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
Marcia B.
going solo
one word-“adjusting” Trying to adjust to the many different aspects of life you deal with some times
My goal is to learn more about Ruth and her story by digging deeper into the script of her life
Judges and Jeremiah seem to be contraditions on how you should live your life. If you live as you “see fit” it can lead to chaos and probably bad choices with bad results. But living as God sees fit will bring greater rewards and less worries. I don’t want it to be said I “forsake the spring of living water” and ended up thirsty because I lived as I saw fit.
Oops already! I am in Salem, IN am a single mother of 4 grown children and 5 grandchildren. I am in a group Bible study locally but am feeling called to do this one with all of the “siestas” and of course our fearless leader Beth! Like so many other ladies, I love the friendship and compassion I see in Siestaville and am drawn to it-even though I am not a computer enthusiast-another “adjustment”!
Hello from Oroville, California (The Lakeview Siestas) We meet Thursday nights at 5:30 and prepare dinner at a friend’s home on the back patio with Lake Oroville in view. There are 11 of us so far in ages ranging from 26 to 71. (With our 15 year old babysitter doing the study outside of the group). Am the Pastor’s wife reporting in and am very excited and blessed by last night. Our one word life characterizations were: Grateful, Eyes, Drained, Tired, Blessed, Restless, Transition, Waiting, Grateful, Demanding and Disappointing. Can’t wait to see how the Lord works in and through each of us during the weeks ahead.
Colorado Springs, CO. I am actually doing another study at our church that will be winding down in a couple weeks, so I decided I would join this study for the last 1/2 of summer. It is hard to resist such an amazing and diverse group of women coming together for this study. I feel so blessed to be a part of it. I will be participating solo.
The one word I would use for this season of my life is: Healing. My life had descended into such darkness prior to my salvation, that it has taken several years walking with the Lord to see healing in my spirit – mostly due to my own rebellious nature. I am finally at a place where I am willing to let God be God and lead me in His ways. The Lord is faithful and he will give beauty for ashes!
Start date of 6-25-2010, group of 4-6 meeting at work (though we will meet offsite), Topeka, KS…we are excited to meet together and learn from Ruth, each other and most of all from His Word! This is great incentive to stay on course!
1. My name is Emily. I am an engaged 23 year old about to be married in 21 days!!
I am from St. Louis and so far I am going this solo.
I recently graduated and am headed to graduate school in the fall.
2. My season = fall, beautiful on the outside, but slowly dying away (in need of some God time)
3. I really believe God push me to join you siesta’s this summer. For the past 2 summers I have read the blog, thought, “wouldn’t it be great if i joined?”.
To sum up, I’m nervous. God is going to have to break some old habits of laziness in regards to reading His word. I am willing, HE IS ABLE.
Let the growing begin 🙂
Love you word and so identify with it. The weird thing is that I know it is my fault that I am dying away inside because I do not spend time with Him. This study is Heaven sent right now … that is for sure. 🙂
We had 5 in our group on Wednesday night. We range in age from 24-54! We worship together at the same church. We are all excited to be God’s word this summer in a formal way and looking forward to how God will speak to us and use His word in our lives!
Forgot to add we’re in Windermere (Orlando), FL!
Oklahoma City, OK – 4 participants
There are 4 of us ranging in age from thirty-somethings to sixties. Two of us are young moms – with kids from a baby due in Sept. to 10 years old; and the other two are grandmas, one having 2 grandbabies due 3 weeks apart at the end of the summer and one is even a great-grandma of 3 with one more great-grandbaby on the way! We’ve been married between 7 years and 37 years and had very different childhood backgrounds and religious upbringings. Our 1 word summations: Inconsistent; Overwhelmed; Unsure and Seeking. Our goals: To “get it”/understand; To commit more verses to memory; To “Do it Daily!” 🙂 and To be able to retain and apply the information we learn. We had a great time getting to know each other better and I am even more thoroughly convinced today than yesterday that God absolutely hand-picked this foursome to bless us monumentally in fellowship! We had laughs and serious discussion and we look forward to really “digging in” at our next meeting!
