Once a month, you’re going to hear from some of our authors or from our team on how we study the Bible, what resources we use, and what questions we ask. Submit your questions related to these topics by filling out the form here!
This month, we decided to pull together some questions that were all related to small group Bible study. We’ve got a fantastic team of Lifeway Women Trainers who are leaders in local churches around the country, so we reached out to them to get some insight and expertise since most of these questions are church related. Y’all have asked such great questions!
“What is the best way to start a community-wide Bible study in my area? What is the best way to advertise?”
Rene, Altadena, CA
I think the best way is to teach on or offer something that people are asking about, something they need help with, etc. Answer the questions they are asking. We are thinking right now about what we can do in relation to “13 Reasons Why” the Netflix series about teenage suicide. (Debbie Stuart)
Start with who you know. Invite them to join you to chat about starting a group. Brainstorm about who each woman knows to invite. Consider a neutral place to meet—a home, coffee shop, community center or restaurant. Advertise by personal invitation, social media, and community event boards. (Deb Douglas)
”Usually, we do Beth Moore’s Bible studies and the ladies that normally show up are quite a bit older than me. I’ve felt the urge to really dig into the Bible myself and teach, but I feel like most of the women that come probably already know more than I do as it is. How do you go about teaching seasoned Christians and pastors’ wives about the Bible?”
Jennifer, Garland, TX
I think the younger women have a great, “new and different” perspective to offer when they teach, which will be totally refreshing to women who have been walking with the Lord longer than they have been alive. 🙂 I think just getting it on the table at the first meeting would ease a lot of “wondering” on both sides. I would always say at the beginning of my class (with lots of 70 year old women) that I realize I lead them by permission. And that I have felt a call on my life to teach and wanted to be obedient to that call and would so appreciate any insight or feedback they could give me or encouragement they could speak into my life. I committed to them that I would study hard and be as prepared as I could be to teach the lesson. Don’t walk in like you know everything. (Debbie Stuart)
”Even if it is a video Bible study, how do you as a leader get your audience involved before the video begins (If you show the video last)? Some want to just sit there with blank stares, but I want them to interact or ask questions more. Any tips? Can you still interact more if some choose not to purchase the homework book?”
Amy, Morton, MS
Write questions out on slips of paper and have people draw a question, ask, and answer or allow the group as a whole to answer the question. In the small group I attend, we go day by day through the study, watch the video, and then share highs and lows for the week. (Lauren Sparks)
Here are a few things to try (Deb Douglas)
- Try an icebreaker—maybe ask if anyone had something unusual happen this week? Most unusual story gets a chocolate surprise.
- Quiet space in the conversation may mean they’re thinking what to say. It’s okay.
- Don’t do all the talking.
- Start with a light refreshment to loosen things up.
- Are you meeting at a rushed time of day? If so, women could have to shift gears too quickly to concentrate on Bible study.
“What is the best way to choose the appropriate study for a ladies group?”
Diane, Delray Beach, FL
I think the best way to choose the appropriate study for a ladies group is to find out the needs and the interest of the ladies. You could create a survey with various suggested topics listed or simply ask for their suggested topics. You could also pick 2-3 books or focus topics and have the ladies vote on the one that interest them the most. It’s always nice to have a fellowship to get to know a little about the ladies and have them to share the concerns of their heart, prayer requests, and topics of interest. (Carolyn Tatem)
Ask yourself the question, “If I were to only have a lady in our ministry for three years, what spiritual disciplines, attributes of God, characteristics of a Godly woman, etc., would I want her to know before she leaves?” Create a curriculum path for your ministry based on these things. Do you want her to know about prayer? Consider Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer. Do you want her to know about the metanarrative of scripture? Consider Seamless by Angie Smith. (Lauren Sparks)
“What’s the most engaging way (or tool) you have found to engage multiple generations?”
Chelsea, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada
Having a team that represents different generations and having them reach out to their generation both at church and in the community. (Lauren Sparks)
Mentoring of course, but also doing prison ministry together and other community supportive activities like VBS in a government-assisted housing complex or teaching together in the local shelters and transitional homes. (Debbie Stuart)
“First off, thank you for the words of encouragement from this person who is feeling uneducated and doubting her abilities and wondering what the heck she is even considering doing this for gal! I have been feeling called to possibly lead a young women’s study at our local university, I plan to attend YOU Lead in September prior to the Living Proof Live event. Can you give me a few tools/ ideas that I can start researching or looking into to help me prepare over the summer? What would you suggest I start doing if I have never led before, attended several Bible studies, and are just not sure where to start?”
Jackie, Toledo, OH
When working with college-aged girls, especially directly on (or from) a local university, the biggest prep you may be able to do and should do this summer (and always), is pray. Such a large part of that kind of ministry is relationship and those girls just knowing you are there for them and building that trust. It’s ministry of presence up and down. And of course Bible study is important, and for that I would say to take them directly to the Word. Girls that age (and every age) need to really learn to consider the text for themselves, and allow the inner integrity of God’s Word to bring them to its center, Jesus. (Courtney Veasey)
If you are a Bible study leader, we would love for you to join us at one of our leadership events to learn more about leading women through the Bible. We have YouLead events around the country and Women’s Leadership Forum in Nashville each fall. We’d love for you to join us!
