The day has finally arrived! Wooooohooooo! Let’s get into the Scriptures, Girls! This is our official launch where you will officially register as participants in our summer Bible study but here’s the important part: YOU WILL SIGN IN AFTER YOU AND YOUR GROUP VIEW THIS VIDEO AND HAVE YOUR DISCUSSION TIME. (If you’re going solo, you’ll view it by yourself, of course, and answer the questions succinctly in your comment as your way of discussing the subject matter.)
Please read the following instructions carefully:
If you are participating in a small group (even on line), choose a name for it in your first gathering. It does not need to be clever although you’re welcome to do it that way. It can be as simple as “Greensboro Summer Siestas.” Mine will be “The LPM Village” because I’ll be going through it with my in-house staff and we call our merry band of sisters the Village. You will use your group name every time you leave a comment on Bible study day.
After watching the video and participating in the discussion time with your small group, appoint ONE representative from your group to sign in through a comment to this post. You’re welcome to appoint a different representative each week that we meet. The main idea is to make sure only one person signs in for your group.
This is the way your group representative will sign in:
City, State; Name of group, Number in group. *A brief summary about your group time.
(*This might convey something interesting that came up in your time together or the question that motivated the most discussion. It’s wide open. Just give us a succinct report on your time in small group. Remember to keep them short and specific so that we can read as many as possible!)
Mine would look something like this:
Houston, Texas; The LPM Village, 12. Summary: We talked most about the challenges we have this summer and specific ways we each need God to “keep steady our steps.” (Then I’d give a couple of examples that came up in our discussion time. Get the idea?)
Sisters going solo: you will sign in individually and answer the questions very briefly in your comment. (You are welcome to limit your answers to the ones that resonate most to you.) If I were going solo, mine might look like this:
Houston, Texas; Beth Moore (you can just use your first name if you prefer). Questions 5 and 6 resonated most with me because…
NOW! You are good to go. Just watch the video and proceed according to the instructions I’ll give you within it. As you’ll see below, I will always put the instructions in print in case you’re unable to view the video or if, for any reason, it malfunctions. Keep in mind that you don’t need to read what follows unless you can’t watch the video.
Written instructions:
Today in small group time, read Psalm 119:129-135 together. If you have access to several translations, read it first in a formal translation – ESV, NAS, NKJ, NIV, etc – and, second, just for the richness of it, a modern translation like The Message or the New Living Translation. You know I love The NET Bible so that’s another option.
1. List every term the psalmist uses for God’s communication/revelation to man. (Example: V.129 ESV – “testimonies”)
2. Psalm 119:129 says, “Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul keeps them.” Each of you (as time allows) share a specific way that you’ve come to know personally that God’s testimonies are “wonderful.” If you don’t have a newcomer to the Bible in your group, imagine that you do. Let your answer help explain to her why YOUR soul desires to keep God’s testimonies and why she should even consider it.
3. Psalm 119:132 says “Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is Your way with those who love Your name.” If you have placed your faith in God through Jesus Christ, you have demonstrated one titanic way of “loving His name.” Discuss the importance of trusting that God’s “way” is to deal with His children graciously. Talk about whether you tend to expect God to be gracious to you or indifferent or harsh and condemning. If you tend toward the latter, would you be willing this summer to seek God with the grateful expectation of His graciousness toward you.
4. Psalm 119:133a says, “Keep steady my steps according to Your promise.” What specific challenges are before you this summer that could cause you to really need God to “steady your steps”?
5. Psalm 119:133b says, “Let no iniquity get dominion over me.” THAT, Beloved, is a prayer that could have huge impact in our lives. If you are willing, share a particular tendency of your flesh that you’re really praying will not get the best of you this summer. (By all means, get personal as the Spirit leads but stop short of really graphic specifics. Give people the idea without the mental images.)
6. Psalm 119:134 says, “Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep Your precepts.” Look up several definitions of “oppression” and discuss the vital differences between oppression and authority. How can they be confused? Once we know for certain we’re not just resisting authority but we are genuinely experiencing oppression, realize that God’s will is to REDEEM us from it. Pray fervently for Him to do so. He is perfectly capable of redeeming us from oppression while redeeming the relationship.
