Hey, Siestas!
It’s time to get ready for (drum roll, please) the 2nd Annual Siesta Summer Bible Study! Every woman is welcome! If you’ve already got a different Bible study scheduled for the summer with your friends or a group from your church or neighborhood, that’s fabulous. Go forth and do that thing!
For those of you not participating, it is important to know that we will not hog the blog all summer with this Bible study activity. It will only require a post or two every other week. We will have plenty of other things going for all our Siestas.
This opportunity is for the rest of us that either don’t yet have a plan to stay in the Word this summer or just think this sounds different and fun. And is it ever! We had a blast last summer. I really do think it was one of the most unique ways any of us has ever done Bible study. Our class was made up of single women, married women, widowed women, young women, not-nearly-as-young women, church-going women, not-yet-church going women, happy women, angry women, SAHMs, heads of corporations, and women all over the United States, many from Canada (yea, Canadian Siestas!!) and several other nations. It’s hard to find a class like that.
You interested? OK, so here are the answers to the most important questions. Unless you participated with us last year, the concept will not make sense until you’ve read all the instructions so hang in there till the very last word and I think you’ll get the idea. Here goes:
WHAT BIBLE STUDY ARE WE DOING? This summer’s Bible study selection is the workbook called:
Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild. (Due to our summer schedules and our every-other-week format, we will not add Jennifer’s coinciding DVD sessions into our study. You, on the other hand, are welcome to purchase those and work them into your own personal or group experience. All we’re requiring and officially working from in SSBS is the workbook.)
HOW LONG IS IT? Very good question! Jennifer’s study is a perfect 6-weeks long. Doable for the summer, don’t you think??
WHAT’S IT ABOUT? The basic premise of the study is to learn how to guard what we’re saying to ourselves and what we’re stuffing destructively into our minds. Hmmmm. I think I could use that. How about you?
WHEN DO WE START? Since Tuesday is LPM’s normal day for Bible study, we tend to be partial to it. We’ll launch our Siesta Summer Bible Study 2009 on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 then, in like fashion to last year, we will “meet” every other Tuesday from that point on until August 4th. (MORE ON HOW WE WILL MEET TOWARD THE END OF THIS POST.) We’re just talking about meeting four times here. Between those times we’ll each do two weeks of homework on our own. The assignments are not long and but they are packed with riches. I really do think we can work this format into even some of our busiest schedules, Siestas! And, boy, will our families and friends and work mates be glad we did! With all the relational demands and upside-down schedules of summer, this is no time to take off from the study of God’s Word. As I told you last summer, for me, 3 months out of Bible study is roughly 2 ½ months in the pit.
So, here’s the meeting schedule:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 (1st Mini-Session/LAUNCH/Group instructions)
(DO WEEKS ONE AND TWO OF HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN.)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 (2nd Mini-Session/Group Instructions)
(DO WEEKS THREE AND FOUR OF HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN.)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 (3rd Mini-Session/Group Instructions)
(DO WEEKS FIVE AND SIX OF HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN.)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 (4th Mini-Session/Conclusion)
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET STARTED? 3 Very Important Things!
1. You will each need to get your own copy of the workbook “Me, Myself and Lies” by Jennifer Rothschild and have it well in your possession by the time we launch. (We aren’t able to get it for you through Living Proof but I wish we could.) Please don’t wait till the last minute to get it or you may not be able to start on time! If you have a LifeWay Christian Store, you should be able to find it on the shelf but the easiest way may be on line through the LifeWay Website. Here’s the link:
http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=829882
2. You are strongly encouraged to pull together a small group if at all possible. You are MORE THAN WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE SOLO, but, for the sake of richest fellowship and best accountability, try as hard as you can to enlist three or four other women to meet with you every other Tuesday. It could be in one of your homes or in a Starbucks, for crying out loud. (You don’t have to wait until the evening to meet but keep in mind that the mini-sessions will not be posted until that morning. If you meet too early in the day, the video may not be on-line yet.) Four meetings this summer shouldn’t be too overwhelming and you can rotate houses if you like. Make sure that the women you invite to participate know that the gatherings will be low on stress and high on much needed fellowship and rich discussion.
