Siesta Summer Bible Study (Introduction) from LPV on Vimeo.
*If you’re having trouble viewing the video, you may need to download a newer version of Adobe Flash Player. You can get it here. Thanks for the tip, Adrienne!
Hey, Siestas! Let’s kick off some summer Bible study, why don’t we? I’m a little over-excited, too, but hold up before you write back! DON’T COMMENT YET! Your comments to this post are meant to FOLLOW your group meeting as a way of sharing a highlight about your time together. Again, please DO NOT WRITE COMMENTS until after you meet. If you’re participating solo, please watch the video first and do the exercises for yourself, THEN comment with your brief responses.
Here’s how it goes:
Please watch the eleven minute video for instructions for your small group and, if you can’t watch it together, no big deal! Each of you try to give it a look before your meeting. These videos will be posted indefinitely, so it’s no problem if your group can’t meet until later in the week. I’ll always write the instructions in the post just like I did last summer in case anybody has technical difficulty watching the video.
Here are your 3 interactive exercises for today:
1. An icebreaker just so we can have the opportunity to be ridiculous: What breed of dog do you most resemble in demeanor and why? If you don’t know your dog breeds, describe your demeanor to your group and let them help you.
2. This one will help us get to know one another’s priority needs right now. Get out a pen and paper and craft a one-sentence text message with a limit of 160 characters that starts with (and includes) these words: Please pray for me. I…
3. Have one group member read Psalm 19 out of The Message to the rest of the group. (See below) After she reads the whole psalm, have members lock in on the section that describes what the Word of God (called by other names such as “revelation”) does for us. Mention each benefit of studying Scripture and have group members who have discovered one of those benefits give short and specific testimonies as an encouragement to the rest.
You’ll pray and dismiss then designate ONE GROUP MEMBER to comment with a report about your group. Please limit the comment to a normal size paragraph. Each member will then complete Weeks One and Two of homework in their Me Myself & Lies member-book by our second gathering in two weeks. If you can’t get all your homework accomplished, meet anyway! A little Bible study is FAR BETTER than no Bible study! Thank you so much for participating!
I love you like crazy.
Beth
Psalm 19
A David Psalm
1-2 God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures each evening.
3-4 Their words aren’t heard,
their voices aren’t recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
4-5 God makes a huge dome
for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun’s a new husband
leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete
racing to the tape.
6 That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies
from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
warming hearts to faith.
7-9 The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
down to the nth degree.
10 God’s Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.
11-14 There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
If you're solo, come join us in the "Me, Myself and Lies" online study. We're following Beth Moore and reading the book together online. Jenn R. even visited our online Bible Cafe! Come join us please?
We have been out of town and are just now getting to view the video. We've also been sick … sore throats and coughing. We started our homework before going out of town. One day I was a little down and my Karalee said, "Momma, what are you putting into your thought closet?! That's what it's all about. Accountablility.
Beth, thank you that your contagious love for Jesus flowed right down on me … and now to my daughters. Praising Jesus.
Shelli, Karalee (11) & Katelyn (9) Littleton
Fort Worth, Texas
My friend Natalie and I are doing this study together via email. We have been friends for years and its a great way to feel connected to my friend who lives so far away.
Bethany and Natalie
Cartersville, GA and Memphis TN.
Both 28
Here are our prayer requests. We're a group of late 20s-early 30s, who know each other.
Meg: family. Marriage strain caused by stepdtr
Emily: conviction in God's will, timing, and for not give into Satan's "what if" temptations
Jennie: better prayer for husband, application & depth in spiritual life and Bible study
Amanda: praises for security & acceptance after a difficult past
2 girls couldn't be with us last week – 1 new mommy (5 week old son) and 1 who is just into 2nd trimester.
Can't wait to meet again!
1. Eskimo Spitz, Protective, Loyal, Loving.
2. Please pray that I have understanding of several situations in my life.
3. Pulls our lives together.
Points out the right road.
Shows us the way to joy.
With a lifetime guarntee.
Warns us of danger.
Directs us to hidden treasures.
