Leading Life-Changing Bible Studies: How To Strengthen Your Women's Bible Study Program

A Women’s Ministry Resource from
Leading
Life-Changing
Bible Studies
How to Strengthen Your Women’s
Bible Study Program
©2009 Christianity Today International www.Kyria.com

Leading
Life-Changing
Bible Studies
How to Strengthen Your
Women’s Bible Study Program
Click on an article you’d like to read:
3 Introduction 34 More Than Just a

Be an Expert Tiller Bible Study
By Kelli B. Trujillo Allow God’s Word to transform
lives as you study together.
7 Leaders Guide By JoHannah Reardon
How to use this Women’s Ministry
Essentials Download. 38 Popping the Question
Leader to Leader
Good discussions don’t
9 just happen!
A Contagious Passion
By Emory A. Griffin
Getting personal with Beth Moore,
Priscilla Shirer, and Lisa Harper. 48 Group-Builders
Tips for turning a dull Bible study
27 Just Gotta Have It! meeting into a refreshing,
6 ways to help women develop growing community.
cravings for God’s Word. By Kelli B. Trujillo
By Katrina Baker
TOOLS
50 Evaluate your Bible Study Program An assessment tool for
leaders to help you cast a vision for your women’s Bible study program.
56 Tell Us What You Think! A survey to give participants to help
you discover what the women in your Bible study think.
59 Additional Resources Books to help you further.
2
Introduction
Be an
Expert Tiller
By Kelli B. Trujillo
I confess: I’ve had moments when I’ve been bored to

tears in a women’s Bible study meeting. My mind has
wandered, I’ve begun doodling “notes” (flowers, hearts,
smiley faces) in my study guide, and I’ve glanced at my
wristwatch way too many times. Ever been there?
But there have also been times in women’s Bible

study groups that have been unbelievably vibrant,
invigorating, and engaging! There have been times
I’ve walked away from a study as an entirely changed
person; there have been discussions I can’t stop
thinking about for days!
3
Leading Life-Changing Bible Studies
Be an Expert Tiller
So what’s the difference? The key element in both types of

studies was the same: the Word of God. And the Word of God
is powerful and life-changing in itself! And of course, God’s
Spirit is always at work, drawing us and changing us and
challenging us. But there’s also a lot to be said about the
way a Bible study is led that can make a huge impact on its
success … or lack thereof.
In Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 Jesus tells a parable that’s

become familiar to us: the Parable of the Sower. In this
story, the seed (which is the message about the kingdom
or, in today’s terms, the Word of God) is scattered upon
various types of soil. In three of the four types of soil Jesus
describes, the seed is unable to grow. In the fourth—the
good soil—the seed thrives and produces an abundant
harvest.
As a Bible study leader or an overseer of a Bible study

program, you ultimately don’t have any control over the
condition of the “heart-soil” of the women who participate.
But the way in which you lead a Bible study can play a
powerful part in preparing that soil.
In the mind-numbingly boring Bible studies I’ve been

a part of, the leaders were surely well intentioned and
I appreciate their desire to serve. But some critical
decisions they made in the way they led the Bible study
severely crippled the group dynamics, making the meetings
impersonal and un-engaging. On the other hand, in those
life-changing Bible studies I’ve been a part of, the leaders
put some key principles into action which tilled the soil of
each participant’s heart, readying us to receive the life-
changing Word of God. They worked to foster a sense of
4
Be an Expert Tiller
community and security in the group, they asked thought-

provoking and engaging questions (rather than “duh!”
discussion-killers), and they were authentic and vulnerable
examples throughout the process.
This download is packed with inspiration and practical

ideas to help you be an expert heart-soil tiller in the way
you lead your women’s Bible study program. It begins with
a “Leader to Leader” section in which you’ll hear personal
insights from three of today’s best known Bible study
teachers and authors: Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and
Lisa Harper. Next you’ll find helpful ideas and inspiration
from Katrina Baker and JoHannah Reardon about helping
Bible study participants develop a love for God’s Word that
has noticeable ripple effects in their everyday life.
To help with some practical specifics, you’ll find some

excellent guidance on how to lead an invigorating
discussion in “Popping the Question” by Emory A. Griffin
as well as a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” which distinguish
powerful Bible study programs from run-of-the-mill church
meetings.
Last, you can make it personal by using the “Evaluate Your

Bible Study Program” assessment tool to take a hard, honest
look at your women’s Bible study program as it currently
exists and then prayerfully cast a vision for how you’d like
to see it grow. Here you’ll also find a survey you can pass
out to all the women who participate in your Bible study
program; you can tabulate the results to get a sense of the
strengths of your Bible study program as well as the ways it
can be improved.
5
Be an Expert Tiller
Leading a Bible study program is lots of work, so let me

say “Thank you” for the time and effort you are putting in
to minister to the women at your church. Our hope is that
the tips, ideas, and insights in this download will serve to
inspire and equip you in the fabulous work you’re doing.
Grace,
Kelli B. Trujillo
Managing Editor, Kyria downloads,
Christianity Today International
6
How to
Use this
Women’s
Ministry
Essentials
Download
As a women’s ministry leader, you’ve got a lot on your
plate. Whether your church is large and you’ve got other
co-leaders and volunteers helping to run things or you’re
the sole leader of a women’s ministry program in a
small congregation, you’ve got a big job in front of you.
At Today’s Christian Woman and Gifted for Leadership,
we share your passion for ministering to women—and
we want to do all we can to equip and inspire you in
your efforts. That’s why we’ve created these “Women’s
Ministry Essentials” downloads, designed specifically
for women’s ministry leaders like you to help you think
through key aspects of your ministry, to provide new
ideas, and to help you evaluate your current ministry and
cast a vision for its future.
7
How to Use this Women’s Ministry Essentials Download
The bulk of this download is meant for you—and, of course,

for any of your women’s ministry co-leaders. It’s full of
articles and extras to both encourage you and address
practical issues in how to run your women’s ministry. But
toward the end, you’ll find a “Tools” section that includes
an assessment tool you and other ministry leaders can use
to evaluate your ministry as well as a second assessment
tool you can pass out to the women in your church to gauge
their thoughts and feelings. The price you paid for this
download includes permission to make up to 1000 copies
of this material for your local church’s use—so use these
assessment tools with as many women as you’d like!
8
uLeader
to Leader
A Contagious
Passion
Your own love for Scripture sets a powerful
example to the women you lead.
Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Lisa Harper all know a thing or
two about leading women’s Bible studies. As Bible teachers and
authors of popular Bible study series, these three have a deep passion
for helping other women dive into God’s Word. In the following
interviews, hear how they’ve each learned to know and love God’s
Word and how he’s shaped them in the process.
Interview 1: Beth Moore

Interview by Jane Johnson Struck
There’s no doubt about it: Beth Moore live is fiery

and funny. She may don her husband Keith’s hunting
camouflage to hit home a point, or unroll a literal laundry
list of family dysfunctions that extends down the stage
into the audience (“That’s why,” she cracks, “we’re the
‘Moores’—more of this problem, more of that … “). But fun
isn’t her main agenda; it’s to communicate the transforming
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power of Jesus and his Word to the women worldwide for

whom she says God’s given her a supernatural love. She’s
passionate about this message because Jesus transformed her
from what she calls her “miserable past.”
Born in a small Arkansas town, Beth was raised by loving

Christian parents. But early abuse occurred at the hands
of someone she declines to name. As a result, Beth, a shy,
troubled girl, grew into an insecure woman who made many
wrong choices. “I’ve been in the pit, but I also know the One
who pulled me from the pit,” she says.
With her background, Beth admits she never imagined she’d

one day have an international teaching ministry. But when
her hunger for God’s Word exploded a couple decades ago,
Beth began writing Bible studies and teaching them to an
ever-expanding group of women. Requests for Beth’s material
became so numerous that she formed Living Proof Ministries
in 1995. Today women of every denomination around the
world participate in her Bible studies series through the
Internet, DVD, video, or audiotape. Countless others listen to
her on radio, attend her Living Proof … Live! events, or read
one of her books, including Breaking Free, A Heart Like His,
When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, Feathers from My
Nest (all Broadman & Holman), and Voices of the Faithful
(Integrity).
Beth, I’ve seen you teach in person and on DVD. And in

both you come across as very … intense.
That’s probably the most common word I hear!
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Where did this intensity come from?

