Good Morning Siestas!
Here's our first set of instructions from Beth, as well as the first video. Throughout this week, please jump on here with your answers to the questions. I thought it might be fun to have a different person each session be the "reporter" on the LPM blog. Any takers for this first session? You basically just have to summarize what our comments are, so it'd be best to wait till the end of this week, or possibly the beginning of next week, depending on how quickly people comment and do the homework.
Ok, so now let's hear from Beth: (the link to the LPM blog is also at the right of this post)
"Hey, Siestas! It’s time for summer Bible study! For the sake of rich fellowship and vital accountability, we hope as many of you as possible are meeting with small groups and on every other Tuesday or as close to Tuesdays as possible. You are absolutely welcome to join us solo but try to stay as involved as possible in the discussions so that you’ll feel plugged in. This is what you’ll do every other Tuesday:
1. Watch the video so you’ll have your instructions for your gathering or for your solo experience. I will always put the bare bones of the instructions in writing on the post just in case there is a video malfunction.
2. (You will find these instructions reiterated in this post because it’s fundamental to the experience.) If you are in a small group, designate one person who will write a comment to this post briefly telling us about your group and your discussion. It can be a different person each week or the same. START THE COMMENT WITH THE CITY, THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND LOCATION THEN DESCRIBE YOUR GROUP AND ADD SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR DISCUSSION. For instance, I am meeting with my Monday staff members so my comment will begin with:
Houston, Texas; 8 of us; Meeting at Living Proof Ministries. Our group is primarily made up of…The main part of our discussion was about…(And so forth).
3. If you are going solo, your comment will become the way you complete the assignments. In other words, you’ll see that I ask you to describe this season of your life in one word. In your comment, tell us what that one word would be.
Make the length of it one good, descriptive paragraph. Try not to write too much or readers will tend to skip over it.
This clip is to give instructions for your first gathering – the one you are hopefully having today or in next 24 hours. You can watch this together or your leader can watch it and pass on your instructions.
Summer Bible Study - Week 1 from LPV on Vimeo.
I so hope that makes sense! Now, here are the written instructions for your gathering just in case you can’t get the video to work. Welcome aboard! May God take us on a journey that we’ll treasure for many years. Let’s find the Ruth in us, Siestas!
Today in your small group, here’s what I am asking you to do:
1. If you don’t know each other, spend a few minutes finding out some basic biographical information about one another. (Single, married, still in school, or in a career. Children, no children. The regular stuff. Keep in mind that everybody fits in Bible study. You don’t need to all be alike. In fact, the more alike you all are, the less you may sharpen one another.)
2. Each of you in your small group characterize your life in this present season in ONE WORD. Have the leader record these.
3. Each of you in your small group share one specific goal you have this summer for being in Bible study. Have the leader record these, too.
4. Look at the very last verse of the Book of Judges (Judges 21:25) because of its placement just prior to the book we’ll study together this summer. Discuss several specific reasons why doing what each of us sees fit at any given time could be dangerous. After several minutes of discussion, read Jeremiah 17:7-14 and talk about how this segment relates or contrasts to Judges 21:25.
Leader: this is very important. You get back on within 24 hours of meeting and write a brief summation of your group time as a comment to this post. Tell us how many came, your city, and something about your group or your group discussion."
I'm SO glad you have written instructions because some (a few) of us aren't able to follow the video. I'm deaf and depend on captions to understand videos. So THANK you for writing the instructions. Is there anything special I missed by not being able to watch the video? Any thing we need to read before next session? Etc.
ReplyDeleteYes Betty You are to do the first 2 weeks from the book before July 6th (next meeting). Enjoy ! Much love ~ April :-)
ReplyDeleteHere are the verses that Beth asked us to look up:
ReplyDeleteJudges 21:25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
Jeremiah 17:7-14
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."
9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
10 "I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." 11 Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means.
When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool.
12 A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary.
13 O LORD, the hope of Israel,
all who forsake you will be put to shame
Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD,
the spring of living water.
14 Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise.
Betty - have a look above, just under the video. Beth asks 4 questions and that is what we can jump in with today. Hopefully we can all post in the next day or so and then someone can compile our answers and post them in a paragraph on the LPM blog.
