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
Harper Woods, MI
Tonight, there were four of us hoping for 5 or maybe even 6 in a couple of weeks. What a great night it was!
Our ONE words…Hectic, Transitioning, Overwhelmed but blessed (I know, 3 words) and emotional.
Goals…to stay in the world, hear Him, learn from Him, fellowship with a couple of great ladies.
We discussed how the world seems to be going in the direction of James 21:25 more and more…everyday. We talked about how one gets through life without having their Father in them. Oh, how we want to be those who are blessed because we trust in Him!
We probably should have chatted a lot more about our assignment, but we couldn’t help just being a group of ladies together on a week night!!!!
Hi Suzanne! Where is Harper Woods? We are in the northern MI, Petoskey area.
Hi Suzanne,
I live in Livonia, MI. My husband said 40min from you. Would you be up to a fellow MI Siesta joining your group? Here is my email address. [email protected].
Thank you,
Stacie Gerathy
Hi, I’m TRANSITION from League City (Houston area), TX. I’m participating in this study with one of my best siesta friends, STRETCHED. She resides in Mullica Hill, NJ. We got acquainted through the LPM blog, but have never met in person. We had our discussion this evening using web cams and Skype (and food). We talked quite a bit about legacy. Today is her grandmother’s 95th birthday, and she has given her granddaughters an awesome spiritual legacy. I’m a grandmother, and that’s what I want to do for my grandchildren. We’re both hoping that King David got to know his great-grandma Ruth personally.
Hello from Chicagoland! I have the awesome opportunity to participate this summer with my mom. We’ve only met once, but we’re already loving this chance to dig into the Bible together. The one word my mom used to describe this season in her life is reflection; I said mine was simplicity. Our family has had a tough year, so it was interesting to hear how we’d described this recovery phase in our lives. We’re both looking forward to learning more about God and His Word through this study.
We have a small group of three here in Tyler, Texas. We know each other really well. Its my Mom, my Sister, and Myself! One word to describe my life right now is Blessed!!! My Mom recently was released from the hospital after a 90 day stay. God so mercifully extended her days. So we decided since the three of us had never done a study alone, that we would. We just desire more of Him!
Chardon, Ohio; 12 of us; meeting in Shelby’s home. Our group is a rich blend of young and old from 40’s-70’s with much life experience. It is an honor to announce that my mother-in-law is in this study-we have called each other Ruth and Naomi for years out of our abiding love for each other! Many of us are experiencing similar “seasons” of life and the descriptions include challenged, seeking, transitioning, disconnected, lost, apprehensive, wilted and settled. There is an energy of hopefulness within all of our hearts as we set out on this journey of growing closer to Christ in our individual walks of faith. We look forward to being enriched by the wisdom and insight of Ruth, a woman of such noble character. ALSO – one of the gals in our group, Julianne, actually spoke to Kelly Minter on the phone last week! Her order and payment for her book was out of sorts and Kelly personally got on the phone to reassure our dear Siesta that it would all work out okay! Thanks, Kelly…! And thank you, Beth, for your unbridled enthusiasm. It is always so refreshing!!
Hello! It’s just two of us doing this study together (for now, hopefully one more will join next time) and we are from Grand Junction, Colorado.
We are both young moms and used to be neighbors but since one moved away, we’d lost touch a bit. Tonight we had a good time reconnecting and joining in God’s Word. We hardly skipped a beat since we last saw one another! Both of us feel very busy and rushed in our lives with our kids and businesses (we both are business owners as well) and feel that we needed a solid study to help get us grounded in the Word this summer. We are excited to jump in and look forward to growing together. Ruth is a book that neither of us are too familiar with so it’s nice to have a challenge and learn even more. 🙂
Hello I am Michelle from Northeastern Ohio. I am a stay at home mom to four children ages 11, 9, 5 and almost 17month old. My husband and I are very blessed.
I am doing this solo and this is my 1st online Bible Study. I have done group Bible studies by Beth Moore in our church.
The season I am in is refocusing. I have just come out of a season of depression and anxiety.
I am doing this study so I can dig in and stay in the Word of God.
We are two gals from Craig Colorado. Cheryl and Patti.
