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
Springfield, IL. Solo. In my living room. This is my first Siesta Bible Study!!!!!
My Season: Transition. I got married a year and a half ago. Since then, there has never been a time when my husband and I have lived together and both had a job. Just last Saturday, I moved from Chicago (where I had been living with friends) to Springfield to finally live with my husband. Also, on Monday I signed a contract for a job. Now my husband and I are living together and we both have jobs.
My goal for this study: To learn to be patient and follow God’s awesome plan. I know God has been teaching me to lean on him over the past year and a half. I hope to realize how to do this and why His is the only path to follow.
Alton,IL. Doing this on my own, unless some other ladies from my church decide to join me. I am minister’s wife, women’s ministry leader and mother of three. I am getting ready to take a group of about 25 ladies to the Living Proof Live event in St. Louis,MO. WE ARE SO EXCITED AND CAN’T WAIT UNTIL FRIDAY!!!!!!
One word to describe my life now would be: longing
I am longing for God to reveal Himself to me in a mighty way. I am longing to no longer be in financial hardship. I am longing for my children to grow up as a man and women of God. I am longing to be able to spend more quality time with my husband. I am longing for my husband and I to be able to see our ministries grow in Christ at our church. It seems like we have hit a wall at almost every aspect of life right now. We know we are where God wants us to be right now and we are just longing for Him to show us the way.
My goal for this Bible study is to stay in deep study of God’s word. Also to glean everything He has to teach me during this study.
I don’t normally comment on these blogs, but I really felt lead to tell you that I will be praying for you in your present season of life. I guess that word “longing” resonates within my soul as well.
I hope you and the ladies from your church have a wonderful time at the Living Proof live event! I pray that it will be a time of refreshment for you!
Thank you so much for your prayers! I will be praying for you as well.
Whiteman AFB, Missouri. I’m in my 30’s, an Air Force wife who works from home (as a writer) and pregnant with our first child. The one word that describes my life now is THOUGHTFUL – full of thoughts about pregnancy and the transition that it brings. My goal for the summer study is to enjoy these last months of “free” time before the baby comes, to be able to spend as much time studying and writing as I want! I already know that’s a luxury that doesn’t come often once the baby arrives. I’m hoping to “meet” virtually to study with one of my best friends who lives in VA.
There are 10 of us planning to meet this summer for our 3rd year of Bible study on the deck of my house overlooking the water at sunset. God is good! It is VBS week at our church this week and we are up to our eyeballs sharing God’s love with young’uns!…so we are going to have our first meeting next Tuesday. We are mostly members of Moyock Baptist Church in Moyock, N.C.
Hey! My name is Shannon. I am probably going solo. I live in Alabama. This is my first time to do a bible study with Beth Moore on line. I am very excited! Been praying for God to show me where He wanted me in His word!
One word to describe my life… “demanding.” I am a stay at home mom and have two precious girls! (4 yrs old and 1 yr old) What is my goal for this study… Oh, I pray that God will help me to see what “quality” quiet time looks like in the life of a stay at home mom! I am so HUNGRY for Him! It is so hard to get that quality time in with Him while I chase two beautiful girls! I love them to pieces!
Judges/Jeremiah… I ALWAYS do the wrong thing when I make the choice on my own without seeking God. I am scared to death to move without His guidance. Can’t see how people live without Him.
Bertie, Houston, individual study. Word for this season is transitional. Goal for the study is survival. Judges/Jeremiah passages compare & contrast like relative ethics to absolute truth. One results in eventual chaos; the other requires obedience and singularity of heart, with the outcome of blessedness in the sight of the LORD.
Hi, I am Denise from Maryland. Going solo on this one. One word for my season is “wanting”. Wanting more of Him and less of me. I am looking forward to spending time with all the siestas!
