We Need Each Other<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\nWe need each other. God made it so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider 1 John 1:5-7: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7, ESV). James 5:16 (ESV) also tells us: \u201cConfess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The enemy employs lies, shame, pride, and hurt, among other wiles, to sabotage transparency. He does not want our prayers to have great power, but we desperately do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The potential pitfalls of vulnerable friendships are real. We\u2019ve all suffered and inflicted harm. We\u2019re all wounded, and hurt people hurt people. We\u2019re all guilty of hurting others, but when our hearts are held secure in the Father’s righteous (and just) right hand, we are equipped to extend a genuine hand of friendship with an open heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When fear of man imprisons us in solitary confinement, or we feel we can\u2019t be honest about our sin struggles for fear our walls might come tumbling down, the way forward is to become the friend we want to have. Here are six characteristics of safe friends you can work to embody as you look for the same characteristics in other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six Characteristics of Safe Friends<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n1. Drop your stone.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nOur sin nature magnifies others’ faults, making them look worse than our own. In John 8:2-11, Jesus leveled the playing field when he exposed the prideful religious hypocrisy in Jewish accusers who brought an adulterous woman to Jesus for condemnation. Rather than vindicate, he rebuked, saying, \u201cLet him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her\u201d (verse 7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Safe friendships start with humble hearts and empty hands because we recognize the gravity of our common sin condition (regardless of the details of our specific sin choices and actions). Perhaps Jesus’ words inspired the saying, “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” How can we criticize others for actions that emerge from the same sinful nature as our own?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Be trustworthy.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nLike Jesus, make yourself available, speak the truth, and say what’s right (see Proverbs 8:6-9, 23:16, and Isaiah 45:19). Be someone through whom the immeasurable, incomprehensible love of God covers a multitude of sins (see 1 Peter 4:8). As a close friend once said to me, “I’m a vault. Whatever you tell me stays with me.” As a general rule, be a vault. (Exception: If they are in danger or they have put someone else in danger, take appropriate action.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Be vulnerable.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nTest the waters. When you first get to know a potential friend, share something personal that isn\u2019t private. Become more vulnerable as you see evidence that the waters are safe. When she is faithful with little, entrust her with much (see Luke 16:10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Trust God as you trust others.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nGuard your heart against its innate wickedness and that which threatens to defile, not against potentially trustworthy sister-friends. Because people are sinners, and sin is destructive, trust requires risk. The key forward is to confidently relinquish our hearts to God even as we expose our weaknesses to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Watch people.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nOpen hands can’t hold stones of condemnation. Look for friends whose hands are empty but whose hearts are full of Jesus. Listen to the words of a person’s mouth as the outflow of what’s in their heart. Is that potential confidante a gossip? Does she speak the best of others or the worst? Does she grumble and complain about everyone and everything? Do her words produce life or death (see Proverbs 18:21)? Would you want to feast on the fruit of her words? We don’t reject people for their sinful nature or specific sins (see no. 1), but we love them and extend kindness, love, and mercy. As you live and speak words of life, wisely observe and risk vulnerability according to a person’s habitual behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Forgive fast.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nIf you are hurt, forgive. Be difficult to offend. If there\u2019s repentance, reconcile. If you forgive the person but they continue in harmful behavior, show kindness while prayerfully using wisdom regarding future contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his love for us and others, God is infinitely qualified to be the guard over our hearts so we can be free to be safe friends who enjoy shatter-proofed friendships behind our glass walls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Do you struggle with Glass House Syndrome? Many women, if not most, suffer from it to some degree. We crave transparent and intimate relationships, yet we self-protect against the \u201cstones\u201d that threaten to shatter our hearts and carefully crafted self-images. According to Quora.com, “People in the public eye, such as politicians or actors, are exposed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMany women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/media.thegospelcoalition.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12102846\/A1L74YuwgQL.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\nB&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAll followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShe spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
