My first womens bible study was called “Why Godly People Do Ungodly Things” by Beth Moore, not exactly the most appealing title! However, it was the only study offered at my church and I wanted to grow in faith, so I enrolled in the study. Hesitant and turned off by the title, I arrived on the first day of the study, grabbed my workbook from the stack of books, and then turned around and headed out the door. I was too uncomfortable and felt out of place. As I was leaving the church, a friend saw me and questioned me. When I told her about my lack of commitment and uncertainty about the book subject, she grabbed both my eyes with hers and gave me “the talk.”
The talk my friend gave me changed my life and placed me directly before God and my bible. She has no idea…God simply used her through our relationship and the glory goes to Him, not to the friend. In fact, today, I can no longer remember her name…she was a distant friend, an acquaintance. John C Maxwell once said “You never know when God will use you to be a miracle in someone else’s life.” He used my friend that day.
As I was pulling away from Bible study, and away from God, my friend interrupted my path. She explained to me how Satan, the father of all lies, would do everything in his power to keep me from Bible study. She revealed to me that Satan did not want me to know scripture, and more importantly, he did not want me to have an intimate relationship with God. If I listen to the small voice in my head, making so many excuses for not going to the bible study, then I was following Satan and not God. She encouraged me to listen to my heart.
With my heart I knew I wanted to be closer to God, know more of His word and study the Bible. So I made a U-turn in life, redirected my path, and walked into my first bible study.
When I arrived, a welcome group of women invited me in, and started what appeared to be a routine bible study session. Begin with prayer, open your Bibles…
I was in DESPERATE trouble! I did NOT have a bible. I was at my first Bible study and did not think to bring a bible. Actually, I did not even own a bible. Ducking my head in shame, a kind woman offered me the standard church bible from a stack in the back of the room. The church bible had such tiny print, in red letters, I could hardly focus my eyes. I felt so lost…yet so loved…all at the same time.
At the completion of my “Why Godly People Do Ungodly Things” by Beth Moore bible study, I learned two things:
- The bible is not just a book with prayers and commandments to memorize, it’s a LIVING love letter from God.
- I could not learn this on my own, and needed a Bible leader, such as Beth Moore or Jennifer Rothschild.
Soon I was participating in more small group studies, and found myself exploring workbooks by other authors, such as Max Lucado, Jennifer Rothschild, Priscilla Shirer, Anne Graham Lotz, Kay Arthur, Nancy Lee DeMoss and more. I realize that although I enjoyed Beth Moore studies, I needed to explore other authors as well, or I could easily turn Beth Moore into an idol. Beth didn’t want me to read the Bible for Beth, she wanted me to read the bible for the Lord and to discover God in the pages of scripture. So I balanced my workbooks and study with various authors. In my current bible study plan, I alternate a short 6-week study with a long 10-week Beth Moore study and I find balance.
Now that I’ve shared my first Bible study experience, I’d like to know more about yours. What was your first experience like? Please post a comment below!
my first Bible study that I participated in was over 20 years when I was a brand new Christian. I was so hungry for God’s Word that I was at church every time the doors were open! After a couple years though, I guess I decided that I ‘knew enough’…oh I had some time crunches and some physical and emotional issues to deal with…but bottom line looking back is I figured I was ‘DONE’ and quit even making attempts at studying- in an organized class or even on my own. UNTIL about 2 years ago when the Lord brought me through a very deep and very dark valley of despair and dejection that I was forced to come in my weakness to Him just for the will to keep breathing! He so graciously showed Himself strong on my behalf and so mercifully gave me glimpses of His love that it drew me back and caused me to realize that I indeed was NOT done! I have come out the other side of that valley with a renewed hunger for Him, with a building passion for His people, and for a desire that He use me, such as I am, to minister to others who are hurting. I know I can not effectively minister unless my cup is so full that it is overflowing and that has drawn me back to participate in Bible study at my church and here online. Indeed- my church’s women’s study is in recess for the summer- and I felt led to initiate and organize a shorter summer study that brought out so many other women we had to split into 2 groups! Praise our faithful Father who continues to pursue us even through our own stupidity!
I think the first structured Bible study group I attended was MasterLife (does that date me?) some 30 years ago, I was in high school. I still remember making a visual out of the verse “I am the Vine you are the branches” and I can remember all the different ways the groups drew that verse. And the lessons on how the cross is the center of our life, that the pole of the cross reflects our relationship with God and the beam represents our relationship with others. But mostly I remember that one of the deacons’ wife realized that she was not saved. She was doing all the work of the Christ but had never asked God to save her. It was inspiring to me as a young girl, to see a woman admit that she had gotten “it” wrong for so many years. She still inspires me today.
My first study was 2 years ago at a small church I was attending. It was a women’s study on the Old Testament and it was wonderful. I had been reading the bible and praying for a better understanding of it and the Bible Study really made things clearer for me. I loved it!
Everytime i want to give up on the Bible study ,”Why Godly People Do Ungodly Things” by Beth Moore, i keep coming back and read this…. Satan is working over time in my mind with my depression trying to take me out of this world. i keep showing up daily and suiting up
I was so happy when I found this website Women’s Cafe, my daughter told me to go there, and ever since, I have not missed a day. Inspiration and listening, reading other women’s trials and troubles have given me a push to read more of the Bible. I started but time was limited, but now I want to start for sure reading the Book of Ruth. Thanks for all the inspiration I get from you. The devil is only out there to destroy us and get us away from God, but I rebuke him in the Name of Jesus and I am on my way to Victory in Jesus Name, Amen.
My first women’s bible study was about 15 years ago when I first gave my life to the Lord. My husband & I have relocated from our hometown and although we are apart of a great ministry I miss the women’s bible studies from our old church. This seems to be a great resource and I believe God has lead me here to get just what I need while maybe helping others too. Thank you!
i am excited and nervous..i will be going to my first bible study next tuesday(would of gone tonight,but or only vehicle is in the shop)…..i am in hopes of finding out answers to my many questions