Solo,
Ernie, Angier NC
1st Bible Study went great, I love The Message translation of Psalm 19 – thanks for provinding this bible study on line
-Lori, Nicole & Jenene, Indpls, IN
Going solo …
I found out my Father has been preparing me for this study as He has already had me saying the verses "Let the words of my mouth…" and "be anxious for nothing…" for weeks! My prayer is for His help in letting Him be Lord over all my insecurities…
Our Amarillo group met on Friday under a shade tree at a park while our kids played on the playground. It was wonderful. We were intrigued by the message version of the psalm. although we already know one another, we did discuss the icebreaker question about what kind of dog am I. my favorite answer was "old, female, spayed, housebroke, great with little kids but might bite the neighbors…ruff" 🙂
Our Hopefully Devoted blog small group began "meeting" on Tuesday, and we have continued to talk to each other via the blog ever since. It has been so neat to see 21 Siestas from 10 states willing to connect with one another, pray for one another, and share their lives with one another (even beyond the scope of our assigned activities).
Since we are an online group, we also had fun taking a little online quiz to see what type dog we are. Sometimes we disagreed, but many times the results rang true. We have quite a few caretaking Labrador Retrievers and hard-working German Shepards, but we also have a Border Collie/bulldog combo, Poodle, Airedale, Chihuahua, and bulldog.
And based on responses to Psalm 19, we are a group that has been GREATLY blessed by the Word of God!
Just made the decision today to do this study online and on phone with friend in Atlanta, GA. I am in Baton Rouge, LA. Both moms, early 40s.
Our group got together this evening! I was nervous being the one who formed the group. I am usually joining a group not getting a group together. All went well though. We went over all the things you asked us to do and we had great conversations. We all agree this is going to be a great study and are every excited to get deeper into it.
I'm doing this with my Mom and 2 sisters – and since we're not all physically together, we thought we'd do it via email. Our one sister determined she is more of a cat than a dog.
The same sister read the passage from an old Bible that belonged to our Grandma, who died several years ago. In it, Gma had written "selfishness" next to verse 13. A good reminder to all of us since no one on the planet would have thought of our Gma as selfish.
1. I'm Just like my golden retrievers. They love to hug and be hugged back.
2. Pray 4 me, I have xtreme financial burdens.
3. I like the verse that mentions treasure. I'm reminded there are treasurs and nuggets of gold in the Word of God. We only need to mine them out.
Our intergenerational group from Cheyenne, Wyoming met today and had great fun discussing the dogs we most resemble. We ranged from a Dalmation (because we get spotted with age) to a Sheepdog (great hair!) to dogs who lay around and like treats. We took text message prayer requests and were thankful we did not actually have to text them to one another as it may have taken some of us the remainder of the time. Finally, we contemplated the benefits of God's Word. We especially liked the fact that it keeps us away from stupid sins and that it satisfies more than eating strawberries! Here's to two weeks of great study!
Bluetick Coonhounds – reason is they are gentle with children and loyal, loving pets, BUT they can be challenging to train. This is so me! God is still working on me!!
Please pray for me. I need to live in the moment this summer.(Kids leave for Middle East in Sept.)
The Word of God speaks truth into our lives and into our families lifes. I know that without my bible to lean on and to read truth out of I could never be sane with most of my family overseas. His word reveals the peace that comes every morning. His revelation to me is that He has them where He wants them and He will take care of me where He has me! I just love Him. He will reveal truth of who He is.
Dear Siestas,
A group of 22 precious women gathered at our dear friend Adrienne's home in Senoia, GA on Thursday! God was all over this group of women, and for that, we are filled with praise! We shared praises and prayer requests, rejoiced in the Glory of Psalms 9 and 19 (there are no mistakes in God's plan, so we didn't accidentally read Psalm 9, then realize it was 19!), watched Beth's posting, and watched Jennifer's DVD.
It was such a special time to start cleaning out our "closets". We just finished the Esther study, and are just in awe of how God put this summer study in our lives at "such a time as this"! The thought closet makeover is perfectly planned as we are still fresh in the presence of Esther and thinking about how tough it is being a woman. Don't you think that women have so much more in their thought closets that men do? I'm not sure, but I know that our precious Lord is at work in everything He does. We look forward to learning with you and growing in God's plan.