Even though I committed my life to Christ as a child, as
a young woman I lived the Christian life through my own
determination. I was a very unhealthy person who made
lots of destructive choices. I didn’t yet understand about
God’s Spirit living through me.
The odd thing is, I didn’t know I didn’t know the Word.
Having been raised in the church, I’d memorized a fair
amount of Scripture. But as far as God’s Word empowering
me to have the renewed mind of Christ and to live
differently, I was a long way from that.
By the time I was married and in my mid-twenties, I’d

taught children’s Sunday-school classes, led a Christian
fitness class, and done some speaking. When a position
for an adult Sunday-school teacher opened up, I was
encouraged to go for it. But I was absolutely terrible at it.
And I do mean terrible.
That’s hard to imagine!

I’ve got such a “blonde” personality; I’d say something
funny, then tack a Scripture onto it. How in the world
did my first class ever put up with me? We had some fun
together, but I’m not sure we learned anything!
But when I read in my church bulletin about a Bible

doctrine class on Sunday nights, I knew that while it would
bore me to tears, God wanted me to go. At the first class,
this former football player threw open his Bible and taught
us with such a passion that tears filled his eyes. I couldn’t
take a single note. When it was over, I ran to my car and
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burst into tears. I don’t know what that was, I told God, but
I want it. That night God lit a fire in my heart for his Word
that continues burning to this day.
I’m adamant about this: I want more than anything for

my sisters to follow hard after Jesus. Because even when
we can’t diagnose our problems, God’s Word can bring
us healing and wholeness. It wasn’t until I fell in love
with Jesus through his Word that the chains of sin began
dropping off me.
What do you mean by “chains of sin”?

I’m careful to stay general with the details, but I’ve been
open about the fact I was victimized as a child.
The first time I can recall anything about my abuse, I was

very young. My victimization wasn’t constant, because
my victimizer didn’t have continual access to me. But it
certainly was enough to mess me up at a time when I was
figuring out who I was. I was pigeon-toed. I had buckteeth.
I had the hairiest legs in the free world. My mother
wouldn’t let me shave them for the longest time—and fishnet
tights were in! Even though I did well in school, I had the
worst self-esteem imaginable.
Many wonderful things happened to me as a child. I was

loved. I was raised in the church. But I’m not convinced
there’s enough good to offset the devastation of abuse.
So what led you to Jesus?

My Sunday-school teacher would hold up pictures of Jesus,
and he looked so nice. I needed a hero, and Jesus seemed
like one. I’d lie on the grass, stare up at the sky, and
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wonder what Jesus was like. Even as a child, I fell in love

with him.
After my freshman year in college, I was a camp counselor

for sixth-grade girls. Early one morning, as the girls were
sleeping, I sensed God’s presence enfold me. There were
no audible words, no bright lights. But suddenly I knew,
without a doubt, my future was entirely his. You are now
mine, he told me.
It took me a long time to break free from self-destruction.

Yet even in those turbulent years, Jesus drew me back
every single time. I couldn’t stand anything that put a
distance between Christ and me. I still can’t. His presence
is everything to me.
How can we experience that kind of passion?

By studying his Word. I tell women to pick a Bible study
and fully participate. Do the homework. Get together with
the other women. And ask God to light a fire for his Word in
your heart. That’s a prayer to which he’ll never answer no.
It doesn’t matter whose Bible study series it is; if it has a
sound approach to God’s Word, for crying out loud, do it.
I love what it says in Matthew 13:11–12—that to those

who’ve been given kingdom secrets, he gives more. In other
words, Jesus reveals himself progressively as we seek him.
He becomes a glorious, holy addiction.
Do you ever struggle with pride?

One of the most wonderful things God’s done for me is to
leave my memory about my miserable past intact. I’d be an
idiot to think highly of myself after where I’ve been! The
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very thing I hate the most is the thing that protects me from
pride. I have other struggles—but buying into the press of
this public ministry is not one of them.
This only happened one time, but it broke my heart. A

pastor became aware I’d had a sinful past and decided I
wasn’t appropriate for his women’s group. I bow to that. If
what you need’s a sparkling testimony, you’re not going to
get it from me. But if you could use a testimony that there’s
life after pit dwelling, then maybe I can be your girl.
I’m ashamed of my sins, but all I can do now is walk in the
Holy Spirit’s power. That’s my life’s pursuit—till I see him
face to face.
Have you confronted your past?

Yes, I went through a season of uncharacteristic despair
in my early 30s. I’d never before looked straight at my
victimization, never allowed my mind to replay the images.
Every single time they began to erupt, I pressed them
down. But I no longer had the energy to do that. The victim
in me took over. I felt like I was jumping off the highest
cliff and descending into the bottom of a canyon. While my
daughters Amanda and Melissa knew I was sad, they didn’t
have an idea how severe it was. I was good at hiding it; you
don’t have my kind of background and not develop a way to
do that.
Did you seek counseling?

Yes, I’m a big believer in sound, godly counsel. So is my
husband, Keith. You don’t go through what I went through
and not get counsel. I needed someone to talk me through it.
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It was the worst season of my life. But God, in his

goodness, brought such fruit out of my turmoil and despair.
I like to translate 1 Peter 1:6–7 into layman’s terms—our
fiery trials burn the fake out of us. For me, the fake was
over. I didn’t have the desire for it anymore.
What do you tell others struggling with grief or despair?

Grieve your loss, wrestle it out, throw a spiritual fit. But
through those tears, allow the Word to reside in you.
Psalm 126:5–6 means the world to me: “Those who sow in

tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying
sheaves with him.” Even when we think, I’ll never get over
this as long as I live, if we stay faithful, God promises we’ll
reap a harvest of joy. He’ll never forsake us (Hebrews
13:5). That’s why we’ve got to know his Word—so when our
feelings don’t match what we know to be true, we can still
put one foot in front of the other.
You seem to have such a heart for women.

I love the women to whom God’s called me to minister. As
I type out Bible studies, I’m talking to them. I’ll write,
“Sister” or “Dear One.” It’s a Southern thing. We call it
“sweet talk.”
I got the best letter the other day that said, “No one calls me
those names but you.” My heart was overwhelmed.
What legacy would you like to leave?

I love Acts 3. The apostles Peter and John say to the beggar
at the Gate Beautiful, “Silver and gold have I none, but that
which I have give I thee.” I tell my girls, “I don’t have a
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testimony of a mother’s victorious walk. I can’t give you the

testimony of a virgin bride. [Tears up.] But I can tell you the
Lord is my whole life. I love him more than anything in this
world, and I know he’s real and he’s powerful. I know he
transforms lives. I can’t give you a good past, but I can give
you passion for your present and passion for your future.”
I’ll never understand God’s grace. Not only did Jesus pull
me out of a pit and restore me, but he also appointed me
the privilege to serve others. I cannot even speak what that
means to me. I just want to be a servant. My life is Jesus.
To learn more about Beth and Living Proof Ministries, check

out her website at www.lproof.org. A full version of this
interview, called “Beth’s Passion,” was originally published in
the September/October 2005 issue of Today’s Christian Woman.
Interview 2: Priscilla Shirer

Interview by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Ask author and speaker Priscilla Shirer about the Bible,

and she’ll talk nonstop for several minutes, scarcely slowing
down to draw a breath. “I’m passionate about getting women
into the Word. I want them to know the uncompromising
truths of Scripture, but I also want them to experience the
power of the Holy Spirit, the way he can use Scripture to
bring his supernatural power to bear in their everyday lives.
I want women to feel God at work in their marriage, family,
workplace, and heart.”
Her enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s clear why her speaking

ministry is popular; almost every weekend Priscilla’s in
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a different state, speaking to a different group of women,

sharing Scripture with them all. “I’m not the person you call
on if you want a polite, entertaining women’s conference,”
she says with a laugh. “Forget the door prizes; I want us to
open the Word, see what the Lord has to say to us, and feel his
presence in our midst.”
Priscilla has an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas

Theological Seminary, and her résumé includes stints as a
radio and TV host and corporate trainer for the Zig Zigler
Corporation. She’s the author of several books for women—A
Jewel in His Crown, And We Are Changed, and He Speaks to
Me (all Moody)—and recently released a video teaching series,
He Speaks to Me (LifeWay).
After growing up as a pastor’s kid, did you ever think

you’d go into full-time ministry?
Absolutely not! I wanted to be a television news anchor, but
while I was majoring in broadcast journalism in college, I
got a job working at a Christian radio station as an on-air
personality. People heard me say, “This is Priscilla Evans.
Thanks for listening,” and some would call the station
asking, “Is that Tony Evans’s daughter? Can she come do a
Bible study for our women’s ministry?” I couldn’t believe
people would trust me with that responsibility at 18 or
19 years of age. But I’d show up. Sometimes I’d find an
audience of 10 women and other times as many as 500. And
I’d just do what I do now—share what I’m learning in my
personal study.
What are you learning in your personal study right now?