7. According to Psalm 119:135, conclude by asking God with a full heart of faith to make His face shine upon you, His servant, this summer and to TEACH you vividly through the Book of Nehemiah.
8. Sometime today, write Psalm 119:129-135 on a note card and keep it as your prayer for our Siesta Summer Bible Study. (After the video was already made, it occurred to me that I should have suggested we all write this segment on the inside of the front cover of our Nehemiah workbooks so, if I caught you in time, do that instead of a note card. That way it will serve as a Scriptural dedication of sorts for our summer experience.)
Have Weeks 1 and 2 of your homework done by Tuesday, July 10th and we’ll have our next Mini-Session then and your group discussion.
I love you guys so much! Isn’t it fabulous to be back together again in God’s Word??
We’ll meet in two weeks! If you’re meeting over a meal, try to fix Lauri’s Beef Enchiladas on p.32 and Mom’s ginger snaps on p.33.
(Remember! Comments only after your group time!)
Looking forward to a great summer session.
I am flying solo this time! I am so thrilled and excited to be a part of this study. Also, to see what the Lord has to teach,encourage and change me through this study!!
OOPS, Sorry…. I am originally from VT , Now living in Upstate NY( hoping God will move us back to VT) 😉
So grateful for this study. I live in Benicia Ca. and I will be doing this study by myself.The thing I loved about this first section is all the different synonyms God uses to describe his word and the importance of knowing it!
I don’t know if I’m going to be able to start this right away. I cheated alright, but not in a good way and my brain isn’t quite functional just yet. Only a very, very little of that actually went in my head. I was kind of like, “huh?” (I wish you could have seen my face when I said that.:)) Yes, I say this stuff out loud as I’m typing! 🙂 I just keep wandering from room to room just rifling through stuff. I’m not even really doing anything, cause I can’t think hardly. It’s weird, but everybody at AA keeps telling me, “Yeah, I remember doing that.” Anyway, I’ll try to do this later, but my sponsor has me doing a LOT as you can imagine!
Okay, I know I was supposed to do this first. Sorry about that Mama Beth. I just wasn’t sure if I was going to get to it today. I got a lot going on!
Spokane, Washington. Shellie Paparazzo. Three of the questions really hit home for me, but two of them kind of go together for me. First off,
#3. This one has been a struggle for me my entire Christian life. When I first became a Christian I expected Him to be harsh and condemning almost all the time and now I often expect Him to just ignore me. I don’t think He really cares about what I care about. Now, I know intellectually that’s not true, but heart doesn’t seem to be catching up at all. It hit me that when I was a little girl, my biological father was just mean almost all the time. I couldn’t do ANYTHING right. And as long as I was all about the horses just like he was and didn’t screw up to bad we got along okay, but when I got older and got interested in other things (not just boys 🙂 ) but like music and just hanging out with my friends and sports, you know, the stuff teenagers generally do, he wanted nothing to do with me. I think that I think that now that’s God’s raised me up from being a little girl, from being that baby Christian, that now He doesn’t care about what interests me. Of course, my dad still got mean if I really messed up (which I did a lot), but otherwise he just didn’t pay any attention to me, or even notice what I was doing. I think I tend to think that God’s like my dad, even though I know He’s not.
Now, the other two are 4 and 5 and those two go together for me, because I already let something get the better of me because of one of my challenges. I’m an alcoholic and I’m pretty new at this sobriety thing and my family left for Camp Grizzly last week as usual, for the summer, and of course, my head went, “I could drink and get away with it.” And any of you who know anything about alcoholism know that as soon as I drink that stuff takes over and Oh, boy, did it ever! I didn’t even like it anymore and I kept drinking it. It’s crazy. It really is. And I had no idea how much those AA people care. When you’re doing 2 or 3 meetings a day and you suddenly disappear they notice. By the time they got to me, though, I had alcohol poisoning and they said I had trouble just breathing. But I’m doing okay now, but my house is still empty and that is still challenging. And my husband’s FREAKED OUT!
Oh, yeah, and I’m going solo. I’m just too busy with AA and my new church to do another group or I would.