Vivian
Birmingham, Alabama
Going Solo
One word description: Anticipating
Hello. I am 26 years old, a first grade teacher, and live in a very small farm town in Northeast Missouri. I am doing this Bible study solo. (I did invite three other ladies to join me, but none of them wanted to committ to it so they may be joining in sometimes!)
My one word is broken. I am at a really strange point in my life and my walk.
My goal for summer Bible study is of course to learn and grown, but I am also hoping to find a little hope and be able to get my life back on track. (It is hard to admit how off track my life has really become.)
My thoughts on the Judges verse: I know that doing whatever we want can be dangerous because this verse really reminds me of my life right now. I know that I have been going around acting like my life has no “king”, when in reality I have surrendered my life to Christ and should be doing as He wishes. I find it crazy and a little amazing that I decided to do this study and then the first verse to look up was about something that applies so directly to my life. I am looking forward to the challenge of completing this study.
Sparkling Chaos … love the name! I too am a teacher … only third grade in the inner city in Phoenix, Az. I loved your response to the Bible verse. How often do we as “His children” climb right off that altar that we first climbed upon with such enthusiasm and act as though we have no king … I feel so beaten at times because of my perpetual meandering near and far from God’s feet. 🙂 I just know that this study is going to be challenging for me … but in a faith building … life altering way!
Ooltewah, TN; 5 of us meeting in various homes on Thursday evenings; consists of new moms and newlyweds, working ladies and SAHM’s age 30-40s. One word descriptions are relaxed-fat-discouraged-perfect-change. We are looking forward to connecting more to God’s word and fellowship in this study.
I am 34 from Calgary, Alberta Canada. I am married to a wonderful Christian man and stay at home with our 3 kids ages 4,3 & 1. I am doing this study solo kind of (I got my mom to do it too but she doesn’t live close). One word that describes my season of life right now is exciting. I started attending Bible Study at our church about a year ago and have grown so much since then. God is doing so much in my life and I am so excited to see what he has in store for me next. My goal for this study is to continue to grow in His word and His character so that I can be a model of His love to my kids and those around me.
Spokane, WA. There are five us in our group, and we are meeting on Thursday evenings in the private conference room at one of our favorite local coffee shops – meaning we can sip lattes and chew on the word of God, all at the same time! Our small group has been meeting together for almost seven years, with a few breaks and a few changes in the line-up. We have done several studies before, but always take the summer off, so this is our first summer study. Our words to describe where we are each at in our season with God are: Sophmore, Growing, Okay, Stretching, and Strength-training. All of us agree we want to be committed to completing this study, and doing it in the time frame presented, ensuring we are in the word of God each day, and that we are learning and growing. In addition to staying on track and completing the project, we want to challenge ourselves to dig deep and get a lot out of the study, to be open to God’s word, and to take the lessons we learn and apply them to our daily lives. As mentioned above, this is our first summer study, and we have never been so excited to be in summer school – bring on the learning!
Spokane, WA. There are five of us in our group, and we are meeting on Thursday evenings in the private conference room at one of our favorite local coffee shops – meaning we can sip lattes and chew on the word of God, all at the same time! Our small group has been meeting together for almost seven years, with a few breaks and a few changes in the line-up. We have done several studies before, but always take the summer off, so this is our first summer study. Our words to describe where we are each at in our season with God are: Sophmore, Growing, Okay, Stretching, and Strength-training. All of us agree we want to be committed to completing this study, and doing it in the time frame presented, ensuring we are in the word of God each day, and that we are learning and growing. In addition to staying on track and completing the project, we want to challenge ourselves to dig deep and get a lot out of the study, to be open to God’s word, and to take the lessons we learn and apply them to our daily lives. As mentioned above, this is our first summer study, and we have never been so excited to be in summer school – bring on the learning!
Hi — there are two of us in Livermore, California – meeting at the park with our kids!! Our one word for our life right now is “transition” for me (both bad and good) and “chaotic” for my friend Katricia. Both of us have the goal for summer Bible study that we are tired of just stagnating and we want to be continuously growing in the Word. These Bible studies are such an encouragement in that way! We are praying for all of you in your groups and are so excited to begin this study!
