If you once love Him, you will study to please Him. – John Newton
We study to know God and His ways. The Word works in us to grow and mature us for God’s glory.
I’m excited to share that I’ve begun adapting my teaching notes from past studies into free, downloadable studies, perfect for your personal quiet time, small group, or women’s ministry gathering. Some resources are drawn from lessons I teach in my Wednesday night Bible class, Sunday evening sessions, summer seminars, and women’s Bible workshops. New studies are added regularly, so be sure to check back often. You won’t want to miss what’s coming next!
Bible Studies Available for Download:
Esther – A Tapestry of Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility The book of Esther is one of the most dramatic and captivating stories in all of Scripture. Set during the reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), Esther tells of an unlikely queen who rises to a place of influence “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). The narrative unfolds with banquets, royal decrees, secret plots, and astonishing reversals—yet behind it all stands the unseen hand of God, providentially preserving His people even though His name is never mentioned.
This study, adapted from my Wednesday night class teaching notes, is available as a free download to guide you through the book of Esther. Whether you use it personally or in a group setting, my prayer is that it will encourage you to see God’s sovereign purposes, strengthen your faith in His providence, and inspire you to walk in courage and obedience in your own “such a time as this.”
“Walking through the book of Esther with this study was eye opening. I appreciate the structure that took me back to re-read and exercise how to think about the text. How to observe, interpret, and apply scripture to my life. I found it to be approachable but also intellectually deep. The study of Esther gave me confidence in how God can use His daughters to fulfill his will. I have a deeper understanding of God’s providence, and I walk away encouraged, equipped, and strengthened in faith.” – Megan Huddleston
Whether it unfolds within the pages of a novel or comes alive on the big screen, great romances draw us in with vibrant characters, enchanting settings, and compelling plots. Timeless classics like Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Wuthering Heights have left us swooning with their unforgettable tales of love conquering all. Likewise, iconic films such as Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, and Dr. Zhivago continue to tug at our heartstrings through generations.
Yet, there’s one story that stands out for its profound depth and meaning: the biblical account of Ruth and Boaz. This remarkable narrative goes beyond mere romance, revealing the beauty of God’s providential work through the life of Ruth. Download this free Bible study today to enjoy More Than a Love Story, adapted from my teaching notes and resources.
Contending for the Faith: A Study of Jude In a world where truth is often blurred and spiritual compromise is the norm, the short but powerful letter of Jude sounds a clear call to clarity, courage, and conviction. This five-day Bible study—drawn from my personal notes used in the 2019 summer seminar—is firmly rooted in the truths upheld by Southern Baptist doctrine.
Together, we’ll unpack Jude’s bold message: how to stand firm in the faith, identify false teaching, and stay anchored in the love of God. Though only one chapter long, Jude equips us with the discernment and spiritual strength needed to live with mercy, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to Christ in challenging times.
Free Topical Studies Available for Download:
Are you aware of the spiritual battles all around you? Enjoy this two-week Bible study, The Hidden War and the Final Battle, as we explore temptation, suffering, and Christ’s triumph over the enemy. Through daily Scripture readings, reflection, and practical tools, you’ll be equipped to recognize the enemy’s schemes, stand firm in the armor of God, and live in the power and victory of Christ. This topical study is adapted from my teaching notes for the 2025 Summer Seminar. As supplement to this study, enjoy another free resource HERE.
Faithful Women in God’s Redemptive Story This study takes a fresh look at the lives of three remarkable women: Lydia, Ruth, and Esther—each uniquely woven into the fabric of God’s redemptive plan. Though they lived in different times and cultures, their stories reveal the unchanging character of God – His sovereignty, providence, and grace.
Through their courage, faith, and obedience, these women challenge us today: to trust God’s purposes, embrace our calling, and boldly influence the church and the world for Christ.
Adapted from my teaching notes from the 2020 Summer Seminar (held via Zoom), this resource invites you to discover what today’s women can learn from these biblical examples.
Download the study today and be encouraged by the powerful legacy of faithful women in Scripture!
Grace: The Beautiful Undeserved Gift That Changes Everything Grace isn’t confined to Sunday mornings. It meets us in the middle of carpool lines, grocery lists, deadlines, and dishes. This devotional-style study is designed for your daily quiet time, helping you see how God’s grace reaches into the ordinary, and often chaotic, moments of your life.
Drawing from the principles and habits shared in the August 2024 Women’s Workshop, this study invites you to slow down, listen, and discover how God’s grace doesn’t just shape your behavior. It transforms your heart.Whether you’re exhausted or expectant, distracted or devoted, grace is already at work. Let this be your invitation to draw near and live deeply rooted in Him.
In this brief seven-part topical Bible study, Rejoicing and Praising the Lord, we’ll explore how joy and praise aren’t tied to our changing circumstances but anchored in the unchanging character and faithfulness of God. No matter what life brings, Scripture calls us to rejoice always and give continual praise. This study will deepen your understanding of worship, strengthen your faith, and encourage your heart to sing. Even in the storms.
Hospitality & Friendship: Honoring God in Our Relationships Adapted from my teaching notes for a 2024 workshop, this four-week Bible study is a call to reclaim the beauty of Christian community through intentional hospitality and Christ-centered friendship. Together, we’ll explore what Scripture teaches about opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives to one another in ways that honor the Lord.
From welcoming strangers to walking with sisters in Christ, we’ll learn how to build meaningful friendships rooted in humility, truth, and shared faith. With practical application, honest reflection, and rich encouragement from God’s Word, this study will challenge us to live out the gospel in everyday relationships.
