This week's article is aimed at all of you who are new to leading Bible studies, or who are interested in leading a study. For those of you who are veteran leaders... consider this a refresher!

#1. Pray. Before you begin leading a study, spend a lot of time in prayer. Pray for discernment in choosing a study, the women who will be attending, and for your own heart as you prepare.

#2. Choose a study. If your Women's Ministry Team has not already chosen the study, there is usually something that the Lord will lay on your heart.

#3. Plan. Again, your team may have a date and time already in place. If not, check the church calendar for dates and times that are available for the entire length of the study. Advertise the study well in advance of your start date in church bulletins, on the website, on the study author's site (if available), and with flyers at stores, post office, etc..

Create a sign-in sheet with everyone's contact information, including email. You can use this to send encouraging emails along the way, and to contact anyone who misses a couple of sessions.

Also, you can make a simple bookmark that has your name, phone number and email address, as well as the dates you will be covering specific chapters of the study. This is a great way to provide: 1) a way for women to mark where they are in the study, 2) your contact information if they need to get ahold of you, and 3) a point of reference to jump back into the study if they miss a couple of weeks.

#4. Recruit a friend to help. Have someone on hand to help set-up and greet women as they arrive.

#5. Prepare and Pray.As the leader, you need to know the material that is in the study and try to anticipate any questions that may arise as women do their homework.

Here is a good rule of thumb: If your study meets once a week and you have five days of homework. Complete the homework in the first two days. Spend days three and four reviewing, praying, highlighting and researching any questions you have. Spend day five praying over all the homework and outlining your discussion.

Also, spend a few moments each morning praying for each of the women in the study. Ask the Lord to help them find time to complete their homework, to make their hearts hungry to spend time in the Word, and to remove any obstacles that may keep them from growing through the study.

#6. Let yourself off the hook. As a leader, you do not have to know everything. Be willing to say "I don't know," if you don't know the answer to someone's question. Many times there will be another woman who can share, or you can even encourage the class to do some "extra credit" and seek out the answer in the Word.

#7. Stay on track. Know what time it is and where you need to be to complete everything in a timely manner. If you have two hours of notes and only 45 minutes for discussion, you need to pare it down. Give the women time to share what they have learned.

Avoid rabbit trails. Questions that begin with "I know this is off the subject but..." can be answered with, "That is a really good question, and I wish we had time to explore it right now. But to honor the commitment you all have made in doing the homework this week; let's focus in the study and maybe a few of us can meet for coffee to talk about it this week."

#8. Be teachable. Many times God calls you (us) to lead a study, because it is something you (we!) need to learn. Be willing to listen to, and learn from, godly women in your class.

Spending time in the Word with women who are hungry to learn is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have! Have fun in the Word!

In Him... Robyne Beaubien
Email Robyne

This week's question.
Can I really control my thoughts? Many times I feel as if I can't.

View Jennifer's Video Answer

Last week's question.
I really struggle with self-loathing and anger. Is there a way to control this?

View Jennifer's Video Answer

This idea was sent in by Tabitha from Oklahoma and it was originally published in Issue 180 on September 3, 2003.

Based On: Romans 12:13 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (This is our focus verse for the year. Our special speaker at the event focused her talk around the verse.)

Description: Instead of doing a fall theme for our annual women's ministry kick-off for the year we decided to celebrate summer.

The table decorations consisted of beach towels, flip flops, beach toys and ocean theme bowls with floating flip flop and fish candles in them.

Our fun food item was a smoothie bar where the ladies enjoyed creating their own smoothie's from the fresh fruit we had supplied. We had five blenders set up and let them pick from fruits such as bananas, mango, pineapple, strawberries, and blueberries. We mixed in a little vanilla yogurt and some white grape juice, then blended it all together. It was a fun time and some women had never had a smoothie before so this introduced them to a new type of healthy drink option.

