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.
*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
1. Nikki, Wichita, KS
47 married
1 child, Linzi 21
2. titanic
3. connection
4. Judges 21:25 I was not raised in a Christian home or with any rules really so I did what I saw fit and it was very damaging.
Jeremiah 17:7-14 I loooooove this piece of scripture and it is so true, gratefully my daughter Linzi has a life that is fruitful because of Gods ways that I learned later in my life and she has far, far less scars!
I’m flying solo but grateful for a place to feel like I belong:)))
Nikki, I know you are following my blog and tried to comment there without success. Wish we could figure it out, so you join in our small blog group! We are the same age, and my daughter is 20.
Hope to hear from you soon!
I will keep trying!! I have tried several times but I signed into your blog with Yahoo and it isn’t giving me that as an option.
Niki,
I live in Valley Center,Ks- just 20 minutes or so from east or west Wichita……We’d love for you to join our group…we meet at my house on Wed mornings at 9:30….email me at [email protected]
I’d love to meet a siesta!!!
Pat
Houston, Tx; 6 of us; Most of the group is comprised of single moms. We get to watch the kids play in the sprinkler while we study God’s Word. We all hope to grow closer to the Lord this summer.
Yorba Linda (in Orange County), CA. Solo, but please pray that my sister will be able to join me. She’s going through a tough time.
One word: Transitioning. My son just graduated from high school, my daughter will be a sophomore, my husband is newly self-employed, and I will be starting a master’s seminary program in the fall (only one class to start with). If I’m allowed a second word, although I hate to admit it, I’m Fearful. I haven’t been in school for 28 years. I thought I heard and felt God leading me back to school, but I’m scared and a little unsure.
I’m excited to study Ruth with everyone, and to see what God wants to say to me and everyone else.
Southaven, MS – 8 of us (6 present last night). Mtg. in my home. Group made up of young married with children with one experienced (yeah, ok, older) mother hen. Mixed group as far as faith walk & bible study experience. One of our sweet ladies wasn’t familiar with Ruth at all but so eager to learn! Thank you Father for meeting us where we are!
Winston-Salem,NC & Jacksonville,FL by phone!
There are 2 of us- me & my mom [Julie] across the miles! We used to live in the same city, but I recently relocated with my husband & our daughters to plant a church here in North Carolina.(www.newchurchnc.org)
1 WORD descriptions: me-EXPECTANT (not pregnant just expecting God =); mom-BURDENED. Goals for the summer: mom-effective prayer life/sense God in a real way; me-encouragement; We loved the confirmation in Jeremiah 17 that doing what is right in our own eyes (per Judges) is opposite of allowing God to truly heal us and save us (v14).
We are a group of 4 neighbor ladies in Littleton, Colorado, and we meet in one of our homes on Wednesday mornings. Two of us have college aged and grown kids and the other 2 of us have kids still at home – elementary aged.
Some of the words we used to describe this season of life for us are: busy, blessed, grateful and content (how awesome is that!) We are all eager to learn more about Ruth and her life – more than just the simple story – and to plain ole get into the OT and learn more about that part of the Bible. We concluded that to live life as in Judges 21:25 would just be obviously chaotic and scary…we, like children, do better with boundaries to help us along in life. And the truth from Jeremiah is that we answer to a higher authority than kings and rulers – God himself.
We are all excited to dive in to the study and have some more girl time this summer!
Are you by any chance studying with Sue T?
Hi Everyone! I’m so excited about this study and how we’re all able to participate around the world. My group is meeting in Anniston, Alabama. Last night, we had a great group of seven ladies to get together and kick-off our summer study. Our one word descriptions ranged such words as “waiting” “broke” “confused” “busy” “kids” and others. We’re all hoping to rest again in God’s peace as we want to grow closer in our relationships with Him. I am personally in need of much accountability from my group to stay in the Word and hope that by doing this group study that I’ll ground myself back firmly in the spiritual disciplines.
