SWWOMEN’s Bible Study - A New Format!
I am excited to announce that this year we will be changing the format for Women’s Bible Study, and below I am answering a few questions about what that will look like for us come January.
Before I answer the questions below, I want to address the WHY behind Women’s Bible Study. Every year it has been our habit at SWBible church to gather together to study God’s Word. Psalm 119:129 says, “Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light, it imparts understanding to the simple.” This verse, among many others, is why we gather year after year to study God’s Word: the Bible is the means by which God speaks to us and reveals Himself to us. Our desire is to gain a deeper understanding of His Word so we can know Him and love Him more!
Q. How does the new format of Women's Bible Study compare to what we've done in the past?
Our study has typically been aided by an accompanying study guide, and I have been thankful to God for the wonderful studies we've done all these years. They have helped us work through books or biblical topics methodically, and have helped us in our understanding and application of God’s Word. We look forward to a new format this year. Here’s how we will approach our study:
open the Bible (we will be studying 1 Peter),
read it several times (likely many times by the end of April),
write it out (think, ABIDE),
and through our independent study, come prepared to discuss it in our small groups
Q. Why the desire for a change from what we've historically done?
We at SWBible Church are blessed to be shepherded by pastors who have encouraged us (by example & instruction) to read a book of the Bible several times and study it for ourselves. I am deeply thankful for them and so, for the past couple years, I began to pray about this change in our Women’s Bible Study format and asked our Women’s Bible Study team to join me in prayer. As much as we have enjoyed Bible study guides, it seemed like the right time to set them aside and study a book of the Bible for ourselves. 2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” Studying the Word individually (throughout our week) and corporately (in our Tuesday gathering) will allow us to grow our skill in handling God’s Word, and sharpen our minds as we grow in wisdom. I am so thankful God gave us His Spirit who is our helper, teacher, counselor, comforter and much more.
Q. What do you hope & pray this change encourages/stirs in the women who participate?
For women who have been studying the Word inductively, my prayer is that you would come alongside others for the purpose of encouragement, love, fellowship and further growth. For women who are tentative, who feel inadequate to study the Word in this way, my prayer is that you would be comforted knowing that none of us are adequate, and we are all learners. Only God is completely adequate to cause growth in our lives, and one of the ways He does this is through the community of believers around us.
Q. What is your goal/hope in moving to a study format that doesn’t rely on a pre-written guide?
The Bible is for all of us, not just for the pastor or the teacher to rightly handle. I am praying that the skills we gain in Bible study together will reach far beyond our Tuesday gatherings. In addition to deepening our walks with God and growing in confidence to rightly handle the word of truth, I think it would be fantastic if women felt a little bolder after having done this themselves–more bold to invite a neighbor, a co-worker, or someone new they met in the lobby on Sunday to read the Bible together. If she feels led to do that with someone in her life, I want her to have the tools and confidence to act on that leading.
Q. Does this change the meeting schedule going forward?
No. We will still meet Tuesday mornings, 9:00-11:00am, and Tuesday evenings 7:00-8:30pm. Be on the lookout for the registration link coming soon!
Q. What are you most excited for in this next season of Women's Bible study?
Change is an agent of growth, and growth, when tended by God and submitted to Him, is precious and beautiful in His sight! I am excited to see what God is going to do in us individually and through us corporately. Come join us as we study God’s Word together! He will change us as we grow in our knowledge of Him–for to know Him is to love Him!
A special thanks to our Women’s Bible Study team who have worked hard over the last few months preparing, praying and thinking of ways to best equip women to study the Bible. We hope to see you in January!