In the Love of Jesus,
Lori (in Adrienne's absence) and the Newnan, Sharpsburg, Peachtree City, and Senoia Girls!
Going solo and looking forward to this Bible study. I need it.
Mary Ann
Ringgold, Ga.
Our group met on 6/24/09 in the evening after work. After about an hour of catching up (not Bible study related!), we watched Beth's introductory video, then did the activities and read Psalm 19 and discussed it. Finally, we exchanged the text msg we each composed and agreed to pray for each other about the needs listed. Great meeting!
Alecia, Katie and Michelle Beaumont, TX
1) Right now, I most resemble a border collie; my natural instincts are to protect and ‘herd’ my family and I am happiest when I can do those things for those I love. 2) Please pray for me; my husband and I are struggling with some very intense, life-changing extended family issues right now and are very overwhelmed and burdened by these issues. 3) God’s word is complete; it pulls my life together (it’s actively doing that every day). It gives clear instructions; I don’t have to guess what God is trying to say–I just have to believe it! His path is the only right path and it is the only one that leads to lasting joy. God’s reputation is fireproof and forever. His word is accurate, it is for my protection and directs me to the hidden treasures that only God’s children can find.
I’m so thankful for God’s word in my life. He has directed me through the years. By God’s grace, I have made conscious decisions in my 45 years of life to follow His path and as a result, I have received blessings from Him (of which I am not worthy or deserving but are a direct result from following His ways and not the world’s ways). His path does lead to pure joy and contentment. There is no place I’d rather be than smack dab in the middle of God’s will even though that means living in the desert of West Texas or having fewer material possessions or being miles and miles away from family. I have experienced first hand God’s protection, God’s sovereignty, His providence, His revelation, His love, His comfort, His pure delight in lavishing good and perfect gifts on my life and the life of my family. There is no other life for me.
I'm solo now but may be joined by two or three friends before the next meeting! I guess as a dog I am a lab, rolling along with life and taking it as it comes. Please pray for me, I want to know Jesus more deeply than ever before. I love to see God written in nature. It makes me feel so close to Him and wonder why everyone can't see Him there.
Well the Lafayette Louisiana Siestas meet last Thursday. We had 7 ladies with the average age of 39.
We started the night with some food (lots of fruit to beat the heat) and fellowship then we discussed how the class would work. We will be meeting every other Thursdays.
We then watched your video and I must say we really enjoyed seeing you in such a relaxed setting instead of the usual class setting.
After seeing your video we realized that we some labs, terriers, and some chows in our group.
We read Psalm 19 from several different translations and really enjoyed seeing the differnces and the poetic version of the Message.
We have decided to turn in our prayer text next time we meet and we are going to put them in a basket and let each lady pick one and they will pray for that person the remainder of the class.
We have also decided to send in our group picture next time we meet because after watching the video some of our creative ladies decided to come up with a surprise for you.
We tried to watch the video of Jennifer but we had some techincal diffuculty (me being the diffuculty). We are looking forward to this study and to reorganizing our thought closet.
There are 10 of us in Milford, OH – we meet on Tuesday mornings so we will get to the dog associations tomorrow. We are a group of mostly stay-at-home moms with kids 4-20+, plus 2 great-grandmas (sisters). We discuss week 2 this week.
We are committing our way to God and relying on His Words, not ours!
Our group met on Thursday, and due to some confusion, there was me, my 9 month old daughter, and one other lady from our church who I think is in her 70s. I was thrilled she was there, but sorely disappointed in the turn out. Because it was just the two of us we were able to talk extensively about things going on in the church and she asked how our children's ministry was going. She had no idea we needed teachers (desperately) and I had no idea she and her husband were anxiously willing to teach! Praise God! If the dozen people I'd hoped for had been able to come, she and I would not have had the conversation that is bringing our children's department 2 very wonderful new teachers next week! AND the miscommunication was cleared up and we expect to have a much larger turn out next week! Isn't it crazy how God works!?
