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.
Oh I loved the NOGS study!! Matter of fact Beth the chicken enchilada recipe has been a staple in our home!! My daughter plays for a travel softball team, and these are great for those nights we are on the run. We always make extra and freeze the rest.
And the cake recipe to die for! It has become a birthday favorite
I am sooooo looking forward to this study. I need it right now!
Those lies have been running in my head this week. Please keep me in prayer as God is calling me to some things.
Can’t wait to start the summer with all the siestas!
Rachel
Beth and the Siestas,
I am trying to get my family group’s women to commit to this study. If they can’t/won’t, I’ll be solo. However, I have unlimited long distance and a husband who could set up me and a few other siestas with technology to get e-meet. I’m so excited! Now that my husband lost his job, I need to figure out how to pay for the book. Hmmm … that’s going to require a lot of prayer and a miracle from God. But I’m believing God for it.
Peace,
Kim
Hey, hey, this sounds like fun….I like fun, it makes me smile.
I’m currently doing the Daniel Bible Study, but will be finished in about 2 weeks.
Are there any Siesta’s in the Brentwood, Nashville, Franklin TN area that would like to be in a group? If so, say so through this blog. Maybe we can put one or two togheter.
Becky/Brentwood
Hi Beth,
Our church is doing your Esther study and really looking forward to it!!! This one does sound great too!
Let me try this again. (I don’t think my first post made it)
I am facilitating Esther beginning June 3rd at my church. But I had such a blast doing the siesta Bible study last year that I am going to attempt to do both. Two great ways to stay in The Word this summer! I can’t wait! Good thing school is almost over!
What PERFECT timing… Was just out to dinner after church last night with some girlfriends, and we were bemoaning that our Believing God study that we are doing at church would be over soon, and the Womens' Ministries are taking the summer off from studies! This will be the perfect way to gather the gals and check in!
….and now that I know the secret cookie / brownie / extravaganza that you and Amanda were onto yesterday, I know we can lure some folks that way – and tag it with iced tea… : )
Yeah! Summer plans here we come!
I am very excited about doing this study this summer. However, I may have to go solo as most of my Bible Bunnies are to busy….:(
But I'm sure I will get a lot out of it by doing it by myself and online comments.
Looking forward to it!!!
Blessings,
Bible Bunny in NO MI
This sounds so exciting Beth, I will be joining the bible study solo,maybe some of the other siestas who are going solo we can connect by email/conference call
Beth I'm so excited for the Summer time study! My name is Jennifer Ziegler and I just finished you're Esther Study at Lake Hills Church in Austin Texas. AMAZING!!! I found myself in the most "Esther like" situation while I was doing this study!! I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004, and have battled anexity for the past 5years. I have since become involved with some grass-roots advocacy at the Texas State Capital on behalf of the Lone Star Chapter of the MS society. My friend Tracy and I (she was diagnosed in 1999 as well) have handled our advocacy efforts in a mannerly, sweet, intelligent and shrewd way! We're not political,…heck, I don't even read the newspaper! I'm NOT a public speaker…But we've been opening our "big mouths," and speaking face to face with Senators and House Representatives, the most powerful people in our Texas State government!!! The crazy thing is… They've been listening to us!!! God opened their ears to what we had to say! We got HB 2064 The Texas Insurance Risk Pool Bill passed! It helps people in our state afford insurance who have pre-existing conditions, and SB 802 Family Care Giver Bill! They both sit on Gov. Perry's desk right now!!! We bowed our heads EVERY morning and asked God to make this about him, and not about us….We did't ask for this, but God did…and all we did was say YES!!! Check out my bolg…"Esther's at the Texas State Capital!" Here's the address… http://www.jennyz-blogspot.blogspot.com
Thank you for all that you do! Your "Siesta in Christ!" Jenny Ziegler 🙂
So excited about the Bible Study for summer! Hey to anonymous who asked about interested siestas south of Atlanta.. Email me:
[email protected]
Yes I plan on doing the study. Already have my book…. ordered it from Amazon.com when you first posted about the SSBS! Can't wait! Thanks so much for doing this again this year; you'll never know how much last summer meant to me and how much I got from it.
I am really eager to see how this all works out. I'm planning to participate, but not sure whether I'll be solo or in a group. Please pray that God brings the siestas my way whom I need and whom need me.
Thanks so much, Bible Lady!
Barbra in PA
Beth, this summer we're holding our first ever YOUNG women's Bible study at our church–for young women ages 15-23—and guess which study we're doing??? Me, Myself, and Lies! We're meeting weekly on Monday evening starting June 22 and I'm so excited to be facilitating this group (I don't fit into the age group of the young women myself). I so strongly believe that the high school/college years are critical in a woman's life. As I considered a study for this group over the past months, God kept laying one word, "lies," on my heart. So when I came across Jennifer's study, I knew it was the right one.
While we won't be able to meet on Tuesday evenings to view your clips, we will incorporate them into our study. And we'll definitely send you a picture of all the "young women" plus one not-so-young among these precious diamonds!