Hi! doing this study solo – procrastinator that I am – just ordered the book and suggested to a couple friends, but haven’t heard back from them. Can’t wait to get back into the Word. My word – SEEKING. Trying to balance work, kids, and all those day to day demands while still seeking God’s plan for it all.
Doing the study with my daughter and daughter-in-law which makes my heart sing! I’m a stay-at-home mom/wife. My daughter and daughter-in-law are both teachers. The word that best describes us are searching for more. We all live in Indiana but 3 hours apart so we are going to use the computer and phone to have our meetings….we are excited to get started!
Hi – I’m going solo, with my dogs at my feet. I’m from NM and CO, I spend lots of time in each state. Our three kids are now in college, so my word is “Learning” – how to depend on God to guide me in this next phase of life, the empty(ish) nest.
My goal in this Bible study is – and I read this on someone else’s comment and loved it – to enjoy just being with the Lord, plus the accountability helps me persevere. My days are so much richer when I stay close to God by Bible reading – so why is that the first thing to go in a time crunch?
I did last summer’s study, though I didn’t comment – too self-conscious. This year? I’m jumping in! Here I come, wait for me!
6 women. Columbus, Ohio. Meeting at different houses. We are at all different stages and this is the 1st time for a bible study for some. VERY excited about it! Had our 1st meeting today, but next time we’re meeting on Wed. Only had 4 meet today…our words to describe the seasons of our lives..blessed, uncertain, spring, and change. THANK you Lord! This is going to be RICH!
Hi there!
From Visalia, CA…solo….lonely (all my closest friends keep moving away!)…..I am in my mid 30s (gasp!) happily married with 2, not so little kiddos (10 and 7). This is my 3rd Siesta Bible Study! Just fresh from Kid’s Camp, ready to “Live Out Loud!”
🙂
We met Wednesday night here in Mansfield, TX. There were a total 9 of us here and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever been a part of. The next day, I had people coming up to me saying how powerful our evening was. There are 9 women that range in ages from 29 to 55. We are in all walks of life right now. The neat thing about this is that 4 of the women have never done a bible study, but they are hungry to learn how to build a relationship with Jesus Christ. One of those women is my mother, who has been in a drought for the past 20 years of her life. I have asked her countless times to come and she has never been ready. Hearing her tell the group last night that she wants to reconnect with Jesus Christ brought me to my knees with hands raised. This particular season of my life is probably the toughest I have gone through yet. I have never led a study, and the fact that this is the first one, I know that God has me right where he needs to show me His grace. The words that described most of us were Hungry and Seeking. We are ready for this amazing ride!!!
I am flying solo from San Bernardino, California.
I am married (almost 30 years) with 3 children.
Betsy and Marsha are doing the Ruth study together in Claremore, OK. We attend First Baptist Church. We meet every Wednesday!
Two of us from Dallas, TX. We have a goal of learning more about the Bible and listening to the Holy Spirit so we can feel God’s grace and presence in our lives. Favorite quote of the night-“While getting up from his desk to go to the kitchen, he would say, ‘Walk with me, God.'” We want that kind of relationship with Him.
Orlando, FL; I will be meeting with a group of young ladies, ages 10-24, who have had very difficult childhoods but want to grow in their relationships with God (the 10-year-old was saved at the SLI simulcast); one word – waiting; goal – gaining assurance that God is moving in my life even when I don’t have clear direction in some major areas
Judges vs Jeremiah: When I do as I see fit in my own eyes/perception, things tend to back-fire even when there were well-meaning intentions. Frustration and impatience usually crop up during these times as well. It would be great if Jeremiah 17:7-8 could be a description of my life rather than the opposite, which seems to be the case too many times.
I have been of vacation, so I am late, sorry ladies.
I live in San Antonio, doing this study solo.
I am married with two daughter 16 & 19.
My one word is Transforming.
My goal for this summer is to stay in the word and intimate with my Savior, Jesus.
I think if we were allowed to do as we see fit that we would become selfish, self-centered and self gratifying giving in to every whim and desire.
