Do you all share a devotional at your women’s ministry meetings?
We do.
Most of our women’s ministry fellowships include a short devotional before we get to the focus of our time together (ie. making no-sew fleece blankets, learning a skill, making blessing bags, watching a movie, etc.).
I admit I used to thumb through different devotional books looking for some story the women would find encouraging or moving.
I’ve used sweet stories I’ve gotten through email and Facebook.
I probably even printed out a devotional or two from a website… Okay, I totally have.
God can certainly use all those tools, BUT He longs to use you (and me) more.
The very best devotional you can share comes from your life and from your heart.
Honest.
Why?
1. Your women will connect with YOU – not a book or an author.
2. It makes you more “real”. Your women need to experience your transparency. Many of them put you up on a pedestal and think you’ve got it all together. Most of us don’t!
3. It models sharing. Your women need to share their stories with others. When you do it they begin to think they can too!
4. Sometimes it’s as much for us as it is for them. God may be opening your eyes to something He is doing in your life.
5. Our women need to hear about how God is working in our lives. It encourages them to look at how God is working in theirs!
6. It is Biblical. We are supposed to share what God is doing and what He has done. See Luke 8:39, 2 Tim 1:8, Psalm 71: 15-18, Psalm 66:16, 1 Pet 3:15.
I had planned to start this post by sharing the definition of a devotional. It was harder than I expected. The best I could find when Googling was “short worship service”.
However, it fits right in with the verses I shared above – two of which I’ve written out below.
“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. – Luke 8:39 (ESV)
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. – Psalm 66:16 (ESV)
When we share personal stories of what God is doing we are worshipping Him.
Sharing another person’s story isn’t really worship (defined as the act of showing respect and love).
It doesn’t pour from our heart to God’s.
We must train and encourage our women to share their stories.
I cannot stress how important this is and what a tremendous impact it will have on your ministry.
Now that we know the “why”, we need to talk about the “how”.
Tune in next week for “How to Share the Best Devotional Ever”.
Your turn: How has hearing what God is doing in the life of another woman you know impacted you?
You may also want to read:
How to Share the Best Devotional Ever
The Best Women’s Ministry Theme Ever
I am the leader of my women’s group at church. We meet monthly and I almost always give the devotions for our meetings. Like most women, I have relied on devotional books, other women’s stories, etc. However, I did give my own story a few months ago. It really did touch them more than any that I have given before. Now, I feel like I need something more to share with them. I want to encourage them to share their stories as well, to make us a closer community of sisters in Christ. I am praying that your techniques help me to accomplish this.
Kathy, thank you SO much for sharing this!! I love this!
If you haven’t already checked it out, be sure to look at my Sharing Stories of God’s Everyday Faithfulness Workshop kit. It will help your women learn how to share their stories with clarity and confidence. You can find it here – https://womensministrytoolboxshop.com/products/sharing-stories-of-gods-everyday-faithfulness-workshop
This is exactly what I needed to hear. I have been struggling about sharing my testimony and telling myself no one wants to hear it or it’s not that interesting. God has been telling me to tell my story. Thank you for allowing God to use you to speak to me today!
Lynn, I felt the same way. My story is not as dramatic as those I usually hear from the stage. 🙂 Praying God will show you which pieces of your story to share. I’m so excited your women will hear it! May He be glorified!
This is exactly what I need it to read. I have been praying to God to give me a direction on what I should talk about. This will be my first time sharing a devotional on our monthly women conference/gathering, so many studies come to mind, but this morning the idea of sharing what God has done for me, came to mind, but I had my doubts. Thank you for helping me decide. I will talk about “My experience with God” God bless!
Judith – so thankful for God’s timing and that He led you to this post. Praying for God to use your sharing in a mighty way!
I thank you for sharing as we are starting a women’s ministry at our church. I was looking for a devotional and your idea is perfect. Blessings
Karen, how exciting! So glad you found this post to be helpful! <3