Hey Siestas! We are the 8 FABULOUS FRALEYS and we range in ages from 70 to 20, the 2 youngest are not married, and the seasoned just celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary! Each of wear a hat labeled grandma, aunt, cousin, daughter, first-cousin once removed…you get the picture. We all just got home from a family reunion 2 weeks ago, where the idea for this study was sprung. We’ve now returned to our respective homes…Washington, Arizona, Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, and Texas. We’ll be communicating thru mass email every 2 weeks to grow as deep in spirit as we are in family flesh. Thank you so much for the recommendation of this bible study! We love, love, love each other and we were able to recognize what a HUGE presence God has in our family. What a Prize.
I visited the blog for the first time yesterday after finishing the book So Long Insecurity. (Incredible, Life-Changing Book for me! WOW!) I learned of the bible study launch that afternoon when my kids were napping. I called my mom, sister, and a dear friend…they were all willing to join me. Long story short…the four of us were able to get together last night! Woo Hoo! We are meeting at my home in Groves, Texas. Our ages range from 23 yrs. to 56 yrs. young. We laughed and cried and fell more in love with Jesus last night. We loved the idea of purchasing the red shoes but were wondering if we could pass off a “dress code” to our husbands meaning that we would need to purchase all new outfits too! Ha! Ha! Thank you for all you do…we are so excited to take this journey. God’s timing is PERFECT.
There are 7 of us doing this study together through our online bible study group. Our ages range late 20’s to 60’s and we are spread across the country and into Canada.
Our words: Adventure, growth, busy, wanting
Our goals: Draw closer to Him and learn to Trust Him more, find a new perspective on an old story while drawing closer to God, build a deeper relationship with the Lord, Dig deeper into God’s word.
our collective answer to #4: Doing our own thing gets us into trouble and we fail, but when we rely on God and trust Him he blesses us and cares for us. One scripture brought up to help us remember this Prov 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Casper, Wyoming–It’s just me (& Jesus) this time
The one word to describe my life would be “expectant”. I’m expectant for Him and all He has planned–not sure exactly what all that entails–but believing & standing on Romans 8:28! I’m doing this study because I want to be a woman of God with DEEP ROOTS in His word and presence.
WOW–Judges 21:25 sure lays it all out. These parallel between the two passages reminded me of the old phrase, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” When we don’t let THE King lead our lives, we will ultimately lead ourselves to demise & destruction. My way always gets me into trouble, but if I let HIM lead me, I always find myself in a much, much better place!
Tracy, CA. 19 ladies last night. We meet at SouthWinds Church. Our group is a fun group of gals anywhere from 30 to 65 years old. Some of us have been doing Bible study together for several years but others are new to our group. It was very hot here yesterday so we has cold drinks to go along with chips and guacamole. Afterwards we had the ice cream from the book. Yummmmm.
The one word heard most often other tham yummy was describing this season. It was the word challenging. We are looking forward to our next gathering.
I am doing the study solo, but really looking forward to it! I’m 34, living in Mississippi, and I stay-at-home with my precious little boy who’s 5. I feel the season I’m in right now is one of transition. I am hopeful and prayerful about some upcoming changes for my family.
Fredericksburg, Virginia. 5 of us. We are a diverse group with a wide range of ages. We were not able to meet for the first discussion, but we are looking forward to getting in to the study! It looks like there has been a wonderful response!
I am in Canyon, Texas and I am doing this study solo. I am working from home on it. I have chosen to do this study solo due to the fact that a group of ladies from my church and I are also working on the other Kelly Minter study at this time.
I am a full-time (returning meaning that I am 35 years old) college student with a husband and 2 kids.
My one word description of this season of my life would be DEEPER! I am desiring to go deeper into God’s word and his goals for my life.
Hi, I’m in Kansas City, MO, doing this solo for the time being. I have seen several who used ‘blessed’ as their word for this time of life, I am always blessed, so my word is ‘studious’ as at this particular time, I am going deep into God’s Word. In regards to Judges 21:25, I’ve tried it my way and ended up in a pit of sin. Thankfully He reached down and pulled me out of it, wooing me to Him. Now I am doing my humble best to follow His will and go where it leads me.
