How to Start Holding a Bible Study at Home Without a Permit

Some cities require permits while others do not.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This theoretically should give every citizen the right to hold private Bible studies at home without a permit just as a every citizen is theoretically allowed to hold football parties or other gatherings without a permit. However, local cities regulate business and residential zones, determining how many people can begin meeting at a residential location on a regular basis before it is considered a business.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencils
• Word processing software (optional)
• Internet access (optional)
• Bibles

Instructions

1. Check with your city's local ordinances to find out if you need a permit to start a Bible study at home. If you do, find out if it is any Bible study, regardless of size, or if you only need one if the meeting begins to exceed a certain number of people.

2. Write down the number of people you are not allowed to exceed for having a home meeting. Examine your property and determine where your guests could legally park during the time of the Bible study.

3. Create a flier by hand or by using a word-processing software of your choice. Include the date of the first meeting, the time the meeting will be held, and a phone number to contact you with any questions. Note on the flier the maximum "slots available" which would be the maximum the city would allow for any home meeting minus yourself and or any other attending individuals in your home.

4. Distribute the flier at your local place of worship. Talk to your friends and family to see if they are interested in attending.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a local place of worship you attend regularly but would like to start a Bible study at home, then log on to the Internet and make a free profile at Meetup.com. This is a website that specializes in allowing people to create groups for people to meet and do activities together. As of 2011, it is free to make a profile on their site.

• If you've checked your local laws and found that your city has specific language in its ordinances against having home Bible studies without a permit and you decide to pursue it anyway, you risk facing potential legal consequences. Make sure you have enough Bibles to pass out to those who attend who did not bring one.

References

• U.S. Constitution: Amendment 1
• Christian Web News: Another City Outlaws Home Bible Studies
• Interactive Bible: Evangelistic, Small-Group Home Bible Studies

Resources

• Meetup.com: Joining Meetup is easy...