Gwen S.
Irmo, SC
I am having women in my home this summer to do "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place." I did it many many years ago in Texas, but I'm thrilled to have the joy of sharing it with my new "siestas" in Illinois. Pray for us!
Beth, I went back through blogs to find out when the updated version of Breaking Free was filmed…it was in November of 2008. Any word on when LifeWay will have it updated? Currently their product is dated April 2007. I am anxious to see the updated version!!
I'm looking for some Siestas in the West Portland metro area (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Cornelius, or Forest Grove) that would like to do this study as a group.
Beth,
My husband runs a christian children's camp, and the last 4 summers I have facilatated one of your studies with our college age staff girls. This summer we are doing part of the Wising Up bible study and they are so excited! Thanks for your obedience!!!
Nicole
I am facilitating your study Beth, on Daniel next Sunday for the ladies in my church. It will take up the whole summer and believe me it is my biggest challenge. I am intimidated slightly by all of the material and learning, but I am also excited in what God is doing. Please pray for me and the 15-20 women who are brave by commiting their summer to this. I dearly love YOU and I am so thankful for you. God bless you.
Shelly in Seminole, FL.
My church is doing Believing God.It starts Tues. This is the first women’s study we have done. Its been my desire to do a study for a long time but my church could not afford the kit. God answered my prayer and prompted someone to provide the leaders kit and a women’s ministry speaker to lead us. I pray God will annoint this study and it will make a difference in my struggling church. I may personally do the summer siesta study also!! The Lords blessings to all.
Jo Ann in Nashville
I am ecstatic about this. I am 29 and I lead a womens ministry at my church, we are currently doing the “Esther study and it rocks! Thank you! I will definitely be involved with this Siesta Fiesta! Oh yeah while Im thinking about it, Im pumped that you will be in my town, Orlando in Sept.
Terrell
I am so excited! I just put up an invite to my GA girls on Facebook to see if I can get a group together. Praying that God will bring a group together!
Blessings!
steph.
Sounds like fun. I ordered my book today. Can’t wait.
How is it you can love so many people you’ve never met?? You are amazing!
Love you back…
Wow, that sounds amazing! I did your “Breaking Free” study with a women’s group in my church last fall and found it absolutely life changing. I also just found “Jesus the One and Only” on http://www.audiobooks.net that I can buy as an audio book which I find really exciting. This summer bible study idea sounds really wonderful though – I definitely want to look into it some more!
Go Mandiegirl!
I am doing “A love that will not let me go” study of Hosea by Kay Arthur.
Excited about the siesta study. Will be keepin up to see what everyone is learning!
Brittnie
Beth,
I would like to do the biblestudy starting in June. Is there anyway you can have captioning put on the video?? please?? I am hearing impaired and cannot hear the videos:)
Thanks!
Tina
Melissa,
I bought the mascara and wore it to church this morning. 10 minutes into the worship music my husband whispered “you look hot.” He said it sort of smooth and gave me a wink. SERIOUSLY! In Church! I’ll take it where ever I can get it…he hasn’t said that in years! Could it be the mascara?
Love u girls!
“hot” Allison
P.S. I’m in for the summer study..LOVE Jennifer Rothschild…she’s gold.
Wow, it sounds right up my alley! Okay so I have to tell myself "one study at a time". Staring June 9th at church I'm going to be showing "Anointed, Transformed,& Redeemed" and going through the workbook study with the lovely ladies who share in the small group with me. I'm stubborn and refuse to juggle two studies at one time because I just don't want to get bits and pieces from each, but I want to completely soak in them one at a time, so I'll have to pick up the workbook to "Me, Myself & Lies" and do it on my own maybe in the late summer. Thank you for picking this study and introducing it to us because it will surly be a blessing.
Looking forward to this time with all the Siestas and what God is going to speak to us! Trying to get a few siestas in the Nashville area for a group and a few who are new to Bible Study!
Love you,
Patty
Hi Beth…..this sounds like fun!! And perfect timing as I just finished ‘Stepping Up’ this past week. The womens Bible study at my church runs from September through May and takes a break over the summer because of vacations, kids home from school, etc. so I will probably be going solo. I know for myself though that the enemy does not go on vacation over the summer and I am much better equiped to fight him if I am studying Gods Word!!!
Also, Beth, I just want to tell you what a blessing the Scripture memory has been for me. I now have some amazing Truths taking the brain space previously occupied by lies and deception!! I would LOVE to be able to attend the big celebration in January but I am going to Guatemala on a mission trip in August and will not have enough money to do both. But I will be there in spirit!
Can’t wait to get started on the new study…God bless!!
Judi
Lancaster, PA
My daughter (16) would like to do this study with me, but the books are backordered. Can you recommend something else for us to do together while we are waiting?
Julie
[email protected]
I’ll be doing the study with you guys!! I finished Esther a month ago with my church and got so much out of it (seriously…a life changing study for me), that I’ll be leading a group of my friends, coworkers, and neighbors to do it this summer.
