Have you ever wished you could sit down in a casual coffee shop with one of our authors and speakers and chat? We are so thankful for the amazing women of God we have the privilege of working with regularly. And while we can’t all gather in our favorite downtown coffee shop, we want to give you the opportunity to know them a little more personally.
Every so often we’re sharing a fresh “coffee chat” with a member of the Lifeway Women family to give you the opportunity to get to know her a little better.
This month, get to know the friendship of all six authors of The Names of God Bible Study: Kristi McLelland, Caroline Saunders, Blair Linne, Jennifer Rothschild, Kelly Minter, and Elizabeth Woodson. Plus, get a sneak peek and watch Session One of the video teaching sessions below!
Kelly Minter on Kristi McLelland
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world with Kristi, where would you want to go and why?
I have two answers that are tied for first: Israel, because that is her place of expertise, and it would be over the top to experience all of Kristi’s energy in the land that fires her up the most. But I also want to go with her to the land that fires me up the most, except there might be more water than land—the Amazon jungle! Both of these trips need to happen in our lifetimes.
Was there a moment Kristi said something that stuck with you?
Ah, many moments. One in particular—during a particularly hard trial in my life—she said, “One day, this oppositional force coming against you is not going to matter. God is above it all.” It was hard for me to see that in that moment because the enemy coming against me seemed to have so much power. But God delivered me from that season, and she was right. He is so sovereign and in charge.
Elizabeth Woodson on Kelly Minter
What is your favorite thing about Kelly?
One of my favorite things about Kelly is her warm and welcoming presence. She has offered me so much wisdom that has helped me grow in my teaching and navigate my current season of ministry.
What is something Kelly has taught you?
Kelly has taught me how to better embrace vulnerability as a Bible teacher. During The Names of God taping, I saw her teach with so much boldness and courage while navigating a difficult season in her life. Instead of shying away from being honest with the audience, she allowed her life situation to serve as a conduit for powerful gospel truth!
Caroline Saunders on Elizabeth Woodson
What do you most admire about how Elizabeth teaches or writes?
Elizabeth has a grounded, authoritative, trustworthy way of teaching that I admire—and anyone who has heard her teach is going to know exactly what I mean! She speaks in a way that honors God, His Word, and His people, and I always love to learn from her.
What is something Elizabeth has taught you?
A few years ago in one of our first conversations, Elizabeth endorsed “teaching shoes” — cute but comfortable shoes for teaching the Bible. This is practical but I’ve also decided it’s deeply biblical because of Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Right? Am I making excuses to shop?
Blair Linne on Caroline Saunders
What is your favorite thing about Caroline?
Caroline is a clear communicator. She is great with words, and her regular work teaching youth makes her a wonderful, effective teacher for all ages.
What do you most admire about how Caroline teaches or writes?
Caroline is personable and likes to laugh. She doesn’t take herself too seriously—but she takes her God very seriously.
Jennifer Rothschild on Blair Linne
What is your favorite thing about Blair?
Her voice! It’s like creamy drinking chocolate. The sound of her voice lifts me and makes me settle in to listen and feel. Like Blaire herself, her voice is warm and rich and inviting. And, its not just her voice, it’s the content that comes out of that deep woman’s mouth—gentle wisdom wrapped in beauty and creativity!
What is something Blair has taught you?
Well, quite frankly, she has taught me to wear waterproof mascara! She can evoke emotion even in the most familiar doctrines by the way she communicates. The way she makes words become living things of beauty compels me to consider how I use my words, allowing each word to be an emotionally engaging path to truth.
Kristi McLelland on Jennifer Rothschild
What’s one word you’d use to describe Jennifer and why?
One word I would use to describe Jennifer is fierce. Beneath all the love and joy and goodness, there is a true fire that burns hot and true. She is alive in her soul.
What do you most admire about how Jennifer teaches or writes?
I am utterly jaw-on-the-floor amazed every time I witness Jennifer teaching. The way she memorizes the whole teaching and delivers her deeply rich biblical teachings with so much humor is incredible.
To see the friendship of these authors in action, watch Session One of The Names of God Bible study with Kristi McLelland, Caroline Saunders, Blair Linne, Jennifer Rothschild, Kelly Minter, and Elizabeth Woodson below.
Learn more about The Names of God Bible study here. In this 8-session Bible study, you’ll examine names for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and you’ll discover the impact each of God’s names has on your relationship with Him. Read an excerpt!