I look forward to hearing more about what God is doing through other groups and in the lives of you all going solo!
Apex, North Carolina, 6 of us gals, first summer Siesta Bible Study. 5 of us are in MOPS together. Our third Bible study out of our MOPS group (first two by Ms. Priscilla Shirer).
We are pumped Mrs. Beth! Since we decided to take the summer off cooking – ha – we are doing take out from some of our favorite places and just throwing in a few bucks to cover cost. I hosted last night and we had ice cream floats for dessert!
We are all doing the study for accountability and the idea of studying God’s word through a new Bible leader (Kelly Minter) and study a book that we all love (Ruth). Also we are interested in growing deeper in our own relationships with godly women as we study the relationships among women discussed in Ruth. The verses in Judges and Jeremiah made us really stop and remember how blessed we are to live in a nation that allows us to worship our God and all the men and women who are out there protecting our families every day. Verse 9 in Jeremiah 17 stood out to us, “Who can understand it (heart)?” Only God knows our hearts because He is the one who so beautifully made us. That is why it is so important to commit our hearts to Him in this life. Thank you for being such a devoted Siesta Mama.
Our group is located in Houston,TX(Jersey Village), and we consist of 6 married women in our late 40s to early 50s! We have 1 that lives in Birmingham,AL,but we Skype her into the meetings!We all went to Israel together in May,and want to stay connected,as we do bible study! We are so blessed to be hosted by Judy, who has a home that ministers ALL things BEAUTIFUL! We all feel like we are on a retreat, in the hill country! Our words for our season of life now were: Invisible,Peaceful,Blessed,Full,and Tender. What we hope to accomplish through the study went like this: Expand horizons,Linger with the Lord,Continued confirmation of God’s faithfulness,Looking for answers to questions, Getting back to studying God’s Word. We are so pumped to do this study together,and share our journey! 🙂
Wildwood, FL. It’s just me doing the bible study at my home. I guess, maybe the best word to describe this season of my life is “expectant”. One of my very favorite verses in the bible, as it is for many, is Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will search for Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” I am just so amazed that here are the simple directions for finding God…for finding the creator of the entire universe yet at the same time our beloved Father. I am here to do some earnest searching and I am waiting so expectantly….for Him.
Going it alone here in North Louisiana. 44, married, mother of 4 girls.
One word: dormant
Goal: To study the Book of Ruth and hear God speaking to me.
Doing as we see fit leads to some awful decisions that have long lasting implications (ask me how I know….) and hamper our ability to bear good fruit. I have been asking myself for months now questions about fruit-that is why my one word is dormant. Taking some time to listen and heal and prune so I might bear good fruit. We are known by our fruit-Jeremiah 17:7-8 tells us we will never fail to bear fruit when we trust in the Lord and have confidence in Him.
I had trouble finding this site, so this was posted in the comment section of the wrong blog!!
We began the journey in Ruth today in the tip of the mitt of Michigan! There are 5 of us and our ages range from 30 to 40 to 50 to 60! How is that for diversity? We were knit together by God in the past and He is bringing us together for His purposes again. Our keywords were, transition, adventure, waiting and perplexed. We are all looking forward to seeing what God has for us in the future and how He will be using our past in ways we can’t even imagine. He is the ultimate teacher and healer and we are excited to do this with Him and all of you.
“tip of the mitt.” Love it! I once told a friend that my aunt lived in the thumb of MI. She had no idea what I was talking about. C’mon. The Thumb! I actually had to hold up my hand to demonstrate. Hmmph.
My name is April Reep and I’m hosting this study in Amarillo, TX in my home. We have 7 people attending the study that are intertwined by being neighbors, friends, moms and mother-in-laws. Of the five who could attend last night our words were: choatic, stressful, confused, content, and fulfilled. All but one of us are moms but two of the four moms have little ones at home. Our goals were: to maintain in the word throughout the summer and during a break from my yearly study, to be able to talk about and concentrate on the Word without being distracted by kids, to have wisdom to share with others, to complete the study and was interested in Ruth because of the mother-in-law/daughter relationship her and Naomi had because they had a special connection and she feels as though she does with her daughter-in-law as well. (Being that I’m the daughter-in-law, I have to agree with the last goal. :)) Since we just discovered this blog, we are so excited about this study and being apart of Siestaville! God Bless each of you!