Victoria, BC, Canada!; 2 of us; me – married w/3 boys of various sizes in her 30s, the other a single beautiful teacher in her 20s.
Our books didn’t arrive, but we are grateful for the PDF! Feel tremendous comfort in that God provided that before we knew the books weren’t here, yet. Meeting every week on a dif. day, but will try and meet you all here on Tuesdays. So we are meeting tomorrow this week. Didn’t want to miss the rollcall, though. Will post our responses later.
*update*
We met and we realized that even though we’ve known each other for three years we didn’t know how old each of us were! So – corrections. She’s also in her 30s, but barely ;o) We giggled a LOT.
Our season in 1 word – new/uncertain (we matched here)
Goal – Again we matched. We want to be more in the Word and be more trusting.
Judges 21:25 – We felt that one can rationalize anything even if it is actually harmful at the moment. We both had experiences that taught us that we are in desperate need of Him at all times.
Jeremiah 17:7-14 – This brought to mind another Scripture (A memory verse from Breaking Free) Isaiah 61:3, but the last bit of it: “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” I see that it is accomplished with our participation in His work: us trusting and obeying because we love Him, and He molding us and shaping us (healing us and saving us) because He loves us. Anyway, we got talking how easily we get a run around all on our own accord. (The Enemy doesn’t really have to be creative – we keep falling for the same-o same-o.) We agreed that we are grateful that our Lord is ever-present searching our hearts and minds. What a glorious paradox to find independence from our confusion by our dependence on Him like that!
OH, and as a side note. I guess there are so many of us doing this study, the store is scrambling to bring the books… at least ours said so! Hallelujah!
2 participants- one from Lindale, TX (my second summer to join in)and the other from The Woodlands, TX (first summer to join in). My best friend–and most precious sister-in-law and I will be doing the Bible study together via cellphone. (I am recovering from major surgery and have to stay “still”-so joining another group would not be possible.)We are both elementary teachers and feeling depleted after a demanding school year–so we are ready for a refreshing touch from the Lord. We look forward to being challenged and renewed through God’s word. Hopefully, we will have a couple opportunities to see one another this summer and will enjoy some of Kelly’s recipes. Again, thank you Beth and Living Proof for making this creative venue available to us!!!
Shippensburg, PA, 4 of us, late 20s/early 30s, various stages of family life, jobs, etc. We’ve been friends for ages and this is our 2nd summer study together! Meeting via email if we can’t meet in person.
Two words to describe two of our seasons (waiting on the others): painful and fellowship.
Goals: 1) Growth, fellowship & accountability. 2) To simply seek God. To stop asking Him to be part of the plans I’m making, and to start listening expectantly for Him to reveal the plans He has for me.
Comments on the verses: vs 14: “O LORD, you alone can heal me; you alone can save me. My praises are for you alone!” (NLT) – I need to make my new theme verse, I believe! Jer. 17 = I ADORE the way The Message words this: “Blessed is the woman who sticks with God…never a worry…serene and calm.”
Natalie, Springfield, MO, going solo. In my 30’s. Descriptive word would be healing. Just finished So Long Insecurity book…it was as if someone found the doorknob I’d been looking for, opened the door and turned on the light. What a powerful word for us. Thank you Beth.
My goal is to reclaim what the enemy has stolen. I’m just so tired of watching his side of the score board light up.
As of right now I am going Solo. I am trying to get a lady or two from my work to join me, but we will see how that goes. I am single, live in Minneapolis, Minnesota and work as an Administrative Assistant for oen of the Big Four accounting firms. I love this study so far. I had not been checking the blog for quite a while but I suddenly remembered it was summer and should check to see if you were doing a Siestaville Bible Study this summer and checked it the day before you officially started. Now that was a God thing. My word is: Hard. Physically, emotionally and spiritually I have been going through some battles lately. Want to grow more in God this summer through the Bible. Want to learn to change my complaining attitude and learn to obey God better.
Seattle, WA and going solo. We have lots of little out of town trips planned this summer and it didn’t seem wise to make a commitment to a group for every other Tuesday when I don’t know if I’ll even be around. We have 3 boys as well and have lots of camping trips in our immediate future!