We have been friends for 10 years. Excited about the study. Currently going thru the Daniel series but couldn’t resist this study after Deeper Still in Denver.
Our one word descriptions: Incomplete and Hungry.
Kelly’s CD is awesome. It will be more meaningful as we go thru this study.
Missy S.; Winston-Salem, NC; Flying solo while I study for the bar, but so looking forward to this breath of fresh air!
* Current season = Monotony
* My goal this summer = To experience the thrilling wonder of digging into God’s word. As I mentioned above, I currently find myself completely bored in my day to day circumstances b/c I’m studying for the bar non-stop. So, my prayer is that my spiritual life would be anything BUT boring this summer! Like you always say Beth, ain’t no high like the Most High!
* The danger, in my opinion, boils down to one thing: self-destruction. Just as Israel floundered without an earthly king, so too, we lose our way when we turn our backs on our heavenly King. Ultimately, we not only destroy our own lives, but we also threaten the people around us. When we do what’s right in our own eyes, we follow the selfish desires of our hearts, which we know are deceitful above all else.
Oh Missy, how I pray God will grant You what you are asking of Him. I know how dangerous monotony can be. He loves you so much.
Siestas! Coming to you from Montgomery, AL. Three of us met tonight at Panera Bread to begin this journey together. Looking forward to how God is going to “grow” each of us closer to Him and make us like that tree firmly planted beside the Living Water!!
Ocala,Fl., 2 of us- Me and my 17 year old daughter. She has wanted to be involved in a Bible Study for a while now. Actually she has been on me and not letting up for me to get us started:) So happy we are doing this together. I am so thrilled to be doing this study. Beth talked about being in the ditch because of not being in His Word. That’s how I’m feeling.I read my Bible but there is nothing like being in a study like this. I am going thru a lot of changes in my life w/children growing up and moving away. Next year the baby goes to college. whew…they grow up so fast and I’m not liking it one little bit..lol I’m excited how God will speak to us thru this study.
Iam excited to start our group of 6 this next Monday.
My life: tumbleweed
Goal: To stay grounded in God’s word this summer and to find purpose in my life.
Ding what we see fit is dangerous because, as the verse says, the heart is deceitful above all else. We can be so easily led astray. The verse in Jeremiah speaks to me when it says: like a tree planted by the water (living water?)…..It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Julie
Solo in Idaho
Excited to see what God has in store for me through the study of Ruth
Excited to study Ruth with ya all from California…a group of 6 is meeting this next Monday. Yay:-)
1. Married, stay-at-home mom (or stay at camp in a cramped cabin with no escape mom for the moment). I have 3 children.
2. Challenging
3. Um, at this moment my goal for the entire summer, everything I’m doing is to try not to go insane, which I am already on the brink of insanity after only 4 days at camp and we have 6 1/2 weeks left. I’m not going to make it! I’m actually sort of cheating right now. I’m on my husband’s computer, which only the staff is supposed to use. Nowhere else in camp has internet access. I was supposed to get to town today, but it didn’t happen. Long story.
4. Um, that is a loaded question. So many reasons. Lying seems like a good idea sometimes, to protect yourself, but then someone always finds out you lied and then no one trusts you. And I’m just pretty destructive. Getting drunk seems like a pretty good idea most of the time to me. Especially when I’m totally stressed like right now. That would not be good. I would not be able to take care of my kids like my husband needs me to do now, since he’s really busy. And I’d be a bad influence on all of the young people here at camp including my own kids and I’d damage my own health. Jeremiah basically says that we can’t trust ourselves, we can only trust God.
Solo (with lots of staff members coming downstairs and making lots of noise, so I can’t concentrate very well, so I only was able to absorb a portion of the scriptures, just like everywhere else in this camp. I’m ADD so it’s a little frustrated for me to try to study at all here. I’m getting really frustrated.)
Moscow, Idaho (currently though I’m at Camp Grizzly near Harvard, Idaho which is barely even a town)
Very lonely and yet not alone at all EVER! My daughter is very tired and wants to go to sleep and watching mom type is boring. It’s almost 9:30, a little bit past her bedtime. I don’t have my book yet, but I can’t print off the stuff because I’m not even supposed to be on this computer, like I said! Hopefully, my book will arrive soon. We had to reorder my book to be sent here instead of home, since I can’t get home all that often.
