Look Back<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt seems counterintuitive, but we look back to move forward. This is actually a biblical, Hebrew practice commanded by God, who (according to AI) said \u201cremember,\u201d \u201cdo not forget,\u201d and \u201cforget not\u201d some four hundred times. Additionally, He created days and ways, like the Sabbath, to remember Him and His works. Author Kristi McLelland says we look back to remember God\u2019s faithfulness so we can \u201ccourage forward.\u201d Otherwise, we risk going backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reflect on your previous year, and identify two specifics in each of these four categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Two Wins:<\/strong> An accomplishment, big step, significant decision, personal or spiritual victory, or a way you\u2019ve seen the unmistakable hand of God in your life and circumstances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Two Grins:<\/strong> A challenge or trial\u2014something unwanted, unexpected, or even something that looked like failure but produced a priceless lesson (called grins because, on the other side of the hard or painful experience, you smile at the goodness of God).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Two Sins:<\/strong> A sin that separated you from seeing and experiencing God. One sin I noted in 2024 is self-reliance to achieve my own form of righteousness, as if what God started in the Spirit will be completed in my flesh (see Galatians 3:3).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Two Pins:<\/strong> A great resource you want to \u201cpin\u201d like on Pinterest\u2014something you read, studied, or heard that left a lasting impression you don\u2019t want to forget.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Your answers form a written record of God\u2019s faithfulness you can easily reference when you\u2019re inclined to forget (see Deuteronomy 4:23 and 8:11\u201310).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look Within<\/strong> and Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\nNext, answer these three questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- What is the one main thing you believe God has put on your heart for right now?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What is one thing that stands in your way?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What is the way forward in obedience?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The goal at the conclusion of this reflection is what I call a FOR-WORD, a biblical spin on a word for the year that becomes a “compass” to concisely and continually point you in the direction of God\u2019s calling and assignment for you. It\u2019s the combination of two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- A single word you believe embodies what God has put on your heart for 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A word from His Word that inspires or instructs you forward in the thing He puts on your heart to do.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
My one thing is worship, but my affection for image (idolatry) stands in my way. My one way forward is to fall more in love with Jesus, and my FOR-WORD is gaze<\/em> because to love Jesus, I must behold Him; to behold Him, I must gaze at Him and not the things of this world. My word from the Word is Psalm 27:4 (ESV): \u201cOne thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour FOR-WORD may not come to you right away, and that\u2019s okay. It may change\u2014mine has. But as you shift your focus to the things of the Lord, He will guide you to specific intentions or practices for what He has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFinally, look ahead and identify the genesis steps or intentions that will yield forward movement. Borrowing Paul\u2019s words from Ephesians 5:15\u201316 (ESV), this is where we \u201clook carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on your FOR-WORD, name two things you\u2019ll start, two things you\u2019ll stop, two things you\u2019ll face, and two things you\u2019ll embrace (borrowed from an unknown author).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to follow my FOR-WORD gaze,<\/em> I have to know who Jesus is, what He looks like, and how to see Him. I have to prioritize time to learn about Him, which means I have to schedule time to read and study the Bible. Thus, I have to get up early, but in a rested state\u2014not sleepy\u2014so I have to plan my bedtime and wake time for at least seven hours of sleep. This requires an early dinner time that allows time for James and me to hang out before bed. So, one intention is to \u201cstart dinner prep no later than 6 p.m. each day.\u201d If I don\u2019t, subsequent steps spiral from there. A few other personal examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- I will stop using a Bible app for my morning reading so I don\u2019t get distracted with other apps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I will face my tendency to approach time with God as a formulated task.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I will embrace Scripture memory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Today is the day the Lord has made (see Psalm 118:24). Because of His new mercies every morning, you can start fresh today. Every day can be the first day of a new year, so Happy New Year! May the Lord prosper you forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The \u201cNew Year, New You!\u201d dreams always ended in disappointment for me. It was more like \u201cNew Year, same old me.” Here’s what I do about it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":2122,"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":[29,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-church-life","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
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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":"What Do You Do When the New Year Meets the Old You?\u00a0","description":"The \u201cNew Year, New You!\u201d dreams always ended in disappointment for me. 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Your answers form a written record of God\u2019s faithfulness you can easily reference when you\u2019re inclined to forget (see Deuteronomy 4:23 and 8:11\u201310).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look Within<\/strong> and Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\nNext, answer these three questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- What is the one main thing you believe God has put on your heart for right now?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What is one thing that stands in your way?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What is the way forward in obedience?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The goal at the conclusion of this reflection is what I call a FOR-WORD, a biblical spin on a word for the year that becomes a “compass” to concisely and continually point you in the direction of God\u2019s calling and assignment for you. It\u2019s the combination of two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- A single word you believe embodies what God has put on your heart for 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A word from His Word that inspires or instructs you forward in the thing He puts on your heart to do.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
