Leading Women's Bible Study

This spring semester, something very special happened that I’ve been quietly praying for for a while: I’ve started leading Women’s Bible Study on campus. And every time I think about how it all came together, I can’t help but feel like this was God answering my prayers.

How It Started

Last semester, I had been praying a lot about how I could get more involved in ministry here on campus — specifically, whether God was opening up a way for me to step into a more leadership role. I had been attending Women’s Bible Study consistently when Zayah was leading it (and learning so much through her guidance), but when she was prepping to leave for her study abroad semester in Chile, we both prayed and talked, and it really felt like God was gently nudging me forward to step in.

And now, here I am, already three weeks into leading the Women's Bible Study group. And honestly? It’s been such a joy so far.

My Approach to Leading

Since taking on this role, I’ve been striving to lead the study in a way that feels both intentional and approachable. I knew from the start that I wanted to organize each week’s study around a specific theme, something that feels relevant for us as college students but also as daughters of God navigating life in this season.

So far, we’ve done:

• Loving Myself and Others — 1 John 4:7-21

• Courage in Navigating This World — Daniel 1:8-21

• Trust God’s Timing — John 11:1-44

Having a theme has helped us all focus and draw practical takeaways from the passages, and I’ve found that it makes the discussions feel a little more grounded. Every time we study a passage, I’m surprised by how much wisdom comes out of the group, especially how the Holy Spirit guides me to answer questions I didn’t even prepare for. I know I wouldn’t be able to lead these discussions well without His help.

The Format I Use

Since I like things to be a little organized (naturally), I also made a simple Bible Study Notes sheet for everyone to use. Each week, the sheet includes:

• The date, theme, and passage for that session

• A space to write our initial thoughts or assumptions before we read the passage

• A section on how our thinking might have changed after reading and discussing

• A space for personal reflection on how the theme applies to our own lives

• Prayer requests to share at the end

We begin with prayer, then I provide some background context for the passage (since we’re not doing a continuous book study). After that, we read the passage together, taking turns reading aloud. I always give everyone some quiet time afterward to re-read, jot down observations, and write out any questions or insights.

From there, we go into discussion using the InterVarsity QIA method:

• Questions — what stands out? What are we wondering?

• Interpretation — what do we think the text is saying? What does this mean?

• Application — how does this connect to our own lives?

At the very end, I always circle us back to the theme and invite everyone to share how this passage may apply personally. It’s always interesting to hear how people’s perspectives shift after we’ve studied and discussed — you can see hearts being softened and minds being opened in real-time. We finish by sharing prayer requests, and I usually close us out in prayer.

What I’ve Been Learning

So far, I’ve had a really great turnout each week — a good mix of familiar faces and new ones, especially some freshmen who have been incredibly passionate and open. Seeing them engage with Scripture, ask deep questions, and share their hearts has been so encouraging.

I’m also learning a lot as a leader. It's not just about preparing or facilitating, but about listening, being sensitive to where people are at, and trusting God to fill in the gaps when I don’t have perfect answers. Every week, I leave feeling grateful that God entrusted me with this space: to help create a safe and welcoming group where people can come as they are and meet Him there.

I’m continuing to pray for this group that God would draw the right people each week, that He would speak through our conversations, and that I would continue to grow in wisdom and discernment as I lead.

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Currently listening to: worship playlists while prepping each week’s passage

Currently drinking: warm honey tea during Bible Study prep

Currently feeling: grateful, a little in awe, and very excited for what God’s doing