Follow Me

Every week’s introductory session will be important but none more so than this first week. Make sure that you welcome everyone by name, have a short question for each woman to answer and look them in their eyes as you warmly greet them.

If your group is too large for the above activity, have them share the answer to the question with 2-3 others around them. One of the greatest benefits of a women’s Bible Study is the friendships that develop; you must be the one who sets the atmosphere in which these friendships are cultivated.

You might want to comment that a large part of Carol’s teaching this week focuses on Peter, the ordinary fisherman who wrote this timeless book in the Bible. These are some appropriate questions that reflect the focus that Carol places on the personhood of Peter:

1. What were Peter’s strengths and what were his weaknesses?
2. Can you relate to Peter in anyway like Carol can?
3. What are the prerequisites that the Lord might look for before He uses a person?
4. Who is your favorite disciple?

• After you watch the video as a group, perhaps you could have the women share what they believe to be the theme of this first video.
• Peter identifies the reader as “chosen” and as an “alien”. These two words are a rich part of your identity in Christ. How can you apply these two words, and their meanings, to the manner in which you live for Christ?
• I Peter 1:2 presents the job descriptions of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit; it also presents the job description of the believer. What is our assignment?
• Do you find it easy or difficult to obey the principles and instructions in Scripture?
• What has been the most difficult instruction found in the Bible for you to obey?
• What Biblical instructions have been easy for you to obey?
•  What is your definition of the word “obedience”?
• How do you respond to Carol’s teaching of this principle, “What God deems as sin will never change through the ages of humanity. God’s no is not a soft no—it is a definitive absolutely not.”
• What will be your one take-away from today’s video teaching?

Group dynamics can be so challenging at times, can’t they? In each week’s Leader’s Guide, I will offer a coaching tip on how to handle some of the challenges that might appear in your group.

There will always be people who talk too much and those who never talk. From the very first session, set some healthy boundaries for the discussion.

• Remember there are a lot of us, and it is important that not one person dominates the conversation. Leave time for others to share. Please don’t be offended if I gently interrupt you so that others have a change to share their insight.
• Some of you are “Chatty Cathy’s” while others might be more introverted. However, we really would like everyone to have a chance to share over the next 9 weeks. Sometimes the richest insight comes from the most reticent among us. If you absolutely do not want to be called upon to share, that is fine. Just let me know. However, I am praying that you each will have the courage to share with the group what the Lord is teaching you.
• One more healthy boundary – let’s not be negative. Certainly, there will be lessons in this Bible Study that we might not understand or have a different point of view concerning, but let’s save those comments for private conversations with me, as the leader. It’s fine to ask questions and to wonder out loud, but let’s not critique or criticize.

It’s always important to “lighten things up” during the closing moments of the weekly discussion. We deeply desire for the women to leave Bible Study certainly thoughtful and challenged but also encouraged with the hope of scripture.

In today’s closing comments, remind the women of the sweetness and power of the words, “charis” which means grace and “eirene” translated as hope. Review what these two words mean and how these words are able to change each of our lives. God is the best gift-Giver of all time and therefore He knew exactly what we would need to travel through life as an alien – we need charis and we need eirene!

This is also a perfect time to discuss exactly what it means to be born again (I Peter 1:3-4). You might want to lead the group in a salvation prayer or encourage them to be praying for others in their lives who need to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Encourage the women to memorize the weekly scripture and to share it with someone this week.

Ask the women to share their favorite hymn or worship song with the group. Encourage them to default to worship this week as they encounter various challenges.

Let them know you will be praying for each of them to have the courage to share their faith with someone in their family this week.

“Lord Jesus, we love You so much and we thank You for the truth that You have written in this wonderful portion of Scripture. Father God, I pray that You will stir up the song in our hearts this week and that we will rejoice even during days of deep pain and trials. I also pray that You will give these sweet women – my sisters in Christ – the boldness to share the Gospel story with those that they love. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”