People worship a lot of different “gods.” The difference with
our God is he’s alive and powerful. And as his followers, we
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should be experiencing that power in all areas of our life.

Over the last year, God’s instilled in me a desire to see his
presence manifest in my marriage, in the way I raise my
kids, in my work. And it’s happening.
In what ways?
In the past, if I wanted my husband to do something, I
was quick to make my opinion known—over and over and
over. As a result, Jerry and I used to butt heads a lot.
So I started telling God about my concerns and desires
instead of nagging my husband. And something amazing
happened—I began to see God working in my husband’s life.
Jerry’s making good decisions without me harassing him.
And God’s working in my heart to help me trust him and my
husband. It’s wonderful to see God at work in my life, and I
want to encourage women with the reality that they too can
experience the supernatural in their everyday lives.
What do you mean by “supernatural”?

Here’s what we need to remember: What Jesus was for the
disciples—God in their midst—the Holy Spirit is supposed
to be for us today. Jesus said, “I’m going to leave you
another helper” (John 14). In the Greek, the word for
“another” refers to someone who’s the same as Jesus—not
of a different or lesser kind. As we dig into Scripture and
grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we should see
evidence of him regularly operating in our life. And when
God moves, it’s supernatural.
How have you seen God’s supernatural presence manifest

itself in other women’s lives?
One woman came up to me after a conference and said she
was a lesbian, but during the session she felt God take
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that desire away from her. She’s turned away from that
lifestyle. Shortly after another conference I had lunch
with an attendee who told me she struggles with an
eating disorder. As she finished lunch, she started crying
because it was the first meal she’d been able to enjoy in
12 years. I’ve stayed in touch with her, and a year later
she’s still enjoying food. Praise the Lord! I think women
deeply desire God’s transforming touch and are hungry for
God’s Word.
Where do you think your own hunger for Scripture

comes from?
It goes all the way back to sitting under my dad’s
expository preaching while I was growing up. He treated
the Bible with reverence, and I picked up on that at an
early age. As I’ve spent time in the Word, that passion has
grown. I’ve come to realize the power for Christian living
is found in the Bible.
How do you make time for personal Bible study with a

busy ministry and bustling family life?
I’d love to say I make time every day, but the truth is I
don’t. With two small boys, I’ve never found it so difficult
to spend time with the Lord. Normally the boys are
running all over the place, and there are toys everywhere.
It’s mayhem around here. So I totally get it when women
say to me, “How am I supposed to spend time with God? I
have four kids.” Girl, I don’t even know!
So how do you find time to be alone with God?

Sometimes when Jerry and the boys are out running an
errand, I’ll play some worship music and let it wash over
me. Sometimes I get on my knees and praise God, asking
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him to forgive my sins and speak to me. Then I open his

Word. I might have time to read only two verses, but I pray
he’ll use those two verses to speak to me.
Any practical tips for making the most of limited Bible

study time?
I learned a great method from Anne Graham Lotz. I ask
three questions of each verse: First, What does the passage
say? I paraphrase the verse in one line and then ask, What
does it mean? I pull out the spiritual principle from that
verse and finally ask, based on that principle, What does
it mean to me? For example, if the spiritual principle is
“you need to have patience,” I ask myself if I’m exercising
patience in this season of life. This is often when a biblical
truth smacks me over the head, and I realize I need to share
it with other women.
What other life lessons do you share with women?

When I was in seminary, I was in an on-again, off-again,
intense dating relationship. I spent a lot of my time
thinking about this guy rather than about my classes. I
wasn’t living in the present; I was focusing on what I hoped
would be my future with him. When we broke up for good,
I realized I missed a lot of precious time while I was with
him. Through that situation, the Lord taught me to enjoy
the season of life I’m in, because we often miss current
blessings trying to get to the next season. And often once
we get there, we look back and think, I should have milked
that season for all it was worth because now it’s over.
I constantly have to remind myself of this lesson, especially

now while my kids are young. Sometimes I look forward to
a time when they’ll be able to do more things for themselves
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and I won’t have to chase after them so much. But I realize

most mothers whose kids are grown say, “I miss the days
when my kids were little.” I hear that and think, Are you
for real? But I hear a lot of moms say that. That tells me I
need to milk this time and, as difficult as it sometimes is,
enjoy it—because it’s going to be over someday. And when
it’s over, my kids will never be small again. I’ll never get to
change diapers, play with blocks on the floor, or potty train
again. And thank the Lord! [Laughs.]
Your latest book project, He Speaks to Me, is based on

1 Samuel. What do you want women to understand after
reading the book?
In 1 Samuel, God talks to a young boy when the high priest
is in the next room. God desires to speak to believers
personally. He wants us to hear his voice and obey. Yet
some people believe God only speaks to those who’ve
reached a level of spiritual prowess the rest of us could
never reach. That’s not the case. I want women to come
away from studying this Old Testament passage knowing
God wants to speak directly to them.
To learn more about Priscilla Shirer’s ministry, visit her

website at www.priscillaspeaks.com. A full version of this
interview, called “Back to the Bible,” was originally published
in the January/February 2006 issue of Today’s Christian
Woman.
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Interview 3: Lisa Harper

Interview by Jane Johnson Struck
Lisa Harper doesn’t mind shaking things up a bit. A seasoned

author and in-demand speaker known for warmth, comedic
wit, and skill in communicating biblical truth, Lisa’s even
shattered some “church lady” stereotypes by kicking off a
women’s retreat with a motorcycle ride up the center aisle
of a church sanctuary. A shrinking violet she definitely is
not. But shaking up stereotypes or making the big entrance
isn’t what revs Lisa up. Her driving passion? Helping women
discover the Bible she loves is far from boring, inexplicable, or
irrelevant.
“I’ve met women who think Scripture’s about as exciting as

the phone book. Yet they feel they should read the Bible, so
they sleepwalk through it or struggle with guilt over it,” she
reveals. As a result, Lisa—former women’s ministries director
for Focus on the Family, where she developed Renewing the
Heart women’s conferences—put her storytelling gifts, Bible
knowledge, and trademark humor to work to create On the
Road with Lisa Harper (Tyndale), a series of Bible-study
books with interactive DVDs.
“Most of us are more comfortable appeasing this Darth Vader

image we have of God because we read the Bible as a religious
rulebook rather than as an amazing love story. … My hope
is women will put down People and pick up the Bible, that
they’ll see how pertinent, compelling, and personal it really
is,” Lisa explains.
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You’ve raised some eyebrows by riding a motorcycle.

