More years ago that I (Robyne) would publicly admit, I attended a conference where Howard Hendricks spoke about recruiting and training leaders. Below are some of the tips he presented, mixed in with what I have learned through the years.

1. God is looking for F.A.T. women. Faithful, available and teachable. First and foremost a woman must be in an intimate relationship with God. Second, a woman who wants to teach must be available. She must have time in her life to dedicate to studying and attending the study. Finally, a good teacher is always learning...she is teachable.

2. Look for facilitators and lecturers. Know what type of teacher/leader each woman is. Some women are great facilitators who can lead a group of women in a meaningful discussion. Others love to study, study, study and then share what God is teaching them. Match women with appropriate studies to lead.

3. Have an organized training plan. You can offer a one day workshop or quarterly meetings. Have some type of teacher training in place. If your church already has a program in place, require your leaders to go through it.

4. All Bible Study leaders will benefit from some type of basic counseling class. Whether you work through a counseling book or attend a conference, it is good for women to know how to talk with women about challenging issues or struggles.

5. Provide them with tools. There are so many great study resources available today through books, software and the Internet! Give your leaders a bookmark of resources that you would recommend. Also, make sure they have a copy of the study and any other appropriate materials in advance of the study for them to review.

6. Mentoring works. If someone is interested in teaching, pair them with one or two seasoned teachers for a couple of studies. Let them see how a study is taught or led, and have them attend your training class as well. This will really help them to get their feet on the ground. The mentor teachers can also be available to sit in on classes and answer questions as the new leader gets going.

7. Check-in with your leaders. Visit with your women throughout their study to see how things are going and what the women in their classes are learning. Encourage them with cards, emails or notes to let them know you appreciate them and that you are praying for them.

Bible studies are the backbone of women's ministry. Getting women into the Word and sharing with each other is exactly what Proverbs 27:17 is talking about, "Iron sharpens iron; so a woman sharpens the countenance of her friend. (Robyne paraphrase)

In Him... Robyne Beaubien, Editor

We hit the Internet to see what Bible Studies are being offered by churches right now. Here is what we found.

A Church in Texas is offering:
MotherWise – “Freedom for Mothers”
Perilous Pursuits: Overcoming our Obsession with Significance
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
Daniel by Beth Moore
Precept (Kings and Prophet Series)

A Church in Missouri is offering:
Daniel by Beth Moore
Experiencing The Heart Of Jesus by Max Lucado
For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur
Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel
Precept (Kings and Prophet Series)

A Church in Georgia is offering:
Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shearer
Shelter from the Storm
Deuteronomy (Precept)
Patriarchs by Beth Moore
 

A Church in Alaska is offering:
The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian
James: Guidelines for a Happy Christian Life by John MacArthur
Jesus, the One, and Only by Beth Moore
Faithbooking: God’s Good Gifts by Group Publishing

A Church in New York is offering:
Life Change Series - Colossians & Philemon
Galatians by Tim Keller
Safe People by Drs. Cloud and Townsend
Let Prayer Change Your Life by Becky Tirabassi

Last week Corina Bowen won a bundle of six great books relating to women's ministry. She submitted a great idea that was used in one of our newsletters and won... it could happen to you too! All you have to do is send us your great ideas and if we use yours, your name will be automatically entered to win our next big book bundle!

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Last week we featured some of my (Robyne's) recommendations and this week we feature some of yours. Below are ten of the Bible studies that you have recommended as your favorites!

Cynthia recommends... Life in the Spirit by Robertson McQuilken.

Mr. McQuilken is a gifted teacher who has passionately assembled Scripture and added insight to the often misunderstood and misrepresented Holy Spirit. This 10 week study is packed with to the point Scripture, practical instruction and structured applications throughout. I was truly blessed with his personal stories and gentle demeanor. This study should be a requirement on the list of every Believer’s study list. Toward the end of the 10 weeks, Mr. McQuilken encourages us to ask God for the greater gifts and to prayerfully set goals and purposefully put those goals into action.

A very organized thinker with a humble heart for God – what a wonderful combination!

__________________________________________

Kristel recommends...Believing God by Beth Moore

Reasons I Liked It:
1. It so deeply spiritually motivating; it is a WAKE UP CALL!
2. It brings personal revival
3. It is the Word of God

__________________________________________

Ann recommends... He Speaks to Me: Preparing to Hear from God by Priscilla Shirer

1. Priscilla Shirer has not only hit on a topic of great necessity in the church, but women specifically. Unfortunately, the world's voice has dictated loudly who and what women should be in today's society. God on the other hand, speaks softly. She emphasizes how to position ourselves to hear from God personally.
2. Priscilla Shirer is dynamic in her presentation, uncompromising in her information, and she allows the studier to experience the full range of emotions from joy and laughter, to sadness and pain, gently tearing down the barriers separating us from the voice and will of God. She speaks to the reader and/or listener at multi levels so that everyone can learn and grow.
3. This study can be used for groups or individuals because she has not only the DVD/workbook version, but she has transcribed her DVD's into book form w/ workbook version, meeting the needs of a multitude of ladies.

__________________________________________

Michelle recommends... God's Good Gifts: A Scrapbooking Bible Study for Women's Groups by Group Publishing.

This study helps women form meaningful friendships while creating compelling scrapbook pages that focus on deep, personal elements of spiritual heritage. 12 sessions provide a Bible study with discussion questions, templates, stickers, and 12 perforated devotions for your pages, idea and activity pages, and a leader's guide. Each woman's finished project will be a devotional scrapbook her family and future generations will enjoy again and again. Devotion authors include Katy Arthur, Jill Briscoe, Emilie Barnes, Jody Brolsma, Amy Nappa, and Sherri Harris.

__________________________________________

Lisa recommends... Conversations on Purpose for Women: Ten Appointments That Will Help You Discover God's Plan for Your Life by Katherine Brazelton

Written in an easy, conversational style with lots of intimate and challenging questions (with creative check boxes and short-paragraph answers), this book can be used individually, by two like-minded persons, or even better, as part of a life-coaching relationship. It is a challenging tool for finding your strengths and weaknesses, finding what you need to surrender to God, and finding hope as you seek His purpose.

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