Calling all Siestas! It’s mid-May and that means something big around here: it’s time to announce our Siesta Summer Bible Study! Last summer we took a break so we could focus on our Siesta Scripture Memory Team, so, if you’re like me, you are READY to get together in the Word this summer. Woooohooooo!
Let’s take a tad of a stroll down memory lane and review all the amazing studies we’ve already climbed into together: We had a wonderful time studying Kelly Minter’s No Other Gods in 2008, Jennifer Rothschild’s Me Myself and Lies in 2009 and in 2010 we went back to our roots and studied Kelly Minter’s Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy.
With that said, drum roll please…The book that we’ll be going through together in the summer of 2012 – Kelly Minter’s Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break.
Okay. So what if I’m crazy about the way she writes and invites us into the Scriptures?? I can’t help myself. We’re going to do this third one together, too. Now, you know how your blog Mama has to go through the study herself before she invites a mass of women into it. I’ve spent the Spring with Kelly in Nehemiah and loved every second of it. I couldn’t wait for it to come out so I made her send me her unedited version so my copy is in a big old white notebook. You’ll get to have the really gorgeous workbook instead. I can hardly wait for us to start it together. You and I have talked before about how summer is a great time to take off from school but it is NOT a great time to take off from the Scriptures. Three months out of an in-depth experience with God through His Word is plenty of time to find ourselves in a pit. No thanks. Let’s commit and hold one another accountable. The most steadfast victories are planned for in advance. I believe that with all my heart so consider this post our plan for summer V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.
Let me fill you in on some details. If you’ve been in summer Bible study with us before, our approach will be very similar.
Who: As in past years, our biggest hope is that you will assemble a group of in-real-life friends, co-workers, family members, acquaintances, church family, Siestas in your town, neighbors, or whatever mix of ladies God puts on your heart. (If per chance you went through this study this Spring, think of leading a group through it this round! I’ve already been through it too but having a Siesta experience is a whole new thing.) If somehow you just don’t have access to a face-to-face group, with Skyping and Face Time and email, you could also experience a fair amount of community in different locations so that’s allowed, too. We’re not looking to be legalistic here. We just want FULL benefits. Yes, you can go solo but, man oh man, try as hard as you can to get at least one partner or you’re liable to have a difficulty seeing it through. Do your best to connect with a couple of girls on line. The accountability and community aspects of this summer experience are vital. Scripture tells us to stir one another up in the faith and to call one another to love and good works and to bear one another’s burdens and pray for one another and remind one another of God’s faithfulness. 1 Corinthians 12:21 says “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.'” The Word says WE NEED EACH OTHER.
What: Spend the summer together in the Word! Our workbook (also called a “member book”) is a six-week Bible study on Nehemiah, framed beautifully by a set of seven DVD sessions taught by Kelly Minter. By all means, if you’re able, purchase the DVD’s and take your group through her weekly teachings! But just so you know: all that will be required to participate with us here in Siesta Summer Bible Study is the workbook. We will “meet” every other week to discuss two weeks of our homework. (See further details below.)
When: We are partial to Tuesday since that’s our normal night for Bible study at LPM. So we will launch our SSBS4 on Tuesday, June 26, and “meet” every other Tuesday until August 7th. Yes, you can meet another day of the week if necessary but you’ll see when the time comes that it’s the most fun when we all do it on the same day.
I’ll give you the basic schedule now so you’ll know what to expect but we’ll have much more to say about it closer to the time of our launch. If we don’t answer your questions now, save them and see if they get answered within the next several weeks.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 (1st Mini-Session/LAUNCH/Group instructions)
(In the two weeks that follow our first Mini-Session, you will DO WEEKS ONE AND TWO OF HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN. If you’re participating in Kelly’s weekly DVD teachings, you’ll need to meet each week with your group rather than every other. We’ll let you guys work those details out on your own)
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 (2nd Mini-Session/Group Instructions)
(In the two weeks that follow, DO WEEKS THREE AND FOUR OF HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN.)
