Friday, August 03, 2012
Best Women's Bible Study?
I am here...trying to recover from a road trip and start putting the pieces together for Fall.
Very high on my list is finding a resource for my Fall women's small group. I am so torn because of great reviews on several different studies.
Our group consists of moms between the age of 30-40. We meet for 60-90 minutes weekly and would prefer weekly homework to be less than an hour.
So, I figured this was a great opportunity to poll the audience:
What was the best women's small group/Bible study you have ever done? Was it a book of the Bible or a book? Please share in the comments, I know lots of other readers will be blessed.
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We did this in a women's study group, but it isn't specifically geared towards women ... A Praying Life by Paul Miller
Check out GoodMorningGirls.org A new study will begin in about a month. Our group has completed Ephesians and James and loved it!
My group recently read Ann Voskamp's book, 1,000 Gifts. Even though several of our group members had already read it, we all enjoyed it and it led to some really rich discussions. We all agreed that it was nice to simply read, ponder, and discuss, rather than having "homework" every week.
I very much enjoyed Beth Moore's study on Psalms, Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent. I cannot remember the exact amount of time that was required for homework, but it was less than some of her other studies.
Some other books that we may read in the future include:
What Women Fear, by Angie Smith; Dancing With My Father, by Sally Clarkson; Grace For the Good Girl, by Emily Freeman; and Beautiful Outlaw, by John Eldredge.
If you only want to meet for an hour or an hour an a half, I highly recommend Kelly Minter's Nehemiah. My women's group is working through it now, and it's pushing us to assess what our purposes are in the kingdom.
My favorite Beth Moore study with a group of women was Living Beyond Yourself. I've done several, but I just really enjoyed that one; however, we met for about two hours in order to have adequate time to discuss and watch the videos (which are an hour apiece).
I have not read it yet (comes out next week, I think) but a study/discussion of Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued would be something that your group might find appropriate for this stage of life (i know I would!)...
I agree - Unglued would be fabulous especially as a new school year starts!
My favorite is "Me, Myself and Lies," by Jennifer Rothschild, on the subject of transforming your thought life to line up with God's Truth - she uses the metaphor of a Thought Closet from which we choose our clothing every day. It's a workbook with a very reasonable level of daily homework. It has a video component so it may not be do-able in 60-90 minutes, but I highly recommend it if you're able to make it work!
My summer women's Bible study just finished A Praying Life by Paul Miller. It is a fantastic book... life changing for me. There is a separate study guide available. I highly recommend it for a group study or for individual reading.
That being said, nothing beats delving into pure scripture inductively. I love the book of James; Kay Arthur has a great precept study for the book.
precept.org
My favorite is also "Me, Myself and Lies". I like it because it explains "how to" replace the lies we tell ourselves with God's Truth. We often know what needs to be done, but not how to do it. I think it can be done in your time period.
Linda Dillow's "Calm My Anious Heart" is always my second recommendation for women, after "Me, Myself, and Lies" (which teaches the "how to").
I also recommend James MacDonald's "Lord, Change My Attitude". I especially was challenged by the section, "Replace criiticism with love". He states that analytical thinkers, which I am, tend to be critical, which is also often what I am. Again, I use what I learned in "Me, Myself, and Lies" to "transform my thought closet".
Pretty much anything by Beth Moore, Jennifer Rothschild or Priscilla Shirer fits what you're describing (time-wise) and they're all good! But another one that I've done in the past that absolutely changed me for life was Experiencing Christ Within by Dwight Edwards. Very meaty and powerful!
I've heard great things about Prayers of the Bible by Susan Hunt. True Woman 101 is on my list of studies I'd like to do. I'm not sure how much homework there is with it.
I just saw a new study for women by the Love & Respect folks called "Respectfully Yours". I haven't done it, but I really want to study it this fall.
My group just did Emily Freeman's "Grace for the Good Girl." It was perfect for a group of women from different walks of life, faith stages etc. Not too much homework, but just enough. Everyone loved it!
Here's a link to Emily's Blog "Chatting at the Sky." with more details. http://www.chattingatthesky.com/the-books/
I think your group would love it too.
This is another vote for Lysa TurKeurst's new one, "Unglued". Love her sneak peaks!
True women 101 !!!! It gives wonderful views on Biblical Womenhood.
Out of curiosity...which Bible Study did you happen to go with. I'm entering Fall 2013 trying to make the same decision. So many good ones out there!
We wound up doing a book study of "She's Got Issues" by Nicole Unice (using her videos as well). It was the perfect thing for our group. Every week had something for everyone in my very diverse small group. I am looking to go much deeper with "Galatians for You" by Tim Keller in the Fall. :-)
We have done Cythia Heald's "Becoming A Woman Of Simplicity' and are now doing "Becoming A Woman Of Purpose"... Simplicity was amazing!!! We did it with the DVD series as well. Couldn't get enough and every woman was challenged - in fact we still draw back on it during this present study. I am wondering if anyone knows of a good study on the names of God? Preferably between 8-12 week study? God Bless and thanks!
We have done Cythia Heald's "Becoming A Woman Of Simplicity' and are now doing "Becoming A Woman Of Purpose"... Simplicity was amazing!!! We did it with the DVD series as well. Couldn't get enough and every woman was challenged - in fact we still draw back on it during this present study. I am wondering if anyone knows of a good study on the names of God? Preferably between 8-12 week study? God Bless and thanks!
I am a fan of actual BIBLE study, rather than book studies. Are we not seeking to know God rather than seeking to know ourselves?
I believe that when we truly come to know God by chasing after HIM, He is faithful to work in our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits to effect the changes we seek by reading a bunch of books other people have written about their experiences.
My opinion. :o)
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