BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) is a parachurch Bible study ministry with local study groups all over the world. BSF has long been considered by many to be solid and biblical, but over the last several years a number of red flags have been raised. Lara Swanson saw many of those red flags, which led to her leaving her position with BSF. Tonight, she’s here to share her story with you.
Resources
Leaving BSF 2023: Testimony from a former teacher– Berean Research
BSF Leader resigns; warns members about 2018 Study– Berean Research
BSF, Jesus Calling and a plea from the heart– Berean Research
White Papers on Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Formation – Berean Research
BSF as a “Vision-Casting” ministry? An open letter from a leader at Naomi’s Table
Searching for a new church?– Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women
Thank you, bless you and Walk Worthy!
So sad to learn about this downturn of BSF. I belonged to BSF in the 80’s. Was a children’s leader, secretary, and then the class administrator. I loved BSF. This news breaks my heart.
I too departed for very similar reason. Decades of dedication.
BSF changed my life in 1992.
Thank you for sharing this. He gives us discernment and I’m glad she recognized and knew this was wrong. We need to pray for discernment and always be aware what we hear and see. When bells and whistles start sounding telling you in your spirit something is not right, get into scripture and pray. Don’t be intimidated by the world and the evil that is creeping in churches and biblical teaching. Always watch and listen, no matter how long you’ve been at a church or known a Christian. Just trying to find a biblical church is so hard. Warn others as you can. It’s sad and surprising when you try to point it out to other Christians and they make an excuse or take up for it. Pray, read and obey. Praise God in the highest.
BSF is not working for me.
Then we would suggest you leave BSF and be fed the Word through the preaching and teaching of your church. Parachurch organizations are not necessary for Christians.
What’s wrong with understanding your temperament? I don’t get it.
Nothing is wrong with prayer and the study of God’s written Word to understand your temperament. The Enneagram, which Lara refers to in this episode, is not biblical and undermines the sufficiency of Scripture. We would encourage you to listen to our previous episodes that deal with the Enneagram if you’d like to understand why. If you’ll type “Enneagram” into the search bar, they should pop up. Thanks for listening!
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with someone objecting to BSF, but in my brief research, I find Nothing wrong with BSF according to the accusations that are being made. So far I have only found what I think I already know in that. All teachings are being done in according to the bible. I do find that in previous group. Discussions outside books in opinion developed in those books Are not welcomed in classes. I accept that because outside theories and opinions can derail a class discussion relevant to to teaching of God’s word on the subject at hand.
BSF doesn’t work for me either. I was asked tonight not to return.
Why? Because my age is outside of their strict age limit.
Very disappointing. Never heard of a church doing that before. It seems a bit legalistic.
I definitely want to read, pray and meditate on the singular issue of women teaching men. The Bible is very clear about this. This year, 2025, the ED, Holly Roberts, led two teachings to men in the first and second lessons. It struck me as odd that Holly did this. It reminds me of the saying about the camel getting its nose in the tent (and ultimately ends up in the tent). It is a metaphorical expression that suggests that allowing a small, seemingly innocuous action can lead to larger, undesirable consequences. Also, in the Bible, we are taught about a little bit of leaven and its outcome when letting it get out of control.
So, Michael, I realize you wrote above in 2023, but thought I would add my two cents, especially as things continue to grow toward the outcomes mentioned above.
Hi Michael, I just signed up for BSF for my first time… have not attended yet and now don’t plan on attending after finding out these things. I was wondering, what was the age limit that you were restricted for continuing going?
Blessings Mary
You decide not to attend because of a podcast?
I just started as a leader in the BSF men’s group and the red flags are popping up every week.
BSF is not working for me. I don’t understand why they have so many reflection questions and yet when I share my answers, the leader says it is too personal. I just don’t get it anymore.
All the more reason to study the Bible with your church family under the care of your doctrinally sound pastor and elders.♥️
Thank you so much .. I just signed up for BSF my first time for the fall season of 2026 … now I am not going to attend
Blessings Mary
Hi Mary- Sadly, we think this is the right choice. Although we wish we didn’t have to be the bearers of bad news, we’re glad we could help you make a godly decision.🩷
So sad that you are discouraging people from studying God’s Word because they are not doing things as perfect as you want. You encourage joining a church Bible study & it will not be perfect either. You suggest listening to your podcast. You will not be perfect. We are all imperfect people & trying to tear down or destroy the reputation of members of the body of Christ is wrong. Miss Johnson’s desire was to bring the Word to China & through BSF the Word is now being studied in China and throughout the world. I have been in BSF over 30 years & nothing is as exciting as someone being saved or growing in faith by spending time in God’s Word. Please quit tearing down other’s ministry & the people who have devoted themselves to serving knowing we are all imperfect.
Hi Deborah- We would encourage you to actually listen to this episode since it’s obvious from your comment that you did not. If you had listened to what we and Lara actually said you would know that:
– we weren’t “tearing down” BSF or any other ministry.
– exercising biblical discernment and warning against false doctrine is biblical and cannot rightly be described as “tearing down”. Biblical discernment edifies, or “builds up” the church and genuinely regenerate Christians. (see 1 John 4:1, Romans 16:17-18, 2 John 9-11, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 11:12-15, Titus 1:9, 3:10-11, 1 Corinthians 5:11-13, 2 Timothy 3:1-8, Matthew 7:15-23, Galatians 1:6-9, 2 Peter 2, Jude, Ezekiel 33:1-9, Deuteronomy 13, 18:20-22)
– sound doctrine (which Scripture requires of those who teach – see Titus 1:9, 2:1) does not equal your definition of “perfection”. We do not require “perfection” of anyone, because the Bible doesn’t, but we do warn against false doctrine because the Bible commands us to.
– we clearly explained that we were recommending against BSF, not because they weren’t “perfect,” but because of false doctrine and because God’s plan is for Bible study to take place in the local church where overseers (pastors) can oversee it.
– your comment is full of prideful virtue signaling, gaslighting, and false and slanderous insinuations. This demonstrates a severe lack of Christlike Christian character. You have also demonstrated a shocking ignorance of what Scripture actually teaches about the issues you’re commenting on.
If BSF hasn’t taught you all of these things in over 30 years of participation, I’d say that’s even MORE reason to avoid BSF. You are the fruit of their ministry, and failing to teach you these things in over 30 years of instruction is really bad fruit (see Matthew 7:15-20).
In addition to listening to this episode on BSF, we would encourage you to listen to our 5 part series in which we biblically addressed the most common objections to discernment. Your specific objections are addressed in parts 3 and 4.
“But did you go to him in private?” A look at Matthew 18
Addressing Objections to Discernment, parts 2-4
I hope the Lord will use this answer to convict you and bring you to repentance. This would bring us great joy, and we stand ready and eager to forgive you.