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 (3rd Mini-Session/Group Instructions)
(In the two weeks that follow, DO WEEKS FIVE AND SIX OF HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN.)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 (4th Mini-Session/Conclusion)
Where: Wherever you are most comfortable. Kelly’s workbooks are part of the Living Room Series. Her core group meets in her living room and they often share a meal together. (Stud that she is, Kelly puts fabulous recipes in her workbooks. I am fairly confident in saying that you won’t be finding any recipes in my studies, fabulous or otherwise.) So, cook it up, if you can! But, you do what works for your group. You might meet in a different house each week so no one has to keep her house clean all summer. Grin. We’ve had some siesta groups meet in restaurants and coffee shops. Find your groove and stick to it!
Why: A summer lived in Bible study is a summer lived in victory! And, anyway, it’s what we do around here at Living Proof. This ministry exists to invite women – and girls these days, thank You, God, for Lindsee! – into a vivid and lively relationship with Jesus Christ through the study of His Word. (Lindsee is taking a VERY FULL group of local teenage girls through So Long Insecurity this summer so she won’t be leading the younger women through Nehemiah. But many of your girls might enjoy our regular Siesta experience. It just all depends on their maturity level in the Scriptures. We’ll leave that to you!)
How:
1. Get your workbooks! Our good friends at LifeWay have promised to have plenty of them for us, but you won’t want to wait until the last minute. You can find them online on LifeWay’s web site.
2. Assemble your small group. Again, you are more than welcome to participate solo or with an online discussion group, but for the sake of richest fellowship and best accountability, try as hard as you can to enlist three or four other women to meet with you every other Tuesday. Let the ladies know that the gatherings will be low on stress and high on much needed fellowship and rich discussion. Keep the emphasis on a relaxed and refreshing atmosphere where you can develop some wonderful relationships in Christ.
3. Sign up on the blog on our official Launch Day– Tuesday, June 26. We’ll ask you a few fun questions about your group.
4. I will facilitate the study by posting 15-minute videos on the mornings of our meeting days. We don’t do it livestream so that you can meet any time that is convenient for you. I will give you instructions on these blog videos for your discussion times and maybe some activities. All will be based on the previous two weeks of study. The videos will be like the ones you’re used to seeing on this blog – very casual and homemade! The idea is to incorporate the videos into the beginning of your meeting times if possible. In case the video aspect of the study doesn’t work for you, you will also find the discussion questions typed out on the blog.
5. After your gathering, you’ll check back in by telling us something about your meeting via a comment on that same post. Don’t worry if your group can’t meet on Tuesdays. You’ll still be able to find the post and comment throughout the week.
What if:
-I want to use the discussion questions in the back of the workbook instead of the ones on Beth’s videos. Go for it!
-I really, really want to do the study but it’s not in the budget. Email us.
–I’ve already committed to doing another Bible study this summer? That’s great! Stick with it.
-I don’t want to participate but still want to be a part of the blog. We totally understand and want to see you around Siestaville this summer. Know that the Bible Study will only take up one post every other week.
We can’t wait to study the Word with you this summer! Lord Jesus, take us on a wild ride! You are the greatest adventure in all of life.
We love you, Siestas!
So excited about this study. Can’t wait!
I am still praying for Gay and you and the whole family.
We’re here for you, Beth, just as you always are for us.
Margie
So looking forward to this!
Oh oh oh oh oh ohohohohohohohohoh count me in. I might need to do it on my own with just you ladies but I’m all in!
Yippeee Ki Yay!!!!
I’m in!!! God has really been using Nehemiah with me this Spring/Winter! Yay!!
Fun! And I already have a copy of the member book. Woo hoo!
this is SO COOL, I cannot wait!!!! 🙂
Hi Beth,
I stumbled onto your siesta twitter account while looking for your regular account.
What is a “siesta”? Can I be one? Would love to do this study this summer. Please let me know if I can.
Your studies have transformed my life. Thank you so much for devoting your life to us.
Debbie
Hi Debbie! Here is the explanation of why we refer to our readers as “siesta”. “Isn’t “siesta” the Spanish word for nap? Yes! Then why are our LPM blog readers called siestas? One time Beth typed out the word “sistas,” referring to our blog readers, and her spell checker wanted her to change it to “siestas.” The name stuck! You can read about it here. If you read this blog, consider yourself a siesta! It’s just another word for sister.”
