How To Start A LYWB Bible Study At Your School

posted by Erin Davis on 09/19/11 | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Category: News & Updates; ; 38 comments

Last month we asked you to tell us what worries you about this school year. More than 100 of you responded with legitimate concerns about what you're facing in private schools, public school, and home schools. You told us you were anxious about things like:

"I think for me personally, it is just doing what I know is right and not being afraid of what people think—staying in strong in my convictions and not backing down." —Gabby

"With any debate we sometimes have to discuss the ‘big' things: gay rights, abortion, the death penalty, the right to die. How do we handle topics like this without seeming ‘holier-than-thou' and without just being silent?" —Heather S.

"I am in band, and I really stress out because of it. I love it, so I want to be good at it. When I don't do well, however, I really get mad at myself. I stress out so much about it that I live in stress for most of the year. I have let band become an idol. I love it way too much." —Meghan

These concerns (and the others you told us about) might not seem to have a lot in common at first. But they all have the same solution—God's truth! Knowing and applying God's Word can help you tackle whatever challenges you face this year. No matter where you go to school or what challenges come your way, you need to be grounded in God's Word and you need to be sharing God's truth with other young women just like you. teen girls in Bible study

That's why we want to encourage you to start a Lies Young Women Believe Bible study with some girls from your school. Grab some friends and maybe even some girls you'd like to get to know better, and dig into God's Word together. Identify lies. Replace them with truth. And encourage each other to tackle challenges head on with the Bible as your guide.

Don't know how to get started? Here are some tips. (Oh, and here's a hint. We saved the best part for the end!)

Pray!
If lives are changed as a result of this study, it will be because of the power of God's truth and it will happen through the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It is so important that before you take action, you stop and pray. Ask for God's guidance every step of the way. Specifically pray for wisdom as you lead others through the material found in the book.

Ask others to pray with you. There are likely many women in your church or youth group who would be able to help in this way. Seek to secure as much prayer cover as possible for yourself, other leaders, and the girls who will be attending the study.

Get some help.
If you are a young woman desiring to teach this information to your peers, recruit an adult to help. Talk to your youth pastor's wife, your Sunday school teacher, your mom, or a Christian teacher you know and trust and ask if they can help in any way. They might be willing to open their home, provide snacks, or even co-teach.

Also, most of the issues presented in this book are very serious. You may uncover areas of sin and hurt in the lives of the girls who are participating that you are unprepared to deal with on your own. Don't hesitate to ask for help from others. Your pastor and youth pastor are likely great resources. You can also check back here to get advice and support from others.

Note: If you ever sense that someone in your study is in danger of hurting themselves or others, get adult help immediately. Don't hesitate.

Find a great location.
It is easier to open up in an environment that feels warm and inviting. And many times non-Christians feel more comfortable in a home or coffee shop than they do in a church. Be intentional about finding the meeting place that is most conducive to conversation. Consider providing snacks or a meal. Food can go a long way toward creating a homey atmosphere.

Or consider having your LYWB Bible study on your campus. Approach a teacher or principle to ask for permission and find out the protocol for launching a student-led group. Once you have all of your ducks in a row, find a place to meet and start spreading the word.

Send out invitations.
Send out paper invitations to the girls you would like to have in attendance. Be sure to include the time, date, and place of the study. You can also send out an event invitation through Facebook or Twitter. You can even download some cool badges for use in your invites here.

Then consider sending out weekly reminders through email, IM, or social networking. Encourage the girls who attend to invite their friends, even if those friends aren't Christians yet. If each girl that you invite invites just one other person, your group will grow by leaps and bounds! This is a great way to get the word out to girls beyond your sphere of influence.  
I hope that's enough to get the wheels turning in your head about launching your own LYWB Bible study. But, wait! Didn't I promise I was saving the best part for last? Here it is...We are going to give away five copies of LYWB and five copies of the LYWB Companion Guide to one of you who leaves us comment saying that you will start a LYWB Bible study with girls from your school. That's $145 worth of free books shipped right to your door and ready for you to share with young women who need a heavy dose of God's truth!

And be sure to hop back on the blog tomorrow for more ideas on how to launch a LYWB Bible study. (We may even have a boatload of more books to giveaway!)

Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Meghan

Question
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:48 am

I have a question, I am homeschooled and only do band at the public school here so I don't really know anyone. Sure, I have said Hi to some people and maybe talked to one or two girls for a minute or two, but I don't really have any friends at the school. I was wondering, if I started a Bible study with some other homeschoolers I know, would that count? Could I get a chance to win the books? I wouldn't be able to do it at my house, I would have to do it over the phone sometimes since one of my best friends is a missionary in Ecuador, but I would love to do it with her and then another friend in a different city, and then one that lives near me. If I agreed to do this with them could I still have a chance at getting the books? Thank you, Meghan

God's princess

Re: Starting your own LYWB Bible study
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 11:40 am

I love this idea! And I love the idea of having it in a coffee shop, that should attract a few people... ;D I would LOVE to start a bible study, the only problem is that I live in Germany, so shipping the books would cost a lot. It would be great to win the books, if not, maybe we can throw our money together and pay for it that way. :) First I thought, "No way, what if someone thinks that's dumb?", but it's all about reaching out to other girls, who really need Jesus in their lives. Another idea could be to to maybe get another Christian friend to help lead it... :) So, with this comment I purpose to start a LYWB Bible study, God-willing.
Blessings, Katie

Jules

I would like to start a LYWB Bible study:)
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Thank you so much!! I have thought about starting a LYWB Bible study for some time now:) There are a few girls I know who would be very interested in joining me. My mentor has brought up the topic of me starting a study multiple times already, and I feel as though God is prompting me to go ahead! Thank you for this encouragement:)

HisGrace

Re:
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 12:38 pm

Hey, I really really really want to start a LYWB Bible study...but I'm homeschooled, and I'm also moving. How would you suggest that I go about doing this?? I would looove to do this; it's been on my heart for a long time. If you have any suggestions, they would be welcome!!

Toray Green

Bible Study
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 12:50 pm

I would love to start this bible study with some girls that are in middle school and high school. Those books would really help me out, just starting out. I believe this is a great starting point, so that we can move into other subjects. We have to know the truth of Gods word. I hope that I will be choosen for the free books

Jaime Fulton

Bible Class
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 12:55 pm

What a great idea! I actually use this book and workbook as curriculum for my ninth and tenth grade girls' Bible class. It's a great way to combat the enemy's multipling lies in today's culture. Pray for the truth to be revealed!

Alaina

Bible Study
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 1:03 pm

Thank You for the post!!! It came at the perfect time. Just this week, I asked my Pastors premission to do a bible study with this book, the hour before Youth Group every week. I have been praying about leading a bible study and once I read "Lies Young Women Belive" I knew it was the book I wanted to use.
Your suggestions have been a huge help, and this post was the answer to my prayers.

Gods Jewel

Great Post
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 1:49 pm

I just started college three weeks ago and I've already made some new friends, but they don't seem like the type of girls that would sit around in a coffee shop and talk about the bible..they would change the conversation totally around. A few days ago one of them made fun of purity till marriage, how do I respond to that kind of ridicule ( she doesn't know I have a purity ring, but if she found out then I'm sure she would talk behind my back...) what do I do, pray for me!

Heather Sv.

Re:
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:16 pm

@God's Jewel: I don't think you should have girls like that as your closest friends, first of all. Not to sound condescending toward your friends, but I just read something in my study Bible today that said that if you make your confidants people who mock God or don't fear Him, then you will suffer a lot, spiritually. Not that you can't be friends with them, but you shouldn't have them as your core group of girlfriends. I know that wasn't your question, but I thought it would be important to point that out. I'm sorry, I know that stinks to have to hear, but I don't want them to drain you. I'm living on campus for the first time this year too (even though I'm a junior), and I realize that it's difficult to find good friends in a college setting where everyone is obsessed with alcohol and sex and everything else that goes along with "college life"... but there are Christian groups on campus that you can join and build relationships there.

Anyway, now I'll attempt to answer your actual question lol. What I would do in your situation is just withdrawal from the conversation when it turns to poking fun at purity and such, and only say something when/if the other girls ask you what you think. And when you respond, if they don't like it, they can either peacefully disagree with you, or they can be mean. And if they decide to be mean, then do you even really want to be their friend, anyway? I don't know.. that's sort of my position here at Stockton College lol. One of my friends here (who I don't hang with every day nor will he be a close friend of mine) is gay. Sometimes the talk of gay rights comes up, but I'll just remain silent. I won't say anything one way or the other. If he ever asks me my opinion, I'll share God's Truth with him, but until then I don't want to jump down his throat, so... idk. Anyway, I'd do the same in your situation. And I'll def say a prayer for you. Maybe you'll come up with a better solution than me!