Shellie, please know I understand the what you are going through and feeling, I am a recovering Alcoholic, I remember those things well. keep hanging in there. I have never done one of these studies via internet but thinking of doing this. Remember One Day At A Time 🙂
Thanks, Jill! I LOVE finding other recovering alcoholics on here! Please pray for me. The withdrawals suck, which I’m sure I had to tell you, right 🙂
Gulf Shores, AL Fran
Anyone doing an online group have room for one more?
I would love to join you- thanks, Siestas!
Check out http://www.womensbiblecafe.com They are an online community that does bible studies and they are doing this one right now. They always have room for 1 more!
Fran,
I am part of an online group using Goggle+ Hang-out, very easy to use and we would love for you to join us.
Please email me at [email protected]
Amie
Barrington, IL/ Barrington Chapel Siestas, 6: We are so excited to get together over the summer and dig into God’s word. We had some technical difficulties this morning so we all finished Beth’s message at home but we had great conversation on what we hope to learn from each other and we just reaffirmed that our sisterhood is something we all need to remain accountable.
Amber from Plano, Texas. I’m doing this on my own until I can convince my sister to do it with me! God has done some incredible things for me in the past year, but I need Him to steady my steps while I wait for the completion of some things He has promised. I believe He is faithful to complete it–but I also want Him to redeem the time I wait. Looking forward to this.
Gulf Breeze Summer Siesta Susie will be going Solo!
Hello all! April J. in Springfield, IL – doing a kind of solo thing, but with an accountablity partner – a Facebook friend! 🙂
Question 3 probably resonated with me the most because I struggle with the whole grace vs. judgment thing – both in how God deals with me and how I deal with others. Figuring out how grace and obedience can co-exist and knowing that in His love, God DOES hold us to account but balancing that and trying NOT to view Him as a school marm with a stick ready to beat me over the head for every infraction – this is my struggle. Also not wanting to “beat others over the head” with the obedience and expectations.
I just finished the James study at the end of March and that helped clarify but I think I will always struggle (in some measure) with that whole “grace” thing! 🙂
So looking forward to this study with y’all. I have had the book since Friday and had to put it in a drawer so I wouldn’t start early! (Totally Type A here – first to get things done!) 🙂
Love to you all!
April
Decided to do Nehemiah and then you announced you were doing it but I had already committed to a date. It is awesome. We are on week 3 and have 16 women from all walks of life. I will be tuning in to hear what you say and the wonderful, thought provoking questions you ask so that I can enrich my ladies even more. We are taking turns with the recipes each week. So much fun.
Lawan
Phil 4:8
Colorado Springs, CO Candace
Doing this alone! I was so grabbed by Psalm 119:134, regarding the oppression of men. I struggle with the need to please-family, clients and friends. I want so badly to be broken of this flaw……looking forward to seeing Beth this weekend in CO!
Loganville,Ga. 4 in our group. We have done several studies together. Coffee and dessert is a staple at our Bible studies:) we started the study two weeks ago and are watching Kelly’s videos. Great study!!!!! Love the verse Beth discussed…. Ps.119:133b don’t let any sin dominate me.
Columbia, SC; CelesteS,1
I am excited about asking God to heal a relationship and deliver me from oppression while I am in the relationship. I also want to thank you as a newbie because I will be moving before this study is complete so I will be able to take it with me.
I’m new at this, where do I sign up for the Bible Study Nehemiah.
You just did, Cathy. Now order up your book, listen to the video and did into His Word!
Chillicothe, MO The ChilliSiestas 2 of us
There was no organized Beth Moore Study this summer and we needed the extra “push” to keep us GROWING! So excited to get started and uplifted by Nehemiah, his struggles and path, and energized by Beth! We are thrilled to be studying with all of you!!!
El Paso, TX – “The Real Military Wives of El Paso” 🙂 – 3 members – Meeting at each others’ houses – Meeting to encourage each other this summer, hoping to grow closer to one another and to the Lord, and to prepare our hearts and minds for husbands to be gone for several weeks for training. Thought about and discussed the “steadying our steps” this summer question and our expectations of this study time.
