7 Best Bible Studies for Women

1. It's fall, time for a new Bible study. Yay! I believe Bible studies are one of the greatest tools of our generation to help foster growth. When women are in an environment of grace and truth saturated in the Word of God, God uses it in big ways. 

But I also know that not all Bible studies are created equal. I started leading Bible studies 25 years ago and then started writing my own. I learned a lot along the way and some of these I am going to recommend are my go to recommendations. So I'm going to share my personal top favs. But what makes them my favorite? These things:

• Good dose of God's Word.
• Evidence of life change.
• Gospel, rather than man, centered.

I also have seen that the best Bible studies not only spend time in God's Word, they also spend time connecting to the heart, praying, and have a short time of vision and training. That's why I made and use the Connect Cards in every Bible study I lead because the work of prayer, vision and training is all done for you. They provide 11 different things to pray about, and 33 different questions to help your group connect on a deeper level as well as 11 weeks of vision and training. You can learn more about them here.

Ok. so you ready for the list? Here it is.

7 Best Bible Studies 

1. Study a book of the Bible Chapter by Chapter

There are a few ways you can do this. But first, you pick a book of the Bible, say Matthew. 

1. Option 1. Read the chapter out loud together each week and then take about 30 minutes privately to fill out some questions and then come back to answer the questions. You can find the questions in the Journals found in the Missional Women Store. (Or if you'd prefer to print them off each week, go here.) Have some commentaries on the coffee table ready for people to use.
2. Option 2. Have everyone read the chapter and fill out the questions throughout the week and come back to share answers. You can also watch the video that goes along with the book of the Bible here. 
3. Option 3. Rather than use the questions in the journals, use the Complete Bible Discussion Guide book that has excellent questions. Here's the Old Testament and here's the New Testament.

2. Gospel Transformation

This Bible study is divided into three different studies:

1. Gospel Identity is a ten-session that points to Jesus and examines the blessings of a new identity in Christ, and explains how to move us outward so others can also experience new life in Jesus. 
2. Gospel Love, covers barriers to loving others, how love is an expression of faith, the role of the Spirit in relationships, honesty vs. judging, and how to live with forgiveness and compassion.
   
3. Gospel Growth, focuses on the role of faith in the transformation of Christians by the power of the gospel. This ten-session small group study covers topics including, living by faith, spiritual disciplines, faith and repentance, the power of the Spirit, and how identifying with the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ grows us to be like Christ. 
   

3. Seeking Him

This is a homework based 12 week Bible study by Nancy Leigh DeMoss that has the aim of restoring your first love, develop a heartfelt desire for God’s Word, resolve conflicts, repair relationships, remove bitterness, fear, and worry, refresh your spirit, renew your mind, and reenergize your life. You can get back your passion and zeal for the Lord by Seeking Him.

4. Beholding Him, Becoming Missional

If you're wanting an in-depth, homework based Bible study that goes through an Old Testament book of the Bible, this one is for you. It's written by me! It goes through the book of 1st Samuel and has a strong emphasis on seeing the attributes of God. It is recommended to divide each 5 day week into a couple weeks. Women would complete homework for days 1 & 2 for for the first week and 3-5 the second week you meet. Unless of course your group is ready for a lot of in depth Bible study. Here's some reviews and here's a couple more.
​

5. Experiencing the Heart of Jesus

This is a 10 week homework based study by Max Lucado that is designed to bring people closer to the very heart and soul of Jesus, and to help them have a more intimate knowledge of how His gospel flows through His relationship with us, and our relationships with others. It explores the beautiful human qualities of Jesus that we emulate in order to find peace in the midst of chaos.
​

6. Radical

 This is a 6-session Bible study by David Platt. He looks at what Jesus actually said about being his disciple, and then obey what you have heard. He challenges you to consider with an open heart This study will help your group discover what could happen if the message of Radical were lived out by every member.

7. Discover God's Calling for Your Life

Knowing your calling will help you live a confident, effective life that please the Lord. The content and questions in this workbook (and video series) will help you know what God desires of your life and by the end of this workbook you will have a clearly defined calling by which to measure all your activity in this life and practical goals to begin (or continue) to walk out the calling the Lord has for you.

---

For Bible Study Leaders...

And if you're a Bible study leader, this little book is going to come in super handy for you! Leading Effective Bible Studies. It will help you figure out how to deal with discussion problems, how to facilitate life change, how to create community, multiply and so much more. If you'd prefer this on video, here ya go.

And don't forget to check out the Connect Cards.

​The Reveal Cards are also something I use quite a bit too for Bible studies.

I've also put together an online course if you want training in women's ministry. It has 10 modules with 36 comprehensive unit videos and an 80 page workbook. It also includes the ​How to Lead a Bible Study course!​ Learn more here.

And here's a little bonus. Here are a couple good devotionals to use for your daily Quiet Time with the Lord.

---

Daily Devotional Recommendations

If you'd like a personal study that isn't necessarily built for a 12 week group setting but something to do on your own, these are great!
​
1. A Devotional Journey through Judges
2. Embracing God with the Life you Never Expected {Relating to Women in the Bible}

About Laura

​Laura's desire is to point to Jesus and lead people to be in awe of God. She is married and has six kids, two of whom are adopted. Her and her husband have been in full time ministry since 2002. She serves with Master Plan Ministries as the Director of Women's Ministries and has extensive experience leading Bible studies, discipling women and speaking to groups and is the Founder of the internationally popular blog MissionalWomen.com that helps women live on mission for the glory of God. She has written seven books/Bible studies, designed 2 popular ministry tools and has made journals for quiet times for many books of the Bible. You can find her on facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube, and Instagram.

---