My women's Bible study did this book and DVD series. Although I didn't choose the topic, I was interested in the balance between keeping our charitable acts secret (Matt. 6:3, Jesus' command) and in discipling others, as our church is going towards a more discipling mentality, which would let out some of the "good" secrets Jesus told us to keep secret. Beth Moore talks about the balance between the closet prayer and the rooftop shouting, and it seems to be that secrecy is for charity and that rooftops are for what God has done. She also talks about the differences between bad secrets and good secrets (or good "surprises" as one lady in our group prefers to call them,) and having the wisdom or discernment to know when and to whom to confide. I thought she did a good job talking about discretion and discernment, and as always, portrayed enthusiasm and excitement in her studies - in this case, in pursuing the good, closet prayer and gift-giving secrets.
It is good to know that even though she is a public figure with a public ministry that she still values the secret goodness.
The secrecy of giving to those in need protects us from pride, and if there's no one left hanging around to thank, then the thanks must go to God.
I never did exactly find the answer to my question about balancing secret gift-giving, secret ministry, and discipling others, but I'm OK with that. I think the answer is not always one-size-fits-all-occasions.
Now, as far as the group dynamics went, I think secrecy, in particular, the bad secrecy, is a hard topic for many women - although Beth Moore did a good job not demanding our secrets or secret-sharing but validating and encouraging discretion on when to share. I think many people joined the study in excitement because the speaker was Beth Moore, but then got frightened away by the content. It dwindled down to a faithful few.