Glendale AZ – solo – stressed – goal is to stay in the Word daily – Judges & Jeremiah life choices can be chaos or peace
Hi Kathryn,
We have a group of 9 that will be meeting in Chandler. If you would like to join us, we would love to have you!
Marcee
Russellville Tn, Solo- Mother(37) of 2- 20 year old Son and 16 year Old Daughter, Married to the Love of my life since we were 16 and 189he is older, haha)
MORRIS, IL; 5 of us; Met at my house; We’re primarily made up of married women, mid to late 20s, some with children and some without. Normally this group is mixed and already we are thrilled about the dynamic of girls only! Not that we dont love our husbands, but oh how much better we can relate now! Especially over Strawberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken 🙂 Mainly discussed the season of life we’re now in and found that even though we may be in different situations; we’re on this wild “bumpy” ride together. SO excited to be participating in this for the first time. All are looking forward to getting into God’s word, trying some new recipes, and having girls night!!
el paso, tx, 5 participants, meeting at my house on wednesday mornings. we had our first meeting tonight because one of us is going out of town tomorrow.
1.our group is made up of women ages 22-31, three with children (ages 8 weeks to 5 years), three married, one widow, one single.
2. here are our words:
transitional
changing
responsibility
fermenting
steadying
3. goals:
using the study as a focal point for aligning with God’s will for the day
taking the opportunity to be in God’s Word everyday
finding myself in Him and learning to trust Him
two of us haven’t done a Bible study in awhile (we’ve just been reading the Word on our own), so our goal is to soak up wisdom and learn from a teacher.
4. we talked about how doing right in our own eyes results in chaos, and we related it to our children – if each child did what s/he wanted, there would be constant fighting, anger, hurt, etc. it makes it easier to imagine when we relate it to our kids! by continually choosing to do what is right “for me” and feeding our sin nature, we produce destruction in our lives. in contrast to this, the verses in jeremiah show what kind of peace we can have when we trust and follow the Lord and His standards.
we’re planning to meet in the mornings, so the recipes in the book most likely won’t fit at 10am…but we are planning to have delicious breakfast food every meeting!
Russellville Tenn, Solo- Mother(37) of 2-20 yr old Son, 16 yr old Daughter, Married to the love of my life for 21 years I was 16 he was 18….
1. one word (Expired)
2. I put my entire life on hold to be the best (stay at home) Mom I could be when I was 17. Now that my kids are older and more depedent I feel there is no purpose for me….I know there is cause I still have breath and a desire for God’s Word to CONSUME me. I want to be the Best that God desires for me…I hope to finish this study closer, wiser, and with purpose!!! Thank you for the opportunity to study her in Siestaville!
3. Please Pray for me to know and hear God speak to me…and to increase my prayer life!
Hi, Tina- I’m from Jefferson City, TN. Good to see another home girl here!
Three of us here in Sheridan Wyoming! Meeting in the library of our church…so peaceful and living room-esque. Starbuck’s cookies were on the menu tonight!
I’m the old woman of the group…mid 50’s, married, one daughter married, one daughter, 12…still at home, yay! Work for the State.
Two younger women, Erin-32 and Heidi-33, both with young children at home..they both work outside the home too. Erin is going through a divorce.
My word-Growing
Heidi-Blessed
Erin-Peace (even though the above is happening! That’s a God thing!!)
Our goal to make this study count. We WANT the discipline of being IN THE WORD!!! We want accountability with each other.
Loved the connection/contrast between Judges and Jeremiah. Without that stream to nourish the roots, there will be no way to weather the heat and drought. There will be bad times…how you get through them depends on what you did to grow them roots. There is blessing in living under the Kingship of God!
Did I mention, we’re excited?!!
Melana 🙂
Oh…. and I was very happy and pleased to give my girls their Ruth books signed by Miss Kelly (at Deeper Still). What a sweet blessing that was 🙂
Melana you didn’t mention Miesta Moose! Was he present at the study? We wouldn’t want him to miss out on some wonderful Bible study!!! Have a great time in your study.