How to Shatterproof Your Friendships<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Women crave deep friendships but often self-protect against vulnerability. Learn how to create safe, authentic friendships.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/2024\/06\/11\/how-to-shatterproof-your-friendships\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Shatterproof Your Friendships\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Women crave deep friendships but often self-protect against vulnerability. 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She and her husband, James, have been married more than 25 years, have four young adult kids, and are Nonny and Boppy to their grandbabies. They live in Magnolia, Texas, where they own and operate Possibility Custom Home. They are founding teachers of the Homebuilders Life Group at Champion Forest North Klein in Spring, Texas. Shauna and her husband mentor young couples and families to build Christ-centered marriages as the foundation for Christ-centered homes.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/shaunawallace.com\",\"@shaunajwallace\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.championforest.org\\\/articles\\\/author\\\/shauna-wallace\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Shatterproof Your Friendships","description":"Women crave deep friendships but often self-protect against vulnerability. 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Many women, if not most, suffer from it to some degree. We crave transparent and intimate relationships, yet we self-protect against the \u201cstones\u201d that threaten to shatter our hearts and carefully crafted self-images. According to Quora.com, “People in the public eye, such as politicians or actors, are exposed…","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1690"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1698,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1690\/revisions\/1698"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Six Characteristics of Safe Friends<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n1. Drop your stone.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nOur sin nature magnifies others’ faults, making them look worse than our own. In John 8:2-11, Jesus leveled the playing field when he exposed the prideful religious hypocrisy in Jewish accusers who brought an adulterous woman to Jesus for condemnation. Rather than vindicate, he rebuked, saying, \u201cLet him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her\u201d (verse 7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Safe friendships start with humble hearts and empty hands because we recognize the gravity of our common sin condition (regardless of the details of our specific sin choices and actions). Perhaps Jesus’ words inspired the saying, “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” How can we criticize others for actions that emerge from the same sinful nature as our own?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Be trustworthy.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nLike Jesus, make yourself available, speak the truth, and say what’s right (see Proverbs 8:6-9, 23:16, and Isaiah 45:19). Be someone through whom the immeasurable, incomprehensible love of God covers a multitude of sins (see 1 Peter 4:8). As a close friend once said to me, “I’m a vault. Whatever you tell me stays with me.” As a general rule, be a vault. (Exception: If they are in danger or they have put someone else in danger, take appropriate action.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Be vulnerable.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nTest the waters. When you first get to know a potential friend, share something personal that isn\u2019t private. Become more vulnerable as you see evidence that the waters are safe. When she is faithful with little, entrust her with much (see Luke 16:10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Trust God as you trust others.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nGuard your heart against its innate wickedness and that which threatens to defile, not against potentially trustworthy sister-friends. Because people are sinners, and sin is destructive, trust requires risk. The key forward is to confidently relinquish our hearts to God even as we expose our weaknesses to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Watch people.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nOpen hands can’t hold stones of condemnation. Look for friends whose hands are empty but whose hearts are full of Jesus. Listen to the words of a person’s mouth as the outflow of what’s in their heart. Is that potential confidante a gossip? Does she speak the best of others or the worst? Does she grumble and complain about everyone and everything? Do her words produce life or death (see Proverbs 18:21)? Would you want to feast on the fruit of her words? We don’t reject people for their sinful nature or specific sins (see no. 1), but we love them and extend kindness, love, and mercy. As you live and speak words of life, wisely observe and risk vulnerability according to a person’s habitual behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Forgive fast.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nIf you are hurt, forgive. Be difficult to offend. If there\u2019s repentance, reconcile. If you forgive the person but they continue in harmful behavior, show kindness while prayerfully using wisdom regarding future contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his love for us and others, God is infinitely qualified to be the guard over our hearts so we can be free to be safe friends who enjoy shatter-proofed friendships behind our glass walls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Do you struggle with Glass House Syndrome? Many women, if not most, suffer from it to some degree. We crave transparent and intimate relationships, yet we self-protect against the \u201cstones\u201d that threaten to shatter our hearts and carefully crafted self-images. According to Quora.com, “People in the public eye, such as politicians or actors, are exposed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMany women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\nB&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAll followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShe spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
