Women Teaching Women the Bible

Jenny Salt, dean of students at Sydney Missionary and Bible College and a noted conference speaker, earned her master of divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in December 2009. I corresponded with Salt to learn more about her ministry of expository Bible teaching for women.

How did you get involved in your ministry of expository Bible teaching for women in Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand?

I started working as the dean of women at SMBC in 1997. Almost from the beginning of my ministry there, I had opportunities to give Bible talks at various women’s events. I was struck by the varied (and sometimes unhelpful) approaches to these events. Many of the women speakers were taking a topical/thematic approach. During my studies at SMBC I had been challenged to approach the preaching of God’s Word in an expository way, so it was natural for me to prepare Bible talks for women in that way.

As I gained more experience, I also had more opportunities to speak beyond Sydney. So over the years, I have spoken at women’s conferences in many cities of Australia, including Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, and Launceston. I have done a few conferences in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durbin, and Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

Why did you decide to attend seminary in the United States?

I completed a diploma of theology at SMBC and wanted, as well as needed, to upgrade my qualifications. I was due for study leave, and my school was willing to support me during my time away. Why Trinity Evangelical Divinity School? My school has had connections with TEDS over many years, with visiting lecturers such as Don Carson. Quite a few of our faculty have also done their post-graduate studies at TEDS. They were helpfully stretched by sitting under God’s Word and learning in a different culture from Christian brothers and sisters with the same love for God and the Bible. So I thought it would be a great opportunity to get out of my own zone and study overseas.

What are a couple of tips you can share for women interested in teaching the Bible to other women?

One big issue is to allow the text to drive the Bible talk. That’s the beauty of expository preaching: It forces the preacher to explain the Bible passage in its context. Unfortunately, too often women Bible teachers take a theme and then go from verses scattered through the Bible without explaining the context. It’s too easy then to bring in our own ideas. I love to encourage women to work hard at explaining what God says to us.

Another issue is the importance of knowing your audience and being able to explain the text and apply it to people’s lives in concrete ways. Generally speaking, women understand women. We know what makes women tick. There are such great opportunities to teach the Bible and show how it affects our lives at every level.

There is also something wonderful about teaching from parts of the Bible that women don’t seem to teach from, such as Numbers. By the grace of God, we see the lights go on as a previously untouched part of his Word is understood in its context, as more of God’s character is revealed, as the cross of Christ shines more brightly, and people see what it means to live in the light of God’s self-revelation. It’s a wonderful thing!

How do you counsel church leaders who are planning women’s retreats? What should they include, and what might they exclude?

First I would encourage church leaders to include women so they can be the ones planning these days/weekends. Second, I would want to engage speakers who have a priority of expository preaching. Also, I would want to plan the whole day/event so that the Word of God is central and Jesus is proclaimed. That means singing songs that reflect the truth of the Bible talks, promoting books that are connected to the Bible talks and recommended by the speaker, allowing time to pray in the light of God’s Word, and hearing testimonies that speak of God’s grace in women’s lives.