ReplyDeleteSunshine - yes, before the next meeting we are to have read the 1st 2 chapters, or sessions of the book. But be sure to join in with the discussion of the 4 questions, so we can get to know one another in the meantime!
I'll go first.
ReplyDelete1) I live in Canada, in a town that is on a big lake, so it's a tourist town in the summer.
I'm married, in my 50's and have 4 kids - 3 boys who are 27, 25 & 23, and a daughter 19.
2) One word? Hmmm, I'd have to say AWESTRUCK, because even in my 50's, as I study God's Word, I'm learning more and more about how AWESOME He is! I just finished Beth's study on Revelation with a group of women and I feel as if I have a clearer picture of who Christ is, and of His holiness and power and might!
3)My goal for this study is to see God in a fresh way and to see how He is interested in the details of my life as I look at the life of Ruth.
4)Any time I "do as I see fit", it usually ends in disaster! I think of that verse in Isaiah that says "All we like sheep have gone astray. We have each turned to our own way, and the LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all". It was because of our natural bent to go our own way that Christ had to come and bear our punishment.
As I read that passage in Jeremiah, I'm struck by the phrases: "trusts in the LORD", "confidence is in Him", and then the description of the one who those phrases describes. It is so opposite from doing as we see fit, or going our own way.
No fear when heat comes, leaves that are always green, no worries in a year of drought, a never-ending production of fruit - WOW - wouldn't that be great!!!!!
1. I live in Red Deer, Alberta. I am a widow with 3 grown children, 2 daughters-in-law and 9 grandkids! I work at a church as office manager, events planner, executive assistant to lead pastor, etc; all under the auspcious title of Director of Operations:o)! If you're here and not sure who does 'it'; well that will most likely be me!! I love my job and the people I work with. My life is drastically different than I ever planned. I lived at the end of the road on a ranch for many years but after my husband died we lost our ranch and I became a city person in order to make a living. My heart is still in the country, I love the outdoors.
ReplyDelete2. The one word to describe where I am at right now would be "planted". I am planted in trust in the Lord as my only way to keep going. He has been so faithful to care for me and nourish me as Jeremiah states.
3. My goal for this study is to glean from Ruth's life what I can apply to my own walk with the Lord.
4. I think our culture at present is about doing what is right in our own eyes. The more we trust in our own wisdom to make choices the further we often get from where we were intended to be. The contrast with Jeremiah is trusting in God rather than myself and how much richer a life that is. Not without pain or trouble but nurtured by God as a tree planted by the water.
1. I live in Durant, OK., U.S. I am 47, married for 28 years, 3 children ages 17-24, 20 year old daughter in the middle of 2 boys, 1 daugter-in-law, 1 granddaughter who will be 4 in Sept., and will have a baby brother in Oct.
ReplyDelete2. My word is Growing---as in growing older, growing in my walk with the Lord, growing in God's purpose for me, growing where planted.
3. My goal is the same was the other 7 women who met in my home today. . .
to become connected to other women of Faith and to God.
That is why I am doing it on this blog, too.
4. Someone in our group said that the verse is a little how our world is today.
We all know from experience that the verses in Jeremiah are so true and important, but we all have room to grow.
Looking forward to getting to know you all!
Thank you, Judi!
Sandy - so glad you are doing it with us as well as your "real" group of women!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be fun getting to know all you ladies! Who's next?
Since Lynn & I don't have books yet, can someone tell us how far we should be reading in the book of Ruth to coincide with the 2 chapters that we are supposed to have read for the next "meeting"?
thanks!
I apologize for posting my question here this morn (comment # 1) -- it actually should have been posted on the LPM blog so that the webmaster could consider adding captions to the video.
ReplyDeleteIn the book, the first two sessions cover the first chapter of Ruth up to Ruth 2:9.
It also has many many other Bible chapters and verses to look up.
Cool -- over on Beth's blog they've added the first chapter of our book for those who have not gotten their books.
