How many of your women struggle to put a healthy dinner on the table each night?
Maybe the process of ironing a shirt has left them confused and discouraged.
What if you could meet that need by providing a discipleship program that offers Bible study and teaches women practical kitchen and homemaking skills?
A few months ago I stumbled on just such a discipleship resource at the LifeWay Women’s Leadership Forum.
As I walked through the vendor area, I came across a booth for Secrets Savored by Diane Dougharty.
The tagline on the book is what really grabbed my attention – “Mentoring young women through simple homemaking tips and spiritual insights.”
Side note: It’s not just for young women, women of all ages can be involved and benefit.
Based on the requests I receive for mentoring and discipleship resources, I knew this was a resource I needed to share with other women’s ministry leaders.
Diane explains, “For several years now, I have desired to find a way to teach young women how to be effective homemakers and to value their God-given calling. Many have expressed to me an interest in being discipled in the area of homemaking. Thus, the Secrets Savored material was birthed in order to meet this critical need.”
I’ve also seen the need for this type of resource first-hand.
I know women (of all ages) who would love to learn some basic kitchen and cooking skills. Many women today want to cook healthy meals and take better care of their home, but they don’t know how.
Let’s take a closer look at this resource.
Secrets Savored Book 1 is going to arm women with some much-needed kitchen knowledge and easy, delicious recipes while pointing them to the one true source of comfort and knowledge, the Lord.
Here’s how Secrets Savored works:
1. The study is structured for a group of 8-12 women led by a leadership team of 3-4 more experienced (likely, older) women. The leadership team includes one woman to serve as the teaching leader, one or two assistant leaders, and a home hostess.
2. Each session should last 2 ½ to 3 hours.
3. Groups would meet weekly for approximately ten weeks to complete the curriculum in Book 1. You can purchase additional Leaders Guides to keep your group going and growing.
4. The cost for each course includes the leader’s guide, one workbook per participant, and supplies purchased for the weekly baking or cooking activities.
The components for each weekly session:
1. Devotional lesson – In Book 1 each 20-30 minute lesson is focused on a woman in the Bible.
2. Practical lesson – Lasting 1 – 1 ½ hours, students participate in an instructional activity. Book 1 focuses on time in the kitchen (beginning with the basics and including piles of recipes). Book 2 focuses on the home (ironing, cleaning, painting, and some additional kitchen topics).
3. Food – Either snack time or enjoying the food that was prepared for the lesson.
You’ll find the Leader’s Guide includes step-by-step instructions, worksheets, fun activities, and detailed devotionals. It’s detailed and thorough!
Here’s just a sample of the recipes you’ll find: Tortilla Soup, Slaw Salad with Chicken, Mild High Potatoes, Hawaiian Chicken, Blueberry Crumble, Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies, Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies, Nancy’s Pie Crust, Cathy’s Easy Quiche, and Applesauce Nut Bread.
If you’re not sure there’s a need in your church or community, consider surveying your women to find out if this is a program that would interest them.
As we seek to reach more women, finding ways to meet their physical needs and spiritual needs at the same time is key! Women who may not be ready for a Bible study-only discipleship group may be drawn in by learning practical skills.
Secrets Savored is another way that we can live out Titus 2 in our churches, homes, and community.
Take note of the things Paul lists that older women are to “train” the younger women in.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Titus 2:3-5 ESV
If you’ve sensed God nudging you or your team to prioritize discipleship, mentoring, or engaging multiple generations, I encourage you to pray about using Secrets Savored in your church and community.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of these resources at my request so that I could share them with you all.
You may also want to read:
Mentoring Programs and Resources
How to Engage Multiple Generations
How to Get Women to Show Up
One year ago: 12 Ways to Quickly Build Community Among Women at Your Church
Two years ago: Is God calling your ministry to shine a light on sex trafficking?
Three years ago: Things “I Love” Bingo Game
Four years ago: How to Build a Women’s Ministry Team
Five years ago: Not-so-Newlywed Game Show Script
Kristen says
I participated in a ministry program almost identical to this called Apples of Gold by Betty Huizenga. It was only 6 weeks, but it was so wonderful to be able to build relationships with older women through it. I’m glad to see that an interest in this type of mentoring has been refreshed!
Cyndee Ownbey says
Kristen, thank you for your comment and for sharing another resource leaders can check out!
Gail Sharp says
We are trying to revive our women’s ministry. This would be a great resource.
Kristen Chester says
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for, for our women’s ministry! Thank you for sharing!!
renee says
We need this in our Church there has been a separation because of no Pastor for several months and we are now here and trying to bring it back together
Anna says
our women could use this! We work with urban ministries this would so benefit us since we are a community outreach church.
Heather Hayden says
This sounds very interesting! Would love to win these for my ladies’ Bible study group!
Nora says
Would love to use this with the women at my church and in our community. Have wanted to start a mentoring program like this but not sure how to. Would live to win this resource to get us started.
Mary says
Love this! Super excited about real life practical mentoring. This is whats many women are missing in their lives.
Catelin Curnes says
What a treasure, I’d love to win this!
Christina K Hall says
What an awesome community outreach this would be – not only for our church but for our community. I’m thinking newlyweds or those who’ve just become engaged. Yes this is awesome!
Becky says
Oh my!! I have had this idea in my head for a long time, I just didn’t know how to do it! What a great resource this would be!!!
Coral Conner says
This would be a wonderful way to disciple the women of our church! We are lacking attendance and friendship.
Melanie says
This sounds like a delightful resource, just what some of us “older” women have been waiting for. Looking forward to using it and sharing whatever God wants.
Sandra M. says
Such an exciting concept. I have had such a burden for that Scripture in Titus. This could be a wonderful way to involve the younger women. I am so excited about this study and so glad you shared this.
Sherry Cunningham says
Thank you so much for all the helpful advice you always have for women’s ministry.
This latest sounds like it would be a great program to share with not only ladies at our church,
but with ladies at a ‘half-way house’ type setting in our town. Would love to try it especially with them.
Floriana C Brindle says
Thank you for this resource! Worshipping God in every area of life.
Denise Turner says
This is such a great resource and I love the opportunity to be able to win a copy.
Rehana De Villiers says
This is exactly what I would love to bring to our women’s ministry. I have just become the leader of our women, (mid-sized church) after what was a 2 year gap of random activity, scattered events and loosely organized studies, due to the absence of any woman leader. This structured approach to mentoring and ministry would be wonderful to once again bring our women together and encourage the cross-generational ministry our church is needing.
Joan Reed says
This is just what our small church needs. We are trying very hard to get our young women interested in attending our ministry activities. These books would surely give us hands on ideas and guidelines to help us reach the younger ladies of our congregation – we want to engage them and keep them coming back for more.
Michelle says
Very needy tool!
Margaret Pritchard says
What a great Idea!! What a blessing this would be for our group of sister’s in Christ. We are of mixed ages, but I think we all can learn from this series. Thanks for sharing!!
Vettie says
I think this is a wonderful way to teach our young ladies!! Doing something like this has been on my heart for awhile now. This will be great tools!
~Blessings
Jennie Ramos says
Wow ! This book was what I am needing to help young girls in both Spanish and English language. Bringing the scriptures alive through domestic teaching is the best of both worlds. I would love to be the winner of this offer. Thank you
Natalie Schilling says
God’s timing is incredible! Our Women’s Ministry Leadership team met LAST NIGHT and we talked about a program such as this. A need had been presented to us from a local christian based drug rehab house. They were looking/asking if we might come alongside the 10 women in the house to provide discipleship/mentoring in these exact areas! Praise God He revealed this to me through you today! Thank you!
Zu says
There are not enough words to say how much I love this idea for a Bible Study. What a great resource.
Luann says
Looks like a great resource!
Jackie Steward says
This is an intriguing idea and a study that I would like to look at more closely!
Jackie Steward says
This is a very intriguing idea and a study I would like to look at more closely!
Lavonna L Garrett says
Truth be told there are older career minded women that need this teaching as well. Some have been so career focused that they never bothered to learn homemaking.
Awesome teaching..very much needed.
Debbie says
What a great idea and to me out of the box type devotional, as a way to draw more ladies into a study. It’s like having fun, learning and studying God’s word at the same time. Love this resource.
Chrissy Dulin says
What a great resource! Definitely will share with the ladies and see if they’d be interested. Thank you!
Mandy says
So excited to learn of this study. This has been on my heart for years but didn’t know how to execute it.
Michelle Radcliff says
This is awesome and so much needed.
Amy J says
Great ideas to allow opportunities for connection!
Shary Green says
This hits right where I have a pain for ministry. I would love to do this with a group of women.
Sheri Price says
This looks so practical. Thanks for sharing.
Lana Schaeffer says
I love this idea! Love that they meet in homes and that it combines mentoring; skills and discipleship. I am just sorry I didn’t see this booth while at Forum.
Tonya Bell says
YES YES YES!!!! I have been working on just such a ministry myself!
Edith Prescott says
What a unique idea to meld a multi-aged group of gals to not only grow spiritually, but to learn a life skill!
Christy says
This looks like a very timely resource for ladies. I love that it combines Scriptural teaching with hands on activities learning practical skills!
Carla says
Always always looking for practical ideas to combine with Christian ministry to women in our community! Would love to win! ❤️
Wanda Kilby says
I would love to use this in our church.
Rev says
I would love to use this study. I am a firm believer in disciplining and teaching Titus 2:3-5!!
Kathy Lynn says
This is a great idea to bring women together and make it not so intimidating to those who are not churched. Great outreach!
Anita Brown says
What a great resource! I have been wanting to find a way to incorporate all generations with the older generation teaching the younger and passing the wisdom down that only they can give! What a great idea!
Barbara Cuthbert says
This is a wonderful idea, and would meet a real need in every community.
Fay Flournoy says
This looks like a wonderful resource! Thanks for sharing. ♡
Sandra MacKenzie says
Would love to have the opportunity of sharing this with the ladies of my church family!