My group is doing this without the DVDs & we're a little confused about what should go in the blanks in the "Intro Session Listening Guide" – if someone could help us out, we'd appreciate it!!
-Crystal
Shippensburg, PA
I am going solo…Psalm 19 was water to my thirst. I am especially thankful that the Word can keep us from stupid sins, of which I have had many. I believe I most resemble a German shepherd because I am fiercely loyal, yet sometimes too agressive without pausing for thought-I jump to conclusions. Please pray for me, I need a financial miracle personally and for our business. I also want to grow spiritually so that I can be a more effective Bible teacher.
We met last night for our second Bible Study class meeting, the first for Siesta Kick Off. We range is age from mid-40's to 84. The first thing we all agreed upon though was that this study is powerful and hitting us all right between the eyes!
After this past week, it seems that some of us were more like pit bulls – ready for attack. We also had a bassett hound and a border collie.
Everyone of us agreed that we need prayer for the stress of every day life, too busy, too little time,transition of a child leaving home for college, a Mom to a Grandmother and yet still a Mom, and spiritual attacks by the enemy!
We concluded that God's Word is applicable to every portion and every day of our lives. It reveals the road we are to take; the importance of staying in the Word; seeking wisdom, knowledge, understanding; more about Who He is; and we find answers to the "whys" of the trials and situations that we go through. His Word is our life!
A precious and sweet time together in His Word and in prayer.
i need to stop being so selfish. focus on HIM, not me.
please pray for me. i … would like to have another baby!
also, i think i am just like my dog. she's a toy rat terrier!
i am doing this study alone, but i am so excited about it!! great to have siestas out there.
Jaimee, Jackie, Shelley, Fontaine, and Beth met today for the 1st time because of work, vacations, kid schedules, etc. It was lovely! Everyone pretty much got the same message of renewal from Psalm 19. We had fun with the dog thing…I'm a Shih Tzu, Jaimee is a cross breed "Pit-Poo", Shelley is a "Scottie", Fontaine is a "Standard Poodle" and Beth is a Mutt because her darling daughter said she was a lot like their dog, Patti who is loving and protective but not too big….much like her mom! This is great. Thanks guys for hosting a special time with God in such a fun way!
I know it was a week late but we had our first Bible study tonight. My mother, two sisters and myself. We had a great time. We each figured out which dog we were except my sister Ginger we decide she was a cat. Boy the description fit. LOL. It was a great time and really looking forward to the next week that we meet. Thank you for this study and I pray that it brings us close to God and each other.
Becky
Attalla, AL
We had a great time getting to know one another (a German Shepard, a poodle, a beagle) and laughed a lot. Prayer requests were about parenting well, healthy marriages, deployment of husbands and their safety. Enjoying it already.
God bless,
The girls in Okinawa, Japan
Natasha, Kris, Cathy
I used to think God's Laws were just a list of rules that were a burden…ever condemning, binding and unrealistic. Sad but true. These days I have truly found delight in His Laws because I know that His Ways are right and just (even when it doesn't "make sense" to me). His Ways are higher than man's.His Laws are there to protect me and those around me.
Lord, help me to delight in You and Your Word more and more everyday. I pray this for my family as well.
We talked about not making this a typical Bible Study. I think next week we will wear our pjs and build a tent with blankets and pillows to sit inside for our study:)
Our group talked about Psalm 19, shared prayer requests, but my favorite was 'our ice breaker' which was how we view each member of the trinity and how we connect with Him.
FEEL THE ZEEL – Zeeland, MI
Please pray 4 me….I want to release to God the lies that have been holding me captive.
I am also going solo, in my 50's. this study has me thinking that I do feel God's work and His Word in my life. I think I am like a golden retriever.
Linda
Bartelso, IL
Our group met and we had a wonderful time and we are meeting once a week becuase we got the study video tapes to the book!This is helping all of us so much!
*NC*
Anne and Jo-Ann in Frederick, MD.
Loved reading Psalms 19 in different versions. Looking forward to digging deeper into God's word together.