ReplyDeleteI'm putting the link here
*UPDATE*
Here’s a link to the first chapter of Ruth in case you don’t have your workbook yet.
http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_Ruth-Sample-Chapter.pdf
Ok I'm going to answer the questions myself and then attach at the bottom my feedback that I'm posting to the LPM blog as a report on how our group went:
ReplyDelete1) My name is Amanda Taylor I live in Richmond VA. I'm married to a wonderful man for six years. We don't have any children but treat our Luci cat like she is our kid :) I was recently diagnosed with a blood disease that has no cure. At this point in time I have to walk with crutches or in a wheelchair. But God is amazing and I haven't had any further progression of the disease in my body. I might have to have a full hip replacement this year. I only share this because its a huge part of my faith journey and builds my faith stronger and stronger every day.
2) My one word would be FAITH! Every day every single thing I do is by faith these days. Things you wouldn't think about like cleaning the house or walking down a flight of stairs. Total FAITH.
3)My goal this summer is to stay in the word but also to challenge myself to do a home group despite my circumstances. I'm love women, I love bible study can't wait to see what God is going to do in all of our lives through this.
4)I could really relate to the scripture in Jeremiah. Having a King and ruler brings order and peace to our lives. I'm so thankful for our king and ruler.
Now for the feeback for the LPM blog:
Richmond, VA
8 Counting me
We had a great time and such a nice mix of ladies and one 13 year old teenager. We had a great combination of married and single ladies.
My group of ladies were all strangers to each other. We had dinner and talked and chatted and got to know one another. I felt like everyone for not knowing one another really opened up and we got to peek in each others lives.
The most discussion we had was on the comparison of scriptures. We all could really relate to the scripture in Jeremiah and we all shared parts of our lives where we related. I believe we all left with the feeling that we are so thankful to have God in our lives and have a king to serve and rule over us. For all of us that brings so much peace to our lives.
We are meeting again in 2 weeks. Everyone volunteered to bring an item for our next meal and 2 of the ladies are making the pasta and flat bread recipes. Can’t wait!
~Amanda Taylor
Oh and another thing that was really neat is we had ladies from a few different religious and church backgrounds. One lady is catholic a few others go the Assembly of God Church here in the area.
1. I live in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. Married with two grown children. A grandson age 15 months and 3 step-granddaughters ages 3, 7, and almost 9.
ReplyDelete2. My word is TRANSITION. I'll be retiring as a teacher at the end of August; my mother died 3 months ago; many changes going on.
3. My goal is to become closer to God. I'm intrigued by the comment in our workbook on page 11 "fascinating symbolism that runs throughout the Book of Ruth like a camouflaged thread."
4. Sandy, what you said about the Judges verse reminds me of the term "ME generation" the media talked about a few years ago. The Jeremiah verses remind me of Psalm 1 -- especially the part about delighting in the law of the Lord and the tree part.
1. I live in Morristown, TN and drive about 30 mins to work daily. I am newly married as of a little over 2 months to a wonderful Godly man that the Lord placed in my lap a while back. I have two children a 13 yo daughter and a 9 yo son. I work full time as well as trying to finish my degree online.
ReplyDelete2. My word is Absorbing. I want to continue each and every day to absorb everything I can that the Lord would have of me.
3. My goal in the bible study in all honesty to keep it as a priority and complete it. I have oh so many times started so many and have gotten busy with everyday life and have dropped it. So my ultimate goal is to stay committed.
4. I find myself like Amanda so grateful to have a King and Ruler that brings peace and order to a world in such dire need.
Much Love to you all ~
April
Betty - thanks for posting the link to the first chapter! And the exciting thing is that I can upload it onto my Book Reader, so I don't have to sit in front of the computer to read it all!
ReplyDeleteAmanda - You are an inspiration, leading a group of women in this study despite your challenges! May God richly bless you as you learn more about Him.
It sounds like your group is really diverse. I love how God can bring women together from all sorts of backgrounds, and unite us with the common bond of love for Him and His Word!!!
April - sounds like you are one busy woman! We want you to stay committed too, so we will all encourage you to keep at it. That's one of the things I love about a small group.
Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I knew when I chose to do this that the devil would fight back and today he really has tried. Its been a tough day for both me and my husband. I had a followup appointment with the doctor today only to be told again that there is nothing that can be done for me. I'm just stuck in this limbo state for maybe another year of will I or won't I get better.