Lori
Miesta Moose brings the size of your group up to 4!
You know…I meant to take him with me…but honestly sometimes he’s so quiet, I forget he’s in the house. He does sit here with me while I do my homework. I will make sure to take him next time….
🙂
Super morning with four meeting in our home in Decatur, MS. The unique thing is…we spent time afterwards to engage another group of college gals who have just come off mission trips and are fire to meet and dig in!! They will be reporting later!! Woohoo!!!
We are a group of 10 women (mothers and daughters) from Cedar Falls, Iowa. We range from 17 to 50! We will try our best to meet on Tuesdays, but this week it only works out to meet on Thursday. We can’t wait to get started!
I,too, am going solo. I have recently relocated from Agawam MA where my church had a very active Ladies Bible Study to Winter Haven FL. I am 62 years old, my children are grown and still live in MA. I am looking forward to connecting with people, in faith, once again. My one word answer would be: hopeful.
It’s me, my niece and a good friend of hers that are going to be getting together to do this bible study in Flint, Michigan. We are all very excited to see what God has in store for each of us through this study.
Portland, Oregon; 5 women (all in our late twenties and early thirties); met in a living room
A few women are very well acquainted with one another and others met for the first time tonight. We all know the Lord and we all have young children at home (two powerful touch points). We laughed, and laughed, and laughed. I think we might have all cried a little as well. There’s nothing quite like transparency in the Lord–being able to nod alongside someone as they tell a story much like your own. Looking forward to the rest of the summer with them. (And more fresh berry shortcake.)
From Bremen, KY…in my late 30’s and married with one son. My first time joining the Siesta’s and starting solo while still yet praying for a wonderful group of ladies that love the Lord to join me.
One-Word: “LONGING”
Goal: Draw nearer to Thee
We are from Terrace, BC, Canada. We have 5 women of various ages and our lives are busy, hectic, persevering and loved. We hope to study, fellowship, stay on track (out of the ditch), and get to know God more. We all feel that God has called us to study his word and be part of this study and we are looking forward to learning more about Him over the next six weeks.
Spokane, WA ~ 11 ladies (only 6 were able to meet today) ~ Our group consists of my grandma (79), my mom and three of her good friends (40’s and 50’s), three of my good friends and me (all in our late 20’s) and a 16 year old high school student. My Aunt is also doing it from Texas right now and she will be joining us when she visits for the month of July. Our other “members” are one 3 year old, two 2 year olds, a 4 month old, a 7 week old, and a 7 day old!!! All girls except one of the 2 year olds…poor boy! Haha 🙂 We had a wonderful discussion today although as you can imagine we did a lot of ooh-ing and aww-ing over the three new baby girls. 🙂
We started doing bible studies in 2006. We did Fruit of the Spirit, Breaking Free, Daniel, Stepping Up, and Deeper Still and the spiritual growth was awesome to behold. One of the ladies was newly widowed who had stopped going to church. She had been married for almost 40 years to her high school sweetheart and took his death very, very hard. Today her word was “contentment”. I can’t begin to describe what an amazing change that is for her. She has come such a long way and is a testimony to the healing love of God. Thank you Lord!
P.S. This is the first time ANY of us have done the Siesta Summer Bible Study!
We are a group of 10 women(mothers and daughters) from Cedar Falls, Iowa. We range from 17 to 50. We will try to meet on Tuesdays, but this week it only works out for everybody to meet on Thursday. We can’t wait to get started 🙂
1. Porterville, CA
2. Flying solo in this study on-line in my living room after family goes to bed. Mom of 2 very active children.
3. Struggling
4. After reading Francine Rivers book “A Lineage of Grace”, I have had a desire to study Ruth. Then, out came Kelly Minter’s study, and bam-pow, it’s the Siesta summer Bible study. Also have a desire to dig into God’s Word.
Nanaimo, BC, Canada – Solo.
My one word: Greatful – for all He’s done, doing and going to do!