Getting a late start solo (VBS last week). I am a lot like my Pembroke Welsh Corgi (except for the dwarf part) – I like to herd things and people :), I can be brave and tough, but also fun-loving (we call him the clown dog) and I am loyal and loving, but sometimes forget to show it. Psalm 19 & Prayer combined – Please pray 4 me I want 2 c with His eyes & love with His heart!
I'm overseas in Armenia and am wondering if I can find this book online since I probably can't order it here… can I by it or find the whole study online? Anyone know? Thanks!
I am loving this study already, its so what I need right now. I am a cocker spaniel! Please pray for me, I need to discern God's will for my life and how I should be serving Him. (don't know what I want to be when I grow up – I'm only 51)!
We are a group of 2-Holly and Bea in Plainfield, IN. We have been friends for 5 years and are excited about doing this study together. We can't wait to see what God is going to teach us this summer!
Debbie and I met last night. What a great time of sharing what the Word of God means to us. Vs. 7 says "The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together." We love how when we study & meditate on His Word, it brings direction & clarity to our lives. The more we know about His Word, the more we know the heart of God.
Blessings ~ Lisa
Going solo – already started on my homework while on vacation last week. 🙂
1. I know nothing about dogs, but my husband said I am most like an old mutt….faithful, sweet, kind & likes to be scratched behind the ears. ;D
2. Plz pray 4 me 2 continue believing God & growing n Him.
3. Vs. 14 speaks to me in a big way & I've had it hi-lited in my NIV for years. My deepest desire is for all my words & thoughts to "be pleasing" to my wonderful Lord.
Julie and I met via email this time around. We are hoping our schedules will allow for some face to face time for the next meet. But this is what we want to share:
Turns out Julie is a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle and I am a Labrador Retriever…hilarious! But I can totally see it!!
We need prayer in the following areas:
Prayer for FOCUS. Lots of distractions. And prayer for health concerns. Peace of mind.
We LOVE Psalms 19 because It reminds us of what God has done–melted ice, scorched deserts and warmed a heart to faith. It reminds us of how crucial it is to listen to the word of God, to hear His voice and follow it daily. And it is a clear life-map. We need a plan!
We are excited about where God is taking us with this. We are still doing the Esther study, but decided to jump on this too. We are expecting HUGE breakthroughs this summer!! God is so faithful we can hardly even believe it!
We love taking this journey with all of you!!!! For the Kingdom…
Nichole and Julie
Marion, IA
1) German Shepherd
2)…I want to be closer 2 God and my husband be in His Word.
3)Keep me from stupid sins (Which ones aren't?) How is God's word precious?–I can't know Him without knowing his revelations.
Nancy
Columbus,IN
Going solo. Right now I need prayer for a return to balance and right priorities in life. Ps 19 was such a blessing – God's Word is whole and full of warnings and directions to precious treasures if I'm willing to take the time to stop and reflect and heed what He reveals. Time to replace those old recordings of the mind with some new TRUTH!
We are running a week late but the Idlewild Baptist Church 911 ABF kicked off the study tonight! What a blessing! We had a wonderful night of fellowship and great discussion groups and viewed Jennifer's introduction video to kick us off! We have a group of 23 ladies! We enjoyed food, fellowship and the Word of God, love my sisters in Christ!
I am a solo in Kearney NE.
I love the Psalms & The Message.
I am most like a Lab- & I need prayers of encouragement–my oldest son is developmentally delayed & has many health issues that we a dealing with. The behavioral issues are hard to deal with. Marilyn
We met last night for the first time. It's a large range of ages and stages of life, but God's word brings us all together.
We met at Tonya's house and discussed Psalm 19. I talked about how God has pointed out the right road for me through His Word and specific verses. Tonya discussed how God's Word has kept her from sin and danger and led her into a relationship with Him.
We can't wait to review Chapters one and two next time!
Oh, I am proud to say that I have similarities related to a Bichon-a little prissy but affectionate and loyal. Tonya says she is most like a mut-a good friend and companion whose bark is worse than her bite:)
Kristin & Tonya
Our group met last night for the first time (we are a week behind you). I think we are all excited about the workbook, which our church graciously bought for us!