My one thing is worship, but my affection for image (idolatry) stands in my way. My one way forward is to fall more in love with Jesus, and my FOR-WORD is gaze<\/em> because to love Jesus, I must behold Him; to behold Him, I must gaze at Him and not the things of this world. My word from the Word is Psalm 27:4 (ESV): \u201cOne thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour FOR-WORD may not come to you right away, and that\u2019s okay. It may change\u2014mine has. But as you shift your focus to the things of the Lord, He will guide you to specific intentions or practices for what He has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFinally, look ahead and identify the genesis steps or intentions that will yield forward movement. Borrowing Paul\u2019s words from Ephesians 5:15\u201316 (ESV), this is where we \u201clook carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on your FOR-WORD, name two things you\u2019ll start, two things you\u2019ll stop, two things you\u2019ll face, and two things you\u2019ll embrace (borrowed from an unknown author).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to follow my FOR-WORD gaze,<\/em> I have to know who Jesus is, what He looks like, and how to see Him. I have to prioritize time to learn about Him, which means I have to schedule time to read and study the Bible. Thus, I have to get up early, but in a rested state\u2014not sleepy\u2014so I have to plan my bedtime and wake time for at least seven hours of sleep. This requires an early dinner time that allows time for James and me to hang out before bed. So, one intention is to \u201cstart dinner prep no later than 6 p.m. each day.\u201d If I don\u2019t, subsequent steps spiral from there. A few other personal examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- I will stop using a Bible app for my morning reading so I don\u2019t get distracted with other apps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I will face my tendency to approach time with God as a formulated task.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I will embrace Scripture memory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Today is the day the Lord has made (see Psalm 118:24). Because of His new mercies every morning, you can start fresh today. Every day can be the first day of a new year, so Happy New Year! May the Lord prosper you forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The \u201cNew Year, New You!\u201d dreams always ended in disappointment for me. It was more like \u201cNew Year, same old me.” Here’s what I do about it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":2122,"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":[29,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-church-life","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
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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. 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It was more like \u201cNew Year, same old me.\" Here's what I do about it.","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118","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=2118"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2125,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118\/revisions\/2125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The goal at the conclusion of this reflection is what I call a FOR-WORD, a biblical spin on a word for the year that becomes a “compass” to concisely and continually point you in the direction of God\u2019s calling and assignment for you. It\u2019s the combination of two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A single word you believe embodies what God has put on your heart for 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A word from His Word that inspires or instructs you forward in the thing He puts on your heart to do.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
My one thing is worship, but my affection for image (idolatry) stands in my way. My one way forward is to fall more in love with Jesus, and my FOR-WORD is gaze<\/em> because to love Jesus, I must behold Him; to behold Him, I must gaze at Him and not the things of this world. My word from the Word is Psalm 27:4 (ESV): \u201cOne thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your FOR-WORD may not come to you right away, and that\u2019s okay. It may change\u2014mine has. But as you shift your focus to the things of the Lord, He will guide you to specific intentions or practices for what He has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Finally, look ahead and identify the genesis steps or intentions that will yield forward movement. Borrowing Paul\u2019s words from Ephesians 5:15\u201316 (ESV), this is where we \u201clook carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on your FOR-WORD, name two things you\u2019ll start, two things you\u2019ll stop, two things you\u2019ll face, and two things you\u2019ll embrace (borrowed from an unknown author).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to follow my FOR-WORD gaze,<\/em> I have to know who Jesus is, what He looks like, and how to see Him. I have to prioritize time to learn about Him, which means I have to schedule time to read and study the Bible. Thus, I have to get up early, but in a rested state\u2014not sleepy\u2014so I have to plan my bedtime and wake time for at least seven hours of sleep. This requires an early dinner time that allows time for James and me to hang out before bed. So, one intention is to \u201cstart dinner prep no later than 6 p.m. each day.\u201d If I don\u2019t, subsequent steps spiral from there. A few other personal examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- I will stop using a Bible app for my morning reading so I don\u2019t get distracted with other apps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I will face my tendency to approach time with God as a formulated task.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I will embrace Scripture memory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Today is the day the Lord has made (see Psalm 118:24). Because of His new mercies every morning, you can start fresh today. Every day can be the first day of a new year, so Happy New Year! May the Lord prosper you forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The \u201cNew Year, New You!\u201d dreams always ended in disappointment for me. It was more like \u201cNew Year, same old me.” Here’s what I do about it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":2122,"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\n
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
<\/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\n
B&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
\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
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\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
Empowered 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
\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":[29,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-church-life","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
What Do You Do When the New Year Meets the Old You?\u00a0<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The \u201cNew Year, New You!\u201d dreams always ended in disappointment for me. It was more like \u201cNew Year, same old me." Here's what I do about it.\" \/>\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\/2025\/03\/10\/what-do-you-do-when-the-new-year-meets-the-old-you\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Do You Do When the New Year Meets the Old You?\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The \u201cNew Year, New You!\u201d dreams always ended in disappointment for me. It was more like \u201cNew Year, same old me." 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It was more like \u201cNew Year, same old me.\" Here's what I do about it.","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118","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=2118"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2125,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118\/revisions\/2125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}