How to Shatterproof Your Friendships<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Women crave deep friendships but often self-protect against vulnerability. Learn how to create safe, authentic friendships.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/2024\/06\/11\/how-to-shatterproof-your-friendships\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Shatterproof Your Friendships\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Women crave deep friendships but often self-protect against vulnerability. 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She and her husband, James, have been married more than 25 years, have four young adult kids, and are Nonny and Boppy to their grandbabies. They live in Magnolia, Texas, where they own and operate Possibility Custom Home. They are founding teachers of the Homebuilders Life Group at Champion Forest North Klein in Spring, Texas. Shauna and her husband mentor young couples and families to build Christ-centered marriages as the foundation for Christ-centered homes.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/shaunawallace.com\",\"@shaunajwallace\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.championforest.org\\\/articles\\\/author\\\/shauna-wallace\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Shatterproof Your Friendships","description":"Women crave deep friendships but often self-protect against vulnerability. 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Our sin nature magnifies others’ faults, making them look worse than our own. In John 8:2-11, Jesus leveled the playing field when he exposed the prideful religious hypocrisy in Jewish accusers who brought an adulterous woman to Jesus for condemnation. Rather than vindicate, he rebuked, saying, \u201cLet him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her\u201d (verse 7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Safe friendships start with humble hearts and empty hands because we recognize the gravity of our common sin condition (regardless of the details of our specific sin choices and actions). Perhaps Jesus’ words inspired the saying, “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” How can we criticize others for actions that emerge from the same sinful nature as our own?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Be trustworthy.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nLike Jesus, make yourself available, speak the truth, and say what’s right (see Proverbs 8:6-9, 23:16, and Isaiah 45:19). Be someone through whom the immeasurable, incomprehensible love of God covers a multitude of sins (see 1 Peter 4:8). As a close friend once said to me, “I’m a vault. Whatever you tell me stays with me.” As a general rule, be a vault. (Exception: If they are in danger or they have put someone else in danger, take appropriate action.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Be vulnerable.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nTest the waters. When you first get to know a potential friend, share something personal that isn\u2019t private. Become more vulnerable as you see evidence that the waters are safe. When she is faithful with little, entrust her with much (see Luke 16:10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Trust God as you trust others.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nGuard your heart against its innate wickedness and that which threatens to defile, not against potentially trustworthy sister-friends. Because people are sinners, and sin is destructive, trust requires risk. The key forward is to confidently relinquish our hearts to God even as we expose our weaknesses to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Watch people.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nOpen hands can’t hold stones of condemnation. Look for friends whose hands are empty but whose hearts are full of Jesus. Listen to the words of a person’s mouth as the outflow of what’s in their heart. Is that potential confidante a gossip? Does she speak the best of others or the worst? Does she grumble and complain about everyone and everything? Do her words produce life or death (see Proverbs 18:21)? Would you want to feast on the fruit of her words? We don’t reject people for their sinful nature or specific sins (see no. 1), but we love them and extend kindness, love, and mercy. As you live and speak words of life, wisely observe and risk vulnerability according to a person’s habitual behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Forgive fast.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nIf you are hurt, forgive. Be difficult to offend. If there\u2019s repentance, reconcile. If you forgive the person but they continue in harmful behavior, show kindness while prayerfully using wisdom regarding future contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his love for us and others, God is infinitely qualified to be the guard over our hearts so we can be free to be safe friends who enjoy shatter-proofed friendships behind our glass walls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Do you struggle with Glass House Syndrome? Many women, if not most, suffer from it to some degree. We crave transparent and intimate relationships, yet we self-protect against the \u201cstones\u201d that threaten to shatter our hearts and carefully crafted self-images. According to Quora.com, “People in the public eye, such as politicians or actors, are exposed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMany women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\nB&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAll followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShe spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