Jackie from Dallas, TX. Just me, although I meet with a group for different study weekly. I was most struck by my realization that I do not expect God to deal with me graciously. I expect harshness, and am grateful when I receive grace instead, but I never actually expect that from Him. I am now asking God to allow me to expect His graciousness this summer, as well as to redeem me from the oppression I am experiencing at work.
Oblong, Illinois; Angie
#5: I am struggling with ‘bad attitudes’ all around me! I am a people pleaser which in itself is hard to handle but my close immediate family is struggling with poor, unhealthy moods that spread like wildfire. I know i am too Pray fervently but find i am struggling to even do that. I am comitting myself to prayer and positive, loving attitude through these struggles and i know God will get us though the valleys.
Pittsburgh, PA, Linda B., 1
I keep learning more and more the importance of having faith that God wants to and is dealing graciously with me. My tendency is to think I don’t matter but that is turning my back on Christ and his sacrifice for me. I am learning that God loves me so much and that I can expect Him to deal with me with graciousness. My prayer is that fear, worry, and and distrust does NOT get dominion over me. My challenges this summer are my mother’s illness and my college son’s educational issues, and I pray that God steadies my steps to trust that He is in complete control of both situations.
Kearney, NE; Sarah. I have recently had a shift in ministry at my church as I was asked to take on the role of the Women’s Ministry Coordinator. This study is serving not only as my personal lunch hour time with the Lord, but also as a preview to offer to the women in our church.
I have seen God’s graciousness and favor to me over and over in my life. More recently, after a time of turning my back on His teachings, He has redeemed and restored me from that path of destruction. Every area of my life from finances, to relationships, to ministry, and family has been restored and is vital and growing once again. My choices led to destruction. Following His Word leads to LIFE!
This is my first online biblestudy and I am going solo! I am so excited to see God work in my life this summer as I am beginning a journey of the 12 step program for food addiction.I am helpless alone and strong with HIM!
Anne from Olathe, KS. I’m doing this on my own and believing & trusting God will teach me more about His mercy & grace. I need Him to steady my steps as I walk trough radiation and chemotherapy this summer. I am so thankful that I know He is closer than the air I breathe.
Dallas, TX: Christina, Solo: Question 3 resonated with me most because I often don’t think of God as being gracious to me. I see Him doing that to others. So I resolve to seek to find those times in my life that I can see him being especially gracious to me.
Jenna (Interlochen, MI)
The questions that truly resonated with me where questions 4 &5.
I made of list of all the challenges that I needed the Lord to help “steady my steps” on this summer. I moved on to question #5 and realized that my flesh tendency that GETS THE BEST OF ME is perfectionism!! And when I went back to that long list of challenges I made I could cross off half the list if I could get this perfectionism thing conquered once and for all!!
If I can find a way with the Lords help to channel this TYPE A perfectionist into becoming more Christ-like then I will have made a huge breakthrough.
My oppressor isn’t another person, I oppress myself. I need to let go of feeling like my house needs to look like it’s Good Housekeeping ready…for goodness sake I have to kids under 3….it’s not gonna look like that till they move out!!! And LORD I don’t want to wish this time away!!!
I also need to stop being so focused on the darn scale…I run 5 days a week and eat healthy, so what if it’s taking longer to lose the extra baby weight than it did the first time. The number on the scale doesnt’ determine my worth.
In a nut shell I’ve learned today that I AM MY OWN WORST ENEMY!! I need to fervently ask the Lord to teach me this summer and shine His holy beautiful face on me so I can finally break through some of these issues I’ve been dealing with for way to long.
Good stuff for the first day….And I haven’t even opened my book!
Robin I. from Meridian, MS. Doing this one solo, as our church’s regular Beth Moore group takes off during the summer months. Headed out to purchase my book!
Maryville, TN; Karen LMHatala. Soloist 🙂 First let me say: Beth, you cause me to THINK like I’ve never thought before!!!!!
Question 3 linked with your study in James regarding a need for healing in family units. This was needed with a brother. After much prayer by me and others,healing took place this weekend. God has been so very gracious and merciful by directing our paths toward a blessed meeting. God IS gracious every minute of the day! Thank you, Jesus! Amen and Amen! I close with tears of joy and thankfulness to our Lord and Savior!