I still really wanted to be a part of SSBS though, as I can always do my Bible study from my campsite! I love the accountability of wanting to keep up with all of you! It can be harder to carve out that time for Bible study when the kids are all home from school. Thanks for letting us solo people join in too!
Praise God with me that our oldest boy (13) just had his 3-month CT scan check-up and has come through with no signs of the lymphoma that he had removed from his face. Thank You Father, that he is currently cancer free! We are so happy!
My name is Amy. I live in Pacific, MO. I am 39 years old and I am married with one girl. I work full time outside and inside the home – if you know what I mean. I am flying solo on this study and this is my first time participating in the Siesta Bible study. If I can only choose one word to characterize my life at this time it would be – SEEKING. I am struggling in my life to keep things in a balance. In almost every area of my life – I seem to live with regrets. I come to this Bible study claiming Jesus’ promise. He said if I seek Him and His kingdom first – all of the other stuff would fall into place. I am here seeking a closer more intimate as well as stronger and sweeter walk that somehow always seems to take back seat to the rest of my life.
Hi Amy –
I live in Ballwin! Reading thru most of the comments has changed my mind about “sitting out” on this Siesta Bible Study, and I am adding my name to the going solo Siestas! Would you like to participate together? (I know, then it’s not so much a “solo” study anymore)
Kathy
Hello Kathy. That would be great to meet together. My email address is [email protected]. Send me a line and we can maybe work out the details.
Amy
We are a group of ladies from Metter, Georgia who attend New Life Baptist Church. There are a variety of words that describe our lives… Full, Crazy, Stressful, Scattered, Unsettled, Tired,Genesis, Relief.
Our wording is different, but we all want a deeper, more involved walk with the Lord and want to stay focused thru the summer. Some are even looking for an avenue to more involvement in the church. Another is looking for peace and answers.
We are excited to be on this journey and see what our Awe-inspiring God has in store!!!
Valley Center, Ks/ 7 women today with 2 more coming next week (we are meeting weekly on Wed). Our ages are from 20 to 50ish. Some of the words used to describe our ‘seasons’ were: transition, contentment, settling, broke, and rejuvination. We are looking forward to this Bible study to in order to remove us from isolation, to build relationships, to learn more and go deeper in the Word, to get to know women of the community, and to connect.
Blessings to all you Siestas out there.
Pat from Kansas
First, we are a diverse group of 4 that have “known” each other for many years via the internet. We have done at least 6 bible studies (maybe 8–lost track)of various subjects. We live in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
One of us is on vacation
2. Busy, Busy, Transition
3. Growth and an open heart, Be still and listen, Patience in the midst of my busyness
4…So much insight to this question…we all agree that it is not good to be able to do whatever you want. One mentioned the chaos in the wake of Katrina, we can’t live our lives in the right direction if we are all steering by a different compass–we can easily talk ourselves into justify ourselves by listening to our deceitful heart. If we live selfishly, we will not be in God’s will and will miss His blessings…It is hard to keep it short with so much said, but this is close…Off to do my homework…
Solo, Bolingbrook, IL
Hope
to change
to be obedient to His Word
to step into new areas of ministry
to experience His love more fully
knowing that something new and exciting lies ahead for me
Clinton, MS
Solo
Goal: To know God more personally. After the loss of my daughter Jan ’09, I felt far away from God. My world was spinning for awhile there, but I feel like my feet are touching ground and I want to be in God’s word more, to know him clearly and personally. This study is going to be such a refreshing, sweet time.
Asheboro, NC; 3 ladies; meeting at my house.
We are TIRED, HEALING, and CONTENT.
Our goals are for REFRESHMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, and GET CLOSER TO GOD.
We compared the 2 Scripture verses and talked about how God knows us better than even we know ourselves, which is why we should follow Him and not try to go according to how we see fit.