Six of us met together at our precious church in Alma, AR. Our ages ranged from 24 and in a new career to 70+ and retired for 17 years! What a phenomenal mix of amazing women! After discussing the one word that would describe our season of life (i.e. faith, patience, transition), it was noted that each of us are looking for an answer from God. We talked that God always calls us to follow Him; however, sometimes that includes sitting and listening. When we are listening to God, we are in the prime spot to hear Him!
Tacoma (Praise Covenant Church); 8-9 ladies; My home in Tacoma; Our group is compromised of women ranging in age from early 20’s to early 70’s.
I prayed about finding a group somehow to stay in the God’s Word since most church’s break for the summer. Soon After prayer, I was reading and surfing the Lifeway website and came across the Siesta Bible Study. It seemed perfect and so I spoke with my table leader from our Sister’s to Sister’s Bible Study and she thought it was a great idea too. We thought that we would invite our sister’s from our table and some other friends I thought would be interested. It came together pretty effortlessy. I know it was the Holy Spirt putting in on my heart. All the women are excited about attending. We will be meeting this Friday in the morning to include everyone that wanted to come. We will post after our group video and discussion. I am thankful to be apart of this study. Blessings to all of you!
Great area of the country. My 91 yr. old grandmother lives there. Haven’t been there in a few years. Love the age spread and so excited for y’all (a TX word). Sounds like fun!
I’m doing this study solo in Hawaii; I’m a married Army wife with no children and teach part-time. I’m 26 years old and looking for a change in my walk with Jesus.
The one word that would describe this season of my life would be renewal. I’m looking for a dynamic change in my faith; I’m tired of the old way and want a new, life-consuming passion for Jesus!
My specific goal for this Bible study would be to learn more about the book of Ruth and the entire Bible in general; I’m reading it cover-to-cover for the first time in my life.
I think going our own way is sometimes a necessary part of life we need to learn. It’s a bad idea, but I think God allows us to go our own way to see how terrible life is without Him. The passage in Jeremiah really spoke to me, especially the part about being planted; I want to be firmly planted in God and not turn from Him so much.
I’m really excited about doing this study; it’s my first one with all of you siestas! 🙂 Here’s to a great summer!
Jackie, as someone who has experienced renewal the past 6 months, all I can say is He is faithful to keep the promises which He has made. I’m so beyond grateful that He’s brought me out of the dry places into a rich relationship with Him (even though it’s not nearly where it needs to be…not close), but He’s still working on me 🙂
I also thought it was interesting about the planted part and you’re an Army wife. I imagine y’all don’t get a lot of chances to be ‘planted’ somewhere for long. So here’s to praying that He plants you in His word…wherever you are physically 🙂
Phoenix, AZ + Portland, OR + Indio, CA, 3 best friends; meeting on a conference call. We may be separated by miles but we are close in our hearts! What better way to keep us together than growing in the Lord together. We are all in our mid twenties. The main part of our discussion tonight was the need we all have to make God our first priority. Satan is soooo good at distracting us from the one thing we need daily. We hope to grow closer and deeper to Jesus through this summer study of the book of Ruth!!
Arvada, Colorado
Solo
1 word: Evolution
Goal: My goal through this study is to continue to mature into a woman of God.
Doing what we see fit at any given time could be dangerous because we can be led astray if our hope and trust is not in the Lord.
Queen City, TX
married
two children: a daughter 18 who is about to go off to college
a son 15 who will be a sophomore in high school
Studying alone
My one word to describe this season of life is “desperate”.
My goal for the summer is to continue in His Word daily while watching and waiting for miracles in our family. I want my marriage to be completely healed in Jesus name and better than ever before. I want God to provide the way to pay for my daughter’s private Christian college. Our family is in complete agreement this is the college for her. God has even created a new degree plan only beginning this fall that fits her to a “T”…Christian Media and Mass Communications. I’m in awe at how God has woven her entire life, gifts, and talents all into a degree that she can use to further His Kingdom. She already has 1/2 of her way paid for four years due to academics but we (her parents) don’t have any money to contribute toward the other 1/2 which is $12,000 per year. We know God is bigger than any need that is before us, so we’ve laid it before His throne and asking for a total miracle in funding for her college this fall. We are completing Experiencing God – Youth Edition with our two teenagers this summer before our oldest leaves the nest. We’ve just completed week 1 with our 1st family session this afternoon. God is good and He is in complete control of everything. So looking forward to learning all He has in store for me in this study of Ruth.