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; C4 Siestas, 8 (plus 10 kids). We focused on God’s grace and how we can extend it to others. We are challenging ourselves to be expectant of God and “make His face shine upon us” (v. 135)
WOW…Christy…I just had to stop and say ‘hi’! My sister and I also live in Oshawa and we are doing the study together as well. I was scanning the comments thinking I might see others in Ontario, but didn’t really dream I’d actually find someone else in Oshawa. I’m guessing your group is younger as you mention having 10 kids! Our children are between the ages of 16-20.
Blessings to you C4 Siestas. I think His face is already shining on you.
Joy (and Japhia, “His Duet”)
Hi Joy,
(I have goosebumps as I write this…..) Do you happen to go to Calvary Baptist (and attend the Tuesday morning bible study? When I “clicked” on your name, I realized that we may have some mutual friends…… Gillian and Rachel? How wonderful to put a face to your name – I’ve heard so many God-honouring things about you!!
As for my group, most of us have young kids but there is a mom with teenage boys – and her experiences and wisdom are eagerly received!!
Many blessings!
Christy
Dallas, Georgia; Mindy Harriss, 1 (solo). Loved Psalm 119:133b…realizing my tendency of feeling so unworthy, which seems to resurface way too much – sometimes my belief in my unworthiness can have dominion over me and can rule me. This summer, I plan to conquer that impasse unworthiness sometimes causes in my life.
Morganton, NC: MOMS club Summer Study, 5. We are part of a stay at home mom’s group in Morganton. It is not affiliated with a Christian group but several of us love the Lord deeply and wanted to dive in His Word together this summer. I didn’t realize there would be questions this first video session, so we had all planned to watch it on our own and meet together in 2 weeks with our homework completed. So….we will bring these questions with us and discuss them as well at that time. We will be meeting at my house in my den. The kids will be in the playroom and we will pray for the Spirit to fall heavily in that room so they will let us have good discussion:) {And if that doesn’t work….lots of snacks!}
Harrisonburg, VA Jana and I am going solo. Two years ago when we did the Ruth study, I was REALLY struggling with my life. Now I feel in a much better place, but I still struggle with one area of my life where I don’t understand “why”. I want to fully turn this over to God and let go of my questions and need to understand.
We have a group that will be meeting on Wednesday nights and I will be meeting with my daughter via Skype on Thursdays. Will the comments be open at that time for us to register and leave our group comments?
Megan from Oklahoma – just me 🙂
It’s interesting, because I just learned of Kelly Minter this past year, and I read her book The Fitting Room: Putting on the Character of Christ. LOVED how it was not just another book that said, “You need to be kind…” Haha! She ACTUALLY said HOW to be kind, etc… Of course – with the Holy Spirit’s help but also gave specific examples! It has changed my life! I will be honest – My best friend told me she did the Nehemiah study, and I did NOT want to do it because I did not want my heart to be changed. The Lord has changed my heart! He got me reading Nehemiah and now I am curious about the study. It is very interesting timing in my life for various reasons…more to be shared later but just saying that God’s timing is SO PERFECT and He’s taught me to have faith so much so that I SAW IT COMING – I KNEW somehow that this summer YOU/WE would be doing this study together. Crazy! I know that sounds weird but I promise, the Lord told me, “Oh yes you WILL do this study!” But graciously, of course. 🙂
Jacksonville, Fl solo.
glad to join in and fellowship with some Siestas. Looking forward to what God has to say this summer.
Happy, Texas;Christy;solo;I really love the talk of God’s graciousness in our lives and that I want him to guide my steps and speak to me.
I’m flying solo here in hot, humid, Houston! So excited to have the opportunity to study in this format. First time to try it and it sounds like a wonderful study. Hoping my niece Jennifer in Wintersville will be joining us as well. 😉
S.Windsor,CT, Jacqueline. #4&7 spoke to me as I wait to hear His answers on things for this Fall & see His face shine upon me & my household.
Elisabeth from TX. I am doing this on my own this year.
Questions 3 and 7 were good questions for me to have to answer. I ran from God for a little bit, but have been working hard to accept His forgiveness and seek His face. He has been working at me. I recently found a journal that stopped at the time that I began to run. It is so interesting to go back and read where my heart was then. The Lord is doing something in me and I am excited.