Solo, Colorado Springs, CO
“Present” would best describe my season. I am a 29yr old single mother of a very handsome and witty 4yr old and while we are sort of watching God move things around for us, i am trying to enjoy and be present this last year before life really takes off with kindergarden, tee ball, karate, work, ministry, and God willing a man in my life. My son and I are cruising right now, life is good and from past experience this is probibly the calm before the storm.
We’re in Raleigh, NC and 9 of us ranging in age from 35-70 will be meeting at my house starting next Monday night. We will be loosely following along the same schedule as Siestaville, so count us in with the group!
Most of us met last summer for weekly dinner & fellowship and went through Kelly Minter’s first book (No Other Gods) and it was such a blessing to us all that we decided to do it again this year with her next book. Thrilled to know that we’re not the only ones journeying together through Ruth.
Oh, and we’re a mix of single, married, widowed, and one who’s engaged. Some are moms, some are grand-moms, and some are still waiting for children. Some work outside the home, some don’t. From all walks of life!
Fort Collins, CO – I am ‘officialy’ going solo. Although, the friend that introduced me to this study is also going solo – we have craft night every 2 weeks and so I am sure this study will be much talked about. We met while doing Beth’s Esther study with a small group from our church & we will continue that group with another Beth study in the fall. We are both women who find it hard to make friends & have been blessed to find each other, blessed as kindred spirits.
My one word for this season is – Waiting.
And I hope to just grow deeper in my knowledge of the Word and my God, and to grow my faith.
Florence/Greenville SC.
We are a group of two – best friends who now live in different cities. We will be driving back and forth and meeting half way to discuss the study.
We’ve decided to memorize Jeremiah 17:14 because we feel it describes where we are in this present season.
Looking forward to this journey! 🙂
2 in attendance: Mother (51) and Daughter (29) in Cantonment, Florida.
Mother is in a season of trusting God. Daughter is in a season of believing that God is about to fulfill a promise.
We are a little late posting because we have to meet on Wedesdays, sorry! We are Tina and Tiffany meeting at my house in Meridian, Id. We both represent two different age groups at two different points in life, but we love each other dearly. Tina works part time and is a full time Mommy. Tiffany is a full time Mommy with one on the way. The main part of our discussion today was really about where we are in life and our current struggles. We are both greatly looking forward to hearing from God during this study! We are so excited for this opportunity to get closer to God and eachother through this study, which is so perfect for both of us.
Flying solo from Agate, CO due to heavy work travel schedule this summer.
I’m in my late 40’s and celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary last week! We have a 25 year old daughter and a 23 year old son. We live on a small cattle ranch in the eastern plains of Colorado.
One word to describe my life is renewed. God and I have gone through a tremendous journey together this past year by meeting every morning to start the day in His Word and prayer and every evening to end the day in Bible Study and more prayer. It’s made a huge impact on my days despite the various circumstances as well as a big difference to my outlook and response. My only regret is that I wasted so much time and heartache getting to this point by following my selfish ways.
My goal this summer is to stay in God’s word and grow, plus I love the book of Ruth! Praise God I can trust in Him alone and never worry he’ll lead me astray like my heart would if left alone to what I saw fit to do!
It’s just the two of us here in Bradenton/Anna Maria Island, FL, on the Gulf Coast – Marilyn and I (Janet) – both empty-nesters, each with two grown children (one in heaven) – who met via the Living Proof website over three years ago when I was looking for a local church doing the Daniel study. Marilyn has been my dear friend and Bible study leader since then. At this season I find myself “challenged” – to dare to share the Gospel; Marilyn is “blessed.” (I am so glad that someone who blesses others so much is blessed herself!) Her goal, and mine, too, is to be held accountable for some serious study this summer (when our other studies are on a break)so that we get in the Word and the Word gets in us.
I live in Temple Tx and am doing the study with my sister in Odessa Tx. Her one word is “wounded” mine “seeking”. I am a married, working mom of two boys 14 and 11, she is a widowed mom of two boys grown, married and 3, almost 4 grandkids. We suffered the devastating loss of our father in 2008, our dear grandmother (his mother) in 2009 and she lost her husband in 2010 and just had torn rotator cuff surgery :-(. The title of the study “loss, love and legacy” spoke to us as an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord in healing.
