Planning An Outdoor Women’s Bible Study For Small Churches

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission from purchased products at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

There’s something almost magical about studying God’s word under an open sky. When summer arrives and the weather turns perfect for being outside, an outdoor women’s Bible study might be exactly what your ministry needs. Not only does it provide a refreshing change of scenery, but it can also attract women who might not typically join a traditional indoor study. If you’re leading women’s ministry in a small church and thinking about planning an outdoor women’s Bible study, you’re in the right place!

A Summer Women’s Bible Study Is Great For Small Churches

Small churches have unique advantages when it comes to summer Bible studies. For starters, there’s that wonderful intimacy that comes with smaller groups. You actually know everyone’s name, their kids, their struggles, and probably what they ordered the last time you all went out for coffee. This creates an environment where women feel safe to open up in ways they might not in larger settings.

In small churches, summer often means a natural lull in programming as families travel and regular routines shift. Instead of fighting against this rhythm, an outdoor women’s Bible study embraces it! It provides spiritual continuity while acknowledging the different paces of summer life.

Plus, let’s be honest – small church budgets don’t always allow for elaborate women’s ministry programming. The great outdoors offers a gorgeous, free venue that rivals any fancy retreat center. Add some lawn chairs, a cooler of refreshments, and your Bibles, and you’ve got yourself a spiritual oasis that costs next to nothing.

For your women’s ministry, a summer outdoor study can:

• Keep spiritual momentum going during vacation months
• Reach women who might not attend indoor studies
• Provide natural opportunities for deeper connection
• Attract newcomers who find outdoor settings less intimidating than walking into a church building
• Create memorable shared experiences that strengthen your community

Now, let’s dive into how to make this happen without losing your mind in the process!

10 Tips For Planning An Outdoor Women’s Bible Study

1. Leverage Your Environment

What natural features are nearby that can be utilized? Are you near the shore, a lake, or a hiking trail? If so, bring these elements into your outdoor women’s Bible study time. We live in the Poconos, so we are surrounded by mountains and lakes. We’ve had studies around bonfires in open fields and have floated on my boat docked in a nearby lake.

If these kinds of features aren’t available, don’t worry! Maybe someone has a home with a lovely backyard, patio, or deck. A simple space with comfortable seating and some shade can be just as effective as an Instagram-worthy vista. The Holy Spirit isn’t limited by geography!

How This Helps: 

Using your natural surroundings creates a unique experience that helps women connect God’s word with His creation. There’s something powerful about discussing living water while sitting beside an actual lake or talking about God as our rock while surrounded by mountains.

2. Survey Before You Plan

Once you’ve considered what settings are especially unique to your area, survey the women via a quick poll on social media. No need to plan something that no one is interested in attending! Is your congregation older and not so active on social? Print out index-card-sized slips with the options on them to hand out on Sunday. The ladies can cast their vote and drop in a ballot box before leaving.

How This Helps: 

When women feel they’ve had input into the planning process, they’re more likely to attend and invite others. Plus, you’ll avoid the frustration of planning a lakeside study only to discover that half your women can’t swim and are terrified of water.

3. Manage Expectations Clearly

Let people know how long the study will last, what materials they need, and what they need or don’t need to account for. Should they bring a picnic blanket, bug spray, candles, or SPF? What kind of footwear is encouraged? Flip flops will work to float on a pontoon but won’t if you have to get somewhere via trails.

Enlist an administratively minded and detail-oriented sister in Christ (if this isn’t you) to think through these logistics and share ahead of time. Create a simple one-page handout or email that covers all the basics and see if the church may be able to keep a few basics on hand such as extra water or insect repellant.

How This Helps: 

Clear communication prevents frustration and ensures women come prepared to engage with the Bible study rather than being distracted by discomfort or unexpected challenges.

4. Create Contingency Plans

No one likes last-minute changes, but expect that the weather will interfere at least once throughout your outdoor women’s Bible study endeavor. Preemptively commit to a backup plan so a simple reminder is all that’s needed when plans shift: skipping the week? Venturing inside to a local coffee shop or living room instead?

If possible, identify someone who lives near your outdoor location who would be willing to host on short notice if needed or have a designated area in your church building ready as a backup.

How This Helps: 

Having a Plan B already communicated reduces stress for everyone and ensures your Bible study can continue regardless of what Mother Nature decides to do that day.

5. Address A Felt Need

This goes for any study, but it’s worth mentioning here. Are the women struggling with healthy relationships (marriages, friendships, etc.), parenting, or trusting God? What specific void in their life can the Word of God speak into?

Choose a book of the Bible or topic that connects with where your women are right now. If they don’t see a tangible value and application to their lives, they likely won’t come no matter how creative the atmosphere is.

How This Helps: 

When women find common ground in their spiritual journey through topics that directly apply to their daily lives, they’re more invested in the study and more likely to make it a priority.

6. Bathe It In Prayer

Start with prayer, pray throughout, and repeat. Thank God in advance for the hearts and women He is preparing to attend. Ask for wisdom in navigating any difficult personalities or differing opinions on how the study should go.

Create prayer circles specifically for this Bible study. Invite those who might not be able to attend to be prayer warriors for the study. This is a great way to involve homebound women or those whose schedules don’t permit attendance.

