Wednesday, August 13, 2008

  • Question of the Day: Bible Study and the Sexes

    marigold by miss marigold

    home Bible Study 2


    I've joined a number of Bible study groups/small-group fellowships (under 10 people) over the years, most of which were girls-only. In college, I tried out two Bible study groups, both of which had guys and girls (in fact, one of the groups had two girls and six guys, including our leader...) Some people appreciate the diverse perspectives that a mixed-gender Bible study can offer, yet others often feel more comfortable opening up to a group that where study is geared toward one gender or the other.

    Personally, I prefer same-sex Bible studies because I tend to bond more easily with a bunch of girls than with a mixed group (and, admittedly, I sometimes get too distracted by the cute Christian boys to focus on the topic at hand.) I do fine in mixed groups too though, as long as my fellow females are not vastly outnumbered....

    What about you? Are you more likely to join a Bible study where everyone's gender is the same as yours, or do you feel more at ease in a mixed-gender group ?

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Comments (25)

  • chatattack500@xanga

    I joined a group that was for guys and girls, though at the time, it had only 4 to 5 girls, no guys but me. I felt very blessed. I had NO problems getting my guy friends to come at least once.
  • TheMarriedFreshman@xanga

    I like mixed groups. I have a dominant voice, though. In groups with all girls, I tend to have to clamp down on my opinions or I start sounding like I'm taking over the study. In mixed groups, I find that I feel more open to share what I think because I'm not afraid of eclipsing anyone.


    Just personal preference. No biggie.


    ~Victoria
  • GodArt@xanga

    I like both. I'm in a ladies Sunday school and I go to a mixed-gender Bible study. I love the intimacy of being with other females and I love the teaching I get from my pastor at Bible study. Men have really great insights into the Bible that women probably wouldn't think of, and visa versa. 


    I can't handle all estrogen all the time, so interacting with guys is a nice break. And my Bible study has mostly older men and women with families, so there's no distraction. 
  • Pieces_of_a_Melody@xanga

    I enjoy both. The Bible study which I am currently attending is mixed and I really enjoy it. It's nice to see both perspectives. But I also liked the Bible study which I attended which was all girls. We really bonded and they are some of my best friends. Then again, so are some of the guys in the mixed group. But yeah, I don't really have a preference.

  • iconspiration@xanga

    I was in a group for guys and girls last year and I didn't feel too comfortable with it (even though they were all very nice people)...eventually I just stopped going.

    Next year I think I'll try an all-girls group to see if that's easier for me.
  • organic_idiot@xanga

    I belong to three bible studies - one is only girls and the other two are mixed (one of them is taking a break for the summer).


    I don't find it hard to talk about myself in the two studies that involve both genders. We've all been friends for a long time and have all grown a trust of each other to voice our opinions, views, emotions, etc. There are many different views and we all celebrate them.


    Being that I'm a girl, it a toss up between whether or not I feel more comfortable in the all girl group (small group as we call it). There are only five of us (four young girls plus an elder) that are currently meeting and we meet at one of the elders at our church's house. I've known the four young girls for a while now, and while I've "known" the elder for pretty much the same amount of time... I've never truly "gotten" to know her. If you understand what I mean... lol.


    Anyway... back to my point - I'm more comfortable there because it's women meeting and I feel that the issues I want cleared up in my life right now are all about my own gender. However, I seem to be the only "newbie" Christian there, and along with having a less "conservative" view on things... I feel a tad looked down upon.


    Needless to say, I don't feel uncomfortable with a mixed gender study. It's fun to learn how all different types of people feel - male or female.


    Peace&love,
    Brooke
  • abbey_road248@xanga

    My first day back at my home church since being away at school, and for Sunday school I was the only girl amongst about 7 or 8 guys. It was terribly awkward, and I wanted to leave. I am also more comfortable in same-gender Jesus time situations, cause I definitally have a hard time focusing when I am vastly outnumbered like that. And we were sitting in a big circle, no less. I hate that.
  • aslgrl04@xanga

    Great question.  I think throughout the seasons of my life, I have been in many different ones. 


    I have been in a women's group and enjoyed the diversity of the group.  Some of the women were older so I learned a lot from them.  I also enjoyed being able to share my knowlegde with those younger.


    I have been in a group for women with children my son's age.  This group was a great support.


    I have been in groups mixed with men and women.  I have enjoyed the perspective given by both groups. 


    I think it really depends on what you are needing at that particular time in your life.
  • misspoppy

    I like either one. A couple of years ago I was in both an all-women's group and a mixed group. They were different, but they were both good.
  • kedward6@xanga

    For me, I can enjoy both kinds of Bible Studies.  I like all girl Bible studies cause I am able to open up more for some reason.  I am able to create a bond and other people in the group tend to relate better to one and other. 