It’s our first online Bible Study, learned about the blog at the “So Long Insecurity” simulcast. I am currently reading “So Long” in a book club/prayer group of co-workers. Can’t wait for new blog posts – I’ve been so encouraged, uplifted and entertained by them!
Excited to be in Siestaville!
1. Lexington KY…solo…58 year old R.N. married for 30 years with one daughter age 25. My husband ran his first marathon at age 50, and now at age 58 he has completed 18 marathons and loves to train new runners. Our daughter graduated with a degree in vocal perfomance..hard to land a job so she is working at a doggy day care and currently she and her 3 rescue dogs live with us which leads me to my one word…
2. OVERWHELMED…both in good and bad ways. Overwhelmed with the ways God had answered prayers for my daughter recently, overwhelmed by the scriptures I memorized in 2009 that are often brought to mind, overwhelmed by my loving family and friends, including my wonderful parents… but also overwhelmed by too much to do at work, too much to do at home, too much month for $$$. Which leads me to…
3. I want to hide God’s Word in my heart and grow closer to Him. 16 of us are meeting every Thurs. night this summer for the updated study of “A woman’s heart…God’s dwelling place” which I am LOVING so I had decided not to do RUTH… UNTIL I watched Beth’s video and I was hooked. What a joy to study with SIESTAVILLE Sisters.
4.The Judges verse is a prime example of CHAOS. In God’s garden temple Adam and Eve did ” as they saw fit” resulting in a broken relationship with our Creator. Contrast that with Jeremiah 17:12 A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our SANCTUARY.
Guess I will forgive you for being a Cards fan… I’ve read a couple more of your posts so far and when I saw you are an RN thought I’d comment back to you… I, too am a RN… where do you work at? I know several nurses working in the Lex. area… I love your thought on sanctuary- we all need one of these to run to. God bless!
Hey Siestas! I’m Katie from Newport News, VA. So far going it solo but working on gathering some gals around me. I’m married to the world’s greatest man, Dan the man, and we have a 16 month old, Sarah Grace.
My word is HUNGRY.
As far as my goal, I know I’ve seen the word, hungry, already but that just makes me feel more connected to ya’ll. I am simply never satisfied with where I am at or with what I see around me. Until I achieve the goal of being just like Jesus, I refuse to slow down my pace. My goal is to simply strive to be more and more who God created me to be.
We are dangerously close to living this verse. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah did just that, seeking after what pleased them to the determent of others. My heart grieves, especially when I counseled teens seeking help in unplanned pregnancies and when I worked with foster children watching little lives fall apart at the hands of selfish parents and an already overwhelmed social service system.
I very much enjoy the daily deepening of my roots as I continue to grow more grounded in Christ. It seems the more my knees hit the floor, the deeper my root system gets so maybe that is where the root system goes through, from my heart through my mind and down through my knees into the Holy Spirit connecting me to my Abba King.
Solo. Bloomington, MN. Full. Goal: to know Christ. (Cliched but true.) Men do what’s right in their own eyes, contrasted with men doing what’s right in God’s eyes. Big difference. One looks in and the other looks up. Big difference.
Jackson, Oh; 3 of us, 2 meeting in our house around the computer because the third member is talking to us through Skpye 🙂 Our group is made up of 2 girls in their 20s in college and a mom that just turned 50, preparing for the empty nest.
We described our lives as hopeful, busy, and antsy. Our goals were to get closer to God and to be dedicated to one book for a length of time.
Our thoughts on the verse in Judges were that there would be a lot of chaos and that it would be difficult to maintain order. In comparing it to Jeremiah we all were drawn to verse 9 in how our hearts can deceive us into doing what we see fit and that it is best to use the word of God and not always our hearts, because, “who can understand it?”