The food table decorations included a vase of fresh daisies in bright tropical colors along with the flip flops, beach towel, beach toys and a large floating candle dish with candles. Our event took place in the early evening so instead of a large meal we opted to serve sweet and salty snacks. We had things such as home made Chex mix to a wonderful truffle made with Snickers candy bars and chocolate pudding.

For door prizes the ladies answered questions pertaining to summer vacations and other summer fun activities. The prizes were all themed around summer or garden activities. For favors we gave each lady a pewter note card clip whose base was either a flower, sea shell or butterfly.

The best part about doing a summer themed event at the end of the summer was we were able to spend very little on the decorations and gifts because all the stores had marked the summer stuff to half price! It was a nice, perk that helped make our evening that much better.

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The best information we receive about the nuts and bolts of Women's Ministry is when we hear what you all are doing "in the trenches." Our weekly poll is your opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with all of our subscribers!

Each week we ask a question, and share a link for you to post your answers. The following week we provide a link where you can see the results of the question, along with a new question. It takes just a minute, and your input is immediately added.

Here is this week's question:

Do you have a mission statement for your ministry?

Answer the question HERE.

Here are the results from recent polls.

Last week we asked you to share some of your needs as a ministry leader. There were a lot of responses, and we have narrowed them down to a list of ten that seem to resonate with many of you.

Another recent poll focused on the issue of communicating the happenings of your ministry. With so many things taking place around the church, it can be quite a challenge to keep everyone informed. So here's a peek at how ministries around the county are getting the word out. We asked, "What is the most effective means of communicating about women's ministry activities to the women in your church?" And you said...

• Church bulletin 67%
• Announcements during services 64%
• Email 40%
• Newsletter/Publication 37%
• Bulletin board/Info posted in church 24%
• Mailings 24%
• Website 23%

Interesting Finding: It looks like a combination of both hi- and lo-tech means of communication fits the bill. Only 1% of you said you blog as a ministry tool, and so you've raised our curiosity and we'll be checking back with you on that one. Many of you mentioned other ways you stay in touch including personal phone calls, a prominently placed and well staffed information table, word of mouth and our personal favorite...information conveniently and appropriately placed in the women's restrooms. Way to go ladies! We love hearing about your ministry and appreciate your taking the time to share your good work with us.

"How often do you meet with your leadership team?"

 

• Weekly 10%
• Bi-Monthly 7%
• Monthly 58%
• Semi-Monthly 6%
• Quarterly 17%

Interesting Finding: You also gave us some insight into the commitment level of your team. More than half of you described the women who lead alongside you as "passionate." Another quarter expressed that you serve with a "dutiful" group of leaders. And 20% indicated that they have encountered a "mediocre" or "apathetic" response from the women with whom they lead.

 

Java with Jennifer is an informal monthly ministry update specifically for friends who want to keep up-to-date on what is happening with Jennifer Rothschild's ministry of writing, speaking, and singing.

Obviously, because you are receiving this eNewsletter, you are signed up for the Jennifer's "weekly" WomensMinistry.NET eNewsletter. However, if you want to get up close, and personal with Jennifer, just click on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email, and select the Java with Jennifer interest group when asked to update your profile.

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This event idea was sent in by Rhonda, and the size of the church she attends is around 150.

SWAP stands for Sharing Women's Apparel Party.

We held our SWAP on a Saturday morning. Prior to the event, women were asked to go through their closets and sort out all the clothes that they didn't wear anymore. We also encouraged women to bring shoes, purses, scarves and other accessories.

Women were assigned a table to set up with their items and some brought racks to hang their garments. (WM.NET Note: You may need to have women sign-up in advance to confirm the number of tables and overall space you will need.)

Once women were set-up, we served breakfast, followed by a short devotion on giving. Then we all just went around to each others booths, tried on clothes, visited, and laughed.

Everyone left the event with several new outfits.

All the women were able to mingle and shop because nobody has to "man" the booths - everything was free. (WM.NET Note: Items that are left can be donated to a clothes closet, women's shelter or other charity.)

On a personal note... I still have the Nike shoes I got from Sister June that she never liked... but I love them!

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