How Chronological Bible Story Telling Is Being Used For Women's Discipleship

We tend to think "Bible Stories" are just for children. Here's how they are used to disciple adult women through an innovative ministry from a former missionary to Africa.

Avery Willis in his report "Bible Storying Going Mainstream" tells how Chronological Bible Story Telling ("CBS") is being used in a unique women's discipleship ministry in Memphis, TN:

Iva May, wife of Stan May who is a professor at Mid America Seminary in Memphis, TN, is discipling seminary women with CBS and some are now leading their own groups. She says, "I have been active in women's ministry for the past fifteen years and frustrated at the same time. I have used many of the familiar discipleship programs, such as Masterlife, Navigators materials, Precept Inductive Bible studies, and various others, and I know how time consuming they can be if they are done well. Then I began to use CBS. Never has discipleship been more exciting, more challenging and yet so simple! A year has passed and I have started five groups. Several of the girls have begun their own groups. They have memorized hundreds of verses and can re-tell many stories, unpackage theology from them and link together the judgment, beautiful women, submission, scheming and other character developing stories. The impact on my own life is incredible. Husbands stop me nearly every time I am on campus to tell me the impact CBS discipleship is having on their wives, raising their awareness and interest. It is contagious! " She is also working with her youth minister and children's director to develop a discipleship track for the kids and youth of her church and is beginning a ministry to the women's prison using CBS.

Her curriclum, titled "W3" for "Women, Worldview and the Word" is a "182 page spiral bound manual containing six brief chapters explaining Iva's discipleship philosophy and worldview. The manual also addresses important discipleship issues followed with 48 weeks of discipleship material. The addendum contains practical "how-to" pieces to help in your study."

My wife and I recently received our copy and found it to be a well done mix of Chronological Bible Storying, practical information addressing our own faulty worldview, women's discipleship information and a plan for discipling others. My wife noted after reviewing her material..."Many women's discipleship courses are interesting and have helpful information, but they don't usually go very deeply into the Bible. That's what I appreciate about this resource - it's Biblical Depth."

Mrs. May's book reminded me that you don't always have to tell the stories. I get the impression she is reading them from the New International Reader's Version. (That wasn't totally clear to me.) As long as the stories are read with "life"... that may be enough.

In her program women are exposed to the Bible in a variety of ways...

1. Chronological Bible Storying with deep discussion in the group time
2. Private Bible reading through the One Year Chronological NIV Bible (you can do that online here)
3. A variety of topic and issue oriented studies added at various times throughout the year
4. Personal exhortations and counsel between members

We think women's discipleship ministries and pastor's wanting to learn how to integrate Chronological Bible Storytelling into their ministries can benefit from this manual!



To Order:

Send a check or money order payable to Iva May in the amount $15.00 (plus $2.50 shipping and handling) to:

Shepherd-Shaped Ministries/Ivamay.com

8515 Farmington Blvd.

Germantown, Tennessee 38139