“But blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him”. I think that verse sums it up for me. I want to be blessed.
I am so ready for this study and have been waiting to get started! I finally can. Awesome!!!!
Elgin, IL Solo – I feel empty. My husband had multiple affairs over a 4 year period. We renewed our vows in Nov of 2008 he’s turned his life around, I’m hungry to write a book (feel God wants me too), but ‘m struggling with forgivness, frustrated that God allowed so much to happen – tossed between staying and going, angry at him for what he did and thinking how can I write a book when I feel this way – The Holy Spirit woke me up in the middle of the night while in Arizon last week with …Naomi clear as day..that was it…Then I was watching TV show two days later, and the girls name was Naomi- thinking double confirmation, I started doing a search to understand more about Naomi and her life/suffering etc..and I saw Beth’s study – I think I’m ment to be here….
So glad God brought you here. May He work mightily in all of us this summer as we “hear” from Him! Linda
I have been looking for e-mail addresses to reply personally to those who responded to my post and I’m unable to find them. I hope you can see my response and want to say Thank you. I’ve been traveling for work and then thought I would receive an e-mail if someone replied but found comments just late last week. I appreciate you caring enough to comment on my current place right now…..your words of encouragement mean more than anyone will know – Debbie
You are meant to be here. God Loves you and wants to minister to your heart. Men fail and fall but God is strong and is always there. Look to him to get your needs met and you will never be disappointed.
Brenda –
Thank you for your response – Yes – I really did rely on my husband more than God. Guess that is one huge lesson I learned while he was away for a year. I relied solely on God and was humble to Him while my husband at times would see this new “me”, that’s what drew him back home. Maybe that’s where I am at now, expecting hubby to meet some of those needs that he probably never will be able too – thanks so much for your support and kind words!
Debbie
Hey Debbie, I thought I would see who commented before me and pray for that person and you were the name I saw!! Hang in there. There is nothing that God takes us through that HE isn’t prepared to use for His glory. I don’t think you are here by accident, either — none of us are!! 🙂 I will jot your name down and pray for you — through this study, through this continued restoration of your marriage, through the struggles and through the longing to follow God’s will of telling your story.
Blessings,
Dori
Dori –
So sweet of you and what a great idea – wish I would have thought of that and guess it isn’t too late huh? I just saw your blog and it’s a great tool. I’ve marked it as a favorite and will check it periodically. Thank you for your kind words, thank you for praying for me, a lady you don’t even know, and thank you for your continued prayer on our restoration – It’s a journey, but one that is good even though the struggles at times are hard – but as Kelly said in an earlier chapter ” Stay put and stand firm. It is always more blessed to be under the care of HIS will than anywhere else….”
Debbie,
I am praying for you siesta!! Philippians 1:6..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 🙂
Jesus has big plans for you and the Devil doesn’t like it, so he wants to push you into a pit.. You must give all bitterness, anger, and all your pain to Jesus. He can remove them as far as the East is from the West. I promise you!! It may be a daily process for you.. but God never disappoints!
Your siesta in Christ,
Shannon
Shannon – thank you for your reply – So kind of you and encouraging for me also – I cried as I read the responses from all of the gals. I just found responses late last week and I’m catching up today – I have a wonderful story to tell and know I have this huge crown awaiting me – I’m running the race and just waiting to see how amazing the finish line will be – of course, many days are harder than others and fear is there – but oh do I agree with you about the devil stomping out my story – it’s a Cinderella one for sure and mercy be that it be told. When a counselor told me “I can appreciate the tears but you need to move on” it was so discouraging but to hear how Kelly phrased the same thing – “My friend wept, but she wept forward, Be encouraged. God sees your tears. Cry them, wipe them feel them but don’t let them stop you. It is possible to cry and walk – I’m SO meant to be in this study!
I am flying solo on this study but if there is anyone in Marion, VA wanting to do it together, would be glad to have company.
My one word is thankful – to continue to find God’s guidance through His word and to experience His love moment by moment.