Chattanooga, TN; 11 of us; Met at my house and had a “salad” food theme night. Our group is made up of women from our couples Sunday school class at Brainerd Baptist Church. The main part of our discussion was about growing in the Word, having accountability and getting to know each other better!
Glen Allen, VA; 14 wonderful women of various ages and stages are meeting at Panera Bread and after our appetizer of salads and sandwiches, we dine on the main course—God’s Word. Our ONE WORD answers—taxi-mom, turmoil, hilarious (and she is), good, fixer, transition, restful (5 children all grown and out of the house), hectic, caregiver, growing, non-grasping (as in can’t get a good grip on things!) Goal for being in Bible study—accountability—hard to be disciplined on our own; like doing Bible study with other women, hearing their hearts; thirsty for the Word; need fellowship with other women; want to stay close to God through the Word; preparing for a mission trip. We thought Judges 21:25 sounds like our world today—everyone doing that which was right in his own eyes—but that’s our nature to put ourselves, our desires and wants first until we allow God control of our life. And from Jeremiah 17:7-14, we discussed the fact that our heart is who we are, it reveals our true self, and that’s why God examines our hearts. Fun, Fun to laugh and share our hearts with other women—can’t wait till we meet again!
Hey! I kow that Panera. I just moved from there to Newport News. Shucks.
I am loving all the women that are meeting in public places such as Panera! What a wonderful testimony for others to see. Women laughing and sharing and being in God’s Word. Can you imagine all of the people that will be impacted by your study! God is so good!!
San Antonio, Tx
There are three of us studying Ruth together. We are co-workers and are meeting every other Tuesday during our lunch hour (this is not nearly enough time for us). We are all looking forward to learning what God has to show us through the Book of Ruth and building a better relationship with God. We are even considering meeting the week between our sessions with Beth to go over our homework and discoveries we made along the way!
This comment comes from the Beloved Beauties in Florence, SC. There are about 10 of us ranging from mid-20s to early 40s. We meet in homes every Tueday night to study God’s Word
The words that describe us are:
Chaos
uncertain
tired
self-doubt
learning
Our goals for this study are:
-Have all homework done before coming to Bible Study
-Hear from God in a big way
-Continue to grow in God
-Apply what is being learned
Judges 1:25
This verse describes where we are now in America. Is anyone really doing the right thing if they are all doing their own thing?
Jeremiah
Instead of doing our own thing we should seek God and know he will lead us.
1.I live in Washington State,I am a married mom of 4. My friend and I are doing this together via the internet. She lives in Arizona
2.one word for this season of my life: Questioning
3. My goal for this study: That God will show me how I can become content in my circumstances and except my life as it has become.
Knoxville, TN; solo; Season of my life: Revelation Season! God is revealing so much to me right now and teaching me to TRUST in Him alone!; Summer Goal: To get in the Word daily!!
Hello, Miquela- I’m from Jefferson City, TN. Hope you enjoy the study!
Cairo, GA – 4 young moms met this morning to begin our journey into Ruth. We have done several of Beth’s studies together before, but it has been a few years since we have dove into the Word together. We are all in a similar place of longing, thirsting, and hoping from God. One of the members pointed out that her goal for the summer is not to just do another Bible study, but to grow closer to each other and to God through these next few weeks. We are an emotional and tight bunch who aren’t afraid to cry and laugh with (or at:) each other. We will have “no worries in a year of drought and never fail to bear fruit.” Amen
Keysha McNeil (38)
Roanoke, VA
Married/2 children
I have searched far and wide and could find no one to do this study with me. I was discouraged, but just not gonna worry about it and do it on my own.
