Hi Lee,
The same thing happened to me! I was hurt and I felt rather deceived to receive a phone call that I didn’t “make the cut” AFTER I had spent an entire morning at what I was told was the first class—never mentioned the word Introduction. The leaders never explained the criteria for selecting those who made the grade. I am disappointed—for years I’ve wanted to attend. It seems like BSF is an elite girls group that decides who is worthy to attend a Bible study. I’m done.

BSF also has what is called a Satellite Discussion Group (SDG) for areas that are connected with a ‘base class’ but they meet in another location usually because of travel distance. Check with the class nearest you to see if they already HAVE an SDG for you to participate in.

How exciting that you want to pursue a class in your area! You can visit BSF’s website and click on Contact Us … you can call them and tell them your desire to get information about starting a class. They start typically with a prayer group (sanctioned by BSF) in the area praying for God’s wisdom and provision for a class.

After many years of hearing my wife’s family (only the women, NONE of the men do BSF) talk about this program and the great studies, I’m breaking down and diving in to one of them close (well, 25 minutes – the closest) to my home. I’m open to making my own opinions and judgments once things get running. The recent studies I’ve attended in the area I currently live have been more of a ‘cookbook’ style of study where a question is asked, to which there is a correct answer, a few comments are simmered, then voila! you understand the Bible. My wife’s family says it’s not like that, so I will try to feed my hunger and learn more about taking God’s word into the world.

Maybe more posts to come…

Corinne, I am so sorry that anyone would ever have to leave a Bible Study feeling humiliated. That just makes me sad. I really struggled to be a “good” BSF leader because even though I understand most of the reasoning behind the rules, I want any encounter I have with God’s word to be bathed in grace. I pray that you will know grace as you continue to serve week after week in your class!

I would encourage you to share how you feel with your leader, especially if you are finding your frustration growing. But I know that can be a bit intimidating!

Also, as some one who has greatly benefitted in years past from being able to bring children to BSF, let me just say THANK YOU SO MUCH on behalf of the mamas who are I am sure are overjoyed to see your smiling face every week! What a huge gift you are bringing to their lives!! Sending you grace and love from afar! XOXOXO

One more little thought … the hymns are a choice of BSF because the main goal of BSF is to teach the Bible. The hymns we choose each week reinforce the doctrine or lessons that are introduced in the passage. For example, if the passage was teaching “atonement” through the blood of Christ, we would choose a hymn such as, Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness …
reinforcing the teaching of the passage. We are limited however to those hymns that are no longer under copyright. We cannot display, put up on slides, those that are still under copyright laws which includes almost all of the contemporary music from today. BSF does not have copyright “rights” like churches do. 🙂

Hi Corinne, I have commented a few times on this “post page” because I often find misunderstandings are at the root of such discouragement and hurt feelings.
First I am sorry and I completely understand your being hurt by such events.
The only thing I wanted to address is the use of commentaries. The purpose behind this is that a commentary is “some one else’s opinions” “comments” on the passage. The founder of BSF, Ms. Johnson’s desire for every one studying to be led by God and discover for themselves what God is saying to them personally. This doesn’t mean we get all the “answers” every week but the goal is for God to influence and give insight rather than the comments of someone else. Hope this helps you ~ I would strongly encourage you to speak to your Childrens Supervisor with the concerns you have regarding the music for your little ones. Blessings