What Does the Bible Say About Women in Ministry? The Truth May Surprise You What Does the Bible Say About Women in Ministry? The Truth May Surprise You ✍️ By Mfon Obioma · 📅 May 10, 2026 · ⏱️ 8 min read · 🎯 #PrayerShift Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash You've heard the question whispered in church hallways. You've seen women step down from pulpits because someone quoted a verse. You've wondered yourself: "Can God really use me in ministry, or am I stepping outside His design?" I'm an ordained female minister. I've wrestled with these passages for years. And I want to tell you: the truth is more beautiful than either extreme — the one that silences women completely or the one that ignores what the Bible actually says. Let's walk through what Scripture really teaches about women in ministry. No agenda. No fear. Just the Word and context. The Surpris...
How to Study the Bible as a Busy Woman — A Simple System That Works
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
You want to read the Bible. You really do. But every time you try, one of two things happens: you fall asleep after three verses, or you feel completely lost and close the book.
I've been there. I thought Bible study required a theology degree, a quiet house, and two hours of uninterrupted time. None of which I had.
Then I discovered a different way. Not more time — a better system. The LOWEF framework (Look, Observe, Write, Engage, Follow‑through) was born from helping thousands of busy women actually get something out of their Bibles. No fluff. No guilt. Just 15 minutes that work.
This post shows you how to study the Bible for beginners — even if you've never done it before, even if you're exhausted, even if you have no idea where to start. Let me walk you through each step.
The LOWEF System: 5 Simple Steps to Daily Bible Study
L LOOK — Read Slowly (3 minutes)
📖 Psalm 119:18 — "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."
Pick one short passage — even 3 verses are enough. Read it out loud. Then read it again in a different translation (YouVersion app makes this easy). The goal is not speed; it's noticing. Write down one phrase that catches your attention. That phrase is often the Holy Spirit highlighting something for your day.
O OBSERVE — What Do You See? (4 minutes)
📖 Proverbs 2:2 — "Turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding."
Ask three questions: Who is speaking? What is happening? Why does this matter? Don't jump to application yet — just observe. Look for repeated words, commands, promises, or warnings. Write down one observation. This step teaches you to read with curiosity, not assumption.
W WRITE — One Verse That Speaks to You (4 minutes)
📖 Habakkuk 2:2 — "Write down the revelation and make it plain."
Choose one verse from the passage. Write it word‑for‑word in a notebook. Then rewrite it in your own words. This slows your brain down and forces you to sit with the text. Writing also creates a record of what God is saying to you — your own personal commentary.
E ENGAGE — Ask Questions (3 minutes)
📖 Acts 17:11 — "They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day."
Write down two or three honest questions. What confuses you? What do you want to learn more about? This is not a test — it's conversation. You don't need all the answers. You just need curiosity. Later, you can ask a pastor, use a commentary, or search online. The question itself is the door to depth.
F FOLLOW-THROUGH — One Action Step (3 minutes)
📖 James 1:22 — "Do not merely listen to the word, but do what it says."
This is the secret to Bible study that changes your life. Ask: What is one specific thing I will do today because of what I read? Keep it small. Example: "I will text encouragement to a friend" or "I will pause before reacting in anger." Write it down. Then do it. No action = no transformation.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
How to Make the LOWEF System Stick (When You Have Zero Time)
I know what you're thinking: "Fifteen minutes? I don't even have five." Here's what works for real busy women.
Anchor it to an existing habit
Don't try to find "extra time." Attach Bible study to something you already do. Morning coffee. Commute (use audio Bible). Right before scrolling social media. The anchor makes it automatic.
Use a timer
Set 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, stop — even if you're not "done." This trains your brain to focus, and it removes the pressure of perfection. Tomorrow you pick up where you left off.
Miss a day? Don't quit
Consistency is built by grace, not guilt. If you skip Tuesday, you don't need to "catch up." Just start again on Wednesday. The enemy wants you to feel like a failure after one missed day. God welcomes you back like you never left.
Internal link: Combine your Bible study with the 3‑2‑1 Prayer Protocol for a complete morning routine.
What If You Don't Understand What You're Reading?
Good. That means you're paying attention. The Bible is deep — you're not supposed to understand everything on the first read. Here's what to do instead of getting discouraged:
- Write down your question (part of the ENGAGE step)
- Ask a pastor or older believer
- Use a free commentary (like Enduring Word or Matthew Henry)
- Check cross‑references in your Bible
- Trust that understanding grows over time, not overnight
What Version of the Bible Should You Use?
For beginners, start with a translation that's readable. I recommend NIV, NLT, or CSB. Save KJV or NASB for later study. YouVersion Bible app lets you switch between translations instantly — perfect for comparing.
FAQ: How to Study the Bible for Beginners
📖 How do I start studying the Bible as a beginner?
Start with one small book like John or Philippians. Read 5 verses a day. Ask three questions: What does it say? What does it mean? What do I do about it? Use the LOWEF system above — 15 minutes is enough.
⏰ What is the best Bible study method for busy women?
The LOWEF method: Look (read slowly), Observe (notice details), Write (journal one verse), Engage (ask questions), Follow-through (one action step). It works in 15 minutes a day.
⚡ How can I understand the Bible when I have no time?
Use micro-study: one verse, two minutes, one application. You don't need a whole chapter. Quality of attention matters more than quantity of verses.
🛠️ What tools do I need to study the Bible?
A Bible (any translation), a notebook, a pen, and a timer. That's it. Don't wait until you have 'perfect' tools. Start with what you have today.
📅 How do I stay consistent with Bible study?
Anchor it to an existing habit: coffee, commute, or before social media. Start with 5 minutes daily. Miss a day? Don't quit — just resume. Consistency is built by grace, not guilt.
📘 Go Deeper: The LOWEF Bible Study Journal
A 90‑day guided journal with daily scriptures, LOWEF prompts, and action‑step trackers. Designed for busy women who want to grow without overwhelm.
Get the Journal on Selar →✨ Join the Rise in Purpose Cohort: A 6‑week small group experience combining Bible study, prayer, and purpose discovery. Learn more here →
Your First LOWEF Study Starts Now
Open your Bible to Psalm 1. Run through the 5 steps. It will take 15 minutes. Then come back and tell us your one action step.
👇 Stay connected for weekly Bible study prompts 👇
Comment below: “My action step is…”
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