A lot of women tease me that they’re always nice to bikers
now because they’re afraid one might be me! [Laughs.]
There’s this stereotype of what a Christian woman should
look like—and it doesn’t include leather and Harleys. It has
more to do with baking casseroles or being peppy or …
Or being a size 2?
Right! You have to wear the right outfit in the right size, or
you really aren’t fitting the bill. But I bet we’ll be stunned
by how many people in glory won’t necessarily be the ones
with the perfect haircut and perfect outfit!
Not long ago, a woman new to a Bible study I taught told me

afterwards, “I’m so glad you’re teaching this study. All the
women here are so pretty and perfect that I just didn’t fit.
Then you walked in.”
Ouch!
As soon as she said that, she gasped, because she didn’t
mean to give me a left-handed compliment. But I thought,
It’s true. Because I don’t appear to have it as together as the
other women in this study, I make her feel welcome. That’s
the biggest compliment I’ve received in a long time!
We women are so hard on ourselves. We get so preoccupied

with our culture’s standards that we don’t take the time
to ponder the fact God isn’t more pleased with us if we’re
a size 2. He sees us through the rose-colored glasses of
Jesus—and thinks we’re absolutely beautiful.
I love the word marinating. We need to marinate in the truth

of who God is and how he feels about us.
23
God delights in us. Yes, God is holy, and we’re to revere him.
But God’s behavior toward us isn’t reserved, rigid, formal.
He condescends to make himself available to us. He runs
toward us. He longs for us to come to him with affection
and abandon. And he wants us to find our satisfaction in
him.
Is that satisfaction possible?

I think the more time we spend in God’s presence, the more
we become wonderfully aware of his love.
I recently read a book called Addictions: A Banquet in

the Grave by Edward Welch. It deals with every addiction
imaginable. I’ll never forget one thing the author wrote:
Ultimately all excessive behavior is a disorder of worship.
That’s one reason we’re so hard on ourselves—we worship
at the altar of other women’s approval. We want to appear
pretty and smart, to have perfect hair, and have all the
answers at Bible study so others will pat us on the back.
Well, we aren’t supposed to seek their approval. We’re
supposed to dance before the altar of God’s approval.
What should we know about that approval?

That busyness isn’t a spiritual gift. I really wrestle with
that. God’s teaching me my default setting shouldn’t be
stuck on “go.”
I love Zephaniah 3:17, “He will rejoice over you with

singing.” Sadly, I’ve missed many of the lyrics God sings
over me because I assumed being busy juggling so many
things pleases God. Years went by where I didn’t hear God’s
delight because I was listening to different music in my
head.
24
What do you mean?

I grew up in a great church, but it definitely emphasized
conforming to religious standards. I was a believer, but I
knew God more as Abba Father than as Lover of my soul.
My father left when I was young, and my mother remarried.
When I was in college, my younger brother developed a
substance-abuse problem. I watched my mom transform
from a fill-in-the-blanks kind of Christian to one whose
relationship with God developed a rawness and authenticity
to it. That began my process of longing for more
authenticity in my walk with the Lord.
Did your parents’ divorce impact your view of God?

God’s redeemed my relationship with my dad in incredible
ways. But because he left when I was a little girl,
abandonment issues affected my relationship with God
early on. I thought, I’d better be a good girl or he might leave.
Today, God’s immutability brings me so much comfort.

God does not change. Even when the Israelites were such
stinkers and he disciplined them, he never abandoned
them. I can’t tell you how much that means to me as a
woman. God won’t leave me, even on my worst days.
I was reminded of this not long ago when I went through a

painful breakup.
That must have been excruciating.

It was awful. One of my biggest fears was if someone broke
my heart, the pieces wouldn’t come back together again.
But ultimately, I hadn’t been trusting the Lord with my
heart. Despite having my greatest fear—having my heart
filleted—happen, I discovered God really is faithful.
25
How?
You know how sometimes you’ll read something you’ve read
a hundred times before in Scripture and all of a sudden it
pops off the page and you get it? I keep having these “a-
ha moments” about who God is. And I’ve had situations
involving my home and career where he tangibly took care
of me.
The peace I have is the peace God gives me. I encourage

women to run to the Lord with their lack of contentment.
God meets us where we’re broken. When our heart feels like
it’s been run over by a Mack truck, he brings comfort.
What do you want to accomplish most?

I long for women—from Nashville to Nairobi—to focus
more on their relationship with God than with being
appropriately religious.
Theologian Francis Schaeffer once said, “Our calling is to

be not only a faithful bride but also a bride in love.” That’s
what I want—to be the bride in love. I don’t want to be
faithful only because I’ve memorized a bunch of facts about
the Lord. I want to be so absolutely in love with Jesus that
it permeates every facet of my being. I want to reflect the
gospel as best I can in this crooked jar of clay.
For more information, visit www.lisaharper.net. The full

version of this interview, called “What Women Really Want,”
was originally published in the July/August 2006 issue of
Today’s Christian Woman.
26
Just Gotta
Have It!
6 ways to help women develop
cravings for God’s Word.
By Katrina Baker
My kitchen was a mess. I’d dug through every

drawer and cupboard, searching for the only thing
that would satisfy me … chocolate! I was in the middle
of a full-blown craving. You know the feeling: that
insatiable, overwhelming desire for ice cream, chips,
chocolate, or pizza.
Only a few days after I’d torn my kitchen apart in

search of chocolate, I came across a Bible verse that
drew me up short: “Like newborn babies, crave pure
spiritual milk” (1 Peter 2:2). The New American
Standard Version puts it this way: “long for the …
word” (both emphases mine). As I thought about my
27
Just Gotta Have It!
desire for God’s Word, I had to admit “craving” or “longing”

didn’t define my feelings about my current Bible reading.
Yes, I tried to do it daily, but some days reading God’s Word
was more mechanical than marvelous, more out of duty
than desire.
Looking back over my life, I realized my desire for God’s

Word had fluctuated between the following degrees:
Having an insatiable appetite. I’d eagerly anticipate

reading God’s Word daily, and make time for it no matter
what else was going on. I couldn’t get to sleep at night if I
missed it.
Eating my veggies. This is the mode in which I most often

found myself. I’d read the Bible because I knew it’s right:
I wanted to obey God, I knew it’s good for me, and I was
always glad I did it.
Being “force-fed.” In this mode, I’d hear God’s Word at

church and would read the Bible every now and then—but
usually not until I felt extremely guilty about my lack of
time with him.
Starving. These have been the dry spells, thankfully few,

when I’ve gone weeks without opening my Bible except at
church. I’ve let busyness, distractions, or un-confessed sin
get in the way.
Do you see yourself in the above descriptions? If you’re

like me, you’ve experienced each of these stages over the
course of your walk with God. But you also wish that you
genuinely and consistently craved God’s Word.
28
Just Gotta Have It!
If my cravings for Scripture were anything like my cravings

for chocolate, I would just have to have it. I wanted to wake
up in the morning and not be able to focus on anything
else until I’d spent time in God’s Word. I wanted to dig in
voraciously, instead of doing a half-hearted devotional.
To discover how to develop a craving for Scripture, I looked

back at the high points of my spiritual life—the times
when I couldn’t get enough of God’s Word—and took note
of the things I did, the habits I made, and the factors that
contributed to the craving. Then I asked other women what
helped them develop a craving for God’s Word. Here are six
things I discovered that can help you and the women in
your ministry rekindle or strengthen your desire for time in
Scripture:
1. Help women remember the Bible’s benefits.

After my son’s birth, I experienced a prolonged case of
“baby blues.” Although I found some solace in talking
to other moms, journaling, and scheduling “me-time,” I
found the most significant source of peace and comfort in
God’s Word. I found particular reassurance in reading the
Psalms—seeing how David cried out in fear, confusion, and
even despair, but consistently returned to acknowledge God
as his refuge and strength.
At other times, I’ve turned to Scripture to find direction,

wisdom, and encouragement. The Bible holds all this for
us, and much more! Scripture tells us God’s Word is “a lamp
to [our] feet and a light for [our] path” (Psalm 119:105).
Psalm 111:10 also reminds us “The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good
understanding.”
29
Just Gotta Have It!
Just as satisfying physical craving releases feel-good

chemicals in our brains, satisfying a hunger for Scripture
releases all kinds of spiritual benefits and blessings in our
lives, such as increased wisdom, comfort, and peace.
2. Prompt women to ask God to give them a desire for his

Word.
What better way to obtain a desire for God’s Word than
from God himself? Daily each of us can ask God to give us a
deep-rooted desire to spend time reading and studying the
Bible. Then we can be alert for those inner promptings and
reminders to open his Word and dive in. I find that when I
consistently ask God to give me a desire to spend time with
him, he always comes through. I can’t walk past the shelf
where I keep my Bible and devotional book without feeling
as though I should pull it out and dig in!
3. Challenge women to make daily Bible reading

instinctual.
Experts say it takes 21 days to develop a habit. I’ve applied
this principle to exercise, drinking water, and even making
my bed—so why not use it with Bible reading? Dare the
women in your ministry group to decide on a reading or
study plan and commit themselves to spending time in
God’s Word every day, whether they feel like it or not. One
thing that helps me is to use a daily devotional aid. After
following that plan for a few weeks, I find I can’t skip a
day in God’s Word without feeling like I’m missing out on
something.
4. Encourage women to keep a spiritual journal.