I cannot wait!! WOOHOO!!
I am so excited to know what Bible study we are doing this summer! This will be my first siesta Bible study. I have great expectations! This should be fun! Thanks Beth for doing this!
Yay for Summer Bible Study!!!
I really looove this community of Siestas! Just emailed lproof a small request about this Summer study. Any Siesta’s in the Portland, Oregon region?
LOVE this study and I’m certain the Siestas will love it as well. I’ve just done it on my own and have fallen completely head over heels in love with the book of Nehemiah. Kelly Minter is such a gifted leader/author. Each and every study I’ve done of hers has brought me deeper in the Word and in love with God and His people. Here’s to a beautiful study of Nehemiah and a blessed summer, Siestas!
I also just finished the study. Kelly Minter is a great teacher and gifted woman who God has used to illuminate the scriptures!!
Looking forward to Nehemiah and grateful LPM is offering another summer study. I lead a bible study group Sept.-July and look forward to being the student for this study. Yeah, God!!
WooHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting for this post since I read you were doing a Summer Study!!!!!!! Cannot wait. Thank you Thank you and God Bless as you lead and guide and live for Christ.
Much love and adoration,
Lisa Curtis
This makes me so happy!!! Love you Beth!
I am so excited about doing this study. Our church just finished the James study and I was looking around for another Bible study. I’ve never done one of Kelly Minter’s studies. I don’t know what this study will reveal, but I have to tell you that when I read Nehemiah for the first time, it was after doing the DANIEL Bible study and I was intrigued to know if Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego lived to return to Jerusalem. I actually found that the names Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah are all mentioned and even the name “Daniel” in one place. I don’t know if it’s our fiery furnace boys or not, but I was so excited to think that God may have let those guys go home again.
Hi. I would really like to do this study, but I don’t have a group. Do you know who I can find a group in the Houston area (I am in The Woodlands!)
Thanks,
Kelli
Hi Kelli! You might meet a few ladies from that area on the blog, but if not, feel free to gather your girlfriends together in that area and go for it!
Thanks! I’ll see what I can do!
I just finished my spring study of James and I am very anxious to spend the summer with Nehemiah! I wouldn’t mind having Beth’s big ol’ chocolate cake recipe:0)
YAY!!! This is just what I needed! I will assemble some of my chicks….and go get a book! Have not done Kelly’s studies yet and I am really looking forward to it!! 🙂
By the way……this Saturday we are headed to your state of Texas down to South Padre Island for vacation! Super excited and never been!!!! Can’t wait to see the ocean and sand again!!
love ya!!
Yay! I love summer Bible study! And I do so enjoy kelly’s studies! Can hardly wait!
Beth: You are too a cook – in fact, I posted your gravy recipe on my blog after you posted it on this blog, and my dad (a great cook) gave it his “kitchen bouquet” stamp of approval!
http://granjansjoy.blogspot.com/2011/11/beth-moores-gravy-recipe.html
And your Texas sheet cake is a favorite of many siestas!
I can’t wait for the Nehemiah study – read through it last fall in my quiet time, so I can’t wait to dig in deeper.
GJ
Hey! Beth!!
I am really excited for this and would not mind paling up with anyone on line who might want to do this. My Tues eve group is not doing anything in depth this summer after having many years where we never took a break all summer. I have never done one of your summer studies before being somewhat new to the Seistaville community. I am ordering the book as I write and may facilitate it later for our group study.
Love ya and am looking forward to a summer of Word study!!!
Betty M
Absolutely CANNOT wait!!! Working on a small group now 🙂
So thankful for you, Beth and everyone at LPM!
((hugs))
Fran
TN
I am so excited! I have my workbook already and will start putting a group together. This will be fantastic! I’ll continue to pray for us as we work through the study and I KNOW that God is going to bless our time richly.
Love you, Beth, and each Siesta here. So blessed by this wonderful community.
Shelly xo
I would like to do this and organize a group! Praying I have the guts to ask people to join me!
Jennifer! Go for it! The ladies you ask to join you will be blessed no doubt.