Birmingham, AL; Hello Siestaville! Solo – mainly because I just happened upon this blog just in the nick of time for this Siesta Summer Bible Study; Word: RESTORATION – my husband was out of a job for a little over a year which dramatically affected our lives. We were very fortunate that my career + God’s faithfulness kept us afloat the entire time. Our adventure in the wildnerness is now over (PTL), but we are stronger and are entering into, God willing, a season of restoration now. Goal: Learn as much as I possibly can absorb. I love me some good Bible Study homework!
Is it too late to join?? If not, I want in! You seem like such a wonderful group and I don’t want to miss out on a great study with great ladies!!
We’d love to have you, Anne Marie! Jump in!
I will be doing the study solo in Bulverde,TX.
I am a 63 year old grandmother. My one word is “sandwich”. I am caring for elderly parents and having great fun with grandchildren!
Charlotte, NC- my 17 year old daughter is going solo! A quick story- we have been through some serious rebellion with our daughter, and she is, like me, still a major work in progress. But about a month ago, I took her out to lunch, and I told her I wanted to buy her a devotional book, so I took her to Lifeway and let her look around. As she was looking, she kept picking up the Ruth study. I was holding my breath because I knew it was the Siesta summer study, and I was thinking “Please pick it!” After a while, she picked it up! I was so excited! I said to her, “As a matter of fact, I know a group of women on a blog who will be doing this study together this summer- do you want to do it too?” She knows all about Beth Moore because of me, and she agreed to check the blog every two weeks. I hope she’ll post comments like everyone else, but I have decided to let this be her own thing- she is very reluctant to have her mom telling her what to do all the time. But praise the Lord- He is working in her life even in the smallest details!
That’s so awesome about your daughter picking that study!! It’s neat how God worked that out. God has big things in store… I’ll be praying for her and you. :o)
Hi Becky…I live in the Charlotte area and your post caught my eye. I was a rebellious 17 year old set out to do things my own way once. I will be praying for your daughter and for you. God is faithful and I am proof of a mother and grandmother’s answered prayers!
I am going solo in TN also (Johnson City). My one-word description is ‘finding’. We moved here 3 years ago due to my husband’s job which led to – finding new place to live, finding new friends, finding new church, finding new hairdresser, finding new job for myself (in order to find new friends), finding daughter’s room soon empty as she is moving into college dorm in August, finding husband talking about retirement in 2 years, finding 30 pounds since we moved here, finding sorrow when 5 dear loved-ones passed away in the past 18 months, O’ but Praise the Lord, finding Jesus faithful and true and unchanging! My goal is to stay in the Word…
Wow, sounds like you’ve had a lot to deal with since your move. I know there are a couple more signed on from Johnson City and some from Kingsport, if you want to scroll through and find out if they want to meet together.
Grand Rapids, MI. There are four of us meeting. Kara’s word is searching and her goal is to finish the bible study daily; Melissa’s word is patience and she wants to continue to grow over the summer. Cathy’s word is apple or growing and she wants to see how she has trusted God over the past year. Megan’s word is anticipation and wants to be open to how God wants to use this study in her life.
I’m Marla. Going solo in Columbus, Ohio. 34, married, 3 daughters.
I heard Kelly speak at a retreat in March and LOVED HER. She spoke on Ruth for 3 sessions and my pen flew just as fast as it does when I listen to Beth. I bought the Ruth study and DEVOURED it.
I’m so excited to go through it again (marking it up in red instead of purple). I know it will help everything sink in so much more.
My one word? DISCOURAGED.
What I want? To be more like Christ, more like Ruth.
I wish I had time to read through all 900+ comments! What a blessing!
Amanda and I love you, Marla!
Marla,
Would love to have you join us in Westerville! Tuesday evenings – how bout some enchiladas on July 6?
[email protected]
Greenville, South Carolina; 5 could make it this week; meeting at a home in our neighborhood; range in age from mamas with babies to grandmothers; our one words included- fortunate, busy, new, motherhood, growth; many of us could all to easily relate to “doing as we see fit,” but long for THE KING to lead us.