So, question 3 helped me realize that God wants to pour out His love and forgiveness on me. Any loving parent would do the same to their children. Speak the truth to them when they are disobedient, but rejoice when they choose to obey. Thank you Jesus.
Question 7 was great because my prayer recently has been that the Lord will make me hunger and thirst for Him and His Word and prayer. He is bringing this to fruition. I am also longing for His face to shine on me, but I didn’t have the words to express this.
I am doing this solo, but I think that the verse that stuck out the most is 133. I want Him to direct my steps according to His will, not my own!
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5,6
Harrisonville, Missouri; Aaron’s House Siestas, 6 & growing.
Summary: We talked about some iniquities that have taken dominion over us. We discussed some of our personal challenges this summer. We realized that although we’re all very different women, many of us deal with the same insecurities and weaknesses. We also share the same security and strength — GOD!
Salem, OR; Erica G; 1
This bible study is such an answer to prayer! And the scriptures and questions for today really hit home. My husband and I are in such a time of transition, loss, and waiting on the Lord. I have struggled with beleiving God is gracious to me because of so much pain we have endured. I so need Him to steady my steps as we press through this season and make some profound, potentially life altering decisions. Yes, there is also sin that has tried to take dominion that I am struggling against and emotions that have been so oppressive to me. In a nut shell, most of what todays scriptures and questions covered where areas I so desperatly need strength. I suppose God really is gracious to me and really does see it all… I am excited for what this bible study will open up and heal, and now that this study is totally God’s timing!
Amy in Snellville, GA, going solo. #4 and #5, especially #5 as I’m home with my kids all summer and want them to see me live like Jesus wants me to.
Jenna S, Bakersfield ca, biggest challenge I am facing this summer is unemployment, left exective position with TV station and now am caring for my parents which is my pleasure. My mom has alzheimers and my Dad has dementia…..asking GOD to change me during this season.
Sasha from Washington- going solo from now until July 12th when five of us are going to be meeting for the first time and discussing! (I don’t know what we’ll be calling ourselves yet) I was incredibly struck by the idea that I could/should ask God to redeem and heal those relationships that I want to keep but that are oppressive. I have two in particular that are exactly that. Looking forward to a summer in the Word and seeing what God has planned for me. (And eventually my group of women.)
How do you join the Bible Study?
Sheryl V. from Jacksonville, FL Going solo this time. Tempted to take a break, but God is giving me the nudge to keep on persisting and I am determined. I will set my eyes on Him and enjoying Him will be my strength. Much going on in life, so much good, but it has required faith and trust and He has been faithful. Gonna keep building. Thank you for the opportunity to keep on.
Aurora, Colorado/Nicole Giron doing this solo: Question 4 really hit me hard because there are many things on my plate right now. I answered the question this way: My grandmother is very ill and dying of cancer, my case load of 200 kids/families at work, my husband who is still healing from back surgery, my mom who needs emotional support right now, my brother who is battling an eating disorder and my dad who has depression and making a career change. Finally, I am struggling with depression, financial issues and an eating disorder myself. We all live in the same house and it sometimes feels as though the house is big enough to contain all of our “Stuff.”
Doing this alone for now. Big Sandy, TX Needed to get into the Word in a more structured way. Love all of the terms for God’s communcation to us. I feel so blessed to have His Word with me.
Darlene, Yonges Island,SC, solo, but our Steering Committee for Beth Moore Living Proof Live Charleston August 2012 will be sharing, caring and discussing through a blog specifically for this Summer Bible Study.
#4 resonates with me … Psalm 119:133a says, “Keep steady my steps according to Your promise.” I am praying for revelation and guidance from the Lord as we prepare for this event in our beloved city!
Going Solo from Clovis, NM. I am so ready for this study. Just had my 3rd back surgery in a year and so question number 4 was so specific to me. having many challenges this summer with just getting better and being able to do anything.
Arlington, Texas Sister Laurie W.
I am going solo. I’m so ready for this Bible study!! My spiritual life is all over the place right now. I’m praying God will keep me steady on my feet, and that I can work on my testmony through this study. Thank you Ladies!!