New Smyrna Beach, Fl
I am doing this study solo. I am excited I found this site. I did the Breaking Free Study alone. I love to be able to discuss the study with other women. I also read so long insecurity in 2 days. DO I sound desperate. I have to study the Bible or read Christian books everyday.I should be perfect by now ,not… I do however press on.
I am an empty nester,3 married adult kids.2 new grandbabies, love every minute of it.Married for 33 years.
ONe word for me in my life today is “afraid”. Everything is changing and it is going too fast. I want to freeze frame something in my life.
I joined this summer study, because I hate hurricane season. I was raised in PA. ,and moved south in my late 20’s. Hate hate hate hurricane’s. I hope this study helps me get through this season.
I did get to see you Beth, IN Tampa. What a blessing that was.I got to go with my Pregnant daughter Amanda.GOd bless you Beth and siesta ladies.
Hi Siesta’s
I have a small group of 5 ladies coming to the study. We are somewhat diverse in age from 21 – 48 years of age, with one of us being a complete newbie to bible study. We are meeting in Laguna Niguel, CA. Our group is diverse in the faith with the majority of us having walked with Jesus for sometime. Our newbie will be refreshing and exciting, and I can already see the Lord’s hand orchestrating hearts.
Our group discussion was very interesting as we looked at Judges 21:25. Some of us smiled, shook our heads and said this is a study in itself. And went on to speak of the grave consequences of “everyone did as he saw fit”.
I’m excited and looking forward to the summer study as we seek to listen and learn all that He has for each one of us.
Thank you Beth for doing what you love and giving us the blessing of your contagious passion.
Tinley Park, IL, doing this study solo, but excited to be able to “study” with others online. Married to a wonderful Christian man and mom (the best job ever)to 3 grown kids, 2 of which are still living at home. Hubby and I have our own business, as well as our oldest, and do the bookkeeping for both. Still clean for a few geriatric “friends” (wouldn’t trade them for the world.)love to volunteer at church…
One word to describe this present season–BUSY! I thought when the kids were in school or at least when they were all grown up, things would slow down. Not so…bookwork takes alot of time!
Thoughts on Judges/Jeremiah: If everyone did as he saw fit there is just wandering, chaos, and much self-indulgence. No leader/guide, no boundaries, no right or wrong, no GOD! Being rooted in Him, we let God lead, give us fulfillment, hope, healing, saving. He helps us weather the storm/drought. We are blessed by Him.
Give me deep roots in you, Lord!
A goal for this Bible study…to draw closer to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To stay rooted in Him! This was the theme for the year for our youth group a couple of years ago. I absolutely love the analogy! Deutoronomy 6:5 says to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to have them on upon our hearts.Then we are to impress them upon our children. What better way to do that than through studying His word.
Compare
Two SoCal siestas…we’ve never met in person but this is our second summer study to correspond together! We are both stay-at-home moms. My word is “tired”, and my goal is to be refreshed. (I want to be “radiant”–Psalm 34:5.) My friend’s word is “change”, and her goal is to be in the Word every day again.
Looking forward to a great summer with you all!!
Anchorage, AK. Solo (due to being on vacation most of July). I am married and have 3 children. My one word right now would be “Changes”. I am going to be 34 years old next month and 6 weeks ago had a hysterectomy…talk about CHANGES!!! My life has been turned up-side down these last few months, and my hope for this study is to get back into the Word…and make it a priority in my life again. I LOVE the book of Ruth and can’t think of a better place to start! 🙂
Fairbanks, Alaska & Tulsa, Oklahoma; 2 of us; meeting through email, text messaging and Skype. Amy and I met in Tulsa 3 years ago and have been best friends ever since. As stay-at-home moms and wives to daughters, we both need a revival in our relationships with the Lord. Despite distance, we’re making this thing work and building our relationship with each other and our Father… together 🙂 Our first discussion was via texting… and we both established that we desperately need this study and are so excited to get started!