Describe this season: CONTENT
What I want from this study: As in any study I do, I love to learn more things about God and learn what He would want me to take from the study. I just want to draw closer to Him
Judges 21:25 – If we only do what is right in our own eyes we become selfish. We don’t look to God to direct us, but we just do what we like and what we like it to keep ourselves happy. Self doesn’t care about others needs, hurts or concerns. Self especially doesn’t look to God. Without God, life is dangerous.
Keysha, I know it’s far but there’s a group of us in Staunton if you’re interested. . . : )
Feel free to email me if you’re interested in getting in touch at any time – [email protected].
I am doing this Solo in Alexandria, MN.
“Climbing” would be my word for the season I am in. I am working on “climbing” out of the pits that I have been laying in for the past 8 yrs.
My goal this summer is to Trust. Learn to trust God and those who are there to help me not harm me.
You go girl! You hit a tender spot in my heart because I am formerly from Minnesota. Here are a couple scriptures for you from the NLT translation–Ps. 138:2-3 “I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.” and Ps. 50:15 “Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” It occurred to me that it brings God pleasure when we cry out to Him. The very act of depending on Him and looking to Him for help brings Him glory. Amazing. Cry out to Him and He WILL strengthen you.
Heidi-
I am sorry it took so long for me to see your response. I was scrolling thorugh this morning just reading more about others and seen you had replied.
Thank you! I am writing down those verses so that I may come back to them when I need a reminder, which somedays is very often!
What part of MN did you live in?!
Have a great day!
DETERMINED is the name of our group and there will be 4 beautiful women meeting in various places within Houston, TX and our group consists of 3 married with kids and 1 single . Unfortunately, only 2 of the 4 women were able to meet for Week 1 and our main discussion was about characterizing our present season life in one word which are Open [experiencing new things such as Bible verses/food/places and meeting new people] and Content [content with family and friends but wanting more Godly direction]; specific goals are absorbing Ruth for the first time and retaining the message as well as deepening one’s walk with the Lord; we agree that “doing what each of us sees fit at any given time could be dangerous” because depending on where the individual is at that particular time in their life regarding beliefs and values could result in dangerous consequences; and our final decision was agreeing that there is a contrast between Judges 21:25 and Jeremiah 17:7-14 because the people in Judges 21:25 did not have faith in the Lord and therefore did what they wanted to do without concern for consequences, however, in Jeremiah 17:17-14 the man gave himself up to the Lord and was blessed.
Watseka, IL
We had 10 women in attendance and expecting 2 more next gathering. LOVED the enchiladas and the Sundaes! YUM! Our ages ranged from mid 20’s to mid 60’s. Our words to describe us were:
absorbing
changing
crazy
hungry
scattered
focused/settled
transitioning
growing
blessed
Ous discussion of Judges was insightful as some one brought out Proverbs 16:2 and 21:2 which was almost verbatim Jeremiah 17:10! We are so excited to see what treasures God has in store for us this summer! Thank you for hosting us!
Allyson
League City, TX
Group of 9 ladies ages late 20’s to mid-40’s many who didn’t know one another before last night. I love it!
Meeting at my house.
We started last night w/veggie lasagne, salad, multigrain baguette, and frozen fruit salad.
Our discussion on Judges and Jeremiah mainly contrasted the two scriptures. Our lives “doing as we see fit” tends to reveal our selfishness, limited knowledge and ends in chaos. We loved the Jeremiah passage SO rich and SO much to digest. We focused on what it looks like to trust in God particularly the image of tree planted by the water. It does not fear when the heat comes, has no worries in a year of drought, and never fails to bear fruit. We want to be that tree! The verses also reminded me of similiar language in Psalm 1.
We’re looking forward to an awesome Bible study to be encouraged with “like-minded” ladies whose desire is Jesus, get in God’s Word daily, and learn something new!
Thanks again, Beth, for facilitating for us!!