My goal is to hear and apply what God has for me at this moment. 🙂
Knoxville/Seymour, TN; 7 of us; Meeting at one house for the four weeks. Our group is primarily made up of mostly full time, outside the home, working ladies, we do have one retired lady, and one stay at home mom also taking care of her mother. We range in ages from 40-80. The main part of our discussion was about how in this time people certainly want to do what is right in their own eyes. Some of our words that characterize our life at this time, Change, Stressful, Rough, Thankful. All agreed we want to love the Word more, know the Word more, be like sponges – soak it all up so when we get squeezed just His Word and wisdom comes out.
We will meet from now on on Tuesdays, we met on Thursday this week because of an evangelist at our church on Tuesday. Everyone is looking forward to studying the book of Ruth. Oh, we are having chicken enchiladas next time. Love and Blessings. Debbie in Tennessee
Glad to be studying with you Debbie even if it only online. Now if I could just get some of your delicious food through the computer line.
Love, Linda
Hi All!
Appomattox, Virginia
5 of us (2 sorely missed today)
We are a group of sisters who also happen to be moms with children ranging from Kindergarten aged to College.
~3 words for the three of us: Transition~Uncertainty~Mom
~Our goals~foundationally God-seeking,but so looking forward to a growing relationship with one another.
That last verse in Judges….my o’ my, that speaks to a society of “it’s all about me”. But oh, how much more peaceful our lives would be if we would but follow the Word as written in Jeremiah……..”But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.”
We talked much about the difference in allowing God to be the first One we go to, rather than relying on ourselves to a point….THEN going to Him. How impacting just to get that out there!
Can’t wait to dig in more!
A paridigm shift…I just finished Beth Moores Esther and have been deeply convicted of just what my destiny is (humbled,broken,and oh so blessed!). I am a grammy raising two of my Grand Daughters after the death of their mother in childbirth. It’s been 5 years and I finally get it… This is what I’m supposed to be doing, God had me right here right now “For Such A Time As This” Praise The Lord!
I did Kelly’s “No Other Gods” study on line here two summers ago and went solo, this time I’v gathered up 5 others, will range in ages from 28 – 70 :o)
Allen, Tx; solo in my home; going through my second divorce.
One word description: CHAOS!
Goal: Find peace, increase my hunger for His Word, stay focused on Him rather than myself.
The flesh is weak. We want what we want when we want it. We do not see the bigger picture.
Melbourne, FL; 6 of us, ages 25-60. Met at Sheilah’s house (Thursday’s). Among us are: mother, daughter, friends and teachers. It was wonderful! We were amazed at how we all “blended” so quickly! Our discussion was mostly about God’s plan for each of us in this study and our goals. We all know that He is so faithful and each of us will learn from His Word and learn from each other as we grow closer and cherish our moments studying about Ruth. We are definitely “jazzed” Beth! Many thanks to you all and to Kelly! Kelly Minter duplicated our book order and let us keep two books for free…………she is so awesome and how generous of her!! Oh, and we had Kelly’s Spinach Strawberry Salad and Parmesan Flatbread……yummmmm!!! Thanks again!
My name is Lisa. I am going to be doing this study solo in Surprise, Arizona. I have done so many studies with a group of amazing women … but I tend to hide behind their studying and often fail to follow through on my own work … learning rather from their comments and insights. (They are not really aware of this.) In asking them to do this with me, there was really no response … interested or not. I think that God is asking me to do it alone to make the riding on other people’s spiritual coattails impossible. Anyway, I am 40 something … married to a wonderful, creative man … and the mother of two amazing girls … my youngest 9 and my oldest 12. I am a teacher … called by God to the inner city. I am a seven-year survivor of cancer and I love to blog, take photographs, and write poetry.
One word. That’s hard. It depends on which part of my life I describe, so I will share the word that describes my spiritual life … meandering. I seem to be caught in this endless, mindless pattern of dedicating myself to spending time with God in study and then failing to do so … resulting in this feeling of almost drawing close to Him only to once again switch directions.
My goal: to break the pattern … to set aside time for purposeful study, prayer, and worship of God. Without it, it is so easy for Satan to distort truth and make me doubt what has been proven to me over and over. It is time to climb back up on the altar (again) and work to bind myself to it daily.
