Most would agree that Robert Lewis, best-selling author and founder of the highly successful Men's Fraternity, found himself in a challenging position when a group of women came to him and asked him to develop a resource that would offer women some of what Men's Fraternity had provided men. Like others, he found himself asking the question, "What kind of insight could a man have to offer about being a woman?" Fortunately, the answers were already in God's Word; in The New Eve Lewis draws out the biblical insight women need to make godly choices in today's world.

• Robert Lewis, with Jeremy Howard. The New Eve: Choosing God's Best For Your Life. Book, 272p., $19.99; Small Group training pack: 5 DVDs, Facilitator's Guide, Leaders workbook, and seekers workbook, $59.99; Leaders Set: Leaders Workbook, and Seekers Workbook, $19.98. B & H Publishing House.

The book begins with a look at the first Eve -- who bought the serpent's lie, chose foolishly, and set her life on a course filled with pain and regret -- then contrasts her with the new Eve, who makes wise choices based on God's Word. That wisdom begins with an understanding of what Lewis identifies in Genesis as God's core callings for all women. He then leads women to consider five bold moves, or faith strategies, that will help them make God-honoring choices. Included are valuable insights related to God's definition of womanhood, learning to view life from a seasonal perspective, helps for setting goals and facing fears, and wise insights for relating successfully with a man and experiencing fulfillment in marriage and the home.

Through the course of the book, Lewis reminds women that this is not a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach. Women are created uniquely with different gifts, talents, and life experiences. Lewis offers a variety of examples to illustrate how the principles laid out in the book can be applied regardless of age or circumstance, and encourages every woman to navigate their respective crossroads with courageous, faith-filled, bold moves.

While the book is easy to read and full of insight, its depth is more fully realized through the small-group piece. The book includes discussion questions to accompany each chapter as well as a brief DVD segment from Lewis himself that I suggest using to begin group sessions. Having read the book and led a small group of women through a discussion of it, I close by offering a few suggestions to maximize your reading and study of The New Eve.

1. Try to have a mixed group, including differences in age and life experiences. Women will gain insight from each other and be reminded firsthand that one size or one answer doesn't fit all.

2. Because the discussion questions for each chapter are at the end of the book, women may find flipping back and forth a hindrance. Making a folder for each participant with the questions typed out for each session is worth the effort.

3. Begin the opening session with the following icebreaker: Have a map or globe available where women can indicate, using different colored stickers, all the places they have lived, and pair-share their most memorable or favorite place. Identify the women who have lived the farthest away, the most places, and the least places. Share the following scriptures: Jeremiah 10: 23, 29: 11; Psalm 40: 5; Proverbs 16: 9, to help women see how God has directed their steps in different ways to bring about his good in their lives.

4. Begin each session with a different icebreaker. I even used a fragrance personality quiz from a local department store and a lipstick personality test. This reinforces that we are different yet common as women, and it adds an element of fun!

5. Don't hesitate to structure the discussion around the scriptures in each chapter and tie them directly to the discussion questions. Chart answers and information on a board or divide women in groups to present answers using tear sheets. This will help avoid a heavy focus on opinionating and keep God's Word a central focus.

6. Lewis encourages a time of personal reflection at the end of each session. Have women identify things they've learned or were challenged by, write it on a card, and switch cards randomly each week. Pray for the request as you prepare for the coming week.

7.  A fun way to close your group is to get into groups of 3 or 4, and distribute sheets with every letter of the alphabet. At the top write, A New Eve . . . and have groups follow every letter with a word or phrase reflecting something they have learned. Give 5-7 minutes to work. Have a prize for the group with the most completions. Go through the alphabet together and shout out responses.

8. Agree as a group to reconvene in 3-6 months. Enjoy a time of fellowship but also accountability in moving toward the goals described in the book. This encourages real life transformation!

Jean Harris is a Curriculum Ambassador for Group. She currently serves as women's ministry team leader, Sunday school teacher, and children's ministry volunteer in her church in Greenville, South Carolina.