I’ve just recently returned to Zambia after an intense, yet rewarding week of training in Kenya. This was my third module of the Entrust course, designed to equip women with the skills to teach and disciple others. This particular module was called Discovery Bible Study, and it was truly eye-opening!
Let me take you back for a second… My journey with Entrust actually began last year. In March 2023, I completed my first module, Developing a Discerning Heart, right here in Zambia. (You can read about that experience in my previous blog post.) It was so impactful that I couldn’t wait to sign up for the next module! So, in November 2023, I found myself heading to Kenya for Facilitating Relational Learning, which I also wrote about here. Each module gave me valuable tools to teach and disciple women.
My first two modules were sponsored by Entrust, and I honestly see that sponsorship as an investment in me as a person. After experiencing the impact of this training, I knew I wanted to continue learning and growing. So, when the next module came up, I was determined to find a way to make it happen, even if it meant saving up for it myself!
Getting Ready for Discovery Bible Study
On November 1st, I flew to Kenya for my third module: Discovery Bible Study. To prepare for these training modules, you have to sign up about three months in advance to receive a workbook. The workbook isn’t just for show—it’s crucial! You’re given a schedule and strong encouragement to complete the workbook before arriving, because once the training begins, it’s go, go, go from 8:30 AM until late at night.
And trust me, you don’t want to show up unprepared. If you haven’t done your homework, you’ll struggle to keep up and miss out on the full learning experience. So yes, that workbook is very important!
The Training Experience
One of the things I love about the Entrust modules is the intimate, focused group setting. Each training is designed for a small group—usually 7 participants and 2-3 facilitators. This setup creates a space where everyone can dive in, ask questions, and really engage with the material.
The style of teaching is also different from what most of us are used to. Instead of just being “taught,” we are facilitated. We discover the content through discussions, activities, reflection, and asking a lot of questions. The facilitators don’t just lecture us; they sit among us, patiently ask thought-provoking questions, and guide us to wrestle with the answers ourselves. And they pray with us, which makes the whole experience feel deeply personal and spiritual.
The Discovery Bible Study Approach
The Discovery Bible Study module is all about learning to study Scripture deeply and then teaching and facilitating Bible studies from what we’ve learned. For this module, we each received a portion of the book of Philippians to study and teach from.
Here’s how it works: first, we pray and then we immerse ourselves in the passage to understand the full context. Then, we create a Bible study lesson plan that we’ll use to facilitate a 30 minute lesson with our peers. After facilitating we are assessed by ourselves and our peers. It is so valuable to reflect on your The next step is to prepare a 15-minute talk or message based on the same passage.
Now, here’s the challenge: In a Bible study, the facilitator should speak less than 10% of the time, letting the group do most of the talking and discovering. But in a sermon or message, you speak 100% of the time. At first, facilitating was hard for me. I tend to fill silences with talking and explaining—so being quiet and letting the group process on their own was a real stretch! But I could see the value of this approach, and it helped me become a better facilitator.
A Special Highlight: Reunion with Old Friends
One of the highlights of this trip to Kenya was the chance to reconnect with old friends. Many of the women I met during the first two modules were back for this one, and it felt like a reunion—a chance to catch up and learn together once again. It was such a joy to see familiar faces, share our experiences, and encourage one another. It honestly felt like coming home to visit family. There’s something so special about growing alongside people who share your passion for learning and discipling others.
Growth and Reflection
These modules have helped me grow in so many ways. I’m not only becoming more skilled at facilitating, but I’m also learning to be more aware of my strengths and weaknesses. It’s amazing to see how far I’ve come since that first module in March 2023. I’m excited to keep learning and applying these skills in my community.
I’m so grateful to Entrust for making all of this possible. The training, the friendships, and the tools I’m gaining along the way are priceless. And who knows—maybe I’ll sign up for the next module, too!