How This Helps: 

Prayer keeps the focus where it belongs—on God’s purposes rather than our plans. It also creates spiritual protection around your study and prepares hearts to receive what the Holy Spirit wants to do.

7. Trust His Timing And Direction

Recognize and believe He has gone before you in this study. Whenever He placed the study and location on your heart, He also knew what you would be up against.

True Story: About 3 years ago, a young mom wanted to start a Bible study group (we call them grow groups) for other young moms, littles included. She was so sure that this was from God but started to get discouraged when it snowed Every. Single. Thursday. Morning. For Months. We live in the Poconos, remember? Attendance was spotty at best on days when they could actually meet.

I reminded her that God knew about all this when He initially put the group on her heart, and yet He put it on her heart anyway. I encouraged her to continue to be obedient, not second-guessing the plans He had for her. She persisted and the group grew over the next two years. One by one, moms were led to be baptized and dedicated their children. There were so many who wanted to be baptized that we couldn’t accommodate them all on a Sunday morning since we also have a small church, much like you.

On one night, scheduled just for them, we had 24 baptisms and dedications!! Can I get an Amen?! Don’t second guess what He puts on your heart; not for a second!

How This Helps: 

When we trust God through challenges, not only do we experience His faithfulness, but we also model that faith for others in our group.

8. Create Rotating Responsibilities

Here’s the truth: If you try to do everything yourself, you’ll burn out faster than marshmallows over a campfire. Divide responsibilities among your women—someone to bring refreshments, someone to set up seating, someone to lead the discussion, someone to coordinate childcare if needed, etc.

Create a simple sign-up sheet that rotates these responsibilities throughout the weeks of your study. This gives everyone ownership and prevents any one person from carrying the entire load.

How This Helps: 

Sharing responsibilities not only lightens your load, but also helps identify and develop new leaders within your women’s ministry. It creates investment and ownership among participants.

9. Incorporate Creation-Based Activities

An outdoor women’s Bible study setting provides unique opportunities for hands-on learning that indoor studies don’t. Consider different ways to engage with Scripture beyond just discussion:

• Prayer walks through a field or woods (Either The Circle Maker or Draw The Circle by Mark Batterson offers a fabulous perspective on physically walking around a building or area to cover it in prayer).
• Object lessons using natural elements (stones, water, plants)
• Quiet meditation time where women spread out across the landscape
• Creative activities like sketching or photography that connect to the day’s theme

You don’t need to be super crafty, simple is often best. The goal is to use the outdoor setting to enhance engagement with the entire Bible, not distract from it.

How This Helps: 

Multi-sensory engagement helps women internalize biblical truths more deeply. It also accommodates different learning styles and keeps the study fresh and engaging.

10. Document And Share Your Journey

Designate someone (or rotate this responsibility) to take photos of your outdoor gatherings (with permission, of course). Create a simple hashtag for social media posts. This creates anticipation for those who haven’t yet attended and memories for those who have.

If conditions permit, play a slideshow at the end of the study by using a white sheet as a projector screen so you can enjoy and reminisce out in the fresh air.

How This Helps: 

Celebrating what God is doing creates momentum and builds anticipation. It also provides encouragement when things get challenging and serves as a testimony to His faithfulness.

Make Your Women’s Bible Study Fun!

An outdoor women’s Bible study doesn’t have to be all serious contemplation (though there’s certainly a place for that). 

Here are some quick ideas to inject fun and laughter:

• Start with an icebreaker that gets women moving—a simple scavenger hunt, a quick game of Bible trivia, or “Two Truths and a Lie” with a nature theme
• Bring snacks that match your theme or location (s’mores for a campfire study, fresh fruit for a garden setting)
• End with something memorable—a group photo with silly poses, a special prayer ritual, or a small takeaway (think river stones, a small jar of sand, wildflower bouquets, etc.)
• Occasionally surprise the group with special guests, treats, or activities

Remember, spiritual growth and fun aren’t mutually exclusive. Jesus Himself used humor and everyday objects to make His points. The Bible is filled with joy—let your outdoor women’s Bible study reflect that!

You’ve Got This!

Planning an outdoor women’s Bible study might seem daunting at first, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. There’s something special about studying God’s word under open skies that simply can’t be replicated indoors. It creates memories, deepens relationships, and often leads to breakthrough moments for Christian women on their spiritual journey.

Start small, keep it simple, and watch what God does. He’s the one who created both the great outdoors and the women who will gather there to study His word. Trust that He’ll show up in powerful ways as you create this space for connection and growth.

And on the days when nothing goes according to plan—when the mosquitoes are relentless, the wind keeps blowing your pages, or someone spills coffee all over the study materials—remember that God specializes in working through our messes. Often, it’s in those imperfect moments that the most authentic connections happen.

So, grab your Bible, some lawn chairs, and a few faithful women, and head outside. The Holy Spirit is already there, waiting to meet you.

Read More:

How To Start A Women’s Bible Study In Your Small Church

3 Intentional Women’s Ministry Fellowship Ideas

9 Meaningful Tips To Strengthen Your Women’s Ministry