Love you,
allyson
There are 2 of us participating in the study (age 30 & 40). Although we live in the same area, Portland, Oregon- summer vacations will keep us apart until the final session. Thanks to modern technology we will still be discussing via facebook, ichat and phone. We both want to remain in God’s word during the summer and not put God aside during the summer craziness and continue to hear from God about all decisions.
My friend and I meet Tuesday nights in Trenton Missouri at our local pizza place! And guess what we began studying? This exact book. So we’re a little ahead, but we stopped for a while when things got busy with graduation and prom. Then we seen the Summer Siesta was on Ruth and so we just decided to wait for ya’ll to finish up!
We began our meetings because we felt people in our community just weren’t getting it. We want to be different, stand out and stand up. We couldn’t find a group of women our age already meeting, so we started our own and pray God will send other young women our way.
1. Divorced for nearly a decade and a half. Very underemployed. 3 grown sons. 1 grandchild.
2. My life state: unknown.
3. Specific goals this summer for being in Bible study: I fell in love with someone for the first time in many years, for the first time it was for the “right” reasons. But he doesn’t love me in return. My prayer is this study God will work through to fill up those hollow empty places and for once and for all put an end to my desires that God does not want me to have/desires that He will not fulfill.
4. I will be blessed as I trust in God. My deepest thirsts wwill be satisfied,deeply rooted, CLOSE to the source that meets my needs.
Ann,
You will be in my prayers – God will bless you and satisfy you. He will take you from unknown state to a state of certainty in God’s purpose and peace.
Praying,
Laura
Is there anyone in the Shreveport area doing this study…Would love to get with a group…
Teresa
email me at [email protected]
Kingston, TN
Our group: 6 girls, my home
For those of you that commented from Kingsport, TN, keep my daughter, Emily, in your prayers. She is at ETSU in graduate school.
Our words: fear, restless, lonely, unsettled
Goals: To be more grounded; closeness again to the Lord; reassurance, stay connected.
I’m going solo in Atlanta, GA. My church is starting the Esther study in 2 weeks, which I’m also going to do. But, I’m currently 27 weeks pregnant with a baby girl that we have named Ruth. So, I couldn’t resist doing this study to learn even more about our daughter’s namesake.
My life right now could be summed with the word EXPECTING – not just my first child, but I’m sensing that God has a lot He wants to do in my heart in this season as I am also recovering from a really hard trial that happened earlier this year.
I just wanted to say……I love you too Beth! You have no idea how much God has ministered to me through your teachings this last year. I’m so thankful for your willingness to serve women. If God were ever to write a Volume 2 Bible, I think you’d have a book named after you….and I’d be all up in it lol. ((hugs))
You are so darling, Destee. God’s grace alone has given this former pit-dweller one iota of merit.
Bend,Oregon, 2 of us, meeting at our workplace – a hospital. We meet at lunch. We are 58 and 59 years old and have been doing Bible study together for so many years. I can’t remember exactly when we started, but we’ve done every Beth Moore Bible Study together. Our words for this season of life are: Comfortable and Adjusting. We’d like to learn how the Book of Ruth applies to our lives and then apply the lessons. We’d like to be enlightened and encouraged. Judges 21:25 -We discussed how when we are left to our own way, it never turns out go be a good thing. We can justify anything to ourselves. God’s ways are good and perfect, and we need to be obedient. Jeremiah 17:7-14 is a total contrast to the Judges verse. Only when we follow Christ can we live with no fear and no worry, because He is just in all His ways. We are excited to begin the study!
Lansing, MI – flying solo. This is my first Siesta Bible Study, but looking forward to it. One word that describes my life now would be ‘frustrated’. Goal is to be encouraging to my husband and to dive deeper into God’s word. Judges/Jeremiah – Always seek God in all you do. Sometimes it is hard to know if you are truly following God’s will or yours. Seek Him.
1)I will be doing the study solo in Thornton, Colorado. I am 30 years old, single, never married, no children. I am a third grade teacher.