Since I’ve already done Esther, I’ll do this one for my personal study with my mom who also just finished Esther.
Thank you so much for all you do, Beth!
Hi Beth,
Was at Lifeway in Oxford Alabama a few weeks ago and saw the books and God layed it on my heart to purchase 4 of the workbooks. I am planning on doing the study but not sure who the other 3 ladies will be. But for now a friend and I are doing a four week study with Kay Arthur, (I think you know her LOL), LORD Teach me to Pray. In the second week and it is awesome. Should finish up just in time to start the summer Bible Study. Looking forward to it.
Becky
Attalla, AL
I was unable to get the book last year and couldn’t participate…and My, Myself and Lies is already sold out on the Lifeway site.
Any suggestions? No Lifeway store near me.
Sounds like fun!! But we are in our 3rd week of “A Woman’s Heart” and loving it. The videos were a hoot last summer too. I’m very tempted to get the book anyway. I may join in after all. Yep, think I will. Can’t let ya’ll have all the fun.
Diane
I just bought the book in anticipation of doing the study. I’m involved with a Bible Study at my church, but this summer we’re going to do something really new and fun…I’m going to be doing this study online with a community of my blogging friends! We are young women from all over the country who’ve formed a supportive little community via our blogs and I’m *really* excited to see how this works out!
We are taking the summer off from our “official” bible study meetings at church but a few of my girlfriends and I are doing The Patriarchs study together. We are beginning week 3 and I can hardly put it down. We love it..We love it..Did I say we love it? Thanks so much for helping us “get the meat on our forks.”
Brandi
I love Jennifer Rothschild!! My group just finished "Fingerprints of God". However for the summer we are doing "Wising Up–Wherever Life Happens". We are going for no homework this summer!
I am also doing "Lord, Teach Me To Pray" with my daughters (8 & 10). Kay Arthur does a great series for kids. (and I guess that will be my homework!)
I’m so very excited and so very in need of this study!!! My group is small but my dearest friends on the planet these days. An eclectic group God ever put together in one place, that’s for sure! We all hail from criss-cross the country (Tuscson, New England and Chicago)but as soon as we met each other we just KNEW we were going to be close sisters in the LORD. He obviously put us here together in this time, in this place for His purpose.
We are so excited to be doing this study together. We will definitely be deepening the bonds of our friendship, not to mention going deeper into the Word. Yay!!!
I have the book and am ready to start! Any siestas in the OKC area?
I did the summer study last year and loved it. Our church doesn’t have a summer study so we are joining the blog and will meet at church!! I am hoping we are going to get some ladies that aren’t able to attend during the school year.
Amy-GA
Wow. I’m clearly supposed to do this study. God began showing me something last week that he wants to deliver me from. I went to a conference this weekend where awesome prophetic words were spoken over my husband and me. This morning I read an on-line devotional that spoke directly to my issue. I was thinking God wanted me to do Breaking Free on my own. Now I see this summer study. OK God, I hear you. I’ll be getting my workbook this week to be ready for June 23. I’m praying about whether God wants me to do it on my own or ask other ladies at church. God is so good to me! His love is amazing!
I loved last summer’s study so much I am going to ask my small group from church if they want to participate. Can’t wait.
Marcia –
Oh, wow! I think I’m going to try to convince KO to do this with me on Tuesday mornings instead of the SOAP thing we were doing if you’re familiar with that system of being in the Word. Anyway, I’ll definitely do it on my own even if she doesn’t want to.
I am very excited about starting this bible study. My bible group takes a break from June-Aug so this will be perfect. Can not wait to get started.
Beth, I just wanted to add a “thank you” for including bookmarks with the Loving Well study and with most of your other studies. They really help when trying to memorize the main verses, and they help keep our places in the workbooks. I print them out on tagboard and cut them out for my group.
I have had my book for about 3 weeks now. Can’t wait to start. Just finished Esther and our Bible Study will meet again in the fall to do The Patriarch’s – so excited about that!!
Still waiting to hear from some of Sisters about doing this one for the summer. Everyone is so busy!
Any Siesta’s from Birmingham, AL send me an email!!
Just love you Beth!!
I can’t wait to get started. I haven’t been part of a Bible study in quite a few years, so I am really excited. I will ask some friends to join me, but if not, I’ll fly solo. (With God, of course) Love to you all.
Wow…my 17 and 13 year old daughters are just starting this study. It is gonna be good. It’s time to tear down the lies of the enemy!
My book is in at the Christian bookstore and I’m going to get it today. I’m hoping my daughter will do it with me but I may be going solo. We will be finishing Esther in a couple weeks so I will be ready to start another study. This one looks like it will be great. Thanks for saying yea to us Canadian siestas!! I love this blog and all the sistas on here. It’s so great to think of how we can connect by computer with women we have never seen and feel like we know them, pray for them and just enjoy being women together!! I’m hoping to get to Houston in January to meet some of you.
Lynn in Alberta
Already signed up to do this very study beginning mid june, so it works out very very well!