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!)
Two of us in Colorado… Loving the study… Expecting from God!
Just me- i love me a good study. Keep rolling, Beth!
heart2heart, Anniston AL, 3. We are expectantly awaiting what God has in store for us this summer! So excited to be apart of this bible study.
Siesta Firecrackers
Cambridge, MN
7 members
We had an encouraging discussion about the challenges we have in our lives this summer (health concerns, son joining the military, divorce, death of a Siesta friend, returning to the workforce, etc… ) We are each looking forward to being together this summer and watching how God works in our lives through the Nehemiah study!
(*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?)
Not sure what I’m doing….did you mean to comment on this blog? Or is there another website to log into to answer question?
I’m going solo….so my group will be called HopeinOhio
Charleston, SC; Hannah’s Circle; 10; Our Bible study girls are a group of stay at home moms who’ve been meeting weekly with each other for the last several years with this mission statement for our group: Stay-at-home moms pursuing holiness and outreach in the chaos of everyday life while seeking personal and spiritual growth and fellowship. Our biggest discussion was about question 4. Several of us are working on letting go of trying to control our husbands’ spirituality. As stay-at-home moms, we are with our children the most and are responsible for teaching them about Jesus. We’d love to have our husbands step up and become the spiritual leaders of our households, but in this pursuit, some of us have either settled into complacency within our marriages or we have pushed rather than prayed.
Gaithersburg, MD – going solo. Loved #8 and the thought of God teaching me vividly, breaking my heart for what breaks his.
I am going solo sitting at my desk as a receptionist. The word “gracious” is so sweet and comforting to me.
Jacksonville, FL., Jax Chix, 3. We are all three expectantly asking God to “be gracious to” us, helping us to see that He is not indifferent to us, and not just tolerating us, but He loves us “as is His way” and is who He is!!
Meeting online via video chat, USC Girls 325. We are a group of best friends who were roommates in college and now are spread out geographically. We are asking God to show his plans and desires for us clearly.
Richmond,Va
Going solo. The study looks great.
Port St. Joe, FL – 4 of us! (True story, we were planning on doing the Nehemiah study this summer before you announced that it was the Siesta Study! We’re excited!)
Snohomish, Washington; flying solo. I so need God to steady my steps as I need out of this spiritual drought! Looking forward to God’s guidance and direction this summer.
Summerville, SC- His Vessels- so far 2 of us (trying to recruit more) but the first week I just completed on my own because we couldn’t meet together.
The questions that stuck with me the most were 4, 5, and 7… 4)This Summer I need God to steady my steps to resist temptations of over indulging in alcohol and teach me to be a good steward of my money, to remember to put God first in every area of my life even financially. I have been irresponsible with money and now I’m in a deep valley financially, but I trust God to lead me through it and overcome. 5)Over indulging in alcohol sometimes gets the best of me, because it is normal for the people that are around me to overindulge, they don’t see the problem with it that I do, God confronted me about drinking, that being drunk is sinful, and I fell into a time where I was getting drunk regularly, but God convicted me of that sin, led me to repentance and I’m letting Him lead and guide me with that matter, I feel stronger in the Lord now than ever before. 7) This question I prayed and agreed, it stuck with me though because the words, “make His face shine upon you” I just love that thought, and I can’t wait to see what He has for me through the study!!
Cheryl, in Fairhope, AL is signing up solo, but my oldest daughter and I get together via telephone to discuss this wonderful study. All of the questions touched my heart, and like so many other siestas, am thrilled and grateful to participate. Looking forward to what the Lord is going to teach me. Thank you Beth and Kelly.
Beavercreek, OH; Small Group Wives Bible Study, 5. We are the small group wives of our small group, if that makes any sense. We are doing our discussion through FB. Question 5 spoke most to us because we are all faced with challenges this summer where, if we’re not spending time with the Lord, we could have sin ruling over us. Looking forward to this study!
There are two of us meeting together in good ol’ South Carolina for the study. We are so excited and expecting the Lord to do a great work.
As for a name… how about… Dynamic Duo (haha) My creativity runs short. :o)
Kenosha, WI ~ Michele, going solo (Sorry it’s taken so long for me to post. I was hoping another lady would be joining me. Maybe she still will, but thought I better jump on and add)
Woodinville, WA , Heidi Blake I am doing this study with my Auntie…Number 6 most hits me this summer…believing for FREEDOM from a very oppressive relationship in my life!