2)The present season of my life could be characterized by the word doubting.
3)My goal for doing this Bible study is to find the strength to believe that God will bless me for living my life as a single the way He has called me to. I have an unsaved male friend from work who asked if he could come to church with me, and appears to be pursuing God. The only problem is I know he cares about me and is rapidly moving things toward a dating relationship. I know I need to DTR as friends and stick to going to church, but am struggling so much to obey God.
4)Doing what I see fit–ALWAYS!! gets me in trouble. I know God knows best and trust that He has a plan. God knows my heart is deceitful and that my feelings will always lead me from Him.
Greetings from Lenexa, KS. I’m doing the study alone this summer either from home or my office during the lunch hour. I’m also leading The Inheritance at church. Another great study!
“Restless” pretty much sums up my life right now.
So, through this study, I want to re-focus and be intentional about drawing closer to God. To consciously ignore the many distractions, pray, dig into the word, and listen for that still, small voice.
Going solo from OK. Have done this study with a group of women from my church but feel that I need to do it again, that God has something more for me to glean from this study. One word to describe my life right now is ‘discovering’. I am discovering God’s plan for my life as I head toward retirement in the next few years.
Where in Oklahoma?
Hi
Another Canadian, from Ontario. I ordered my book from David C. Cooke, by phone. They were very helpful and said they would send it as soon as they received them. I got mine today!!
I am doing this study with a neighbour. We go to different churches and want to get to know each other – what better way! We will meet next Tues. as she has a sister visiting from B.C. till then. I will post about our first meeting then.
I am 67 yrs., married 48 yrs., 3 married sons and 11 wonderful grandkids – none of whom live close. My husband has m.s. and is a strong man of God, but physically disabled so my life description right now would be exhausted. I am looking for some God power in my life, and trying to be less focused on the physical stuff and more focused on relationship with Jesus.
First time to be so publicly accountable, but this group seems so understanding. Looking forward to this!!
Thank you Beth, for the opportunity, and I will be prayerful as I check on the comments of others.
Sue and I will be back……..with our together comments.
I’m looking for a group to join up with, so I do not have to “go solo”…………
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Southern Wisconsin
If you don’t find it, consider all of us your group.
Thanks, Miss Beth ! 🙂
I’m going to try to hook up with the group at the “Bible Cafe” website that someone posted on this blog. 🙂 http://www.womensbiblecafe.com
Love, in Christ Jesus,
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
On second thought, I think I will go “solo” on this endeavor, after all. I think this “Siestaville group” will work out fine for me . . .
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Birmingham, AL; 7 of us; pre-menopausal and menopausal, some new and some old friends; Enjoyed lunch around my kitchen table; One word descriptions: distracted, transitional, and searching; Goals: consistency in Bible study, fellowship with women, structure. Desire to be like that tree in Jer. 17:8, deep roots by the stream, ready for the heat and the drought, continuing to bear fruit.
We are from Grace Crossing Church in Collierville, TN (right outside of Memphis). We had 9 awesome women and more will be joining us next week. We are all so excited about the friendships, fellowship, and rich discussions to come.
Ardmore, OK, meeting at one home for all sessions. There are six of us and none of us knew all of the others very well. Two have grown children, one has a son who is seven, one has two sons, eight and fifteen, one has four teenagers, and another has a daughter in junior-high and one in highschool. Though our specific goals for being in summer bible study are varied, a common thread seems to run throughout – get into Scripture more and get a better understanding. Our discussion time was spent mostly in warming up to each other and just getting our feet wet discussing scripture. Interestingly our one-word descriptions of the current season of our lives were. . .Stretched, Growing, Paralyzed, Confusion, Peaceful and Bold. Seems we are definitely going to “sharpen each other!” All of us were eager to get to the study and are looking forward the next session!
