Have you heard of our TogetHER Group Challenge starting January 15? TogetHER Groups are groups of two to three women who meet together to study God’s Word with anyone—friends from church, neighbors, mentees, and so forth. At Lifeway Women, we are passionate about encouraging women to study God’s Word together, so we’re sharing a testimony from Salina Kelley, the administrative assistant for Lifeway Women, about how this kind of Bible study group has positively impacted her life and encouraged her to lead.
For many years, I had a very specific concept of what Bible study should look like. Bible study was something we did at church with a formal study and preplanned meeting times. Beyond that, Bible study was a personal endeavor that I did during my quiet time with the Lord. So, when I found myself in a season where the traditional Bible study at my church was not possible, I felt a bit unmoored. I desperately wanted the rich community and spiritual growth that came out of my previous Bible studies, but I didn’t know where to find it. I felt stuck, so I took it to the Lord, and He was faithful to meet me where I was and draw me close in an unexpected way.
I was at church pacing the lobby with a colicky baby, trying to stay engaged and feeling weary. A sweet older lady was walking by and stopped to admire my fussy baby, and in that moment, when I felt like everything was falling apart, she asked if I would be interested in coming to her house once a week for coffee and to study with her. She said she had a six-week study on prayer that she wanted to do but thought it would be great to do it with me. I was so intimidated by the strength of her faith and the way she seemed to have it all together that I almost said no. But I felt that gentle nudge of answered prayer and agreed to join her.
I showed up with a cranky baby on my hip, hair a mess, and wearing clothes that were somewhere between PJs and gym apparel. Unbeknownst to me, as burdened and weary as I was, she was also burdened and weary in a different way, walking through the loneliness of strained relationships with her adult children. We came together and laid our burdens at the foot of the cross, diving deep into both the practice and study of prayer. Our six-week study turned into over six months of coffee at her kitchen table diving into Scripture together and cultivating a deep relationship with the Lord. Now, twelve years later, she is still one of my very dearest prayer warriors.
This time with my sweet friend radically changed my impression of Bible study. While I love the formal studies done at church, this no longer defined Bible study for me. I appreciate going through studies at church because the perspective gained from a larger audience brings rich growth, but it doesn’t always have to look like this. I still believe that engaging with the women of my church in formal Bible study is an integral part of growing and understanding the Word on a deeper level. But I also see the freedom in knowing that, in those seasons when the church-led studies aren’t possible, I don’t have to struggle for community in studying the Word. I saw the beauty and richness that came from a couple of Jesus-loving women coming together, as they are, and seeking a deep connection with the Lord. I have since been involved with several small group studies where I just grabbed a friend or a couple of ladies from church and gave our time to the Lord with open-hands to grow in the ways He had for us. We have laughed together, cried together, and prayed fervently for each other. We have celebrated the joys of new babies and linked hands in prayer over struggling marriages.
I realized this simple truth: I didn’t need to be a great leader with a formal plan and abundant wisdom; I needed to be a girl with a heart for Jesus. Adding a friend or two for perspective, accountability, and prayer brought a beautiful opportunity to flourish together in our faith and friendship. The beauty of this is you can study with anyone! Everyone, regardless of their age or season of life has a unique faith and perspective to bring to the table. Some of my best mentoring opportunities came out of a relaxed personal study with a newer believer who wasn’t quite ready to dive into a formal study at church. Walking through this model of study with a newer believer has been a sweet way to encourage her to join our next church-led Bible study.
I now live next door to a couple of girls in their early twenties. While I have some life experience, they come with the fire and passion of fresh faith that reminds me just how much our God wants deep relationship with us. As we settle back into routines, I am excited to dive into a study with them. Because of work schedules, we will meet early in the morning, so it will be a comfy pants and coffee cup gathering that is rich in the Word and deep in prayer. Digging into the Word of God with others does not need to be organized or pretty; it just needs a couple of imperfect girls after God’s heart.
Join the TogetHER Group Challenge
From a mustard seed that grows into a thriving bush to a small bud that blooms into a beautiful flower, we know that big things can start small. That’s why we’re inviting you to join the TogetHER Group Challenge at the start of the new year. Here’s how it works:
- Grab a friend, gather a few neighbors, or round up some coworkers.
- Choose a Bible study. Shop some of our top picks below for your time together!
- Sign up for the TogetHER Group Challenge for free resources.
That’s it! Get ready to grow in your knowledge of love of God togetHER.
About Salina Kelley
Salina Kelley is the administrative assistant for Lifeway Women. Within the church, she has served as an executive assistant to the head pastor, church planting leader, women’s ministry leader, and led support groups for single moms and foster families. She is a former foster parent and is a passionate advocate for the restoration of families through trauma-informed intervention and walking hand-in-hand with biological families to show them the love of Christ. Salina and her husband, David, have six awesome children ranging from toddler all the way to adult. In addition to her role as a mom and her work with Lifeway, she is currently pursuing a degree in Christian Leadership & Management: Business Management through Liberty University.
