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!
Oh! I am SO in! This is exactly what I need right now!
I’ve had the book of Nehemiah on my heart for some time now, guess it’s meant to be! Can’t wait!
Can I just say that there couldn’t be better timing. I am getting married on June 23rd and will be moving out of state. We know no one where we are moving, and we do not have a church family there yet, although we hope to as soon as we can after moving. Having the Siestas to do Bible study with will be a great encouragement to me in this time of transition and searching for where God wants us to land. I will still be on my honeymoon on the first day, but I will try my hardest to find an internet connection. What better way to start my life as a wife!!! Thanks, momma Beth, for leading us in this!
I’ve been checking the blog every day for this announcement! Lord, bring together a great group of women to do this with me this summer!
I’m so glad I found you. I would love to participate in this summer study.
YES!
In, in, IN! Can’t wait! Thanks so much!
I really want to try this. I would love to try and get some of the ladies in our church to do this with me. We haven’t had a ladies Bible study since our last pastor left – over three years ago. I’m going to have to really pray about this and see where God leads me. I hope that it’s right back here with all of y’all!
I am so excited! Count us in. We were just discussing this study last night at our ladies Bible study. Perfect timing.
A group of ladies from our church is going to do the James study this summer. I will miss the SSBS this year!
M.J. in Lovington, NM
SUPER EXCITED!!! Already have a few ladies interested in forming a group. I’d shared with them how much I’ve loved the other SSB studies and they were excited to participate this summer as well. Now I can share the great news!
Looking forward to studying Nehemiah with you all!!!!! :o)
Yay! I already have the book!!
Am I understanding correctly that we will see the videos if we participate through this? Or will we need to purchase the set in order to see the videos?
I am super excited to participate in a summer Bible study! Everyone always seems to want to break in the summer and I hate that! So thanks! 🙂
Hi Gorgana! To see Kelly Minter’s teaching videos, you will need to purchase the set. Beth will post a video every other week on here about that weeks Bible study. I hope that helps!
I can not wait to see what God has in store for us! I gave already begun to pray for Him to rain down upon us!
I am so excited! I am getting married and moving to a new area, so this is perfect timing for a Bible Study with women until I can find a new place to serve.
Hooray! I purchased the Nehemiah book to review to decide if it would be our summer study for the group at church, but had not announced it because I wanted to see what you were going to do with the Siestas. We loved studying along with Siesta Mama and our other Siestas in 2010 and look forward to this one, also.
I am looking forward to doing this study. i live in jersey village, houston, TX if anyone would like to get together for a group. my home is open during the day.
thank you
I am excited about doing the Jeremiah study this summer and would love to join your group. I live in Woodland Trails fairly close to Jersey Village. Please email me at [email protected].
I want to do it, I’m in.
Woo Hoo!!!!
I am so excited! I just emailed my Ladies Bible study about it and posted it one Facebook for my friends to see. Hoping to get a group together at my house. I have done the other ones solo, and will this year again if no one else is able to commit to it… but it would sure be great to do one with others.
My hope is to do it at my home, rather than at the church where we have been during the year.
Looking so forward to studying Nehemiah! 🙂
SO EXCITED!! I’ve been wanting to dive into this study!! I’m looking forward to being a part of the study with y’all.
Can’t wait to get started. I loved the Ruth study when I did it with my church group. It’s is always good when you suggest a bible study because I know it will be great.
Thanks for helping to keep us in the Word this summer!
I am so ready, will be ordering my book as soon as my SS check comes in for June. Can’ wait!!
Awesome. . . looking forward to the study!
This is so cool. Our group decided to do this study just last night. We finish up James next week, take a break, have a girls night getting to know each other better and then start Nehemiah! So excited we will be doing it with you. Can’t wait.
Lawan
Phil 4:8
Can’t wait….was just going to start this on my own…will wait and try to find some close by sisters.
So excited about to burst or pee my pants!
I live right outside Nashville,TN if anyone wants to join.
Yay! I can hardly wait!
I bought Nehemiah this winter and haven’t been able to do it yet. I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s cool that you have it waiting and ready!
: )
Hi, my bible study group and I are just finishing up the Esther study so the timing is perfect to do this Nehemiah study! I have never done a SSBS before, so just wondering if we watch the video on the dates that were mentioned in the announcement? Would we watch 2 videos at once then?
Hi Tanneal! Beth will have a video for us to watch from her the four times we plan on meeting to discuss our homework. However, Kelly Minter has seven teaching videos that go along with the study, and if your group wants to do those, you are welcome to, but you will purchase and watch those on your own. I hope that makes sense!
Ok, thanks! Do we watch Beth’s video here on this blog or is there another link?
Here on the blog!
I am so ready! I can’t wait to see what God has in store!
I have been reading this blog for some time (And LOVE it) but have a question….maybe a silly one….Is there something to “do” to become a “siesta”? If I want to participate in the Bible study this summer, do I need to do anything except log in on the start date? Thanks!
Hi Jill! There is nothing you need to do to become a siesta. If you read and interact on this blog, consider yourself a siesta! Blessings!
I had decided to do Kelly’s study this summer with whatever Siesta Sisters I could pull togther and now this comes along! I had already copied my little invitation flyer and was supposed to start passing it out last Sunday – but left it in the car – so I’m taking that as God’s way of telling me that my plan was not quite set yet. Can’t wait to share what God is doing with the rest of the Siestas this summer! If anyone is in the Montgomery, IL area and wants to join our group – please email me at: [email protected]. We’ll be meeting on Wed. evenings.
Just purchased the book thru Amazon! Currently doing a study and will be thrilled to fit this in as well! I’m very excited!
Looking forward to getting started
So excited about Nehemiah ! I LOVE Beth Moore, Kelly Minter and bible study !
Yes, yes, yes!!! Just what I need!
I am in! Ordering book today!
Picture me doing the happy dance in my kitchen after reading this!!!! I missed the last one, but I am so excited to participate in this one! Thanks for encouraging us to constantly plug in to God’s Word, Beth.
MyChurch Columbus, GA – we’re in! 😉
Wow, am I excited, it has been a very long dry spell for me with church and Bible Studies. I really needed a boost and encouragement to get back into the Word and some fellowship. I will probably do this solo unless God intervenes and I do pray He will or at least through the internet fellowship and study. Would certainly love to be in a group cause I love to cook/bake that sounds yummy!!
Can’t wait to get excited and pray God will meet me in a BIG way!
Looking forward to the study. Ordering my book now!
I want to do this Bible Study SO BADLY!!!! sounds so exciting!! I will try, try, TRY to join everyone!!
Can someone tell me where the Siestas name comes from??? 😀
Here is how “siesta” came about: ‘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 want to join!
Please count me in, I am already doing James this spring with a small group. This summer one will be ” just me and thee”. Are Video down loads available of the teaching ?
Kathy, you can download the teaching videos online on the LifeWay website. They are $2.99 each I believe. The link in the above post to LifeWay should take you there!
I can hardly wait.
So excited! Yay for a summer of victory!
I’m in and am so excited! This will be my first summer Bible study with you guys. Any Siestas in the Portland, Oregon area?! I’d love to get together once a week with you all for this 🙂 Let me know!!
Would love to do this. Hopefully I can get a few things worked out so I can.
HI!
I purchased the study with DVDs and am going through it on my own. Loving the study and getting into the book of Nehemiah!
We have been waiting for this announcement! We enjoyed Kelly’s Ruth study in 2010, and our pastor just finished a series on all of Nehemiah. Thank you do much!