I wonder what people think as we hold hands and pray. Tears drop onto the small table, coffee steaming nearby, a half-eaten cinnamon roll on a plate. I don’t even like coffee, but I love what I find in this simple half-hour “coffee shop study” with friends. Life is busy. That’s almost cliché, except it’s […]
Resources for Leading Coffee Shop Bible Studies
For the last few months, I’d been asking God how to reach women more effectively and how to expand that reach, especially in small groups. As I visited with women’s ministries leaders, they shared the same desire. Though churches offer a variety of gatherings throughout the year, Bible studies offer a unique set of struggles. […]
Bible Study: Make the Most of Your First Meeting
We only get one chance to make a great first impression. That’s true in life and in the new Bible study you may be planning. As group members gather the first night, we as leaders want to exceed their expectations and send them home with anticipation of what’s to come. How can we lay a […]
Harness the Power of Outside/In Ministry
Every Wednesday night, I meet with four to six women in my home. They are fierce and wonderful. They are hungry for Christ. These are women who might not show up in a typical Bible study or women’s conference, but they feel comfortable in my home. They are growing in their faith. We are growing in relationship. As […]
Increase Bible Literacy of Bible Study Leaders
On any given Sunday, 50 to 60 percent of church attendees are women. In most churches, 80 to 90 percent of our Sunday School teachers are women. When you glance through church calendars, women’s bible studies (led by women) outnumber men and co-ed studies. Women are filling more seats, and because of this women fill more of the volunteer […]
Unlocking Hidden Treasure in Scripture
As a Bible study teacher, small group leader or women’s ministry leader, understanding the culture in which Scripture was written can open up a wealth of understanding that we might miss if we simply read the Bible with our twenty-first century eyes. As we understand the culture that Jesus stepped into, we see just how […]
Embracing Home Bible Studies as Outside/In Ministry
Every Wednesday night I meet with four to six women in my home. They are fierce and wonderful. They are hungry for Christ. These are women who might not show up in a typical Bible study or women’s conference, but they feel comfortable in my home. They are growing in their faith. We are growing in relationship. As […]
Bible Study Leaders Prayer Guide
As you lead a Bible study, prayer is essential. Here are 20 Scriptures to pray for yourself and others as you share the good news of Jesus. For yourself, ask God… To open your eyes to see the harvest around you. John 4:35 To break your heart over the condition of the lost. Romans 10:1 […]
5 Challenges of Group Discussion
Start with a room full of women; add different personalities, various levels of spiritual maturity, and unique backgrounds. There is so much potential for an awesome experience or an awful encounter. Bible study discussion groups can be fun and rewarding for the members as well as the leader. However, situations sometimes pop up that can […]
7 Characteristics of Effective Small Group Leaders
Can you feel the excitement building? The books are in… The coffee pot is on standby… The name tags are ready… A new semester of women’s Bible study is about to begin! The success of women’s Bible study depends heavily on the small group leader. Maybe you’ve been asked to lead a group. Maybe you’re […]