If you want to work food into it, by all means do!! That’s what we did last year and it was so much fun. We will not post recipes this year because it’s not part of the original series as it was for “No Other Gods.” Keep the emphasis on a relaxed and refreshing atmosphere where you can develop some wonderful relationships in Christ. In this superficial culture that surrounds us, where friendship takes place through text message (I’m as guilty as anybody!), we have a huge deficit of pure depth in women’s relationships. Let’s make this real. The goal is to have those two weeks of Bible study finished each time you meet (after the launch) but the fellowship will still be worth your while if you couldn’t get all your homework accomplished. Let’s have lots of encouragement without loads of condemnation.
AN ALTERNATIVE: MEETING ON-LINE IN SMALL GROUPS. By far, the way to get the most out of this experience will be to form small groups in your area where you can get together face-to-face. However, if you try really hard and can’t make it happen, get a few women to meet with you on conference call or on line and work through the discussion questions together. It’s not ideal but it works and it is still more effective than going solo. Email worked quite successfully for several groups last summer. If you have no choice but to go solo, that’s fine, too. Just work extra hard to stay connected through the mini-sessions and through participating with feedback. Your Siesta Mama just wants the best for you.
3. Sign up ON LAUNCH DAY (not before and not today) and be so kind to give the biographical information we’ll request. (Questions like, Group or solo? If group, how many? Who’s the group comprised of? Where are you located?) This is one of the most fun parts. We get to see what our class looks like. THIS TIME I WILL ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. AT OUR FIRST GATHERING I’LL ASK YOU TO TAKE ONE PICTURE OF YOUR GROUP (or yourself if you go solo and if you look remarkably like Angelina Jolie, we’re going to get suspicious) AND SEND IT IN BY EMAIL OVER THE NEXT WEEK AND WE’LL TRY TO PUT IT TOGETHER A SLIDE SHOW. Wouldn’t it be fun to see what we look like?? Don’t do it yet. I’ll tell you when. MORE ON THAT LATER.
SO, BETH, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT HOW IT WILL WORK? Sure!
On each of our meeting days (every other week starting Tuesday, June 23rd through Tuesday, August 4th), I will “facilitate” our summer study through a video mini-session about 15 minutes long. In it I’ll give you instructions for discussion questions or activities for your group meeting that day based on our previous two weeks of study. (THE VIDEOS ARE PITIFUL, ONE-TIME-TAKES, DONE IN-HOUSE WITHOUT PROFESSIONALS. AND IT’S PART OF WHAT MAKES IT FUN. LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS DRAMATICALLY. THEY’RE SO BAD THAT SOMETIMES SABRINA AND I GET SO TICKLED THAT WE CRY. BUT THE INFORMATION IS REAL AND THE STUDY IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.) You will then implement them into your gathering. If at all possible, try to watch them as a small group at the very beginning of your meeting time so that everybody’s on the same page. (Bar any unforeseen technical difficulties, I will make sure the post is up first thing on those Tuesday mornings.)
YOU’LL CHECK BACK IN EVERY SINGLE TIME WE “MEET” AND THIS IS HOW:
Your way of checking back in with me will be by telling me something about your gathering afterward in a comment to that same post. It will be left up all day Wednesday for your feedback. YOU WILL BE INSTRUCTED NOT TO LEAVE A COMMENT UNTIL AFTER YOUR SMALL GROUP MEETING. The comments are meant to be your feedback to the study. I’ll remind you of that each time.
It’s going to be so much fun! And, at the top of our list of priorities, it’s going to be a joy to God, attract His wonderful favor, bring Him some substantial glory, and help keep us out of the ditch.
REMEMBER, TODAY IS NOT SIGN-UP DAY. BUT, if you’ve already got a plan going for Bible study this summer, let’s hear it! Let’s have the entire population of Siestaville in the Word of God!
I dearly love you.
We JUST (and I mean just) finished this study! You will really be blessed!!
We are going to do Priscilla Shirer’s study: “Discerning the Voice of God” this summer.
We will still check in with you to see if you all have any insights we didn’t glean from our study.
I cant wait!!! I went solo last year and done fine, but I do intend on trying to get a group together this year!!!
Oh Beth,
I am so excited about this! I did the SSBS last year, solo, and was so blessed. I was just waiting to see what you decided to do this year, and am thrilled.
I just a read through the book “Self Talk, Soul Talk” that this is from, with a blog book study group on line this winter, and it was wonderful. but i definitely need the “follow up” and reinforcement!