One of the best ways to strengthen and maintain a desire
for God’s Word is to keep a record of how Scripture has
30
Just Gotta Have It!
impacted your life. I kept journals throughout my college

years. Looking back over them reminds me of how God has
worked in my life and gives me the motivation to continue
serious Bible study. Your journal doesn’t have to be a
special leather-bound volume; it can be a spiral notebook,
or simply notes taken directly in your Bible. The point
is to take note of how various Scripture passages have
touched your heart, motivated change in your life, or given
you insight into life’s circumstances. When you’ve filled
up a journal, notebook, or Bible, keep it as a record and
reminder —one you can turn to time and time again to see
how powerful God’s Word truly is.
5. Free women to customize their personal Bible study to

fit their personality.
For years I struggled with the inability to follow a “read
through the Bible in a year” program. I’ve known friends
and family members who have done this year after year,
and I always felt I should be able to do this too. But I
always gave up by March. Finally, I realized the Bible-
in-a-year plan just didn’t fit my personality. As a detail-
oriented person, when I try to absorb four or five chapters
of the Bible each day, I feel as though I’m going too fast.
I get frustrated and give up. Now I tailor my study to my
personality—more in-depth studies and careful reading of
shorter passages.
My friend Kathy also has found that customizing her Bible

reading to fit her personality has led to more productive,
effective, and consistent times in God’s Word. “One of the
most important things for me is variety,” she says. “If I
find my devotional time getting stale, I try to change it.
Also, I occasionally set aside large chunks of time to really
31
Just Gotta Have It!
‘dig into’ the Word by doing in-depth study that can’t be

completed in short bites of time.”
6. Urge women to customize their personal Bible study to

fit their life circumstances.
Just as we all have different personalities that may require
different approaches to reading the Bible, we all go through
different life stages that demand a change in our Bible
reading. A mother of three preschoolers might not be able
to devote the same amount of time and energy to reading
God’s Word as she will when all her children are in school.
Lori, a wife and mom from Nebraska, has been able to
customize her time in the Bible throughout her adult life
to fit whatever circumstances she finds herself in. During
college, she carved out enough time to read through the
Bible twice. In the early years of her marriage, while
working full-time as a teacher, she fit in shorter reading
times whenever she had the opportunity, such as reading
some Scripture while stopped at traffic lights during her
long commute. Now as a busy stay-at-home-mom, she does
most of her Bible study late at night or when her children
are in the tub.
Encourage each of the women in your group to take a look

at their roles and responsibilities. Challenge them to make
sure they’re not trying to do too much (and definitely not
too little!) for their circumstances. Finding the method of
study and reading that works for where they are right now
will keep them from giving up in frustration.
I know there still will be times when I don’t “feel” the

craving for Scripture I want to have. But I also know the
important thing is for each of us to be aware of our desire
32
Just Gotta Have It!
for God’s Word and always to be working to increase it.

And another benefit is—satisfying our craving for Scripture
will never make us fat! Now … where did I hide that
chocolate?
Katrina Baker, a freelance writer, lives with her family in

Pennsylvania. This article was first published in the July/
August 2004 issue of Today’s Christian Woman.
33
More
Than Just
a Bible Study
Allow God’s Word to transform
lives as you study together.
By JoHannah Reardon
Cindy was in the Bible study I led for three years.

She always answered the questions and partici-
pated in the discussion. She accumulated a lot of
knowledge, but her life never changed. She lived
a defeatist life, looking to unhealthy relationships
with men to meet her longings, never finding any-
thing worth living for.
I have puzzled a lot over people like Cindy. I’ve

met quite a few over the years. It seems that some
people never move beyond head knowledge to heart
knowledge. There are numerous reasons for this.
I’d like to identify three.
34
More Than Just a Bible Study
Studying the Bible to accumulate knowledge

Those who can rattle off chapter and verse but never be-
come more like Christ may not truly believe that the God of
the universe is addressing them personally. They see the
Bible as an ancient document that has interesting and wise
information, but they never consider that they are to apply
it to their lives. This kind of person comes to the Scriptures
with an analytical eye rather than by humbly asking God to
transform their lives. They may take pride in mastering the
text, but they don’t know how to let the text master them.
They want to study Jesus, but they don’t really want to
know him.
Coming to the Bible with arrogance

The person who is not transformed by the Word of God may
come to it to prove his or her point. This person may have
decided what they think or want the Bible to teach. They
may have been taught such ideas as a child, been drawn to
the Bible because it preserves the lifestyle they want, or
because it gives them power in certain choices. This person
doesn’t come to the Word of God to let it transform them. In-
stead they use the Bible as a proof text and to gain ammuni-
tion for the battles of life. Yes, we are to fight Satan and his
minions, but unless we are letting God shake the core of our
lives, we won’t be able to recognize the true enemy.
Reading the Bible through our baggage

My friend Cindy’s biggest problem was that she really
couldn’t believe that God would bring her happiness. Be-
cause she’d already decided God was a killjoy, she didn’t
trust him with her life. Therefore, she came to Bible study
because she wanted friendship, not because she wanted to
be transformed by God. In her mind, it was all up to her.
35
She always thought she’d find the perfect human relation-

ship that would meet all her needs. Until she truly believed
that God was her only hope for joy and fulfillment, she
would never be able to believe a word he said.
So how can we help those in our Bible studies move be-

yond these problems? First we have to make sure we are
not stuck in one of these modes. If we are, we will never
be able to help others move beyond them. For those of us
who have been in the church a long time, it’s easy to fall
into one of these patterns, especially accumulating knowl-
edge and coming to the Bible with arrogance. Or perhaps
we have become a Bible study leader because it meets our
need for fellowship or power. Therefore we need to begin by
checking our own motives.
To move those in our studies beyond these obstacles, we

have to present the Word of God as the living, active thing
it is. We have to help those under us savor the Word of God
as a precious morsel and allow it to ask questions of us,
rather than simply asking questions of it. When we read the
story of the rich, young man who Jesus tells to sell all his
possessions and follow him, we shouldn’t make up an ana-
lytical interpretation to explain this away. We should listen
to Jesus’ words as if they are directed to us and consider
what that means for our lives. Or if we adamantly believe
in man’s free will and then come across a passage such as
Romans 9 that says God chooses whom he will, we need to
let that challenge us rather than fall back on our carefully
laid theological systems. In other words, we have to avoid
making God in our own image and let him make us in his.
36
One of the practical ways we can help others come to the

Bible with an attitude of letting it transform them is to give
them time to prepare their hearts. In our harried, busy
world, we often come to Bible study exhausted, frazzled,
and with a million other things vying for our attention.
Consider starting your Bible study with a time of silent
prayer, suggesting that everyone see if there is anything
they need to confess or simply to ask God to open their eyes
and hearts to his Word.
Perhaps using recorded music may help focus those in your

group on why they are there. Choose a song that reflects
humbling ourselves before God or proclaims the glory of
God. Another idea is to use spiritual readings. Perhaps
you’ve come across a poem, ancient writings, or a prayer
that would help set the tone.
Of course, the goal is to help those in your group hunger for

the Word of God beyond the short time you meet together.
So pray together that God will give you a thirst that is never
quenched in a mere hour a week, but that each person will
want to read the Bible often because they can’t get enough
of it—that they would see it as the only way they can move
beyond the confines of their sinful nature into the glorious
light of the Savior of the world.
JoHannah Reardon is the managing editor of

ChristianBibleStudies.com.
37
Popping the
Question
Good discussions don’t just happen!
By Emory A. Griffin
Asking questions is easy, right? It’s simply a matter

of intoning a question mark with one’s voice and then
waiting for the answers to flood in … isn’t it? The truth
is that posing questions which elicit vibrant responses
is tough! It’s an acquired skill. Since it doesn’t come
naturally, let me outline an approach that works. Asking
the right question can make or break a discussion.
Don’t ask right-answer questions.

