Women thrive on fellowship and bible studies are a great way to make friends, identify prayer partners and grow in your faith. Starting a woman’s bible study requires some planning. However, once a planning process is created it can be developed into a humming machine that simply needs to be oiled on occasion.
How To Start A Women’s Bible Study Group
For a women's Bible study to work, there needs to be some proper planning in place. Here's 10 tips to get it started Click To Tweet
1. Select a Team
Many hands make light work, as my pastor always says, so identify a team of women who share your interest and want to help. Use this team as the think tank and group of people who will make it happen. To keep it organized, identify a leader of the team who will make note of team meeting action items and help to ensure assigned tasks get completed.
2. Determine the Goal of the Group
Planning becomes easier once you determine what the goal is and what you are trying to accomplish. Ask yourself if the goal is to make friends, become more familiar with the word of God, enjoy time away from the kids – or all of these things. For instance if the goal of the study group is to become more proficient in a biblical concept as a development step, the focus might be slightly different than creating a study that is focused on social interactions.
Write a goal statement. This will help you when you get to the inevitable unexpected decision points.
3. Select Curriculum/Topic
There are endless supplies of bible study curriculum available so have a member of the team do research and come up with a list of options. Choose the option that best meets the goal of the group.
For instance, if this is a seasonal bible study group, that lasts for six weeks, look for a curriculum that can be easily done in that time span.
4. Determine the Cost
Create a budget for the bible study and determine what the expenses will be for material, food, decorations, marketing and other miscellaneous supplies. This will help to determine what the cost will be per person. If money is tight, there are lots of free bible study materials available online and ask participants to contribute to food, décor and spreading the word. The goal of the budgeting process is to consider the costs and address any financial needs of the group so that one person does not carry the financial weight of the study.
5. Select the Right Environment
Bible studies can be hosted in any number of places. A church conference room, a lady’s home, a community rec center to name a few. Revisit the goal of the study and identify a location that helps to facilitate the study objectives.
For instance, if you are starting a neighborhood bible study, check to see if there is a community center that would accommodate the group.
6. Offer refreshments
Food always compliments a gathering of women so plan for refreshments. This is also determined from the budgeting process as to whether the planning team will purchase and prepare food and beverages, or if participants will help by bringing a dish.
Either way, food and fellowship is an important part of the process.
7. Create a Childcare Option
Moms with young children need groups like this so think about making childcare available. Look for teenagers who might be willing to help and provide a safe place for the kids with adequate oversight. Make sure you know the person who is looking after the children and don’t forget to do a background check if you haven’t already done so.
8. Identify leadership
If the bible study grows beyond one circle, you will need to identify leaders for the groups. Come up with criteria for being a leader. Then approach people who you think might be a good fit. Talk to them about the time commitment of preparation and the expectation of following appropriate facilitation protocol.
9. Train leaders
Once you have identified leaders for your groups take the time to train them. Develop training material, a leader job description and expectations for the role. Do not make assumptions about someone’s ability to facilitate a group, share your expectations for behavior. For instance, you might determine that leaders are expected to facilitate a conversation and not use the forum as a personal speaking engagement.
Training is always a good use of time. The more time you spend training leaders and setting expectations, the less time you will have to correct the inevitable mistakes that they will make.
10. Promote the Study
Once all of the planning is finished, use any available avenue to promote the study. Use social media, church bulletin, or any other avenues to get the word out. Allow several weeks to create a buzz, recruit participants and plan the first study.
Learning biblical principles helps everyone in their walk through life. Women in particular benefit from the life-changing message of the bible. Take the time to plan, organize and prepare for your bible study and you will be sure to have attendees who appreciate your effort and benefit from the experience.