I don’t know if I will be able to get a group together this year, everyone already has plans, gone for a chunk during the middle, or have family crisis in the works right now, so not sure if that part will happen… but count me in solo or group, doesn’t matter to me! 🙂
God bless,
Heather
Mosinee, WI
I have the book, and I am praying fiercely for a group. Thanks for the breakdown of how it will all work. 🙂
Planning to join this year. I just found out about this last year toward the end of the study and I’ve been so looking forward to it this summer. I am planning to do it solo however as I am already leading a small group in my home through “Experiencing God” this summer.
Thanks for doing this. P.S. I am a prayer coordinator for your August simulcast in my church AND I am coming to see you in Memphis in October…so excited!!
yeah!!!!
Can’t wait to begin! Thank you for moderating the study again this summer, Beth. It is especially meaningful to study in God’s word with Siestas all across the USA! Thank you!
these is all so true what lies do we really believe in our minds.
the Lord has only just began to show me Guard your heart above all else,for it determines the force of your life”
the power of of the spoken word all that you will ever be or accomplish hinges on how you choose to say the things that come out your mouth,thoughts. We really need to stop and think what occupies our minds Gods word or just any thought we allow to come into our head and believe.
I know these well be a good study for all women we really need these one. “) marina
This is what I need! i will be moving to a new town sometime this summer, and will dearly miss my group of Friday morning Bible study ladies. I’m so much better about staying in the Word when I’m held accountable in a “Bible study.” My fear is that when I need God’s Word the most (during the move) that I won’t have the scheduled time and structure of a particular study, nor a new group of people to get together with. Likely I will have to do this solo, but I will still be getting into God’s word and growing my brain and my relationship with my Creator.
Amy in Charles City, IA
Sounds wonderful. I loved the nog study last summer with an overseas friend. But would love to do it with others this time. Anybody in WA game? I agree with Tammy even doing it solo and online is great too!
Can’t wait!
Dear Beth,
I've just completed & very much enjoyed your Bible Study on The Book of Esther. I can't think of a better way to spend my summer, than being part of this Bible Study. Thank you very much for keeping women connected through HIS word! It's much appreciated.
Love & prayers,
Grace, Houston
I am super excited about this study. I am a homeschool/SAHM and and I REALLY need the accountability of what I am thinking on all day or letting into my mind. Sometimes I feel like a Momma Duck because I will turn around and all three are behind me following me down the hallway :).
We have had the worst colds this past week so as I sit here unable to fall asleep I decided to check and see if you had posted – and YAY you did! I hope you all have an amazing weekend and I am REALLY looking forward to June 23! Sunshine
We should be done with Esther by then…… LOVING Esther!!
I’m so excited – bought my book the first day you guys mentioned it on the blog! I’m going to try going this one alone unless there are any siesta gals south of Atlanta, GA that want to attempt this thang together!
Hey Siestas!
I just graduated from college and moved back home to start grad school in the fall. I am DESPERATE for some community, and I would love to get on board with this study. I am visiting churches right now, so I don’t have a class to pull some buddies together from. If there are any other solos in the DFW Texas area, I would definitely be interested in possibly meeting together!
Thanks!
Hi Miss Beth;
I have a quick question. How can I find a small online group to do this study with?
I am planted deep in Southern Indiana – in a small, rural town. The church I attend is few in numbers but large in heart. I have been doing your studies on my own – and they are excitingly fruitful as I get to do them at my own pace- however I do so desperately need Christian fellowship with other women- and the old goofs at my church are NOT on fire for the word. My other Christian friends have spiritual ADHD and have no desire to join me in a bible study. They haven’t caught the FEVER yet 🙂 I am not the most BOLD person ever- but I am asking if you knew of an online group that would adopt a lonely girl from Southern Indiana for this study?! I’ve already bought my book! I’m ready to go- I just have no ‘group’ to do this with.
Thanks!!!!
Loved last summer’s study, and can’t wait to get it goin on again!
The videos were the best! Keep ’em coming!
joyce
For a couple of years the ladies met every Tuesday at the place that I work and did Bible study. (it got so popular that some of the men even ask to join us especially when we started Jesus the One and Only!)
We had to stop when I started my last semester of classes and that was three years ago. I have been looking for something to get us going again. This will be just the thing!
Very excited!
I just realized that during the course of this study I will be living on 3 different continents (Africa, North America and Europe) and all that in 6 weeks. Oh boy… I most likely will not have reliable Internet connection so I may not make it to any of the meetings at all but I’m planning on staying on the same schedule just in case I have the chance to chime in.
