20 Fabulous Bible Studies for Women

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Much as I love the Bible, if I’m being totally honest, I don’t always find it an easy read.

I mean – it’s so BIG! And much of it is hard to instantly understand or apply. Other bits don’t seem relevant to my life right now, and still other bits feel over-familiar, from which it is hard to extract any more excitement.

Two things have helped me in learning to study it:

1. Using fabulous resources for my own individual Bible study. When I’m dog-tired, trying to make head-or-tail of the kids’ extra-curricular schedule and wondering what the heck I can make for dinner from a tin of tomatoes and a leek, I’m incredibly grateful for those who have gone before me into Scripture, made it make sense, and filtered this sense-making wisdom directly into my shattered mind.
2. Meeting weekly with other mums for a Bible study. This is something I’ve done for over a decade now. Even in times when my Bible hasn’t been opened during the rest of the week, I always knew it would get opened at Mums’ Bible Study.

So here are my favourite Bible studies for women which you can do either on your own or as a group. Many of them could work for either scenario, so I’ve popped that in the description where appropriate.

If you’re looking to get more into the Bible, I hope you find something just right from this list – if you do, please come back and tell me, I’d be delighted to hear!

Disclaimer: while some of these resources are aimed at women, or would have particular appeal to women, many of them would work brilliantly as Bible studies for women AND men. I’ve categorised them for women, however, because there are usually more women’s groups than men’s groups!

Bible studies for women’s small group

Miss, What does Incomprehensible Mean? (Fran Hill)

At a glance:

• 6-week study
• Theme: perfectionism
• Intended for group study
• Free online videos and group study questions (once you’ve signed up for a free account) – although you may wish to buy the brilliantly entertaining book on which the study is based (check out my review here)

Perfectionism is something many of us women struggle with, and this helpful 6-week study looks at how this battle can affect our authenticity, self-esteem, self-care and confidence to witness, as well as leading to imposter syndrome and distancing us from others. I love the practical nature of this course, and the potential for seeing real change in the lives of its participants. There is an ice breaker question and short video to watch each week, plus readings from Scripture and – of course – Miss, What does Incomprehensible Mean? It would be a great study particularly for new Christians, or those just starting to study the Bible for themselves.

A Tale of Beauty from Ashes (Liz Carter)

At a glance:

• 6-week study – although the material is long enough to last 12 weeks or even longer
• Themes: brokeness, beauty and transformation, based on the film “Beauty and the Beast”
• Good for individual or group study
• Free on Kindle Unlimited – otherwise £1.99 on Kindle and £4.99 for the book – buy here

Liz is a brilliant writer who has also suffered immeasurably from a chronic lung condition since childhood. This would be a wonderful study for anyone feeling broken right now. Deep-diving into Scripture, this study draws out truths and ideas designed to help us to see ourselves through God’s eyes – not as victims or invalids, but as dearly beloved children who will one day be restored to perfection.

9 Thoughts that Can Change your Marriage (Sheila Wray Gregoire)

At a glance:

• 8 sessions
• Theme: marriage
• Different versions for individual study or group study
• Free

Here is a Bible study for women who are married, so if your group members are all married it would be perfect. (If not, you can do it as an individual study too.) Each week starts with an opening question, followed by a 10-minute introductory video from Sheila. Then there’s a set of questions (which usually but don’t always include Scripture), followed by a suggested 3-5 minute personal meditation time and a 10-minute prayer time. Personally, I’d like a bit more Bible in this course BUT it’s clearly a very Christ-centred course with the Bible often being quoted in Sheila’s videos, even if a long passage isn’t read and studied together. It could be a great study for those on the fringes of faith.

Warning: this study does include references to sex within marriage. I think Sheila’s teaching is very helpful and Biblical, but it may help to know this in advance so that you can gauge whether or not your group are comfortable discussing this together.

The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex (Sheila Wray Gregoire)

At a glance:

• 6 sessions
• Theme: sex
• Group study (although you could do it as an individual)
• Free

Since I’ve now mentioned the word ‘sex’, I feel it’s OK to pop this Bible study in here! If you have a group who have all had sex (whether within marriage or not), and are comfortable discussing the topic together, this would be an excellent study. There aren’t many Bible studies for women about sex, after all! Unlike “9 Thoughts which can Change your Marriage”, this one IS very much a Bible study, with passages to read together and discuss every week. Each session is fairly long, but could be cut, or drawn out across two weeks if you wished.