XoXo,
Heather Svan

Danielle

Love this idea!
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:45 pm

I would absolutely love to start a LYWB Bible study! A few girls from my youth group and I started a Bible study last spring but with people's busy summer schedules it kind of fell apart. It amazed me how much I grew spiritually during that time, though, and how God brought us girls together. It would be really great to start it back up again with the LYWB books!

sarah

God open door!
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Wow! Well I have been wanting to start a group at school for about a month and have been praying about a good time and all and not knowing how to start one! Then I come home from school and BAM! Here thus is! I stared at the title thinking how wonderful God is and laughed at how straightforward he is!
I would love to get these books and it would b such a blessing and a help! I pray though that where ever u send them they will help cantel many lives! Thanks for this post and the blessing u guys r to so many of us young women!
God bless,
Sarah

Blondie the Great

Bible study
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:53 pm

This is a great idea. The first time I read LYWB I mentioned to my mom that I wished someone had told me these things sooner! I'm a senior this year, and I feel like it is one of my last chances to have an impact on the younger girls in my youth group. I've thought about having a bible study/book club using LYWB, and this post has re-inspired me. So, thank you!
Blondie

Krlosier

Re:
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 5:08 pm

I am starting a Lies Young Women Believe Bible study at my school! Me and my best friend's mom are putting it together...I'm soooo excited about it!

Theresa V.

Bible Study
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 5:45 pm

Hi there :) I just saw the post about starting a LYWB bible study. I don't know if this is true or not; but one time, I had a dream about having a bible study at my house and everyone was eating food and everyone was growing in God's word. Thank you sooo much for encouraging. I would like to start a bible study with five other girls at my charter school. (And we are the only girls that are freshman). It doesn't matter if I win the books or not, but if it's God's will, then I just don't know how to do it :/ And Thank you sooo much for giving out books soo generously :)

Emme

Re:
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 7:44 pm

This is such a great idea.
I've actually been working with some of my teachers to try and start something like this! I just pray that God will work through me and who ever else comes forward to help, to reach into people's lives and show them Christ.
I would really like to feature this book aswell as Do Hard Things, and Uncompromising! And start a girls' specific book study!
God bless everyone,
you are beautiful,
you are loved!

Theresa V.

Re:
on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 7:49 pm

Ooops ... i forgot to mention that if i start a bible study group, then i'll need six copies cuz i don't have one :( thanks :)

Michelle

Re:
on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 12:07 am

Wow this is an eye-opener for me because I've always wanted to do an all girls bible study. I really didnt matter where I did it but I just wanted to be with a well-rounded group of girls who want to learn and worship God by reading his word. I am currently now a freshmen in college and I'm still thinking about creating a all-woman bible study. I've been praying about it for sometime now and I think maybe this post can be one of God's signs telling me that I should start something. Please contiune praying for me and this idea!
God Bless everyone! <3

Enyo

Teens
on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 10:06 am

Thank God for your life for the great things you are doing for the Lord.

Surprisingly, am teaching the teens in my local church and i always use your Post to teach them.

Erin, can i please have some of the books to enable me teach them better?

Am in WEST AFRICA - GHANA.

God Bless!
Enyo.

Gods Jewel

Re:Heather Sv.
on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 5:02 pm

Thanks for the post..she is nota closedriwnd at all. I just happened to be hanging out in between a class break for 10 mins..lol
Well thanks for the info..I took it and will try it out.
Thanks for praying..I appreciate it, and God Bless You!

Gaby

Great
on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 9:08 pm

You know im a mexican girl, and this days i have been feeling sad and moved by the youth i see geeting lost each day, so i been praying about to start a LWYB study in my school, but i wasn't quite sure, thanks for blog this, this book has really been a blessing to my life :)

Carrie, with the LYWB team

God’s princess
on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 9:14 pm

Love that you are considering beginning a LYWB study in Germany!!

Praying God uses it powerfully in the lives of those He desires to be there.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie, with the LYWB team

HisGrace
on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 10:07 am

HisGrace,

So thankful for your heart to start a LYWB study! Since you are moving to a new area, why not begin now to pray for the Lord to raise up one or two new friends that you could begin to study His Word with when you arrive at your new location!

What an exciting time for you, HisGrace! He has plans to use you in that new place!

Blessings,
Carrie
BTW: LOVE your screen name. ƒº

Carrie, with the LYWB team

GodsJewel
on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 10:22 am

GodsJewel,

You’ve been placed on the front lines of a mission field, my friend! God’s giving you an opportunity to stand on the Truth of what He has entrusted to you through over the years! Don’t be ashamed to stand for Him, GodsJewel.

If He has redeemed you from your sin (Col. 4:13-14) you have an incredible story to tell… the story of the good news of One who loves us, redeems us and has the power to transform us! Share it proudly, dear friend with all those He puts in your path during these years.

