One Touch Women's Ministry

by Jean Kimble, One Touch Women's Ministry Leader

Bethel Life Church has initiated a new women’s ministry, meeting in our church fellowship hall

every 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM. Everybody brings in some light refreshments to

share, since several may not get to eat dinner before the meeting. There’s usually something

substantial in addition to fruit and/or sweet things, plus coffee. After a short time of fellowship,

we begin our discussions. The meetings are “officially” over at 8:00 PM, but anyone who needs

prayer, support, encouragement, etc. is welcome to stay later and we have unabashedly done so!

In order to foster the freedom to share, it is most important to maintain an atmosphere of “safety”

for all people who attend so they can freely voice problems and issues that are weighing on their

hearts and lives, be it personal, relational, or professional. Therefore, our number one rule is

“What is said within these walls, stays within these walls.” Confidentiality is key when

discussing personal problems or situations. The coming together of praying, nurturing,

supportive, mentoring women can help move those mountains. Our church motto is “We Build

People.” One Touch Women’s Ministry’s aim is building women into the strong, confident

people we were meant to be as we seek to find and develop God’s calling on our lives.

We are currently studying/discussing the book THE RICH, THE POOR, AND THE NAKED

—Finding Peace out of Turmoil from the Lives of Twelve Biblical Women, by Jean Kimble. All

of the women in this book have experienced various circumstances in their lives that most of us

experience today in one form or another. We discuss these issues and choices, how we handle

them, what we could’ve done better, what we learned. An important take-away is that although

times and cultures have changed through the millennia, the human heart hasn’t. These women in

the Bible had to make difficult choices and face them with courage and conviction. In doing so,

they found their callings and achieved the destinies God had prepared for them. We, too, were

created and called for a special purpose. Every one of us is a one-of-a-kind; we will touch others

in ways unique only to us, and each of us has a special destiny designed by God. What would

happen if we never achieved it?

The following is an overview of our October meeting on Rahab the Harlot, found in the Old

Testament book of Joshua, chapters 2 and 6, and chapter 4 of our study book, plus some of the

questions we discussed:

“…This is a wonderful ‘testimony’ story! Testimonies are so important to those of us struggling

in our own situations, new believers juggling their old worlds and friends vs their new lives in

Christ, and for unbelievers who can see the miracles and peace in the lives of believers. This is

something we need to get used to sharing easily. I’m hoping we’ll hear some tonight!

Who remembers what their lives were like before they came to know the Lord? Have you ever

given your testimony to anyone? On more than one occasion? Privately? Before a group or

crowd? How did you feel about it?

Rahab started out life selling her body for money; she was a prostitute. But then, she found

herself in a situation where she had to make a big decision. It changed her life and it saved her

life. Most of us here in the U.S. don’t have our lives threatened by our decisions to follow Jesus

as Lord.

Do you believe accepting Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior has saved your life here on

earth? How so? Why do you believe it’s so difficult for people in our culture today to believe in

the simple fact of God’s truth and grace?

Last Sunday, Pastor Steve preached on sanctification: preparing believers for their callings so

they can fulfill the plans He has for their lives. For most of us, we aren’t ready to jump right into

our callings as soon as we’re saved. We’re ‘believers’ and ‘Children of God’, but not ‘Christ-

like’…yet. It’s a process and takes time (in my case, a very LONG time!).

Why do you think sanctification takes time? Is it hard, or relatively easy? Do you suddenly

‘arrive’, or will you ever get there? What do you think happens if you just can’t seem to meet

that goal? Would you give up or keep plodding? As the four-year-old says, ‘Are we there yet?’

Once Rahab threw in with God, she changed the way she thought and how she lived her life.

Rahab didn’t have much time for reflection on all this! She had to make a decision and act on it

immediately. Can you imagine what a powerful testimony her was??

How did y’all’s stories change once you made that leap of faith? How did your thoughts and

actions change? What do we know about Rahab that indicates she met the standard for

sanctification?

What hints or promptings do you believe God has or is giving you that are pointing you towards

your calling? Have you acted on any of it? What might be holding you back? Do you think you

need to take baby steps before you can leap?...”

We did indeed have fabulous discussions on these questions and many others, plus incredible

testimonies from many members! We would love to have you join us for a wonderful time of

sharing food, fellowship, fun, and lively discussions!