Saltillo, Mississippi – There are 2 of us meeting to do the Ruth Bible study. We are old college roommates and now have families of our own. This was the perfect “excuse” for us to spend time together and grow in God’s Word. The words we used to describe our current place in life are THIRSTY and SEARCHING. Our primary goal is to hold each other accountable for DAILY Bible study.
Grand Rapids, MI; four Siestas (Cori, Kathy, Angie and Windy) taking turns hosting in our living rooms. Spent this week learning about one another and sharing our goals for this study. We find ourselves “hungry”, “content”, “shifting” and “changing” during this season. We are all eager to dig into the Book of Ruth. And, I must say, we really enjoyed the chicken enchiladas and Mexican ice cream sundaes!
Looking forward to growing in faith with all of you!
Beth, 7 of us met today at my home in Indialantic, Florida. Most of us attend a Ladies Bible Study that takes place September through May, but one lady was new! We are all in different places in our lives, but we shared the goal of wanting to remain in God’s word and have a group of women to share with and be accountable to. Each of us have experienced “good intentions” of taking on a Bible study by ourselves over the summer and not sticking with it. The verses in Jeremiah were very uplifting as we discussed how relevant they are to us today. We all have something we are walking out, and all agreed that Proverbs 3:5&6 seems to continue to be a theme for us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straigth.” Here’s to the journey!
First of all…so sorry if I’ve doubled up on comments here bc I think the first one was eaten by the world wide web.
Soooo….let me say…
I’m 40 years old, live in Jackson TN, wife of nearly 16 years, mom to 3 boys (14, 12, and 9) and work part time bringing awareness and education to teens and parents regarding underage drinking and drug use.
I’m doing this study solo. And I’m ok with that. Even thought I’m MORE than ready to jump into a bible study group with our new church.
My one word for this season: healed
Love you all!!!
Hi, Fran! I’m trying to figure out how/where to get signed up here too: a day late (because of my daughter’s surgery)!
It’s good to see you here! 🙂
My name’s Stephanie from Youngstown, Ohio. I am married with two boys ages 7 and 5. Right now I am stay-at-home, but as my boys are older now, thinking about going back to college for a degree in Early Childhood Education focusing on Special Education. This would be a second Bachelor’s Degree. My other is in Political Science and History.
Doing the study solo.
One Word: puzzled.
I feel like a puzzle that has been knocked off the table. I just want the pieces put back together. But I can’t wait because I know it will be a wonderful treasure hunt. It always is.
That’s such a vivid description, Stephanie. Yes, I get that. I’ll remember that for a long time.
I really like what you wrote. I mean, not that you are puzzled, but the way you described the treasure hunt. The word picture though really gave me a lot of joy and encouragement. Thanks for sharing!!
Abilene, TX; 12 of us; Meeting at Aubrey’s house; Our group is made up of fun ladies who are in their mid twenties to early thirties.
The main part of our discussion was about the one word that describes our season of life. Not everyone knew each other before we started this study. This was a way for us to open up about ourselves and show who we are in Christ at this very moment. We also spent time at the end of our meeting taking prayer requests. We are all so excited to see what God will reveal to us during this summer Bible study!
For those of you who are doing this solo and would like a small online group to do it with (and you’re welcome to stay in this large group too) we would love for you to join us at: siestasite.blogspot.com
If you need some accontability or just like the encouragement and closeness that a small group has to offer, we’d love to have you be part of our small group.
As I’ve been reading through the comments here, I love how the diversity yet oneness of all the Siestas is shining through!!!
I’m with you, Judi! I’ve posted an update to the comments at the “small group” blog already! See you there!
I’m excited to be doing this study this summer. It’s my first summer to be able to participate in the summer Bible study!
Doing a Mother-Daughter long distance group! Mom and I live in Lexington, KY. My sister and her family live in Boulder, Colorado. We will be visiting them next week and can do some live study time together. Then we will plan to do our group via phone/e-mail/or possibly facebook.
Anyhow, I am so looking forward to sharing this with my Awesome Mom, Wonderful Sis, and a WHOLE WORLD of SIESTA SISTAS!