Be very wise about the friends you choose to develop closer relationship with! Proverbs 12:26 says, “ A righteous man is caution in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

In Lies Young Women Believe, Nancy and Dannah write,
"You are called to be a true friend. If your focus is on who likes you, you're not pursuing true friendship. If your focus is on who is asking you to hang out with them, it's all wrong. That's not a spiritual mind-set. Ask the Lord to help you be more concerned about who needs you than who likes you" (Lies Young Women Believe, 109).

You’ll find a list of Biblical qualities to look for in a friend at this link: (http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/index.php?id=458).

You’re in a great place of influence, friend! Praying you’ll be a woman marked by courage today!

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you (Deut. 31:6).”

Carrie

HisGrace

@Carrie
on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 3:42 pm

Thanks so much!!

This move is extremely hard for me, because I've made so many great friends...and had sooooo many plans for the future...my family has moved around a ton! But yes, I am praying for some new friends! I want to do the LYWB study with un-churched/ non-Christian girls...so pray that I'll meet some. :)

In Christ,
Sarah Grace <3

PS- I chose that screen name partially because that's my middle name, but also because it constantly reminds me that His grace is sufficient for me. :)

God's Princess

Re: Carrie
on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 3:33 am

Thanks so much for replying! I am kind of scared, since the girls at school I hang out with are mostly not Christians and would make fun of purity, but if it is God's will to change their heart, all I have to do is share... Although that makes it sound so easy... x)
Blessings, Katie

Elizabeth

@ HisGrace
on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 10:18 am

hey girl, thats sooo cool how u got ur name, its really creative and cool! yeah, i'm using my middle name too, but urs was really creative. :D anywya, i know what its like to constently have to move around :P and have to find new friends, i'm in that postition too. :P its kinda hard to fit in where i am because the y.g. is already close, adn so it feels like they don't want me,a dn its just sooooo hard to fit in :( but i'll be praying for u, and that u'll fit in and find lots of friends. love ya girl, i'll be praying for ya,
and it'd be really cool if u could start a bible sudy, cuz i did that at the school i went to, with some girls, adn it was sooo helpful, cuz we read the book (lywb),a nd just all talked togetehre, and let out what we were going thru, and whats happanin in our lifes. it was really helpful for me, cuz it helped me stay grounded in God, and in His word, and it helped me thruout the day. and i looked forward to the bible studys bc i knew i'd learn something new, and we'd always end up talking about it and each of us would share our opinion on it, and it was just alot of fun, and i knew those girls would always be there for me if i ever had to talk. :D
anyway,i'm not sure if any of that made sense, but i'm praying for ya! <3

Carrie, with the LYWB team

God's Princess
on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 2:33 pm

God’s Princess,

You’re so right… it will not be easy! But if Jesus lives in you, Katie, then they will see a difference in you - your attitudes, words, deeds will be different.

Jesus never distanced Himself from those who didn’t believe in Him, but He was always intentional about His time with them. He wanted them to see 1. ) His love for them 2.) their desperate need of Him as their Savior.

Praying for you today, Katie; that through your friendship to these girls, they would see the love of Jesus and come to know Him as Lord and Savior of their lives.

HisGrace

@Elizabeth
on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 7:14 pm

Thanks sooooo much Elizabeth; you don't know how much your comment and your prayers mean to me. <3
Awww, I know what it's like to try to fit in to the clicks; not fun. But you know what I've found from moving around so much (and maybe you have too) is that to get the friends that really matter, you don't have to try to "fit in." God will bless you with friends when *you are a friend. :) It sounds like you're making some friends at your school; are any of them Christians?? That's soooo awesome how you did a Bible study with them!! I really can't wait to start a study, b/c I'm going to do it weather or not I actually receive the books. :P
Anyway, thanks sooooo much for your comment; I'll be praying for you too! <3

Love in Christ,
Sarah Grace

God's Princess

Re: Carrie
on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 5:32 am

Thanks so much for that reply! I have been praying for my friends for a while now and also talked to them about Jesus, but they keep rejecting. I keep feeling that I sould try to convince them, but ultimately it's Jesus' job to change their hearts and my convincing could be bad, because what if they don't really mean it...? So, all I can do is share and pray. :)
Blessings, Katie

Erin Davis

Winner Announced
on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 11:02 am

Congratulations, Sarah! You are the winner of this giveaway. You will recieve an email from me shortly asking for your shipping information so that we can send you 5 copies of LYWB and 5 copies of the LYWB Companion Guide. Please keep your promise to use them to launch a Bible study with girls from your school.

