By Brent Lacy

Women’s Bible studies are one of the most consistent sources of spiritual growth in small churches. They happen in living rooms, church fellowship halls, and coffee shops. They are led by women who love Scripture and love the women in their congregation.

They do not require a published curriculum, a trained teacher, or a large budget. They require a woman who is willing to lead and a group of women who are willing to show up.

Choosing a Format

There are three basic formats for a women’s Bible study. Each has strengths and weaknesses.

Book of the Bible study

Work through a book of the Bible together, passage by passage. This is the most theologically rich format and the one most likely to produce lasting growth. It requires more preparation from the leader but produces deeper engagement with Scripture.

Good books for women’s Bible study: Ruth (faithfulness and redemption), Philippians (joy and contentment), 1 Peter (suffering and hope), Proverbs 31 (wisdom and character), the Gospel of John (the person of Jesus).

Topical study

Choose a theme and study what Scripture says about it across multiple passages. Good topics: prayer, forgiveness, identity in Christ, marriage, motherhood, anxiety, grief. Topical studies are easier to lead and often more immediately relevant to where women are in their lives.

Published curriculum

Use a published Bible study guide. The advantage is that the preparation work is done for you. The disadvantage is that the curriculum may not fit your group’s specific needs or theological convictions. Vet any curriculum carefully before using it.

Leading the Discussion

The leader’s job is not to lecture. It is to facilitate a conversation that helps women encounter Scripture for themselves. The best Bible study leaders ask more questions than they answer.

Three types of questions

Observation questions ask what the text says. “What does Paul say about anxiety in Philippians 4:6-7?” These have right answers and ground the discussion in the text.

Interpretation questions ask what the text means. “Why do you think Paul connects peace with thanksgiving?” These require thinking and produce different answers from different women.

Application questions ask what the text means for our lives. “Where in your life do you most need the peace Paul describes?” These are the most important questions and the ones most likely to produce genuine growth.

Creating a Safe Environment

Women will not be honest in a Bible study where they do not feel safe. Safety comes from confidentiality, consistency, and a leader who models vulnerability.

Establish confidentiality at the first meeting: what is shared in the group stays in the group. Be consistent in your attendance and preparation. And be willing to share your own struggles honestly. When the leader is vulnerable, the group becomes safe for everyone.

Practical Logistics

• Meeting frequency: Weekly is ideal. Biweekly is sustainable. Monthly is not enough for genuine community to form.
• Meeting length: 60-90 minutes. Longer than 90 minutes and attendance will drop.
• Location: A home is warmer and more intimate than a church classroom. Rotate hosts if possible.
• Childcare: If your group includes young mothers, childcare is not optional. It is the difference between them attending and not attending.
• Preparation: Send the passage and one or two questions to group members before the meeting. Women who have thought about the passage in advance engage more deeply.

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