By Bianca Schaefer

Have you ever been in a room with people you respect—women or leaders who seem so confident in Scripture—and wondered if you really measure up? Maybe you’ve found yourself questioning whether your understanding of the Bible is deep enough to lead well.

I’ve had those moments too. It’s a quiet but powerful pressure that can settle in when you’re in leadership, especially in ministry or faith-based environments. The expectation to have all the answers, to quote Scripture flawlessly, or to carry deep theological knowledge can feel overwhelming. When doubt creeps in, it’s easy to hesitate or start wondering if you’re really as qualified to lead as you once thought.

But Scripture offers a perspective that is both freeing and encouraging.

In Acts 4:13, we read about Peter and John:

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (NIV)

Peter and John weren’t formally trained theologians. They were ordinary men. Their courage didn’t come from having all the right answers. It came from proximity. They had walked with Jesus. They had learned from Him in real time, through relationship, correction, and commission. Their experience with Jesus gave them the confidence they needed.

This truth has been a steady encouragement to me. Leading well isn’t based on credentials—it’s shaped by a willing heart and a teachable spirit. It’s about stepping forward in faith, not perfect knowledge.

Don’t get me wrong. I still want to grow deeper in biblical knowledge—and maybe one day I’ll even pursue that degree. But I’ve learned that waiting to feel “qualified” only delays the work God wants to do through me. Leadership is about showing up, being willing to serve, and allowing God to teach and shape me along the way.

Sometimes, the pressure to know everything can paralyze us. But growth often happens in the middle of action—when we say yes, even while we’re still learning.

If you’re wrestling with feelings of biblical inadequacy, don’t let those feelings grow unchecked. God values your heart and your faithfulness far more than credentials. Keep studying the Word. Surround yourself with people who will sharpen you, walk with you, and help you grow in spiritual maturity and biblical understanding. But don’t let what you don’t know yet stop you from stepping into what God has already placed in front of you.