As much as we all enjoy “one size fits all,” that is rarely a true statement. Even that one-size-fits-all baggy T-shirt we all like to wear on a comfy day is not the perfect fit for everyone. The same is true for Bible study groups. It would not be realistic to think one pattern/format for every study fits every group. However, each piece is in every Lifeway Bible study is there to help you create the right fit for your group.
How do I put pieces together for the perfect fit? We can learn from observing the way Jesus fit pieces together. For some crowds, He chose parables. For others, He chose questions. He sometimes chose pointing to the Old Testament and other times He chose speeches. He taught in the synagogue, in homes, and on the go. His audience’s needs determined style, format, and location. However, He was always teaching. He was always adjusting—not the message—but the format. As a leader, it is OK for every Bible study to look different as we adjust to our audience. Our challenge is knowing our audience and our resources.
So, let’s begin by asking a few questions.
How much time do I have?
For me this is often the most difficult to answer. Women are BUSY. An hour may accommodate their time restraints, but an hour and a half accommodates deeper study. Two hours accommodates study and fellowship. Did I mention women are BUSY? Choose a time frame that provides an opportunity for maximum attendance and maximum meaningful content. Content over fluff, always.
What is my goal?
Every school semester, my students hear, “My goal is for you to love God and His Word more than you do on the first day of class.” Ultimately, that is the goal for every Bible study. Genesis 1–2 tells us we are made for relationship: first with God and then with one another. What pieces do I need to create a meeting with both of these relationship builders included? Putting the right pieces together helps accomplish the goal.
Where will we meet?
Bible studies can be held in a church classroom (with permission) or in a home. There are benefits to both locations.
- Meeting in the church gives everyone a break from “home.” It also exposes potential visitors to the church. The downside can be losing the personal touch.
- The benefit of meeting in a home is the personal cozy feel. The downside is the work it puts on the hostess and having a plan for the other family members. That is just reality.
I have done both and like both.
Are participants new believers, seasoned believers, or a mix?
I am a firm believer in not taking anything for granted. Whether a new or a seasoned audience, leaders cannot assume everyone in the room is a Christian or familiar with the traditional accounts in the Bible. Every semester, I ask my college students to share their favorite accounts in Scripture. I have heard, “I like that Noah dude. Wasn’t he the one in a flood with Jesus?” Take NOTHING for granted. Plan time in the first session to ask questions and assess the familiarity participants have with the basics of Bible knowledge. Some of my tools include:
- A matching game,
- A version of Heads Up,
- Find the person who has the reference to your Bible character,
- Schedule five minutes for participants to share their testimonies with someone at their table. More than once, this activity has led to someone’s salvation.
Do participants already know one another, or will this be their first time together?
A room of strangers is often quieter than a room with close friends. We are expecting women to share deep personal thoughts with one another often without considering how well they know one another.
Answering these questions can help us begin to put the pieces together, but there are still more pieces to our perfect fit.
What are the resources?
Videos
Most Lifeway studies come with access to a video of the author(s) teaching from the study. The video is not a repeat of the book but in addition to the book. Videos vary in length from five minutes to an hour, depending on the author. Jen Wilkin and Kristi McLelland typically have longer videos. Do your due diligence and be aware of the time investment that teaching videos require. Shorter sessions with your group may not allow for time to watch an hour-long video each week, but there are still options:
- Each participant can watch the video prior to the group study reserving the meeting time for discussion.
- You can increase the number of weeks for the study. One week watch the video. The following week work through the assignments. Or vice versa. In The Way of Wisdom, Jen Wilkin mentions the homework several times. In that study, it would make sense to start with the study followed by the video.
- Show portions of the video rather than the entirety.
The Bible Study
Most studies are designed for eight weeks with homework assignments for each week. For women with extremely busy schedules like those moms with little babies, this can be challenging. Again, extending the eight weeks can be an option.
The Bible
As an adjunct professor in biblical studies, I always encourage participants to come with a printed Bible. I’m so very grateful to have a Bible on my phone, but learning Bible geography, so to speak, is much harder when scrolling rather than flipping through pages.
The extras:
- STEPBible.org – This website is not a Lifeway product, but it is free and can be very helpful for word studies.
- biblehub.com – Like STEPBible, this is not a Lifeway product, but it is a helpful resource with a myriad of commentaries.
Leave space for laughter and tears.
God’s Word never goes out void. At some point in any given Bible study, tears will be shed. Sometimes it will be tears of joy when a woman realizes the depth to which God loves her or when a stronghold is no longer present because of the power of God’s Word. Sometimes there are tears of sorrow from loss, exhaustion, sin, or difficult seasons. Allow time for them.
Just as there are tears, there will inevitably be laughter. Bible study should be fun. Whether it is playing a game, sharing silly facts, or having a pajama night, laughter is good for the soul. Allow for it and plan for it.
Tears and laughter build relationships. Embrace them.
Prayer partners:
Assign partners for the duration of the study that will commit to pray for one another and share thoughts between sessions. It builds accountability.
Best Practices:
- Give ownership by giving assignments. Women who have ownership will be more committed to the group.
- Pray. A lot!
- Use a timer. It makes transitions so much easier!
- Be transparent. It builds trust.
- Be passionate. Passion is contagious.
- Be invested in the lives of the participants. Investment speaks louder than words.
- Be flexible. Things happen, including the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Communicate—a lot!
- Above all, hold tight to the joy of opening God’s Word.
Learn more about Lifeway Women Bible studies.
About Gayla Parker
Gayla Parker is an author, writer, and speaker who has served in professional ministry for over forty-five years. She is in the dissertation phase of a PhD in Systematic Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently she is an adjunct professor at Ouachita Baptist University in the School of Biblical Studies and executive director of the Pregnancy Resource for Southwest Arkansas. She enjoys time with family and friends, running with her Golden Retriever, Bantay, and playing violin.