Woo Hoo!! I am sooo excited! I hardly get on the blog these days (since I’m not logging in my verse on the 1st and the 15th) so this will be a wonderful opportunity to get back into the swing of things!! I have been wanting to do something a bit different this summer in regards to our study and this will be perfect! An informal living room setting with our BFF Beth! What could be better! I’m marking my calendar now and will be praying about who to invite … I feel like I’m connecting with a dear friend that I haven’t seen in ages … did I mention how excited it am??? Looking forward to our time together on Tuesday evenings … Love you gals!!
Yes!…cannot wait! I love Bible Studies!
Saw Kelly Minter at a ladies Retreat this year and I’m anxious to do her Bible study!
I just finished your study of “James” and plan to use it for our church ladies summer Bible study this year. Last year we did “When Godly People do Ungodly Things”.
I complete “through the Bible in one year” by Alan B. Stringfellow and also his book on “Great Characters of the Bible”. Presently I am doing a series Following God on Women of the Bible.
Can you tell I LOVE BIBLE STUDIES and discussion! Will be in prayer…love ya all!
I was really hoping you would do this study, so I splurged and bought it back in March! Now I just need to get my group together. So excited!
Yay! Been waiting to hear about the SSBS and was hoping it was going to be the Nehemiah study. Very much looking forward to this. Thanks to all who help put this together.
I’ve never participated in an online Bible Study thru this sight. However I look forward to being a part this time. The funny or amazing thing is I’ve been talking with some of my cousins about us doing a Bible study this summer and I had been looking at Kelly Minter’s material. This is just like God to show me which one we should do!!! My female cousins and I wanted to do something this summer to honor the passing of our beautiful grandma a few weeks ago.My grandma was a God loving, God fearing women. She taught me so much and i thank God everyday for the 36 years I was blessed to call her grandma. Thank you Beth for being the mouth of God right when I needed it!!!
Well, I’m in!
Yipee, I can’t wait.
YAY! WAHOO! I’m so excited! I LOVE Siesta Summer Bible Study!
Love,
allyson
So excited!! I love Kelly’s studies and the Siesta Summer study is always one of my favorites!!
I am in!!!!!!!
Yay! This just made my day. I’m excited
Yay! I was hoping you would do this one! Yippie!
We have three studies ending just in time for this study and we’ll be joining you from the Womens Bible Cafe…bringing about 700+ women from around the world into the summer study with you. We’re so excited to watch God work as you and Kelly Minter lead us through Nehemiah.
Thank you Beth and Kelly!
What a super idea! I have been checking out the Bible Cafe website, in fact I used your Bible study archives of “Duty or Delight?” to do my own Bible study group at home. We just finished that, and your posts helped me so much! I will join you for Beth’s summer study, that way I will have a group. Maybe some of you other ladies would like to join this group, if you don’t have a local group to do. I will vouch for the quality of the Bible Cafe website. Just click on Christine’s name above to go to the website. This will make the summer class even better — My 1st siesta Bible study, and my 1st Bible cafe study as a student! Wow! Thanks Christine!
Sounds like fun! I’m gonna get my book this weekend!
Oh yay! I am praying that I get to participate this summer! I so enjoyed Ruth and I have been looking forward to studying Nehemiah with y’all since Kelly’s release party!
Love and blessings to you all!
I’s SOOOO in. This study is on my list to do soon! Why not this summer?! 🙂
Ps, Hey, Linds! Miss you, friend!
Yes! Count me in. Will see how many will join me for the study. How many weeks is it please?
Keeping Gay and all of you in our prayers.
Wohoo! Can’t wait 🙂
God knew I needed this announcement today!! I ordered my book and I need to round up a group. I’m so excited!
Hooray! I have been waiting for this information. Now I know exactly how to pray through my involvement. Thank you for the big smile and something good this summer to anticipate.
Could people post if they are leading a group? I would love to find one in my area.
That’s crazy. I saw Kelly Minter’s Nehemiah book advertised in the back of my James study. I was already considering doing it. This just affirmed that it might be just the right thing for me this summer. Pray that I can find some friends who will agree to do it with me!
Really excited about this! Working on getting my group together!
Looking forward to my first Siesta Summer study! Yeah for summer and Siestas and Bible study !!!