Whether you’re new to church or have walked with the Lord for years, you’ll be reminded: you were never meant to walk alone.
Glory in the Groaning, a topical study on pain and suffering This topical study, drawn from a breakout session at a 2023 women’s Bible workshop, explores what it means to share in Christ’s suffering. Rooted in historical Christian theology, it offers deep comfort and real hope for life’s hardest seasons.
Beholding God in Grief Grief doesn’t always arise from the expected or distant, like the peaceful passing of a 101-year-old relative. Sometimes it strikes suddenly and painfully: the unexpected death of a child or young person, a tragic accident, or the personal heartbreak of a miscarriage. These moments can feel confusing, unfair, and utterly consuming. And yet, even in the midst of such anguish, God is present and at work.
Glorifying God in the Midst of Anxiety This Bible study invites us to explore how anxiety can actually become a pathway to deeper trust in God and greater conformity to Christ. The study challenges common misconceptions about peace, offers practical tools grounded in Scripture, and reorients the anxious heart toward the glory of God. Note: If you are experiencing physical symptoms, be sure to see a medical doctor.
Behold Your God: A Study in Knowing and Worshiping the One True God This short 7-part Bible study leads participants into reverent reflection on the nature, character, and revelation of the Triune God. Rooted in Scripture, it explores God’s self-existence, holiness, love, justice, mercy, and more, calling us to live in worshipful awe and joyful obedience.
Knowing the God Who Is This companion Bible study on the attributes of God is divided into six engaging lessons. Each lesson includes teaching content, Scripture support, reflection questions, relational application, and a closing prayer. You can teach this as a weekly series or an in-depth personal study alongside one of the recommended books.
Biblical Prayer and Meditation What if prayer wasn’t just a discipline — but a conversation that begins with God Himself? God initiates the conversation through His Word, and we respond in prayer, offering Him our adoration, our honesty, and our deepest needs. A short adaptation from my 2017 lessons for Back to the Basics: Biblical Prayer and Meditation, this 6-week journey is designed to help you experience prayer in a deeper, more transformative way. Biblical Prayer and Meditation invites you to move beyond routine and into a rhythm of listening, responding, and growing in intimacy with God.
Each week’s guide unpacks a different facet of biblical prayer — from learning how God speaks first through His Word, to practicing adoration and dependence, praying Scripture with honesty, establishing daily rhythms, engaging in powerful corporate prayer, and trusting God’s will even when it’s hard. Through thoughtful Scripture readings, reflective journaling prompts, and meaningful application questions, you’ll discover how prayer becomes not just a way to communicate with God, but a way to be shaped by Him.
Let these studies on prayer be more than a study. Let it be the start of a transformed life of prayer.
The Life and Theology of Paul It’s hard to imagine Christianity without the Apostle Paul. His bold missionary journeys, Spirit-inspired letters, and deep theological insight have shaped the church for two thousand years. But Paul’s influence isn’t just historical. It’s deeply personal. His words have reached across centuries to stir hearts, spark reformations, and call countless men and women to true faith in Christ.
Paul’s letters have shaped giants of the faith, but their impact isn’t limited to famous names. They are for all of us. Through Paul, we learn what it means to be saved by grace, to walk by the Spirit, to belong to the body of Christ, and to live for the glory of God.
Studying Paul’s life and theology isn’t just an academic exercise. It’s an invitation to be transformed by the gospel he lived and proclaimed. His story is not just history; it’s a powerful testimony to the mercy, mission, and majesty of Jesus Christ.
Put Off the Old, Put On the New In this short Bible study, we’ll explore the biblical “put off / put on” principle found in Colossians 3 and echoed throughout Scripture. This practical and grace-filled approach teaches us how to actively turn from sin and walk in new life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture reference chart included.
A Southern Baptist Study on Women’s Role in Redemptive History and the Local Church This brief five-part study is adapted from a more extensive series, Women in The Church, taught in my Sunday evening class. It provides a biblically faithful exploration of how God calls and uses women within His redemptive work and the local church.
God’s Word: Inspired, Preserved, and Living Today Have you ever wondered how the Bible can be both the Word of God and yet written by human authors? This study explores the amazing truth of Scripture’s divine-human authorship, how God inspired real people from different times and backgrounds to write exactly what He intended. We’ll trace the journey of God’s Word from its original inspiration through centuries of careful preservation, discovery, and translation, so that today, you can read and trust the Bible with confidence.
Together, we will unpack key biblical truths about revelation and inspiration, understand how God’s Spirit guides our reading through illumination, and discover why the Bible remains a trustworthy and life-changing book. Whether you’re new to Scripture or have studied it for years, this study will deepen your appreciation for the Bible’s power, reliability, and ongoing relevance in your daily walk with God. This study is adapted from my four-week study Back to The Basics: The Bible.
How to Read, Study, and Teach the Bible Are you ready to grow deeper in God’s Word, whether for your own walk or to guide others? This in-depth, eight-day guide is adapted from my 2019 Summer Seminar and designed to give you both confidence and clarity in handling Scripture.
Whether you’re just beginning your Bible study journey or preparing to lead a group, this resource will equip you with practical tools, theological insight, and a solid framework for studying and teaching the Bible faithfully. A recommended companion to this study is Journey into God’s Word: Your Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible by Duvall and Hays.
Debbie Swindell 