{"id":5955,"date":"2016-06-07T10:00:21","date_gmt":"2016-06-07T14:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/?p=5955"},"modified":"2018-05-02T15:58:03","modified_gmt":"2018-05-02T19:58:03","slug":"im-tired-of-bible-study-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/im-tired-of-bible-study-books\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I’m Tired of Bible Study Books"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Why<\/a><\/p>\n

For the past several months God has been increasing my discomfort<\/strong> with the Bible \u201cstudies\u201d we\u2019ve been doing at our church.<\/p>\n

I’ve come face to face with the fact that I’m tired of Bible study books…<\/p>\n

Like many of you, our women\u2019s ministry holds weekly Bible study meetings one morning most weeks.<\/p>\n

For the past several years we\u2019ve used Bible study books as our curriculum. I\u2019ve shared about several of the book studies we\u2019ve used.<\/p>\n

I was okay with it for a little while. There are a lot of life-changing great Bible study books out there.<\/p>\n

But after spending almost the last 3 years (and 2 summers) working through book after book (albeit at 2 different churches) and listening to other authors share what THEY think a verse or section of scripture means, I\u2019m kind of (okay a lot) tired of listening to other famous people\u2019s opinions about the Bible<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Before you begin to think I\u2019m a know-it-all, I\u2019m not. Really. I don’t a have seminary degree. I can’t even recall if I took a class on the Bible in college.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve tried to read the Bible all the way through, but have yet to do so.\u00a0 I\u2019m armed with some good Bible study resources and the Holy Spirit, but please don\u2019t ask me to explain a passage of scripture to you without some serious prep time.<\/p>\n

I find I\u2019m wanting more meat \u2013 aka actual scripture verses \u2013 than a lot of book studies contain. While personal anecdotes from an author can at times be helpful, I\u2019m kind of burnt out on them\u2026 anybody else?<\/p>\n

Ya\u2019all –the Bible is filled with stories put there by God Himself to illustrate Truths in His Word.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Psalm<\/a><\/p>\n

Does this strike anyone else as kind of odd?<\/p>\n

What is holding us back from picking up the Bible and studying it?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I get that many of us, myself included, don\u2019t feel smart enough.<\/p>\n

We want someone to coach us along. To hold our hand as we dig into God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n

Girls! We\u2019ve got the Holy Spirit! There is no better coach anywhere!<\/strong><\/p>\n

When we spend more time in Bible study books reading rather than opening the Bible, there is a problem!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2<\/a><\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s the four years I spent in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)<\/a> that\u2019s creating some of this discontent. For those 4 years it was me, my Bible, and a list of questions<\/strong>. First we read and discovered things on our own, and only after that did we get a verse-by-verse lesson from our teacher and teaching notes from BSF International (much like what you\u2019d find in any good commentary).<\/p>\n

I\u2019m wondering if other women in our church and community feel the same way.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Are they tired of being spoon-fed? <\/em><\/p>\n

Are they longing for some meat? <\/em><\/p>\n

Has God given them a hunger for His Word?<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s time we stop unintentionally fueling the belief that our women are not capable of studying the Word without a well-known author at the helm.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t help but to wonder what Jesus thinks of all of us. Does He sit there sighing, shaking His head, and musing, \u201cGirls, I gave you the Holy Spirit and the Bible. You\u2019ve got all you need<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does He get angry that we\u2019re allowing a few wolves in sheep\u2019s clothing to misconstrue His Word?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not saying we should throw the baby out with the bathwater.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been praying about what to do.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve sought wise counsel. I\u2019ve been reading His Word, seeking confirmation.<\/p>\n

This fall, if our Bible Study Review Team<\/a> agrees, I\u2019ll be facilitating a group that will be reading through one book of the Bible. (I don\u2019t know which one yet.) On a side note: We almost always offer two \u201cstudies\u201d so those wanting a \u201cBible study book\u201d will still have that option.<\/em><\/p>\n

NOTE: Here’s what happened and how we did it!<\/a><\/h4>\n

\"Romans<\/a><\/p>\n

We\u2019re going to rely on the Holy Spirit and our Bibles. <\/strong><\/p>\n

My initial plan is that each week we\u2019ll read through a chapter. We\u2019ll look at the context and share what we\u2019ve learned about God.<\/p>\n

Ya\u2019all I am nervous as all get-out about this!<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never done anything like it. Ever.<\/p>\n

I feel completely unqualified. But that\u2019s okay. I\u2019m stepping out in faith and seeking to be obedient.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m praying other women in our group will desire the same and that someone (anyone?) will show up. I\u2019m keeping my doubts and fears at bay, most days.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not saying I\u2019ll never pick up another Bible study book again. I know I will. I\u2019ve grown and gained from most I\u2019ve done.<\/p>\n

I just know in this season, God wants me in His Word with the Holy Spirit as my helpmate.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maybe you can relate.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d be humbled and honored if you\u2019d pray for me and the women in our church and community as we deviate from what has become the norm in recent years.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d love to hear if God\u2019s calling you to do something different this fall! Let\u2019s be obedient together!<\/p>\n

You may also want to read:
\n<\/strong>Teaching Women to READ the Bible<\/a>
\nThe READ Bible Study Workbook<\/a>
\nHow to Set Up and Facilitate a Bible Study Review Team<\/a>
\n5 Myths Bible Study Leaders Believe<\/a>
\nMy Favorite Bible Study Resources<\/a>
\n6\u00a0Questions Your Women Will Have About the First Day of Bible Study<\/a><\/p>\n

One year ago:<\/strong> 15 Creative Ways to Giveaway Door Prizes<\/a>
\nTwo years ago:<\/strong> The Sonshine Box<\/a>
\nThree years ago:<\/strong> Why Name Tags are Important<\/a>
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