100 Stand-Alone Bible Studies (Pen Wilcock)

At a glance:

• 100 studies (as the name would suggest) but they ‘stand alone’ (again, as the name would suggest) so you can do as many or as few as you like, in whichever order you like
• Themes: various
• Group study (although you could do it as an individual)
• Available on Kindle or paperback

This is a great book to have on hand for those times when you come to the end of your study series and still have a week or two left of term to fill. And because the book boasts an impressive list of themes, it’s also a useful resource when perhaps a group member has asked about a particular topic, or something has come up in your discussion which you want to look at further. The studies involve reading several short Bible passages on a theme, a helpful commentary from author and Bible teacher Pen Wilcox, three discussion questions and a prayer suggestion. The idea is that these are the ‘bare bones’, upon which you add the ‘meat’ of real Biblical engagement as a group, but that is not to say that the studies are scant – far from it! There is plenty of material provided to make each study a worthwhile experience for your group.

Women of the Bible (Penelope Wilcock)

At a glance:

• 7 sessions
• Theme: 7 women of the Bible (Eve, Ruth, the widow of Zarephath, Dorcas, Martha, Mary the mother of Jesus and Deborah)
• Aimed at groups
• Available free from the SPCK website (once you’ve signed up for a free account)

If you’re interested in Penelope Wilcock’s Stand-Alone Bible Studies, but aren’t sure whether you want 100 of them, this is an excellent toe-dip in the water, starting with the Biblical women. I like the no-frills approach to these studies, which offers space for each group to get into really meaningful discussions, rather than saturating us with questions. And I do believe that studying the women of the Bible is one of the best bible studies for women, as we learn so much from how the different characters responded to God in a more patriarchal society.

(As an aside: if you’re looking for an accessible reference book which details ALL the women in the Bible, you can’t go far wrong with Amanda Bedzrah’s An Introduction to Women in the Bible.)

Route 66 (Krish Kandiah)

At a glance:

• 8 weeks
• Theme: Bible overview
• Perfect for either group or individual study
• Available on Kindle or paperback

This fabulous, much-needed book provides an easy way to cover the overarching narrative of the Bible in just 8 weeks. With 5 individual studies plus a small group Bible study for each week, AND a deep-dive 8-week reading plan at the back for those who want something more intense, this is a study guide which can be used very flexibly. You could read it on your own, do the small group studies as a group, OR give each group member a copy of the book to read for their own daily devotions, coming together for the group studies. Krish gives anecdotes and insights as an intro to each individual study, followed by the Bible passage and some questions. Each study is fairly long – if you were to read everything and answer every question thoughtfully, it might take 30 minutes or more – but for someone looking to improve their knowledge and understanding of the Bible, it’s perfect!

Catching Contentment (Liz Carter)

At a glance:

• 6-week study (90 minute sessions – with less time, you could split up the sessions and run them over more weeks)
• Theme: contentment, satisfaction
• Aimed at groups
• Available on Kindle or paperback

Based on Liz Carter’s book of the same name, this is a fabulous study for groups who wish to explore Paul’s claim in Philippians 4:12 that he had “learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation”. Whether suffering with ill-health, bereavement, unemployment or if life simply hasn’t turned out the way you planned, this study will be of immense value. It features Bible readings, questions, commentary, extracts from ‘Catching Contentment’, worship and prayer ideas, and optional creative ideas for further pondering. You’ll get more from the study if you read the book first or alongside, but it will work even if you don’t.

Notes on Love (Lauren Windle)

At a glance:

• 6 sessions
• Theme: singleness in the church (appropriate for all, regardless of relationship status)
• Aimed at groups
• Free online videos and group study questions (once you’ve signed up for a free account) – although you may wish to buy the book upon which the study is based

Aimed at those who are single, married, widowed, divorced, dating or any other relationship status, this is a timely and challenging study on how we view singleness in the church today. Paul viewed it as extremely important in the early church – have we in the 21st century unwittingly swapped the spotlight onto marriage? Knowing how to deal well with our singleness, how to create churches which are welcoming and supportive of those who are single, and how to pursue God in it all is what author Lauren Windle will draw out of your group in this fascinating 6-week study.