The first thing I’ve discovered, through sad experience,
is don’t ask a question with a right answer. The worst
question is one that can be answered with a simple yes
or no. Here’s how not to do it. I was working with a group
of non-Christian high school guys. I wanted to get them
38
Popping the Question
thinking about the divinity of Jesus Christ. I was afraid

they thought he was merely a good man. After a fun day of
skiing, we sat down together, and I launched out: “What do
you think, guys? Is Jesus Christ really God?”
I leaned forward expectantly, prepared for a rousing

30-minute discussion. Silence reigned. No one spoke; I’m
not sure they even breathed. It was like a prayer meeting—
every head bowed, every eye shut. They wouldn’t look at me
for fear of being called on. I restated the question: “Is Jesus
really God?” After the pressure became unbearable, one
bold soul took the plunge. “Yes,” he said. End of discussion!
All attempts to go further fell flat. Was he really convinced
of Christ’s identity? “Uh huh.” How about the other guys?
They all nodded their heads in mute agreement. To this day,
I have no idea of what they really thought about the deity of
Christ.
What went wrong? I had asked a question with a right

answer. Not only that, the fellows could tell there was a
right answer. Uninitiated into spiritual matters though they
were, they had the street savvy to spot a loaded question at
its core. Their reasoning could have gone something like
this:
Em’s looking for something. He’s been to seminary

and has studied this sort of thing. I’m almost positive
the answer is yes. If I say it and I’m right, I’ll get his
approval, but my buddies will think I’m trying to be
teacher’s pet. And suppose it’s a trick question and I’m
wrong? Then Em will put me down, and I’ll feel like a fool
in front of my friends. It’s safer to just keep quiet.
39
So they did. As they saw it, they were in a no-win

situation.
Is it possible to have a Christian discussion without asking

questions of truth? Yes. Suppose you want to stimulate
thinking about Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. The typical
format would include questions such as: “What are the
different components of the Lord’s Prayer?” “How did
Jesus enlarge the commandment about adultery?” “What
is the Lord’s attitude toward seeking riches?” All of these
are questions of fact, and they are almost guaranteed to
generate little reaction.
On the other hand, you could put it this way: “You’ve read
the Sermon on the Mount. Suppose you were to put its
teaching into effect for just one week. How would things be
different?”
That’s a whole different ballgame. Instead of one right

answer, there are lots of possibilities. No one of them
is right. Joan can think that non-Christians would be
threatened, while Bill might conclude it would be heaven on
earth. There’s room for disagreement, even an argument.
And since there’s no way you can authoritatively state they
are wrong, neither of them fears being shot down by the
leader. This suggests the second principle of popping the
question.
Make them the experts. I was a counselor at a Young Life

weekend camp. Although it was past midnight, the 12 guys
in my cabin felt no inclination to hit the sack. I thought
I’d use the opportunity to find out what they thought of
the evening message. The speaker had focused on sin, so
40
I asked, “What do you guys think sin is? How would you
define it?”
They tried—they really did. But they were strangers to this

theological ground. I was the one who knew sin could be
defined as missing the mark, breaking the law, or severing
a relationship. They were aware I was one up on them.
Besides, sin is a rather touchy subject if you feel that
anything you say may be used against you. So they “took
the Fifth.”
Sensing their discomfort, I took a different tack. “What’s

the average guy at your high school like?” I asked. It took
about two minutes of pump-priming to convince them I
really wanted to know, but after that, it was as if I’d turned
on the spigot. They covered:
• how he did in school

• how much his father earned
• whether he was out for sports
• ways he spent his spare time
• whether he dated much
• what he did on a date
• whether or not he believed in God
• whether he went to church
• how he treated others
• what he felt guilty about
The bull session went all over the map with only occasional
questions from me: “Is that right? Do most kids at school
get drunk on weekends?” They didn’t always agree with
41
each other, but that added to the liveliness. And regardless

of what they said, I couldn’t contradict them. They knew
much more about life as a teenager in their town than I did.
I’d discovered a topic on which they were the experts.
When we were finished, I knew a lot about an average guy

at their school. I also knew a lot about them. As one fellow
put it, “Let’s face it, Em. We haven’t been talking about the
average kid; we’ve been talking about ourselves. When it
comes to sin, we’re experts!” I’ve since learned to phrase
questions so as to put the group in a place where they know
as much or more about the topic than I. It’s not a matter
of playing dumb; rather, it’s drawing on their unique
experience.
For instance, this is an article about leadership. Suppose

I wanted to involve a group of readers in a discussion of
group leadership. I could ask, “What are the five main
principles of discussion leadership?” I could, but getting
your thoughts would be like pulling teeth. You’d reason,
“Em’s the one who’s writing. He’s supposed to be the pro.
Who am I to tell him what will work best?” But suppose I set
up the discussion this way:
All of us have been involved in a great number of

discussions, gab-fests, and bull sessions. Think back
over all the discussions you can recall. Pick the one that
was the most stimulating, the one where you just had to
get in your two-cents worth or you’d burst. It may have
been a committee meeting, classroom debate, dorm-floor
meeting, or your family sitting around the dinner table.
Try to remember as much about that time as you can. Tell
us about that discussion and what you think made it go.
42
I could get a good discussion about leadership using this

question as a springboard. Note that you would be the
expert. You were there, I wasn’t. Your interpretation of its
success is unassailable. We may discover your conclusions
are different from those reached by others; but they were
drawing on other situations, so in no way could you be
wrong! In this supportive climate, you’d be motivated to
do new thinking about leading a discussion, and in the
process, I’d be privy to your opinions as you share them
with the group. That was the purpose of raising the issue in
the first place.
This concept of making others the experts is so crucial, that

I want to toss out one more example. Suppose you wanted
to discuss the attributes of God. You could simply ask the
group, “What do you think God is like?” By now you realize
this approach is fraught with pitfalls. On the other hand
you could give the issue a different slant-something like
this:
Christmas is only a few weeks off. Suppose you came

down Christmas morning and discovered a big package
under the tree. They say good things come in small
packages, but you’ve always been partial to the big
presents. You eagerly tear off the shiny red paper and
discover a genuine, do-it-yourself, Make-a-God kit.
It’s not the artificial plastic model, but the authentic
original. You read the instructions and find you can make
any kind of god you want. The only requirement is that
once you’ve made him or her, you have to live with it.
I know this is ridiculous. There is no such thing as

a Make-a-God kit. But what if there was? Religious
43
skeptics claim that man makes God in his own image.

Suppose it was possible to create a god to match our
desires. What kind of god would you make?
I’ve used this discussion starter a number of times. It’s

a winner. It’s just off-beat enough to stir up curiosity.
However a person responds, he’s correct. He’s merely stating
his preference, not the state of cosmic truth. In the process,
I learn a great deal about his views on omnipotence (power),
omniscience (knowledge), and love and/or justice. At the
same time, the group participants start the process of mental
churning. I promote this by probing their responses. If
someone asserts they’d make a god powerful enough to stop
all wars, I point out that he’d have enough clout to force his
will on them as well. When the discussion centers on this
god’s knowledge, I query them on their willingness to bring
into being a god who would know their inner thoughts. The
key to this process is crafting questions that make every
member an authority. A bit of sanctified imagination will
bring it off almost every time.
Use vivid imagery.

