Kristi
Briggs
Communication Goal #1
Because I desire to equip others and emphasize humility with sacrificial service, I will learn how to ask questions in my Bible studies, teaching, and mentoring that
encourage women to share deeply.
Strategy
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One-on-one coffee meetings with women from my church to get to know them more deeply.
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Regular conversations with Dr. Edwards and other women in leadership who can advise me.
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Write the devotional curriculum for Ladies’ Retreat.
Resources
I will review various books already in my library and others recommended by Dr. Edwards. Books in my library include, but are not limited to:
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Shepherding a Woman’s Heart
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Women Mentoring Women
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Teaching to Change Lives
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Organic Ministry to Women
Conversations with Dr. Edwards, Dr. Baker and other women I respect
Coffee times with women from my church
Measurements
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At least 5 coffee meetings with different women by December, and another 5 by May.
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By January 2023, the devotional curriculum I write for my church Ladies’ Retreat will reflect the depth.
Artifacts
Devotional curriculum for
Central Bible Church Ladies' Retreat
For my communication goal, I have submitted a copy of the devotional curriculum I wrote for the Central Bible Church Ladies' Retreat. This curriculum displays my ability to ask questions that cause the women to think deeply about Scripture and reflect on its meaning. It also demonstrates an ability to apply Scripture to daily life.
Communication Goal #2
Because I desire to equip others and emphasize humility with sacrificial service, I will learn to speak to a group with confidence, ease, and clarity, but still maintain humility.
For my communication goal, I have also submitted a narrative describing some of the meetings and conversations I have had with women. This narrative displays what I learned about getting to know women deeply.
Narrative about listening to women
Strategy
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Compose and deliver teaching for my Thursday Bible study.
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Compose and deliver teaching for the Let’s Grow Together podcast.
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Continue teaching adult Community Group at church.
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Practice teaching my Retreat material with Dr. Edwards.
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Pass out 3x5 cards with specific feedback questions to 4 or 5 people in order to receive honest feedback from my talks.
Resources
I will review the material from the Women Teaching Women class, including the books:
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Biblical Preaching
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Preaching that Speaks to Women
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Touching Others with Your Words
Measurements
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Give at least 3 teaching lessons to my Thursday Bible study by December.
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Teach the Let’s Grow Together Bible study two times by December and another two times by May.
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Teach Community Group two times by December and another three times by May.
Artifacts
For my Communication goal, I have submitted five sample lessons of my teaching for the Adult Community Group at Central Bible Church in Fort Worth. I also submitted a video of a portion of my teaching on March 26, 2023. These lesson notes and the video demonstrate my ability to prepare and deliver teaching material to a mixed-gender adult group. Our church uses the Socratic method for teaching, so I always prepare some introductory comments before we begin the group discussion. In order to prepare for the Sunday lesson, I must attend the Saturday morning teacher's meeting which ensures all the teachers are accurately handling God's Word. I feel that the class, both men and women, respect me as a teacher, and they eagerly participate in the group discussions.
Adult Community Group Teaching
Central Bible Church
September 11, 2022
Adult Community Group Teaching
Central Bible Church
October 16, 2022
Adult Community Group Teaching
Central Bible Church
December 4, 2022
Adult Community Group Teaching
Central Bible Church
February 12, 2023
Adult Community Group Teaching
Central Bible Church
March 26, 2023
For my Communication goal, I have also submitted one Instagram teaching for the Let's Grow Together online Bible study. This online Bible study demonstrates my ability to interpret and teach God's Word. It also demonstrates my flexibility in teaching venues and methods. In a rapidly changing culture, I must be prepared to adjust my teaching methods and be willing to try new technologies. An Instagram Live Bible study demonstrates this flexibility.
For my Communication goal, I have submitted pictures, videos, and a short outline of my teaching at the Central Bible Church Ladies' Retreat 2023. These artifacts demonstrate my ability to speak to a large group with poise and confidence. They also demonstrate my ability to accurately deliver principles and truth from God's Word. It was an incredible experience, and I received a lot of positive feedback.
I had the incredible privilege to be the speaker for the Central Bible Church Ladies Retreat, March 3-5, 2023. The theme for the weekend was "Called: Living Steady Lives in an Unsteady World."
I taught four lessons from the book of 1 Peter:
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Called to a Living Hope: 1 Peter 1:3-9
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Called to be Different: 1 Peter 3:8-18
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Called to Rejoice in Suffering: 1 Peter 4:12-19
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Called to Build the Church: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Short Videos of Teachings
Learning Reflection
As I developed and demonstrated communication abilities, I learned how much I really enjoy teaching God's Word. I enjoy the quiet preparation, the hours of study, the writing and editing, and then the actual delivery of all that I prepared. I found myself thinking often of my Dad who loved to teach Sunday School. I began teaching our Adult Community Group in June 2022. I think the class was a little skeptical of me at first. I especially wondered what the men were thinking because women teaching is a fairly new development at our church. However, as I've continued to teach, trying to handle God's Word very carefully, I have noticed a growing respect and liveliness in the class. I no longer wonder what the men are thinking, but teach with confidence and humility. But I also noticed I sometimes feel a little "burnt out" on God's Word. I feel terrible even saying this, but there have been times when I was overwhelmed preparing to teach on Sunday, preparing for my Thursday night Bible study, preparing to speak at Retreat, and doing Seminary homework. I need to be aware of this and make sure Scripture does not become a chore. It sometimes means taking a break--take a long walk and listen to a fiction book, watch TV for an hour, read a magazine!
Lifelong Learning Commitment
As a result of the experiences documented by these artifacts, I will continue to develop in my communication by continuing to seek opportunities to teach. I already have another opportunity to speak at another retreat at the end of April. I am writing another Bible study with a woman from my church later this year with the hopes of teaching the study to the women at our church in 2024. I thoroughly enjoy teaching the Community Group with both men and women and hope to continue that for many years. I also enjoy the Saturday morning teacher's meetings. Although I am usually one of only two or three women at the meetings, I enjoy the interaction with the other teachers and look forward to building respectful relationships with the men who are there.