Embracing God with the Life you Never Expected (Laura Krokos)

At a glance:

• 14 chapters
• Theme: Women in the Bible (particularly those who are lesser-known/unnamed)
• Aimed at individuals, but could work for groups too
• Available on Kindle or paperback

I’m using this Bible study for my personal devotions at the moment, and it’s great. Laura Krokos guides us through 14 different Biblical women, not all of them wonderful, and shares some powerful lessons from their stories. A few choice questions at the end of each chapter lend themselves to personal reflection, but could also work really well in a women’s Bible study group.

Bible studies for women to read independently

Coming Back to God when you feel Empty (Tanya Marlow)

At a glance:

• 5-session study (each section involves a commentary of several pages, questions and creative exercise
• Book: Ruth
• Aimed at individuals, but could read together as a group (independently) then come together to discuss the questions
• Free PDF or Kindle version when you sign up for Tanya’s brilliant mailing list here

When life feels difficult, bitter or empty, the book of Ruth is a good one to study. Set in the time of Judges, it is a small ray of big hope within a bleak time period for the Israelites. As a long-time sufferer of ME, Tanya Marlow understands well how life can feel bleak, and this deep-dive into Ruth’s story – from grief and loss to joy and abundance – is rich and thought-provoking. The questions prompt you to apply the teachings to your own life, and the whole thing is filled with hope for those going through hard times.

I’m Praying for You (Nancy Guthrie)

At a glance:

• 40-day devotional
• Themes: prayer, suffering
• For individual study
• Available as ebook or beautiful paperback – RRP £6.99

I really appreciated this devotional when I did it recently for my own personal Bible study times. Having – as I’m sure you do – friends who are going through hard times, it was a relief to me to gain more words for my prayers, to consider suffering in greater depth, and to become more faithful in praying for them. I began with one friend I wanted to pray for, but quickly added several more. This gorgeous book comes with a bookmark featuring several of the prayers, as well as QR codes you can scan to send these prayers to friends.

Praying through the Bible for your Kids (Nancy Guthrie)

At a glance:

• 365-day devotional
• Theme: praying for your kids
• For individual study – but can be adapted for group discussion. Our Mums’ Group has done a few of these together.
• Available on Kindle or paperback

I can’t rate this Bible study highly enough! Firstly, because Nancy Guthrie’s commentary is always spot-on, and secondly because – do you do this too? – I always end up praying the same things for my kids. Using this guide to channel Biblical truth into my prayers was an enriching experience. This is the best of the Bible studies for women with kids that I’ve seen.

My Rock, My Refuge (Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller)

At a glance:

• 365-day devotional
• Book: Psalms
• Individual study
• Available as paperback, Kindle or audiobook

This is such a wonderful daily Bible study for women and men – but I think us women will particularly appreciate the theme of the Psalms, because they express such a vast range of emotions. In a typical day, a woman will play many roles – mum, wife, friend, employee, boss, sister, daughter, organiser. Often we are the ones who shoulder the burdens of others. So a Bible book which helps to capture Every.Single.Emotion we might be feeling, voicing it before God, is a particularly good one to study – and the Kellers’ brief but insightful commentaries are both easily-manageable yet life-changing.

Too Soon (Jane Clamp)

At a glance:

• 30-day devotional
• Themed around baby loss
• Individual study
• Available on Kindle or paperback

If you’ve experienced the loss of a baby, it may be particularly difficult to open your Bible and connect with God in this time. Jane Clamp writes from experience of losing four babies, and the daily readings are short, simple and devoid of clichés. The daily readings are varied in terms of Bible input. Some days, you’ll get an entire Psalm. Other days a reflection from Jane. Most days are somewhere in between: a reflection punctuated with key verses and short passages from Scripture. It’s a very moving book – accessible to someone grieving, but with real depth too.

Scent of Water (Penelope Swithinbank)

At a glance:

• 6-month devotional
• Themed around bereavement
• Individual study
• Available on Kindle or as gorgeous hardback gift edition

If you or someone you know are grieving the death of a loved one, this is the Bible study for you. Written by Penelope Swithinbank, who witnessed her mum’s tragic death, this book is the ‘gap in the market’ for that time when you feel numb, shocked, grieved by your loss, and don’t know how to pray or read the Bible. There are short readings for Monday-Saturday each week (for six months), plus extra readings for special days such as: day of the funeral, day after the funeral, Christmas, their birthday, your birthday, etc.