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Many women, if not most, suffer from it to some degree. We crave transparent and intimate relationships, yet we self-protect against the \u201cstones\u201d that threaten to shatter our hearts and carefully crafted self-images. According to Quora.com, “People in the public eye, such as politicians or actors, are exposed…","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1690"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1698,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1690\/revisions\/1698"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Test the waters. When you first get to know a potential friend, share something personal that isn\u2019t private. Become more vulnerable as you see evidence that the waters are safe. When she is faithful with little, entrust her with much (see Luke 16:10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Trust God as you trust others.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nGuard your heart against its innate wickedness and that which threatens to defile, not against potentially trustworthy sister-friends. Because people are sinners, and sin is destructive, trust requires risk. The key forward is to confidently relinquish our hearts to God even as we expose our weaknesses to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Watch people.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nOpen hands can’t hold stones of condemnation. Look for friends whose hands are empty but whose hearts are full of Jesus. Listen to the words of a person’s mouth as the outflow of what’s in their heart. Is that potential confidante a gossip? Does she speak the best of others or the worst? Does she grumble and complain about everyone and everything? Do her words produce life or death (see Proverbs 18:21)? Would you want to feast on the fruit of her words? We don’t reject people for their sinful nature or specific sins (see no. 1), but we love them and extend kindness, love, and mercy. As you live and speak words of life, wisely observe and risk vulnerability according to a person’s habitual behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Forgive fast.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nIf you are hurt, forgive. Be difficult to offend. If there\u2019s repentance, reconcile. If you forgive the person but they continue in harmful behavior, show kindness while prayerfully using wisdom regarding future contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his love for us and others, God is infinitely qualified to be the guard over our hearts so we can be free to be safe friends who enjoy shatter-proofed friendships behind our glass walls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Do you struggle with Glass House Syndrome? Many women, if not most, suffer from it to some degree. We crave transparent and intimate relationships, yet we self-protect against the \u201cstones\u201d that threaten to shatter our hearts and carefully crafted self-images. According to Quora.com, “People in the public eye, such as politicians or actors, are exposed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMany women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\nB&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAll followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShe spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
How to Shatterproof Your Friendships<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Women crave deep friendships but often self-protect against vulnerability. Learn how to create safe, authentic friendships.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/2024\/06\/11\/how-to-shatterproof-your-friendships\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Shatterproof Your Friendships\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Women crave deep friendships but often self-protect against vulnerability. 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Open hands can’t hold stones of condemnation. Look for friends whose hands are empty but whose hearts are full of Jesus. Listen to the words of a person’s mouth as the outflow of what’s in their heart. Is that potential confidante a gossip? Does she speak the best of others or the worst? Does she grumble and complain about everyone and everything? Do her words produce life or death (see Proverbs 18:21)? Would you want to feast on the fruit of her words? We don’t reject people for their sinful nature or specific sins (see no. 1), but we love them and extend kindness, love, and mercy. As you live and speak words of life, wisely observe and risk vulnerability according to a person’s habitual behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Forgive fast.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nIf you are hurt, forgive. Be difficult to offend. If there\u2019s repentance, reconcile. If you forgive the person but they continue in harmful behavior, show kindness while prayerfully using wisdom regarding future contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his love for us and others, God is infinitely qualified to be the guard over our hearts so we can be free to be safe friends who enjoy shatter-proofed friendships behind our glass walls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Do you struggle with Glass House Syndrome? Many women, if not most, suffer from it to some degree. We crave transparent and intimate relationships, yet we self-protect against the \u201cstones\u201d that threaten to shatter our hearts and carefully crafted self-images. According to Quora.com, “People in the public eye, such as politicians or actors, are exposed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMany women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\nB&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAll followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShe spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
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Many women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n B&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n All followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n