The Make-a-God kit example also illustrates a third
principle of opening a discussion: Use vivid imagery. A few
of my colleagues in philosophy claim that man can think
in abstractions, but I’m not convinced. If you ask someone
to consider the topic of determinism, you’re liable to get a
blank stare unless he first develops the term into a mental
snapshot of a puppeteer pulling the strings. People think in
pictures. You’re ahead of the game if you help your group
think in concrete terms. Otherwise they could just let
abstract terms wash over them without ever engaging in the
dialogue.
44
It’s possible to visually portray almost any topic. Our

spiritual pilgrimage over a period of time can be charted
like the Dow Jones average. Our family relations can be
depicted by drawing a seating plan and communication
pattern at the dinner table. I’ve led a Bible study on
Mark 4—Jesus controlling the wind and waves—by having
participants create a weather map similar to those seen on
the evening news. Different areas of the country represent
distinct areas of our lives. Traditional symbols for sunny,
cloudy, thunderstorms, and fog show how we feel about our
work, friends, home life, recreation, and God. For any of
these issues, it’s best to start with the nonverbal exercise,
and then have people talk about their creation. Most of
us are freer to speak up when we can refer to something
tangible in our hands.
If you ever want a college group to grapple with the

question of how the Lord feels about them, you might
suggest they write a letter to themselves from God. Mail
is an important event in the lives of college students. It’s
helpful to get them to picture themselves walking up to the
mailbox and finding an envelope with no return address.
They rip it open and are stunned to find a letter from God.
At first they tend to dismiss it as some kind of joke, but the
words have the ring of truth. What does it say? I ask them
to follow the format of Jesus’ letters to the seven churches
in the Book of Revelation:
• A personalized greeting
• God giving himself a special name
• Praise for a Christian virtue—some good news
• Blame for a specific sin—some bad news
45
• Request for a change

• A warning if the request is ignored
• A promise if the change is made
Ten minutes of writing can foster a fascinating hour of

interchange. Usually there’s a building-block effect.
As some in the group see others seriously concerned
with God’s opinion, they also get caught up in the quest
to discover God’s will. It seems everyone has trouble
verbalizing what God appreciates about them. Writing a
letter from God helps to picture God saying, “Well done,
my good and faithful servant,” in response to their positive
qualities.
There are many structured exercises, games, and role-plays

available commercially. Secular topics include leadership,
roles, decision-making, cross-cultural communication,
and creativity. Christian-oriented material is available
for stimulating discussion about community, spiritual
gifts, and many of Jesus’ encounters with people in the
Gospels. Both types can be effective because they stay
away from the simplistic right/wrong answers, provide an
experiential base that gives all an equal competence, and
make an abstract ideal visual. But you don’t need to wait for
someone else to create structured experiences for you. With
some imagination, you can make up your own discussion
starters that are tailor-made for your situation.
Leading a discussion is tough. It would be easy to try out

some of the ideas given here, fall flat on your face, and then
revert back to the safety of straight lecture or rote, fill-in-
the-blank exercises disguised as discussion. But that’s not
46
an option for the sensitive leader. The only way to find out
what people are thinking is to ask them. Sometimes it’s
risky finding out. It’s even more risky not to know.
Emory A. Griffin is a professor emeritus at Wheaton College.

This article, originally called “The Greening of a Discussion
Leader,” was first published in Leadership journal in January,
1981.
3 Keys to Launching
an Invigorating Discussion
1. Don’t ask a question with a right answer.
2. Make the participants the experts.
3. Use vivid imagery.
47
Group-
Builders
Tips for turning a dull Bible study
meeting into a refreshing, growing
community.
By Kelli B. Trujillo
DON’T... DO...
Avoid these 4 discussion-killers: Enliven your group with these 4
simple principles:
Don’t try to have a discussion Do prioritize time for social
with a group of 15 or more women. interaction in each meeting. Though
The dynamics of a group that size Scripture study may be the meat of
simply won’t allow everyone to talk. your time together, allowing ample
Instead, a few extroverts will share opportunities for women to talk
their thoughts while most of the about life and catch up before and
rest of the group remains passive. after you begin will develop a sense
Short-circuit this problem by dividing of community and security within the
participants into smaller groups of group. Be intentional about including
three to six in order to foster open icebreakers and activities that help
sharing and honest discussion. women get to know each other
better; they’ll be much more likely to
share their spiritual questions and life
struggles with people they know and
trust.
48
Group-Builders
DON’T... DO...
Avoid these 4 discussion-killers: Enliven your group with these 4
simple principles:
Don’t ask the group questions Do your best to be real, authentic,
that are close-ended, have a yes and vulnerable as you lead. You set
or no answer, or an answer that the tone for the group, so if you are
is so painfully obvious it insults willing to share your honest struggles
participants’ intelligence. Instead, or questions, the other women in
seek to ask questions that are your group will follow your lead. On
open-ended and exploratory. the flip side, if you present a perfect
Close-ended questions tend to veneer, participants will be less likely
squelch discussion and minimize to fully and personally engage with
participation while open-ended the study.
questions will enliven the group and
develop an atmosphere of openness
and community.
Don’t allow a few vocal women to Do at least one top-secret act of
dominate the discussion or hijack encouragement each week outside
the direction of the study. Instead, of your study time. With God’s help,
intentionally draw out responses identify a participant in your Bible
from various participants. If needed, study group who could use extra
talk to dominant participants encouragement, then anonymously
privately and enlist them to help send her a card to lift her up. Share
draw out other’s responses by Scripture, write out a prayer for her,
keeping their own desire to talk in and let her know she is loved and
check. valued.
Don’t be afraid of quietness. Allow Do encourage the women in your
time after you ask a discussion group to apply what they’ve learned
question for participants to consider to their life after every study session.
the question and reflect on their One great way to do this is to allow
answer rather than assuming no one time at the end of each meeting for
wants to talk and rushing ahead to the women in your group to pair up
the next question. and share with each other how they
feel convicted or inspired to act.
Then, allow time at the start of the
next meeting for those same pairs
to reconnect and check in with each
other, sharing how they put that
conviction into action.
49
uEvaluation Tools
for Leaders
Evaluate
Your Bible
Study Program
Take some time to honestly reflect on how

things are going in your women’s Bible
study program as it currently exists, then
spend some time dreaming about how you’d
like to see it grow over the next year.
50
Evaluate Your Bible Study Program
Part 1: Assess Your

Current Ministry
Directions: Use a scale of 1 to 5 to answer each of the
following questions.
Biblical Learning and Life Application

Do you think most participants are learning significant and
life-changing truths from Scripture through your Bible study
program?
Not as much learning Participants are

as I’d like to see learning a great deal

1 2 3 4 5
How well do you think participants are able to make

connections between the Bible study material and their
everyday choices and behaviors?
We don’t stress life We have a strong

application enough emphasis on life application
1 2 3 4 5
What degree of spiritual fruit and lifestyle changes in

participants’ lives have you observed as a result of the Bible
study program?
Very little life-change Significant and

obvious life-change
1 2 3 4 5
51
Relationship Building
How proactive has your Bible study program been about
creating opportunities for social relationships to develop and
flourish?
Relationship building We make relationship

has been neglected building a top priority

1 2 3 4 5

How would you rate the level of friendship and community
among your Bible study participants?
Low; most participants High; there’s a strong sense of

don’t know each other well community within the group
1 2 3 4 5
How well are new people assimilated into existing friendships

among the Bible study participants?
New people likely feel New people are welcomed

left out and isolated and enthusiastically included
1 2 3 4 5
Engagement and Participation

In a given Bible study session, how well would you rate the
participation of group members?
Many remain quiet and passive Most group members

verbally participate
1 2 3 4 5
52
How well equipped do you or other Bible study leaders feel

when it comes to creating and asking engaging discussion
questions?
Ill-equipped Very equipped
1 2 3 4 5
How honest and vulnerable do you think most participants

feel they can safely be in the Bible study group?
Not vulnerable at all; Very honest, authentic,

many remain guarded and vulnerable
1 2 3 4 5
se
To get a sen ants
ticip
of what par re to
think, be su ally
dt
pass out an f the
o
the results
a t You
“Tell Us Wh ey.
v
Think!” sur
53
Part 2: Cast a Vision

What dreams do you have for your women’s Bible study
program? How would you like to see it grow and improve
over the next year? Write some big dreams or specific goals
for each of the categories below, then identify at least one
action step your group can take in each category to move in
that direction.
54
Meet with your pastor or another key women’s ministry

leader to talk about your vision and action steps, inviting
his or her insights and ideas.
55
Tell Us What
You Think!
We’re so glad you’ve been participating in

our women’s Bible study. Can you help us out
by letting us know what your experience in
it has been like? Please be totally honest—we
want to know what you really think.
56
Tell Us What You Think!
Please indicate your answers to the questions below using

a scale of 1 to 5.