1. Southern California, Solo, Single, 40, No Kids, Career
Sigh…what a month. I hit 40, my mom’s been in ICU for over a month, one of my dearest friends crossed her finish line this past Sat after battling breast cancer, I just switched jobs this week, and my 18 year old niece who is so far from the Lord lives with me…can you say drama?
2. After listing the above…Burdened
3. Goal: Graduate from 1 or 2 studies a year to always being in a study…in every season. Beth is so right, we’ve got to be in the Word constantly and guided studies sure help.
4. You want to talk danger? I can’t even go there. I was a complete idiot some years back. I learned one of the most painful and necessary lessons of my life.
Let’s do this thing!
A first time siesta study, 3 of us tonight but a few more will be joining from Poulsbo, WA. We were “accomplished, expectant and lonely”. Looking forward to connecting and studying together. We thought doing as we see fit can lead to selfishness and destruction…. Trusting and confidence in Him, lets go of fears and worries. Thanks for the encouragement to have a summer study.
I am from Lake Jackson, TX, and am doing this solo. I just turned 60 and am a retired teacher who tutors for the local school system. During the school year, I belong to a very active Bible study group, but during the summer we all go our separate ways.
My one word for me would be FREE—My children are grown and (just recently) self-supporting; my job is finished until September; I have no time constraints or demands put on me right now; my husband and I enjoy everything both together and separately; and the Bible studies my group did this last year put a whole new perspective on my life.
I am doing this study so that I will keep on learning more about God and His Word, more about how the Scriptures apply specifically to me, and more about myself.
I think that Judges 21:25 is just plain scary. I see today’s world in it. So many people do exactly as they wish with no concern for others. I thank the Lord for just “being there” for us—taking away our fears and worries, taking us by the hand as we make our journey each and every day.
Hello Kathy! I grew up down there and hope you are blessed!
Lisa 43, single, Oklahoma
Denise will be joining me and maybe another. We cannot meet on Tuesday because I am leading a group of high school and college girls in Priscilla’s “One in a Million”.
My word for this season is STILL. I never miss a day of teaching school or allow myself to rest during summer break. In April I started having some health issues. When I sent a text to several friends saying I was going to have a series of tests to determine the cause four of my friends who aren’t close with each other responded with the same verse. I figured God was trying to tell me something. So I am trying to be still, know He is God and take care of me. Easier said than done.
My goal for this study is to continue to work on my main stumbling block, pride and to accept that after I have a medical procedure I need that I will never have children. With no future husband on the horizon and my age I thought I had accepted this was my reality but the truth is I’m not handling the sadness very well.
Oh, I’m sorry for your situation. ((hugs))
Where in Oklahoma are you?
Gunnison, Colorado. I am going solo. My present season: pruning.
My goal for this summer: accountability/contentment. I am co-leading a women’s group and starting a singles Bible study in a few weeks. This will be my third study on the book of Ruth. I led a singles study group a few years ago on the book of Ruth called “Lady in Waiting” which was awesome! I heard Kelly speak a couple of weeks ago at Deeper Still and saw her study on Ruth and had to get it. It is comforting to see women rise up in singles ministry.
Doing what I thought was right in my own eyes caused me to take my destiny into my own hands. I wanted a husband (emotional/financial security) so badly that I compromised and married a non-believer (whom had no accountability) which ended badly. I thought I was doing what was right in my eyes. I didn’t trust God that He would take care/provide for me and give me the desires of my heart. So, I have spent the past few years healing and getting rooted in the Word. He is teaching me to trust that He knows what is best for me and to stay consistent in my journey and to let him prune away anything that would keep me from growing.
We are the Suwanee, Ga Siestas; a suburb just north of Atlanta. 10 of us met in my mother’s house last night for dinner and a time of fellowship. We range in ages from late 20s to late 60s. Some of us knew each other before last night, but no one knew everyone. I think we are going to learn so much by having all of these different ages and stages in our group. We are all excited about the study. Most were there to get to know other christian women. Some words that were used to describe our lives right now were growing, challenged, conflicted, overwhelmed, stretched, empty nester, content, refinement, and comfortable. We are all in different places, but all anxious to learn from God and each other!