Originally published May 15, 2017
Can you recommend a good women’s Bible study?
Can you recommend a Bible study we can do with our teens/children?
Next to being asked whether or not a particular teacher is doctrinally sound, this question, or some variation of it, is the one I’m most often asked. And, to be honest, it’s a question I have a love-hate relationship with.
I love (LOVELOVELOVELOVE) that women ask me this question because it means two things: they want to study, or teach their children, the Bible and they want to be sure what they’re learning or teaching is doctrinally sound and in line with Scripture. That’s the central reason my ministry even exists- I want Christian women to be grounded in the Bible and sound doctrine, and it brings me unbelievable joy and encouragement when I see women seek that out.
The hate part has nothing to do with the people asking the question, but with the prevailing line of thought in evangelicalism that has led them to ask the question. Namely, that the people in the pew aren’t capable of studying and understanding the Bible for themselves- they need some Christian celebrity to tell them what it means.
This is scarily reminiscent of the pre-Protestant Reformation ideology that ruled Roman Catholic “Christianity.” The pope and the priests, not the Scriptures themselves, told Christians what to believe. Catholic rulers prohibited the people from having copies of the Bible in their own language and martyred many Bible translators and Reformers. Only the elite, those in leadership, were supposedly able to comprehend the Scriptures and dispense doctrine to the common Christian.
Twentieth and twenty-first century evangelicalism hasn’t taken that direct and violent route, but rather, has gradually brainwashed – whether intentionally or unintentionally – Christians into thinking that if they’re going to study or teach the Bible, they have to have a curriculum, book, or DVD study in order to do so. Teach straight from the Bible with no leader’s guide or student books? It’s practically unheard of in the average church, and hardly anyone is equipped to do so. Why? Because for the past several decades, that’s how Bible study has been presented to church members. You walk into Sunday School and you’re handed a quarterly. Somebody wants to teach a women’s Bible study? She’s sent to peruse the shelves of LifeWay for a popular author, not to her prayer closet and her Bible. Using teaching materials written by somebody else is just assumed.
Well in my opinion, it’s time for another reformation. A Bible study reformation. And, so, with hammer in hand, I have one resolution I want to nail to the door of Church As Usual:
I will no longer help perpetuate the stranglehold the pre-packaged Bible study industry has on Christians. If you are a 21st century believer with access to a Bible in your native language and doctrinally sound preaching and teaching I will not recommend a Bible study book or program to you. You need to pick up the actual Bible and begin studying the God-breathed text for yourself, and teach it to your children.
“…my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”¹
Ladies, I know you may feel inadequate, but don’t give in to those feelings. Try. Pick a book of the Bible, start at the beginning, and read it through to the end, taking as much time as you need. You might just be pleasantly surprised at how well you grasp it. That’s because, if you’re a believer, the Holy Spirit resides within you and will help you to understand the Word He authored.
Read directly from the Bible to your children. Ask them simple questions about the passage: How was this Bible character obedient or disobedient to God? What can we learn about what God is like from this chapter? What does this passage teach us about prayer, forgiveness, loving each other, kindness, etc.? Explain any big words they might not understand, or look them up together.
Afraid you might get something wrong? Confused by a particular verse? That may happen from time to time, and that’s OK. Bible study is a skill just like everything else. Nobody ever tried a new task and was perfect at it the very first time. But God has not only given you the Holy Spirit who will never lead you into doctrinal error, He has given you a pastor, elders, teachers, and brothers and sisters in the Lord to help disciple you. Ask questions, trust God to illumine your understanding, and keep right on practicing.
There are also a myriad of reference materials that can hone your skills and help as you study your Bible (see the “Additional Resources” section below). And there are some fantastic, easy to read books on theology by trustworthy authors that can give you greater clarity on various points of doctrine. By all means, read as many as you can get your hands on.
But when it’s time for Bible study, study your Bible. When it’s time to teach your children, teach them the Bible. You can do this, ladies. Women with less education and fewer resources than you have access to have done it for centuries and have flourished in their walk with the Lord.
Trust God. Study hard. You can do this.
Additional Resources:
Bible Studies by Michelle Lesley
The Mailbag: We Want Bible Study Answers
10 Simple Steps to Plain Vanilla Bible Study
10 Bookmarkable Biblical Resources for Christian Women
Rightly Dividing: 12 Do’s and Don’ts for Effective Bible Study
¹Just a little tribute to Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms
If you have a question about: a Bible passage, an aspect of theology, a current issue in Christianity, or how to biblically handle a family, life, or church situation, comment below (I’ll hold all questions in queue {unpublished} for a future edition of The Mailbag) or send me an e-mail. If your question is chosen for publication, your anonymity will be protected.
Michelle Lesley 
Reblogged this on Truth2Freedom's Blog.
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Such good counsel. My husband and I have been through a really difficult two years. The best thing he has done for us is to pick up the Bible and begin to read it with me. We have discussion. We look up words in Strongs. We consider other relevant verses. We apply it to our lives. OIA. Observe, Interpret, Apply. And then we pray together. The Word IS sufficient!
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Have you heard of Kristi McLelland? She wrote a book called Jesus and Women. I looked at her website and she seems like a “rock star preacher.” She seems to teach men and she focuses on teaching the Bible in is cultural, historical context. I don’t get a good feeling about her.
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She’s on my list of people to take a look at, but honestly, I’ve started telling people that if a teacher is promoted by LifeWay Women (which Kristi was until fairly recently) and/or is in LifeWay Women’s stable of teachers, avoid her.
(Just to clarify- Teaching and understanding the Bible in its cultural and historical context is the correct way to teach and understand it. I’m guessing maybe what you mean is that she allows the history/culture to override or negate what Scripture teaches? I’ve seen others do that. For example: Teaching that the 1 Timothy 2:12 instruction for women not to teach men in the church only came about as a result of boisterous women in the congregation, false teachers in Ephesus, etc., and so it no longer applies to women today.)
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Always very much appreciate your insight as I share the same deep concern as to what women today are being taught with the assumption if Lifeway endorses and publishes it, it must be sound. My church struggles with allowing these teachers to be taught wihtin our women’s ministries despite my lovingly sharing my concerns. In exploring the internet on Kristi McLelland, I noticed nothing found on her statement of faith or doctrinal beliefs. She definielty associates with many of the known popular false teachers of our day and is part of “Better Together” organization. I also found this site which has explored and listened to some of her teachings so thought I would share.https://disntr.com/2021/09/13/false-teacher-of-the-day-39-kristi-mclelland/
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Thanks for sharing, Stephanie! :0)
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