This journey scares me. I am tired of offering God my promises and then failing. BUT … I trust in His faithfulness and know that He is waiting for me only to knock.
Hi Siestas – this is Kati from Ocracoke Island, NC. I’m doing the study solo again this year. I’m married, work full time, and am raising my nephew (age 2) until my sister finishes college in a year. One word to describe my life in the current season is “depressed”. My goal for doing the study is to get back in the Word…my regular study group is on a hiatus for several months, and I badly need to reconnect with God and what He has to say to me. As far as question 4 goes, I think the answer to why doing what you see fit may be a bad thing is found in Jer 17:9 – since the human heart is deceitful above all things, following it instead of God’s truth will lead you in wrong directions.
I confess I am a little late getting this posted but the wonderful world that is VBS has consumed my week!
Moore,OK, 5 of us (all in our late 20’s and early 30’s), we will be meeting in our living rooms.Our one word descriptions of where our lives are at this point ranged from growing to waiting to uncertain. Our goals are to be dedicated to the study, hear clearly from the Lord, reconnect and reopen ourselves to Him despite past hurts. We also want to get to know each other more through His spirit. Our first meeting was filled with laughter and lots of tears. Though we are all different we can all relate to each other. We are so excited for this study and cannot wait to see what amazing things God is going to do with all of us!
Hi, I’m solo. I live on Cape Cod in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts. I am 47 yrs old but I haven’t told that to too many people (I’m 28 forever). I have 3 children ages 25, 23 and 21. I have 2 grandchildren ages 3 and 2.
My one word to describe myself is joyful. I am so blessed to have been married 27 years to a wonderful man who I love more each day! Today is our anniversary.
Because I am an infant in God’s Word, I pray that this study will help me build a stronger personal relationship with our gracious and merciful God. I pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so I may understand His Word and how I need to apply it to my life. I am joyful because I can feel His presence in me. I ache to know Him better.
Thank you Beth for doing this, you are a wonderful lady! You are loved more than you can imagine!
I just received my books tday and was euphoric!! I have been house and bed bound with numerous health issues but I finally ordered 3 workbooks. I have friends that will join me in bed ( got ta luv um) but will ask my 2 daughters first. Please pray that the ones God wants here will come and that we will all be strengthened as we study as sisteas. I did the memory verse last yr but had to cancell the weekend due to healh. Soooo one word to sum up my life now… Abiding….
Jumping in a few days late. God really tugged on my heart to participate. I am in the Boston area and haven’t had time to look through all five hundred million comments 🙂 to find where all my siestas are located. Beth or Amanda, is there anyone from my area that I could hook up with? If not, I’m in SOLO.
20’s
Music Student
Married
Boston, MA
One word: transformative. I’m in a new marriage, new career, new town, etc. God is bringing issues and challenges to me, equipping me for His plan. I’m hanging on for the crazy ride!
Why not do what I want?: I’m flawed, who am I to know what is right and wrong, good or bad. I don’t have enough wisdom or sovereignty to make my own plan. Doing whatever I want is an absolute trainwreck!
Goals: I hope to cling to God’s word, to make it as regular and necessary as (or more than!) eating and sleeping.
Jackson, MS 3 of us met Thursday and at least 2 more will meet in 2 weeks. Our ages and spiritual walk vary. Most of us have young children that we are home with. Each one desires a greater relationship with our heavenly Father. Our group discussion was about how much God loves each one of us, and how only He can fill our voids. Reading and studying His truth will bring us the peace we seek.
Stayton, Oregon; Solo; I am a single mom of 3 sons (15, 18, and 22 – all at home), and a soon-to-be grad student (oh, and I am also the same age as Beth – and I was born in Wisconsin – but I’m not blond ;)).
My life in a word: Unsettled. My goal – my hope – is that this Bible study will help me to become closer to my Savior and that it will teach me to rest in His Word.
As per question #4: We need to do as God sees fit…at every given moment. We cannot always foresee the results of our behaviors as He can; after all, He is the omniscient One.
