Back Kairos leader helps young women prepare for marriage

May 17th, 2012

Kairos leader helps young women prepare for marriage

Diane Woerner is a long-time leader at Kairos. This last semester, she started a very specific small group for young women to help prepare them for marriage one day. It's been an instant success, producing positive feedback and spiritual growth.

“It seems to me that our culture has become obsessed with elaborate proposals and even more elaborate wedding ceremonies, but gives relatively little attention to planning for the ‘happily ever after’ years of marriage itself,” Diane said. “Part of my purpose in starting this group was to think about how women could prepare themselves for decades of being a wife.”

Diane intentionally invited women to attend who weren’t dating anyone so they could begin thinking about what a permanent relationship with a man might look like. “I also wanted to answer the question of why so many young people today remain single, even when they expressly desire to be married,” she said.

According to Diane, the small group provided a place where young women could bond together through an open discussion of their current life realities—particularly regarding their own experiences with men and God.

“God chose to bless me with an amazing group of young women who weren’t only eager to hear what I had to teach them, but who also quickly developed deep friendships with each other,” she said. “We’ve had a wonderful season of fellowship and personal growth.”

Below are some of their comments:
I picked Mrs. Woerner’s Bible Study because, well, I’m preparing to be married. But I wish I’d had this a lot sooner in my life. It would’ve helped me navigate some pretty difficult times. And from what I can tell, I'm not alone in that. Every single girl in our group has a different story, but somehow, we’re connected. The details aren’t the same, but we all seem to be going through (or have gone through) the same exact experiences and trials. That said, I feel extremely comfortable opening up about the parts of life that I might have kept to myself in the past.

I'm learning about my femininity in ways I thought were impossible. I understood that I was a woman, but I had no idea just how unique women are. The world tells us so many things, and quite frankly, a lot of them contradict. On Wednesday nights, the angle is not of the world. It’s of the Bible. And it’s making a ton of sense! Since joining the group, I’ve been less stressed, more interested in exploring what it really means to be feminine, and, of course, even more excited about becoming a wife. And I now have some really wonderful friends. I can't forget that.
—Ashlyne Huff

I joined the group later on in the study but I already pray it will continue, and I can’t wait for each week and a new study and discussion with Diane. The study not only helps put into perspective what we as young women struggle with, but it’s a great way to meet other young women who are juggling the same thoughts and questions. Diane isn’t only a great teacher, but an excellent leader for young women. I'm so happy I’ve been introduced to this group.
—Lindsey Hager

Having finished college and started my career, I’ve noticed most of my friends getting married. I sometimes feel the pressure of having to find “the one” and questioning when my time will come. This small group has been a huge blessing to my life. Mrs. Diane constantly encourages us to seek the Lord’s will in every situation, not our own. I always look forward to seeing my sisters in Christ each week. I’ve now learned to trust the Lord and His perfect timing, not my own.
—Meredith McCarson

After graduating college and moving to Nashville alone, I went through a period of trials and suffering. When I joined this group, God provided me with a group of incredible Christian girls to support me and experience the story God is writing in my life. God also gave me a wonderfully wise mentor, Diane, who has led me to make many discoveries about God, society, relationships, and myself.

At the beginning of our time together, I had no idea that I’d be getting married this October. But I honestly don’t think I’d be prepared had it not been for the lessons I’ve learned through our meetings. Many closest to me have noticed a lot of positive changes in me since January. This group has given me the space in my busy schedule to reflect each week on God’s design for me as a woman. This new profound purpose, as well as this tight-knit community, has provided me with an abundance of healing and fulfillment.
—Erin Aubrey

It's difficult to put into words exactly what this small group has done in my life. It's been more meaningful and powerful than I could've imagined. I attended the first night with the intention of just checking it out, but my experience evolved into something so much deeper. Not only has this been a great learning tool that has truly helped my understanding of the Bible and what it means to be a woman in Christ, but the fellowship is something I've been craving for years. Diane's powerful teaching, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the realness of the group and our conversations make for a perfect place to go each week.
—Courtney Knoff

Click here to check out all the Kairos small groups, Brentwood Baptist LIFE Groups, and Focus Studies currently being offered. A new semester of small groups will begin again this fall.