Sand Between your Toes: Inspirations for a Slower, Simpler and more Soulful Life (Anna Kettle)

At a glance:

• 100 devotions
• Themed around rest, slowing down and simplifying life according to the Bible
• Individual study
• Available on Kindle or hardback

This is a beautifully illustrated, full-colour hardback devotional and would make a lovely gift (if you could bear to be parted from it). Anna begins each 2-page devotional with a verse or two from Scripture on the theme of rest or simplicity, then launches into an exquisitely thought-provoking commentary, followed by a highly-appropriate “Pause and Sift” moment (sifting the ‘sand between your toes’) and short prayer. I really like the fact you get some space worked in to this devotional – often it can seem like a more academic exercise, something to get done and finished, with little actual God-connection. But ‘Sand Between Your Toes’ is a refreshing change!

Straight to the Heart of: Joshua, Judges and Ruth (Phil Moore)

At a glance:

• 60 devotions
• Books: Joshua, Judges and Ruth (although many more are available in this series by the same author)
• Individual study
• Available on Kindle or paperback

If you’re looking to go deep into a book or three, this is the series for you. I’ve picked this one to showcase in particular, because it includes the book of Ruth, and often us ladies like reading about Biblical ladies! These guides will take you through the whole book, not just selected passages. Although each commentary on each passage is a few pages long, Phil’s style is warm and easy to follow, so the whole thing is a joy.

The Way of Wisdom (Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller)

At a glance:

• 365 devotions
• Book: Proverbs
• Individual study
• Available as paperback, hardback or Kindle

This is a deep-dive into the book of Proverbs for an entire year. Overall it’s good – there is so much wisdom in Proverbs, and Tim Keller’s concise but thought-provoking comments are both accessible and deeply life-changing. However, there are also some fairly random Proverbs! So you might find some days not quite so relevant or challenging as others. However, it’s worth persisting. I did this study for my devotions in 2018 and got a lot from it.

Made to Crave Devotional (Lysa Terkeurst)

At a glance:

• 60 days
• Themes: Food, weight loss, craving God over food
• Individual study
• Available as paperback, Kindle or audiobook

If you’re looking for Bible studies for women which offer accountability while attempting to lose weight or develop core strength, this is great. In 60 days, renowned Christian discipleship and lifestyle writer Lysa Terkeurst guides you through the process of refocusing our God-given craving from food back on to Him. It’s not a heavy Bible study – just one verse is selected each day, but it comes with a related ‘thought for the day’, commentary and prayer from Lysa. While it’s aimed at individuals, it could be a great tool to read alongside a group of friends for accountability.

Bible devotions for women which are FREE

Because I know our groups don’t always have a huge budget, here’s an ‘at a glance’ list of all my recommended Bible devotions for women which are free and can be accessed online:

• Miss, What does Incomprehensible Mean? (Fran Hill)
• 9 Thoughts that Can Change your Marriage (Sheila Wray Gregoire)
• The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex (Sheila Wray Gregoire)
• Women of the Bible (Penelope Wilcock)
• Notes on Love (Lauren Windle)
• Coming Back to God when you feel Empty (Tanya Marlow)

In addition, I highly recommend you check out the SPCK Homegroups website which has a large (and growing) selection of interesting studies on all sorts of discipleship themes. Once you’ve signed up for a free account, you can access everything.

Printable women’s bible study lessons

The following three titles are printable PDFs of women’s Bible studies. These can be so useful when you want something physical to pass on to someone, or to print out for your group members.

• A Tale of Beauty from Ashes (Liz Carter)
• Coming Back to God when you feel Empty (Tanya Marlow)
• Embracing God with the Life you Never Expected (Laura Krokos)

Online Bible study for women

Looking for a Bible study for women which you can access immediately? Here are my recommendations of online Bible studies for women:

• Miss, What does Incomprehensible Mean? (Fran Hill)
• A Tale of Beauty from Ashes (Liz Carter)
• 9 Thoughts that Can Change your Marriage (Sheila Wray Gregoire)
• The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex (Sheila Wray Gregoire)
• Catching Contentment (Liz Carter)
• Women of the Bible (Penelope Wilcock)
• Notes on Love (Lauren Windle)
• Coming Back to God when you feel Empty (Tanya Marlow)

I hope this list of women’s Bible studies has whet your appetite for getting into God’s Word, either with friends or on your own! I pray that one or more of the resources would be just where you’re at right now, and speak mightily to you.

Which Bible studies have you gained from? Why not leave a note in the comments?

Don’t forget to check out my recommendations for Bible study resources for your kids!

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