I’m so excited!!! This summer I am packing up my home of all but 6 years of my life and moving over 600 miles away. I’m nervous but pumped, this is God’s doing and I can’t wait to see all that He has planned! But my initial reaction was that this summer wasn’t a good time to start a study. But then obviously saw that this summer is the PERFECT time to start a study!! Last year’s was amazing, I can’t wait for this one! Thanks Beth and LPM crew!
P.S. I’d love to meet people in my new area! I’m moving to the DFW area – anyone around there, please feel free to email me! I’ll be looking for Bible study groups asap!! ([email protected])
We are doing Beth Moore's study on Esther…are you familiar with it? (lol) We begin Monday, June 1. Our group has grown to about 18-20 ladies who love Beth's studies & coffee & brunch! Can't wait till Monday.
Holly in Newaygo, MI
I’m facilitating a Bible study in my home beginning June 2. It only lasts 4 weeks, so I’ll be able to participate in this one, too. You may have heard about this 4-week study I’m doing–Loving Well, by Beth Moore? I hear there’s a wardrobe malfunction….:)LOL! I previewed the first session. I can’t wait!!
Beth,
I have my book and it looks like I will be doing it alone this year, last year I was in Kentucky and there was a group of us that didn it together, but this year i’m living in Utah, back working at the Salt Lake Lifeway and enjoying just not sure if there is anyone out here that is doing it this year… Thank you for doing another one this year I loved doing it last year…
Connie
GBU
Look at Holly being commenter #1. Love that girl!
Count me in for this study! I had two other chances for study this summer and neither fit with my un-busy schedule. Go figure! I am one of those who NEEDS to be in an organized Bible Study to keep my momentum going. It can’t start soon enough if you ask me.
I’m praying about asking some of my neighbors to join me for this. They’re not believers, so I’m WAY freaked out by the thought of it. Will you pray God gives me the guts to invite them? Doing it with friends is a no-brainer and sounds super fun, but I feel like God is pushing me out of my comfort zone. Freaky.
A friend and I did the NOG study last year over the phone and loved it. We weren’t on the same schedule with y’all so we never posted.
This summer I so desperately want to be a part of a face-to-face small group, but I’m pregnant with twins (due in Aug., preparing for July) and it would just be insane for me to organize and try to host it. If any of you live in Pasadena, CA, contact me! I would love to waddle over and be a part of your study….:)
Or maybe we could do an online group (meet in a chat room or facebook or Skype) for mothers who are about to pop or are to drained from breastfeeding and staying up all night to do Bible study any other way!
I’m SO glad I’ll be able to participate in this. I wish I had some siestas that I could do it w/here in my town, but it will be good to fly solo w/you ladies from around the country.
Blessings,
Margo
My heart is warmed by all of these various comments in response to starting a new study together. It is so encouraging to read all the different ways siestas will be involved. I’m joining in too but not sure of my modus operandi yet. No matter how, when or where, the Who, What, and Why will be amazing. Ain’t that the truth?!
~Lynnette
I’m looking forward to the study and I already have my member book on order.
Blessings
Michelle
This study sounds wonderful- maybe I can do it solo. My Bible study group has decided to do some book reviews by Christian authors for the summer. We have completed “The Shack”, and next we will read and review “The Noticer”, by Andy Andrews, a local author.
Fran
Gulf Shores, AL
I'm so excited! I loved NOG last summer & have already bought this one. Can't wait!
This is certainly a message for me.
Our Women’s Bible study group just finished this study. I started out with the bookwork but did not make it past the first week. I guess I am getting a second chance to really dig into it…Thank you Lord for the do over! I really need it!
We’re doing an internet Bible study of Experiencing God this summer. We have formed a Yahoo Group and are commenting each day after our study and praying for each other.
Did you ever think the internet would bring us all together like this? So cool. So God.
I’m leading some women at my church through Paul Little’s book “Know What You Believe”. I’ve never lead a whole study before so I’m really trying to step out and let God. (aka, I’m nervous, it starts tomorrow.)
We are doing Esther for our summer study at my church. We started Wednesday evening. I’m only on day 3 and I am loving it already!
This sounds amazing! I am really excited about this! Which day is launch day? How can I sign up?
This summer our women’s ministry leadership team is going to grow and connect over your very own “Loving Well” retreat DVDs. It’s only four sessions, but we will meet weekly – the alternate weeks will be for prayer and girlfriend time. I so love my girls!