If you didn't win the books, you can still start a LYWB study at your school. We have copies of the book available in our virtual book store on this site and it is available in most Christian book stores.

We are also always here to answer your questions here on the blog as you lead other girls toward God's Truth.

So, go! Tell others about Him and His liberating Truth. He is worthy!

Erin Davis

Christen

Testimonial
on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 4:33 pm

Last year when I was in 8th grade two sophmore girls started a LYWB bible study for middle school girls. I loved it so much!!! I had never really been in a Bible study before, so it was a new and refreshing experience for me. And the whole thing really kind of changed my life, because the book led me to this website, and then this website led me to trying to read my Bible everyday of the year( the January30 day Binge Challenge), and then this blog also helped me get on the path to freedom from a sin that I really had been addicted to for like 6 years by telling a friend about it( which I never had the confidence/assurance of not being judged before reading here about confessing your sin and reading other people's comments about how they struggled with the same sin).
So, in short, LYWB Bibles produce wonderful results;freedom from the lies and sin, and strengthened friendships !!
Btw, thank you sooo much Erin and all the other bloggers for all the help and encouragement!

Christen

Gods Princess
on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 4:41 pm

Carrie, its so good that you are sharing the Gospel with other people. Be patient and persistent with witnessing and praying for your friends. You're right that Jesus is the one who actually works in their hearts. Witness with your words and your actions.
I know of a guy who kept on witnessing to his friend, and after 30 years his friend became a believer. So stay strong even though it might take a while! :) <3
I go to a Christian school, so the people in my class already know about Jesus. I have yet to actually witness to anyone myself, so your story about witnessing to your friends encouraged me to witness. Thank you!

Anaid

Thanks!
on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 8:55 pm

I have thought so much about doing a bible study with some of my cousins. I know they are truley saved, but they go to public schools and are living for the world. I was exactly where they were, and i know they dont try to live for God because people will make fun of them and/or because they dont have someone that is a good example to them. Also, they dont have much of God in their homes. Sure, their parents go to church, but they dont act like Christians in their own homes. I think doing a bible study w them will help them alot because reading christian books really has helped me. I have already talked to my dad about it( hes one of the pastors) and Im now going to talk to my youth pastor and a teacher at school, to see if i can start a study at school too! Thank you so much for talking about this and getting me thinking to do this. I am going to pray about it to see if its God's will!

Your sister in Christ,
Anaid ¢¾

Carolann

Re:
on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 2:42 pm

this is actually what we are doing at our school,there's only four of us but were kind of glad it's a smaller group so that wew can talk more about the book.I actually wanted to recieve a copy of this book before we even started this group and when I found out we were going to study out of LYWB I got so excited.We are supposed to read the same sections of the book at one time so were reading the same thing but i get too excited and read more than what im supposed to.Then I heard about the website and got even more excited! I'm just glad I got the oppurtunity to read what some girls have been been lied about that relate to me

Deb

Question...
on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 9:12 pm

Hey!
I have a question about starting a LYWB bible study group. In our youth group at church there is this group of older students called Student Council, and we have the opportunity to become intentional with and mentor a younger student in the youth group and encourage them throughout the year. Well, this year, the girls in Student Council thought of this really neat idea to meet up with each other and our mentories once a month and go through LYWB book together. Now we were planning to just go and buy our mentories and ourselves copies of the book on Amazon or something. But, after reading this I decided to just go ahead and ask if there is any such thing as a "group discount" when buying the books from you guys. If not, that's fine, I just figured that asking wouldn't hurt. I hope that all made sense. Anyways, thank you so much! I am so excited to go through this book with the girls in my youth group! Can't wait to see what God will do with this study of His Word through this recourse!

Carrie, with the LYWB team

Deb
on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 4:25 pm

We’re pumped you and the other mentors are going to be leading a study of LYWB!

We do offer discounts, so I’m glad you thought to ask!

You can receive 30% off the retail value when you purchase in quantities of 5 or more. To receive this discount you’ll need to call Debbie at 1-866-842-8381 Ext. 2050.

We’ll look forward to hearing what God does, Deb!

Blessings,
Carrie

Deb

Re:re:Deb
on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 11:13 pm

Haha! Thank you so much! I think we need at least 7copies! That would be fantastic! Well, looks like this Deb will be calling Debbie! Thanks again! This is very exciting and such a blessing!

Lisette

question (hope is not too late)
on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 12:40 pm

Hi!, apart from those great tips, what else I can do in a LYWB study bible? i need some ideas to keep this study nice, interesting and fun.
hope to get some help!

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