Do you feel you’ve learned some significant truths from
God’s Word through this study?
I have not learned much I have learned a great deal
1 2 3 4 5
How has this study affected your own Bible reading habits?
I don’t read the Bible I engage with Scripture

much on my own much more than I used to
1 2 3 4 5
Did this study make direct connections to your everyday

life, challenging you to grow and change as a result of what
you learned?
This did not relate This changed my

to my everyday life everyday life significantly
1 2 3 4 5
Do you feel you had adequate time and opportunity to
develop relationships with other women in your Bible study
group?
No, I didn’t interact Yes, I’ve built and strengthened

much with others relationships in this group
1 2 3 4 5
57
Did the relationships you built in this study group impact

your own spiritual growth?
Not really Yes, these new friendships

encouraged me in my faith
1 2 3 4 5
Do you feel you were able to get to know your Bible study
leader on a personal level?
Not really Yes, we got to know

each other well
1 2 3 4 5

How would you rate the group dynamics during your
discussion times?
Un-engaging; not many Lively, open,

women participating lots of participation
1 2 3 4 5
Did you verbally participate in group discussions?
No, I did not Yes, I did
1 2 3 4 5
Did you feel safe and secure in this group, able to share
questions and concerns honestly and vulnerably?
No, I did not feel safe Yes, I felt very

secure in this group
1 2 3 4 5
58
Other comments or concerns?

Please share any other thoughts you have for us about this
Bible study program. Thanks, again, for taking the time to
fill this out!
59
Additional
Resources
Books to help you further.
Want to explore this topic further? Check out the

following books and web resources:
To join a discussion with other women’s ministry leaders,

go to Christianity Today International’s Gifted for
Leadership web site (www.GiftedForLeadership.com)—an
online resource devoted specifically to women in leadership
positions in their church, workplace, or community.
ChristianBibleStudies.com—This web site from

Christianity Today International contains hundreds of
excellent Bible studies you can use in your women’s
ministry. Go to www.ChristianBibleStudies.com to browse
the many options available for purchase. You can also find
a list of the current top-sellers from ChristianBibleStudies.
com at http://biblestudies.stores.yahoo.net/topsellers.
html.
60
Additional Resources
Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When

God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer (Moody, 2007; 224
pages). By studying the Word of God and heightening
our spiritual senses to hear the still small voice of God,
women may indeed recognize the promptings of the Holy
Spirit. From the Old Testament prophets to modern-day
believers, Shirer walks through Scripture that captures
the method and tone of God’s communication and
teaches us to beware of counterfeit voices. How we each
encounter God’s voice may differ, but the nature of it
does not.
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual

Reading by Eugene Peterson (Eerdmans 2005; 184
pages). This book is a provocative challenge to read the
Scriptures on their own terms—as God’s revelation—and
to live them as we read. Countering the trend toward
subjective personal interpretation, Peterson suggests an
alternative approach, offering fascinating insights on the
nature of language, the ancient practice of lectio divina,
and the role of translations, including The Message.
Encounters with God: Transforming Your Bible Study

by Henry Blackaby, Norman Blackaby, and Mel Blackaby
(Thomas Nelson, 2007; 240 pages). Bible study involves
more than a method—it’s a journey into the heart of God!
This resource will mentor you step-by-step through
passages from seven types of biblical literature. In
an easy-to-remember way, they’ll train you to read,
understand, and apply God’s words; hear his voice in
prayer; and transform your life.
61
Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman (DVD Leader Kit)

by Beth Moore (LifeWay, 2008). Join Beth in an in-
depth and very personal examination of this great
story of threat and deliverance. She peels back the
layers of history and shows how very contemporary
and applicable the story of Esther is to our lives. If
you’ve ever felt inadequate, threatened, or pushed into
situations that seemed overpowering, this is the study
for you. Just as it was tough being a woman in Esther’s
day, it’s tough today. This portion of God’s Word
contains treasures to aid us in our hurried, harried,
and pressured lives.
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon

Fee and Douglas Stuart (Zondervan, 2003; 288 pages).
Understanding the Bible isn’t for the few, the gifted,
the scholarly. The Bible is accessible. It’s meant to be
read and comprehended by everyone from armchair
readers to seminary students. A few essential insights
into the Bible can clear up a lot of misconceptions
and help you grasp the meaning of Scripture and its
application to your 21st-century life.
Knowing God’s Word—Women of Faith Study Guide

Series (Thomas Nelson, 2005; 68 pages). Many women
find reading the Scriptures to be a daunting prospect,
let alone actually studying them. Questions arise. Is
studying the Bible different from reading it? Why do we
study God’s Word? How do you study God’s Word? This
book will prepare women to approach the Bible with
confidence and excitement.
62
What Every Girl Wants: A Portrait of Perfect Love

& Intimacy in the Song of Solomon by Lisa Harper
(Tyndale House, 2009; 112 pages). Noted Bible teacher
Lisa Harper leads women through the Song of Solomon
in this modern take on the classic Bible Study. Using
current-day examples, humor and personal anecdotes,
Lisa attempts to answer the question, “What does every
girl want?” by showing readers the portrait of perfect
love and intimacy that is beautifully embedded in the
lines of the most seductive love poem found in the Old
Testament.
63
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Click on an article you’d like to read:

3 Introduction 34 More Than Just a

I confess: I’ve had moments when I’ve been bored to

But there have also been times in women’s Bible

So what’s the difference? The key element in both types of

In Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 Jesus tells a parable that’s

As a Bible study leader or an overseer of a Bible study

In the mind-numbingly boring Bible studies I’ve been

community and security in the group, they asked thought-

This download is packed with inspiration and practical

To help with some practical specifics, you’ll find some

Last, you can make it personal by using the “Evaluate Your

Leading a Bible study program is lots of work, so let me

The bulk of this download is meant for you—and, of course,

Interview 1: Beth Moore

There’s no doubt about it: Beth Moore live is fiery

power of Jesus and his Word to the women worldwide for

Born in a small Arkansas town, Beth was raised by loving

With her background, Beth admits she never imagined she’d

Beth, I’ve seen you teach in person and on DVD. And in

Where did this intensity come from?

By the time I was married and in my mid-twenties, I’d

That’s hard to imagine!

But when I read in my church bulletin about a Bible

I’m adamant about this: I want more than anything for

What do you mean by “chains of sin”?

The first time I can recall anything about my abuse, I was

Many wonderful things happened to me as a child. I was

So what led you to Jesus?

wonder what Jesus was like. Even as a child, I fell in love

After my freshman year in college, I was a camp counselor

It took me a long time to break free from self-destruction.

How can we experience that kind of passion?

I love what it says in Matthew 13:11–12—that to those

Do you ever struggle with pride?

This only happened one time, but it broke my heart. A

Have you confronted your past?

Did you seek counseling?

It was the worst season of my life. But God, in his

What do you tell others struggling with grief or despair?

Psalm 126:5–6 means the world to me: “Those who sow in

You seem to have such a heart for women.

What legacy would you like to leave?

testimony of a mother’s victorious walk. I can’t give you the

To learn more about Beth and Living Proof Ministries, check

Interview 2: Priscilla Shirer

Ask author and speaker Priscilla Shirer about the Bible,

Her enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s clear why her speaking

a different state, speaking to a different group of women,

Priscilla has an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas

After growing up as a pastor’s kid, did you ever think

What are you learning in your personal study right now?

should be experiencing that power in all areas of our life.

What do you mean by “supernatural”?

How have you seen God’s supernatural presence manifest