context that handles people well.'
Alongside the critiques, good positive alternatives are put forward - ideas like the hermeneutical spiral, how to prepare well, and the 'big question' model, which is the key point the book teaches. The chapter on 'meditating on God's Word' is really helpful for working on application that addresses the heart and beyond the small group time.
Inspires confidence to 'Unleash the Word' by studying the Bible in small groups.
Helpful assessment of the context of small group Bible studies - covering some typical approaches to church small groups, and the opportunity and importance of these small groups.
Helpful wisdom on the conflicting approaches of 'questions with right/wrong answers' and a more postmodern approach - advocating an approach where 'people really engage with God's Word' and making sure 'the Bible is handled well within a context that handles people well.'
Alongside the critiques, good positive alternatives are put forward - ideas like the hermeneutical spiral, how to prepare well, and the 'big question' model, which is the key point the book teaches. The chapter on 'meditating on God's Word' is really helpful for working on application that addresses the heart and beyond the small group time.
Inspires confidence to 'Unleash the Word' by studying the Bible in small groups.
January 15, 2018
This is the best book I've read on Bible Study so far. I really like:
i. The confidence that Karen Soole has in Christians reading the Bible together. One of the developments in my own constituency that I'm most troubled by is the steady loss of confidence in group Bible Study - with the attendant loss of confidence in the clarity of Scripture and the priesthood of all believers. It seems to be increasingly normal to substitute adult Sunday School, or a second sermon, or a discussion of the Sunday talk, for serious Bible Study. And truth be told, I can't see much good coming from any of this - whether with regards to lay training, or leader development, or just letting the Word of God speak. No such danger here.
ii. I think the chapter on meditation is excellent - so helpful to think clearly about what application is and what it isn't.
iii. I think that her "big questions" model is so much better than many of the alternatives. I particularly like her advocacy of the "no holds barred" question - and actually, I wonder whether the main way I'd like to adapt what she's written here is to put more emphasis on this phase of her approach.
iv. There are some very helpful little discussions along the way. I love the fact that she's addressed the literacy question, and done it with some personal expertise in the subject!
I recently had the epiphany that one of our key aims in Bible Study (the key aim?) ought to be to get the group members themselves actually studying the Bible together. In other words, it oughtn't to be a big guessing game where the members try to guess what the leader thinks the passage is saying without the leader ever actually telling them! I need to think more about this. But this book is a great place to start.
i. The confidence that Karen Soole has in Christians reading the Bible together. One of the developments in my own constituency that I'm most troubled by is the steady loss of confidence in group Bible Study - with the attendant loss of confidence in the clarity of Scripture and the priesthood of all believers. It seems to be increasingly normal to substitute adult Sunday School, or a second sermon, or a discussion of the Sunday talk, for serious Bible Study. And truth be told, I can't see much good coming from any of this - whether with regards to lay training, or leader development, or just letting the Word of God speak. No such danger here.
ii. I think the chapter on meditation is excellent - so helpful to think clearly about what application is and what it isn't.
iii. I think that her "big questions" model is so much better than many of the alternatives. I particularly like her advocacy of the "no holds barred" question - and actually, I wonder whether the main way I'd like to adapt what she's written here is to put more emphasis on this phase of her approach.
iv. There are some very helpful little discussions along the way. I love the fact that she's addressed the literacy question, and done it with some personal expertise in the subject!
I recently had the epiphany that one of our key aims in Bible Study (the key aim?) ought to be to get the group members themselves actually studying the Bible together. In other words, it oughtn't to be a big guessing game where the members try to guess what the leader thinks the passage is saying without the leader ever actually telling them! I need to think more about this. But this book is a great place to start.
September 19, 2018
A very helpful, clearly written, easily readable guide to leading small group Bible studies. This book has given me lots to think about and ideas of how to improve. I think it will be one of those books I turn to again and again to stop me falling into bad habits. Highly recommend for all Christians leading Bible studies.
May 19, 2020
An insightful look at how we do bible studies and how to do it better. A well written and thought provoking book, fuelled by a desire to get people to grow in their knowledge and love for God. Great resource.
November 28, 2025
Unleash the Word is a helpful reminder to keep God’s Word at the centre of Bible study and to trust Him to do the work of changing hearts. It also offers practical tips for navigating common challenges in leading or participating in studies. A very helpful refresher.
March 2, 2022
Helpful resource for leading small group Bible studies
July 20, 2022
Some great ideas here and helpful encouragement and discussion about how to effectively lead a small group.
June 17, 2024
I wish this book had been published (and I’d read it) before I led any bible studies as a church ministry trainee just over 10 years ago. So helpful and practical.
June 24, 2020
So less is more.
In a Bible study setting.
When we want to dig to the Word we ask lots of questions among the small group to better understand what God is teaching us in a particular passage. However their lots of pitfalls that are accompanied by that type of method (which you can read on the book we are reviewing). We might be accustomed by this approach.
