I don’t claim to be an expert in women’s Bible studies, but I really appreciate what Keri Folmar wrote about them at the Gospel Coalition a few weeks ago. She lists 7 common mistakes we make in women’s Bible studies, which are:
- We lose sight of the goal
- We allow wrong answers
- We rely on the wrong materials
- We neglect the gospel
- We elevate method over meaning
- We jump to application
- We divorce study from the church
Under point #3, she writes:
The primary text required for a Bible study is . . . a Bible. There is nothing inadequate about getting together for a discussion through a book of the Bible with just a Bible. Study guides can help, but not all study guides are created equal.
The best study guides help women dig deeper into the Scriptures without spoon-feeding them answers before they have a chance to think for themselves. They are centered on God and cause women to know him better. They explain verses in context and encourage women to keep the big picture of the gospel in mind. The right guide will lead women to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to his teaching. The fruit will be a deeper knowledge of the Savior that causes women to trust him more in their daily lives.
I made a similar point last week, and I don’t think women’s Bible studies are the only ones who can learn these things from Ms. Folmar. May we all learn to sit at our Savior’s feet.
Check it out!
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