How to Get Started with Fresh Water Ministries:

Women of the Bible is a series of eighteen teachings based on the
stories of many different Biblical women. This study, packaged in
three segments, can be used for shorter studies. The focus is to
look at God’s intentional inclusion of these women and their
circumstances, choices, and decisions. From these we have sought
His encouragement for us. It is the desire of Fresh Water Ministries
for the listener to be refreshed in the teaching and challenged by a
deeper understanding of God’s direction for our lives. A study guide that is useful with this series is “Twelve Extraordinary
Women” by John MacArthur, published in 2006 by Nelson Impact
Publishing.

The simplest way, of course, is to just ask or send an email with a devotional attached. You could ask a friend to listen to one and see if they would be interested in meeting regularly to listen and discuss the teaching. If asking someone to join you for Bible Study is intimidating, pray for boldness and see what the Lord brings of your invitation. Most women want to be connected and will be thankful for your invite.

First question is: Who do I see regularly? Preschool moms? People you work with? Neighbors? Soccer or baseball moms? Ask them! Or ask those you would like to see more. Sometimes names just come to mind. Pray about this and invite them in the way you’d feel the most welcomed

The answer here can vary. Usually, if you are listening to the lecture together, the schedule would look something like this:
15 min: arrival, chatting, coffee and refreshments.
45 min. listen to teaching from either CDs or laptop
45 min. discussion
15 min. closing chat and prayer

The teachings are straight from the Bible, taught before other live groups. There are many applications from Scripture for our lives. Each group is unique and will quickly take on its own personality. Staying focused on the Scriptures is important and yet freedom to think through together is the wonderful part of discussion.

For the first several sessions as leader, be prepared to open and close in prayer. Some people do not like to pray aloud or to be put on the spot, so praying sequentially around a circle can be uncomfortable. In time prayer will come more easily. When appropriate, ask for someone to open in prayer, give others time to pray aloud but not in any order, and ask for someone to close in prayer. If you have a group that is not comfortable with praying aloud, you could invite everyone to be still and pray in silence for the things that concern them or the group. The leader can then pray the “Amen.”

The simplest way is to pray for those coming. Listen together with open Bibles and notebooks, pen and paper. Write down things that strike you as you listen or questions that you may have. The leader can simply lead off the discussion by asking “What did you think about the teaching today? What struck you in particular?” When answers come you can redirect the comments by asking “What did you think about what was just said?” Usually, this is a very natural conversation.

Be glad. If any of us could understand everything He is He wouldn’t be God. You may email your questions and we will make an effort to answer them, or direct you toward helpful resources. Don’t be afraid of questions. Write them down and pray over them, listen to each other and to God and revisit the questions from time to time to see how your thinking may have changed… Most importantly, don’t argue!

You could purchase the CD sets for the car or CD player or simply download the podcast.
For more information on how others have studied alone, click on TESTIMONIES.

One way to start a group is to meet in your church. Ask to use the nursery and hire a sitter that everyone pays or meet when kids are in preschool. You can do this in your home too, putting the sitter and children in another room. You can put a basket together of things that are only played with by these children (new crayons, playdoh, etc). Pull it out when they come. If you meet from house to house take the basket with you. Keep it simple. If there are allergy issues with food, let the mom who voices the problem bring the first snacks and honor her needs.

Yes. Simply email info@freshwaterministries.net and Kathy Russell or her ministry team will be honored to speak or correspond with you about your concern.