That’s what this book about. There is another way of engaging the small group with God's Word. Less is more. Karen Soole shrink it to three. But first, Unleash the Word strikes two balls that are essential to the leader of a small group. Before we dig in to the practical ways to do the Bible study method presented in this book we must go through. One is that he needs to remember that as much as the biblical stuff is important but the relational side of the small group should also matter. This book aims to strike a balance between those two. Then two, to handle the Word of God with utmost respect and care. Both has pitfalls that a Bible teacher must avoid.
What I like also about Unleash the Word is how Soole explains hermanutics and other things that comprises the Bible study method. It's something out of the box and she nailed it good. The main cake of the book is the three question approach of the Bible study. It's excellently explained here with a chart to help you track the progress of the Bible study using the book's method. She ends the book with some sample Bible study which serves as template for us. No more excuses that you didnt understand the goal of this book for small groups.
For those who are struggling in their small group (like me!), Karen Soole wrote something that is not just practical but will make you eager to put her lessons into action. This small volume doesn’t pack all the stuff but has a simple serving of the essential things to get you going through that Bible study. Are you ready for a small group upgrade? Come and pick this book up whether your a novice or seasoned in handling a small group. Unleash the Word is gold!
My verdict:
5 out of 5
In a Bible study setting.
When we want to dig to the Word we ask lots of questions among the small group to better understand what God is teaching us in a particular passage. However their lots of pitfalls that are accompanied by that type of method (which you can read on the book we are reviewing). We might be accustomed by this approach.
That’s what this book about. There is another way of engaging the small group with God's Word. Less is more. Karen Soole shrink it to three. But first, Unleash the Word strikes two balls that are essential to the leader of a small group. Before we dig in to the practical ways to do the Bible study method presented in this book we must go through. One is that he needs to remember that as much as the biblical stuff is important but the relational side of the small group should also matter. This book aims to strike a balance between those two. Then two, to handle the Word of God with utmost respect and care. Both has pitfalls that a Bible teacher must avoid.
What I like also about Unleash the Word is how Soole explains hermanutics and other things that comprises the Bible study method. It's something out of the box and she nailed it good. The main cake of the book is the three question approach of the Bible study. It's excellently explained here with a chart to help you track the progress of the Bible study using the book's method. She ends the book with some sample Bible study which serves as template for us. No more excuses that you didnt understand the goal of this book for small groups.
For those who are struggling in their small group (like me!), Karen Soole wrote something that is not just practical but will make you eager to put her lessons into action. This small volume doesn’t pack all the stuff but has a simple serving of the essential things to get you going through that Bible study. Are you ready for a small group upgrade? Come and pick this book up whether your a novice or seasoned in handling a small group. Unleash the Word is gold!
My verdict:
5 out of 5
March 8, 2024
A decent read, but one should note that Soole brings to the table many unspoken assumptions that are not explicitly proven in the text. These range from more conceptual issues such as how (note: not whether) Scripture is clear, how it should be interpreted (and the range of said interpretation), to more nitty-gritty issues such as whether women can teach (she makes several swipes against "women's ministry" in chapter 3 without proving her case (i.e. bare assertions), and under the discussion of 'should women lead?' in chapter 6, the "excellent resources [...] to help you consider this question in detail" she notes are all resources that argue for restriction on the role of women in ministry (be it preaching or ordination) and none for the counter-position). Given the nature of the book, the former is understandable (a short book on how to lead small group studies on the Bible is surely going to come with its presuppositions), but the latter is a pity because it can be removed or minimised without much change to the central thesis and main content of the book, but this peripheral issue (which she acknowledges is "contentious") was included and poorly treated.
I think the reader who would take away the most from this book will be one who already subscribes to the model that Soole is advocating. In that sense, she is preaching to the choir. Still, I can see this book being a good resource for those Christian circles.
I think the reader who would take away the most from this book will be one who already subscribes to the model that Soole is advocating. In that sense, she is preaching to the choir. Still, I can see this book being a good resource for those Christian circles.
August 26, 2016
If you’ve ever led or been part of a Biblestudy, you will appreciate Soole’s insights in Unleash the Word. One thing that I appreciated was her exploration of why canned study materials sometimes don’t work with a group, and how you can evaluate and use them more effectively. Her thoughts on how to handle group dynamics and how to promote deeper relationships while keeping a lid on distracting sidebars were also helpful. Most interesting to me–although this could be a British thing since it’s not the way most groups operate in the US, at least in my experience–was the idea that application is best done independently. That is, while in the group you read the Bible, discuss it, and pray about what you read, and then everyone goes home to ponder deeper application questions personally. I really, really like that approach, because it would keep people from jumping to quick conclusions and encourage people to really be open to conviction rather than assuming a text doesn’t apply to them based on a cursory reading.
If you lead Biblestudies or small groups I would highly recommend finding a copy of Unleash the Word.
{Read more of my reviews at A Spirited Mind.}
If you lead Biblestudies or small groups I would highly recommend finding a copy of Unleash the Word.
{Read more of my reviews at A Spirited Mind.}
March 30, 2017
Very practical, thoroughly helpful. Karen seeks to equip people to have God's Word teaching people by using big idea questions.
Will use again no doubt!
Will use again no doubt!
May 18, 2020
Really excellent. I plan to keep returning to this
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews