SUMMER EXTENSION STUDY LEADER GUIDE
HELLO SISTERHOOD LEADER!
Thank you so much for making space in your schedule, and possibly even your home, for continued connection through Sisterhood! We’re excited to see the community that’s been built carry on beyond the official semester and for women to continue walking through Psalms together. The next few pages include helpful information as you step into leading.
Sisterhood Reminders
As you lead this summer, here are a few important reminders:
• Just like during the regular semester, we want you to feel supported. If you have questions about your group or the study, please reach out to our team at women@rivervalley.org
• You set the tone as the group leader - but you don’t have to carry it all. Delegate and invite others to use their gifts. Someone can lead prayer, another can plan a social gathering and someone else can help with care needs if they arise. Your role is to oversee and protect the culture, not do everything yourself.
• And remember, Sisterhood culture still matters - even if you’re meeting off campus. Keeping that culture strong helps women feel safe, encouraged and free to go deeper in their walk with God. Thank you for leading so faithfully and upholding these values.
Sisterhood culture matters. It’s one of the things that sets this ministry apart and helps create a safe, intentional space for women to grow and be vulnerable. As a summer leader, we’re asking you to serve as the culture guide, which means protecting the tone of the group and gently redirecting if things ever feel off track. Setting the standard early helps build a healthy, life-giving community.
We encourage you to read this at your first gathering to set the tone:
Welcome to Summer Sisterhood! Before we begin, I want to share the heart behind this ministry. What makes Sisterhood special is the culture we protect together; it’s what makes this a safe place to share and grow. Our standard is that we each commit to making Sisterhood a safe and welcoming community.
We honor confidentiality. We refuse gossip. Our words are life-giving. We pray for and believe the best for one another. When we commit to this, we create a healthy community where women can truly experience freedom and growth.
STUDY FORMAT
We’ve kept this study simple to allow space for discussion, reflection and discipleship through relationships. Below is a suggested structure for your time together. The only things participants need are a Bible and a journal. It’s optional, but helpful, if they also have their Sisterhood Psalms Booklet from this past semester.
Before You Gather
Encourage everyone to read the Psalm for the week each day leading up to your gathering. As the leader, it’s helpful to send a quick reminder by text or email, letting them know which Psalm you’ll be discussing. Our hope is that as women read throughout the week, the Holy Spirit will highlight specific truths for them. Encourage them to bring a journal so they can write down what God is speaking to them as they study His Word.
While You Gather
• Open in Prayer: asking God for insight, understanding and personal application.
• Begin by reading the memory verse for the summer (Psalm 142:5 NLT) and encourage everyone to continue memorizing it throughout the week.
• Discuss the Powerful Truth at the top of the page and what God may be speaking through it.
• Read the Psalm for the week out loud together, allowing each woman to read a verse or two.
- After reading, invite women to share: A verse or section that stood out to them, why it stood out and how it applies to their life
- You can also use the discussion questions included in the study to guide conversation.
- Notice we also have indicated which lesson this Psalm ties back to - you can encourage ladies to refer to that lesson during discussion as well.
• End with Prayer Requests: It’s always helpful to preface these requests so they can be shared quickly.
A Helpful Note for this Study
It’s common to hear phrases like “I think this means…” or “For me this means…”. While personal reflection is valuable, encourage women to anchor their insights in the true meaning of the text. Reading ahead and consulting trusted resources, such as a study Bible or reliable commentaries, can help guide discussion back to the biblical context and truth of Scripture.
Outside of Gathering
• It can be so valuable to build community outside of your weekly gatherings. Here are some ideas of ways you can gather together throughout the entire summer:
- Saturday coffee/brunch! Either at a restaurant or at someone in your group’s home who loves to host.
- Serve Together! Sign up as a group for the same First Saturday Serve project and be the hands and feet of Jesus together.
- Plan to attend our Summer Women’s Night on July 31 together! You can plan to meet there early for the pre-party, sit together for service and/or stay together for the after-party!
THANK YOU
Thank you for saying yes to leading! We are praying for you, your group and the women you are shepherding. We’re grateful for the way you invest in others and trust this group will be a blessing to many. And remember, you’re not alone. Please reach out anytime if you have questions or need support as you lead.