I’m doing this study with one group of girls and leading Esther with another group of girls and excited about both!So,I’m glad this one is more “laid back”. I want to share with you that my prayer partner was excited about doing Esther with me this summer and having a new baby by then(born a day after Annabeth) thought it would work out fine. Well this precious little baby was born with retinoblastoma and mommy and baby(and daddy when he can due to work) have spent much of their time in the hospital getting chemo treatments. So, we got her the Esther workbook and I took session 1 to her hospital room and we watched it there and by the grace of God’s moving Hand in the situation my friend will still get to do the study! Already nurses and doctors are being exposed to Beth Moore’s Bible study by just walking in the room and asking about it while we were watching the session!!! How cool is that God of ours?!!!
I bought the workbook to do on my own this summer. I am so happy to be doing it together! The NOGS study was so fun last summer with everyone. Thank you!!!
Christine
Richmond, VA
I loved last summers study. A new friend from the Esther study this spring is going to join me for SSBS this year and I am so excited. I am starting Kay Arthur’s “Lord I Want to Know You” at church tomorrow.
I was asked about a month ago to lead a group of high school/college girls in the Esther study. I freaked out (not a common response for me ever) and I think I even scared the lady who asked me. When I got home I was so convicted this is what I should be doing. I have agreed to do it but it is way out of my comfort zone. All I can say is here I am Lord, send me!
Lisa
Bethany, OK
I can’t wait to start the study. This is all way high tech for me, but I’ll try my best.
Wish I would have thought to ask for the book for Mother’s Day like Holly did – my birthday’s not even til the middle of July. I’m trying to recruit my daughter-in-love and my youngest son’s fiance’ to go through this with me. If not, I’m going solo.
Like my pastor has said more than once, “you’re either about to go through a storm, in the middle of one, or coming out of it.” Well, we’re smack in the middle of a cat5 – if you put your ear up close to your computer screen, you may even be able to hear the waves crashing. I can’t tell you how many times this past week I’ve replayed my Scripture memory verses over and over in my head or spoken them out loud. God’s Word has been my comfort and my lifeline and overrides anything I think, see, or feel. I just needed to share. Thanks for listening.
I’m looking forward to studying with you, and hopefully meeting some of you in January.
Much love and blessings,
Patti Hayes – Lutz, Florida
Hey Beth,
My girls and I are doing Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas this summer. We are also doing Love Dare for our couples small group. I really want to do this study as well, but might not have the time. I look forward to what this summer holds! I know this study will be a blessing to so many siestas!
I told my Tuesday morning group about this summer study and we are jumping on board! We will be meeting weekly and watching the videos starting June 16th. We will catch up with your schedule July 21st after a week off for VBS.
We will welcome any new faces at Trinity UMC, Milford, OH. http://trinitymilford.org/
This is for all who think they might have to go solo . . .
I can’t wait for SSBS!
I went solo last year. (All my friends were already doing other studies.) But, I had a blast. I didn’t feel solo at all – thanks to the “homemade” videos from Mama Siesta and all of the comments from other Siestas. It really was an odd thing to feel so connected and not have a group. I even think my friends were a little jealous that I was having so much fun.
I’m looking for a group this year but, if that doesn’t happen, I’ll fly solo again.
I wouldn’t miss SSBS!
Thanks Mama Siesta!
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to add a postscript to my earlier comment. When I referred to a cat5 storm, I was speaking metaphorically. Here in the Tampa Bay area, we are having the most beautiful sunny day – the lovliest we’ve had in many days.
Love to all,
Patti Hayes – Lutz, Florida
I am looking forward to this study. I was wondering though if the video session you will be doing will be on line for a few days? We are planning a small group but not meeting until Thursdays. Thanks for doing this, I really did not want to be too idle this summer.
Dawnwd, yes, we leave the videos up just like all our regular posts so, if your group can’t meet until Thursday, you’re welcome to use it then. Thanks for being flexible!
Even though we will be traveling to China to bring home our little girl in July. I’m in.
The small group I study with every summer started Esther last week.
Have been looking forward to Siesta Summer Study since I missed out last summer. Have my book, ready to go.
I do have another siesta to study with but we will meet on Wed since Esther is on Tuesday.
Can’t wait. Blessings abound!
Elaine in New Orleans
I am facilitating Esther beginning June 3rd at my church, but the siesta study was so much fun last summer that I am going to do this one as well.
Two great ways to stay in The Word! Cant wait!
Much love!