    I also like mixed or couples Bible study cause it give a wider view of things.  Guys bring on a dufferent view to most things.  I also like going to couples study cause it give my husband and me spiritual bonding time.  We always spend time afterwards talking or praying about what we learned or thought. 

  • musterion99@xanga

    I've been in both and like them both.
  • Doubledb@xanga

    I think both are benefical and should be done. Same-Sex helps you bond better with friends, but mixed helps you get another perspective. For tougher issues I would suggest same-sex, but for bible studies by books, I think mixed is better.

    ... Funny how girls want same-sex so they can focus - but I would want mixed so I could potentially be friends with and/or meet another awesome Christian girl who I might find intrested in dating and such. I think it is the best place to look - I may have slight problems concentrating... but welcome to life.. ha ha.
  • la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga

    I strongly prefer the company and opinions of males, so I'd much prefer the mixed group.
    My brain is very masculine, so I have a hard time understanding the emotional takeover girls experience.
  • grammarboy@xanga

    It doesn't really matter to me. All guys would be fine, a mix would be fine, or all girls but me would be fine. I'm plenty comfortable discussing anything, even if it's a girls-only topic, as long as they're comfortable with it too.
  • hubbaduh@xanga

    I think that part of it depends on size....if it's under 8, I'm going to want it to be same-sex, but if it were say, 12-15, I wouldn't necessarily mind it being mixed-sex, assuming it was somewhat equal.  I would prefer though (regardless of size) for it to be same-sex.
  • pinksunfiredragon

    I've never been in a girls-only Bible study group, so I don't know how I'd like that. In my day-to-day life, I tend to hang out with more guys anyways, so I'm not sure if I would like a girls-only group. Plus, when I'm around just girls, I tend to be a bit of a leader, where when I'm with both genders, I'm more content to just sit and learn. I think overall, I'd probably prefer a mixed-gender group. 
  • too_pretty_to_die@xanga

    i'm one of those girls who can't stand other girls, so i prefer hanging out with guys in any situation.
  • Happily_Married_Guy@xanga

    I think people should go to whichever study they dont't want to go to.


    How's that for a twist on ya? ;)


    I think this just may be a wise approach, non?
  • ohmyjesselyn@xanga

    I've actually never been in a bible study group before.


    I'm transferring to a Christian university this fall and that's something I'm really looking forward to. I believe their small groups and studies are done by whatever dorm you're living in, so it would either be all girls or all boys. I think I'd feel more comfortable with all girls anyways. =]
  • thealmightytanya@xanga

    I don't really care either way.  I've always semi-preferred guys to girls for friends (I'm a girl).  It's nice being with decent guys.  And I don't ha ve issues with ogling, so mixed-sex works for me.  Not having issues with ogling as in I don't check out people.
  • Naoko_Ai@xanga

    As a female, if I was in a Bible study, I'd prefer to be with few females. I have a love of four years, so I'm not interested in looking at "cute" guys. But I'm more comfortable around guy friends. I have trouble trusting other females, as female friends don't often work out too well - girls are just catty and back-stabbing. I don't trust them easily. Also, I'm not interested in gossip or talking about random things constantly. So I prefer guys pretty much all the time, as friends or anywhere else. (As long as they're nice guys, and not flirty or something.)
  • lingromanzecool@xanga

    Well I guess a mixed-gender group isn't anything matter at all. Since the co-topic fouses on spiritual things, everyone's just supposed to share their things regarding the topic and that's it. I guess it's not at all time for one to think about other stuff, isn't it?! Especially when it comes to somewhat an important topic, one will not be easily fallen into other kinds of stuff like 'woot I wanna meet this girl or this boy ot etc'.


    From my point of view, I would like to say being in a mixed-group is more preferrable. I dont' mind if there're both boys and girls in the group (I'm a boy actually) because what we're talking about is a general topic and it's not at all sensitive to sexes.
  • my0nlyh0p3@xanga

    I just recently joined a mixed-gender, mixed-generation bible study. :) The first meeting, I enjoyed...I don't think I'd do well with an all-female bible study. I like male perspectives, and just my opinion, but in an all-female group, there always seems to be one or two who completely dominate. I definitely like the mixed gender group better...
  • thepurpleporpoise

    I greatly prefer mixed groups. I've always found girls groups to cause WAY too much drama, I don't bond well with just girls and girls can be catty and hold grudges for ages. I think testosterone helps balance that out. Guys just say it like it is, no passive-aggressive nonsense. 
  • princess_serenity07@xanga

    i'm afraid of bible study... people are sort of judgemental in the bible study groups i've seen.

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    • From: revelife
    • Posted: 8/13/2008 11:16 AM

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