ReplyDeleteI had to sit down this afternoon and throw on some worship music and just remind myself of who my faith is in. I'm determined not to get discouraged. Just need to dust myself off and keep going. Keep doing what I'm doing and allow God to do his thing!
Amanda ~ When we do anything for the Lord or to further His Kingdom.... You better believe that the devil is gonna fight you and try to use EVERYTHING he can and try to get your in your weak spots in order to distract you. You just stay strong in your Faith and know that the Lord will NEVER leave you or forsake you and furthermore will never put any more on you than what you can handle. The Lord always works things out in His time and for the greater good. I will continue to pray for you and for a special healing in your circumstances.
ReplyDeleteAmanda I want to encourage you as well. I'm sorry you are dealing with discouraging health issues and will continue to pray for you. I love that you are trusting Him even when it's hard!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all the prayers. Feeling much better about things. Got my focus zoned in the right direction. God continues to remind me that in Hm all things are possible and I'm really in a situation that I have to depend on Him. Its so intense and scary but at the same time my faith in Him continues to grow stronger every day.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are so awesome for lifting me up in prayer. I appreciate it so much!
Hello ladies :) I am so looking forward to doing this study with you!
ReplyDelete1. I live in Houston, TX. I am married, just turned 50 have three boys: 20, 17, and 13. My husband owns several small businesses and I am the office manager. In addition, I am the Assistant Administrator for my church--part time--which actually means part-time office hours :)
2. One word: STRESSED!
I am in a season of extreme challenge. Worry and uncertainty have been creeping in and causing lack of sleep and sickness.
3. I am committed to digging deep in God's Word and prayer--filling my heart with God and removing the worry and uncertainty. I am already finding this study of Ruth hitting me upside the head with a 2X4. Thank you God for speaking to me through this study :)
4. The Judges verse oozes chaos. While the Jeremiah passage is sweet to my ears--reminding me to trust in God. Our world is full of so many distractions and false images of what is 'right.' Leaning on God and seeking his guidance brings peace and confidence.
Amanda - I'm so glad that you are keeping your focus on the LORD. It is such a minute-by-minute thing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteJulie - welcome! You sound like you're in a similare stage of life to me. Lynn will identify with you as far as working in the church administration.
So glad that God is connecting us all!
Is there someone who would like to be our organizer and summarize a comment on the LPL Blog according to Beth's instruction #2 (above the video) above? It can be done in the next couple of days......I know of a few Siestas who said they would be joining us, but haven't posted their comments on here yet.
Good evening! I'm a bit late getting started. I just finished A Woman's Heart so now I'm ready to go again.
ReplyDelete1. I live in Silvis, IL, been married 13 years and am a stay-at-home-homeschooling mom to a 6 (almost 7) year old girl and a 2 1/2 year old boy. I am to appreciate at least one thing each day so that later on I won't look back as "when my kids were little" and feel regrets. I want to enjoy what I have while I have it.
2. In a word - PRIORITIZING - learning what matters and what to let go.
3. I am looking forward to this study in God's word and joining with all of you in fellowship to help me keep my priorities where they belong--centered on God and His will for me.
4. Wow! I see the passage in Judges played out regularly in my children followed by the consequences for those choices. It's so easy to see in others while we tend to justify it in our own lives when we do our own thing without seeking God. However, doing our own thing only brings the consequence of sin while trusting God and looking to Him will bring peace and security. It's a fact I need to remember when I am tempted to go my own way!
Is there anyone who'd like to volunteer to compile our comments and post them as one summary comment on the LPM Blog?
ReplyDeleteI'm starting a new post here for anyone who wants to share thoughts or discussion about the 1st 2 Sessions of the Ruth book, before we actually have our "online meeting" on Tuesday.
I got a call that my book is in (yay), so I'll be picking it up tomorrow. I've gone through the first Session that Lifeway put online as a download, so I'll have to do some speed reading to catch up by Tuesday!!!
Judi-I can compile our comments into a summary and post them to the LPM blog.
ReplyDeleteAmanda - that would be great!!! Thanks so much. I just got home with my new book and need to cram the 5 days of week 2 before tomorrow morning! :-)
ReplyDeleteworking on it now :) just going to summize the answers to the questions so its not a super long entry on her website. But I will include our names on each of our entries so everyone knows they were included.
ReplyDelete