Teaching helps
A
B Y K AT H R Y N M C D O W E L L
s you use this
special Bible study
from Just Women,
here are
some helpful
tips.
»» Take time
to prepare.
Preparation for
these studies emphasizes
reading the Bible and the
author study, not gathering
materials and supplies. The
point is to dig more deeply
into the Bible stories of
women finding their voices,
listen to the voices of others
who may interpret the Bible differently than you do,
and be encouraged to find
your own voice.
»» Online research
simplifies Bible study.
If you encounter a word
or place or name you don’t
know, look it up online
using a search engine. If a
question comes up during
the Bible study, ask for a
volunteer with a smart
phone to do some quick
research. Alternatively, it’s
perfectly okay to admit you
don’t know everything, will
do some research later, and
get back to the group.
4
»» Online research also
complicates Bible
study. Be knowledgeable
about the sources you use
to look up information. Are
you using a neutral online
dictionary or a church or
denominational website? If
the information comes from
a source with a viewpoint
or bias, explore links such
as “About Us” or “What
We Believe” to get a better
perspective on how their
beliefs might be influencing
their interpretations.
»» Online research doesn’t
have all the answers.
Invest in a small library
of Bible study tools (or
encourage your church to
do this). Basics include one
or more good study Bibles
with notes and explanations, including HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, Revised
& Updated by Mark Allan
Powell (2011); HarperCollins
Bible Commentary, Revised
Edition by James L. Mays
(2000); The People’s New
Testament Commentary by M.
Eugene Boring and Fred B.
Craddock (2010); The New
Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive
Concordance of the Bible by
James Strong (2010; a concordance is an alphabetical
listing of words in the Bible
and the verses in which
SPRING 2015
they appear). There are also
Bible study tools that can be
purchased and installed on
your computer.
»» There is more than one
way to read the Bible.
This is a true statement
that can be used to understand the various ways that
scholars and interpreters
study the Bible. Reading
biblical texts through different theological lenses —
whether womanist theology,
feminist theology, liberation
theology, or others — can
expose the reader to voices
that have been silenced in
traditional interpretations.
But even beyond these
formal biblical theologies,
everyone has a theology
or perspective through
which they understand the
Bible. Hearing those voices
among your group can
broaden your own understanding of the Bible.
»» All scripture references
in this study are from
the New Revised
Standard Version
(NRSV). However several
lessons include activities
or discussion using other
translations. Besides
the NRSV, some good
translation choices include
the Common English Bible
(CEB), New International
Version (NIV),
Contemporary English
Version (CEV), Good
News Bible, or The Message.
These translations and
more are easily available for
download and printing at
www.biblegateway.com.
»» Follow some ground
rules in your study
group. Listen as much
as you talk. Encourage
everyone to have a voice. If
you are leading the study,
give participants enough
time to answer questions.
Studies have shown that
even if the pause seems
awkward, the longer the
wait time after asking a
question, the greater the
likelihood of thoughtful
answers.
»» This is a flexible study.
Use any one or all the studies. Use them in any order.
Use them yourself or with
a group. If you are teaching
a group, plan a 45-minute
class or a 90-minute class.
Divide one study into
two sessions. Lead it with
groups that always prepare
for class, or those that hardly ever prepare for class.
Divide a larger class into
small groups for discussion.
It’s up to you.