The connection between Judges and Jeremiah is that when we trust and are grounded in the Lord, we will do as He sees fit – our heart, apart from God, is deceitful and causes us to act in a way that only we (and the world) deem acceptable. We are made righteous only through Him.
Our group met this Tuesday in Abbotsford, British Columbia — CANADA!
We are a group of 8 and maybe more women.
When asked what our goals for meeting together in Bible study this summer were our answers were varied.
Here are some of our answers:
* To become steadfast
* To connect with other women of like faith
* To grow deeper (in the soil of the Gardener)
* To be watered
* For the reconnection of the head with the heart
* To be steadfast
* To have a time of resting in God and just being – ceasing striving
We are a looking forward to our next time together as we travel through the book of Ruth (and enjoy some delicious food together.) We are looking forward to see how our goals will be met.
San Diego, CA ~ 9 of us meeting in one of our homes ~ our group is made up of 30/40-something moms to a grandma to school teachers and friends. Our discussion covered your suggested questions and the realization that for some, this will be their first Bible study ever… for others, it is another on a list of many over the years. We are very hopeful for what awaits us through this Summer study!
Snellville, GA…3…lunchtime at work(CPA firm). We’re each at such different seasons but each have BIG things in our lives right now…Our words for ourselves were Miracle (25 year old who spent 2 months in ICU almost dying from double pneumonia), Changing(recent divorce and trying to figure out what life is going to look like now), and Seeking(living with eye pain that no doctor can diagnose or treat and how God wants her to deal with this). We all agreed we needed to hear from God and wanted the accountability together. Sorry this is so late…we started Thursday this week due to schedules…ready to hear from God!
Vicenza, Italy. I am going solo.
Two words that describe me are Hungry and Thirsty for God’s Word and the fellowship of other women
I am hoping to get that here
McKinney, TX, 1, meeting in my home. One word to describe – waiting. Several years ago, I went through the worst season imaginable in my “young years” of 34-years old. It truly has been a time of trying to get up from having the wind knocked out of me. Thankfully, I had just completed my first Bible study, Believing God. Isn’t His timing always perfect! Just these past couple of weeks the Lord has given me an anxious anticipation that He’s about to do something huge in the life of my family. So…I’m waiting… anxiously waiting.
Getting a late start because I was at the beach w/my BFF, her 2 girls and my 2 girls and didn’t bring the computer. I feel confident that all siesta’s will understand.
Going solo in Cary, NC…..40’s, married, 2 girls ages 8 and 11, working 3/4 time.
My one word for the current season is “Joy”….praising God for that b/c this season came after a LONG season in which that would be the last word I would use to describe my situation.
My goal for the summer is to pursue God as passionately in this season of joy as I did in my season of desparation.
I think the majority of the problems we face today in the US is because many people have done as they “see fit”….hasn’t turned out too well.
Waukesha WI – there are nine of us and we meet “on-line”. We all live within the city except for two but for the third year now have our discussion via emails. It has been a blessing to me.
I am doing the summer Bible study. I am a solo participant. My name is Jacque, I am 42 years old. I am a currently unemployed special education teacher. I am spending my summer looking for a job! I am coming out of a very rough season of my life. The only thing I can do is hold on to God with everything in me. I have a husband who is a minister and three beautiful children. Every single day I need reminded about God’s grace and mercy. I love Him so much!
Good morning. It’s Saturday and I’m ALWAYS a day late and a dollar short…as my Daddy would say.
I honestly wasn’t going to do the Siesta Summer Bible Study because I didn’t have a group, but that’s no excuse.
So here I am:
Dori Cook
Spring Hill, TN
Season of Life: Striving 🙁
What I want to get out of Bible study this summer: Refreshment. Everything is always so dry in the summer and sometimes my prayer/Bible study life becomes the same way.
Love and blessings to you all!!
Dori
So glad you decided to join us Dori.
Love, Linda
It is very typical of me to be late…but I am here…and participating! I will be doing this summer’s study solo in the Raleigh/Wake Forest area…I would adore the opportunity to meet some new gals!
Blessings!