The Zambia-Colorado Connection
Lusaka, Zambia and Ft. Collins, Colorado
2 of us in the group
We talked about how we both struggle with pride and putting others first before our desires.
We are enjoying this study so far and are excited to see what the Lord will do in and through us!
I am doing the study by myself!
Winchester, TN
I love it already:). I really have loved & claimed letting no inequity rule over me(or my marriage!).
I need God every where- my marriage, parenting. MY HEART!
Thank you!
Chattanooga,TN “Seis o Siete Summer Siestas” 6 or 7 of us, hence the name.
I completely forgot to comment 2 weeks ago! But we are meeting in my cozy apartment living room and kicked it off with the enchiladas & ginger snaps. (Having made some of the delicious recipes from Ruth, we were ready to jump right in.) We are meeting every week so we can watch Kelly’s videos as well. Much of our discussion focused on how the verses in Psalm 119 would be our prayer for the whole study. We are looking forward to what God plans to reveal.
Chicago,Illinois Natalie McGary. The ? that spoke to me was ? 6. It was interesting to learn the difference between oppression and authority.
Bradenton,FL;Carol;
Bradenton,FL;Carol;question 1 reminds me again of God’s goodness through His Word and #5 encourages me pray.
Barrie Siestas
2 of us in the group from Barrie, Ontario, Canada
I am doing this study with my daughter. The Lord is a really big part of both of our lives and it is always exhilarating to be part of a study.
We are looking forward to the message the Lord has for us in this study.
Perry, Iowa; L Squared, 2. We share similar upbringings and both spend our days as full time moms. Some struggles are similar, some are different. We both need more time with God.
I was not going to do the study, but then God made it obvious that I should. I went to church to see Fred Luter’s speech from the SBC convention (oh my word energetic), and there was a group just starting Nehemiah, so I joined in.
I don’t think they already registered.
Liverpool, NY, Northside Baptist Church Sunday night group. There are about 10 in our “older” group, and another 8 18-25 year olds that have their discussion in a room next door, and then join us to watch Kelly’s video.
Coolness! I’m so glad you’re joining!
Island Girls in Florida!
The two of us are doing our third summer Bible study together – our second by Kelly Minter – and love having a structured way to “get into the Word” during this down-time from the longer studies that my Siesta facilitates every fall and spring. (We formed a fast friendship after I found her Daniel study several years ago on the Living Proof’s website list of churches where the study was being done!)Nehemiah’s example of being devastated by the news that Jerusalem was in ruins and then taking time to fast and pray before appealing to the king is one that convicts me. Too often the tendency is to rush in to be of help without waiting for the right timing. And of course, we have “walls” that need shoring up if not complete redesigning and rebuilding. So many lessons to be gleaned!
Green Bank, WV; Pat aka. Bearcub, 1. Questions 3 and 7 resonated most with me. I can’t pray to a condemning god. when I pray I gotta be expecting gracious mercy. cause that’s what I need from God. gracious mercy. in the derecho storm of the east in the time since this assignment made: I decided that God wasnt the storm, God was the shelter in it. and within the time Through It, Me Seeing It, Feeling It, and Yet God Blessed me so greatly by bringing me safely Through It… have a little more to add to this but will wait till tomorrow’s 2nd edition posting, cause it came up in my studies in the textbook.
Hurst, Tx, Jerine, solo for now: So excited for God to teach me VIVIDLY thur this study. Ready for Him to show me the area He has prepared for the next step in my life.
Late reporting in…. all because we couldn’t come up with a clever name!! We are the Mishpakha Siestas! There are 4 of us. We are meeting via a private Facebook page, as we are from Cincinnati, Champagne, and Charlotte! Our group includes my sister, my sister-in-law AND my 14-yr old daughter. We are LOVING this study! Thanks Beth! We love you!
We are all so excited about this study. It has already touched us each in different ways.
Tri-Cities, Washington. Since we all randomly wore shades of purple today at our first meeting, we are calling ourselves ‘The Lavender Ladies’! There will be 4 of us (only 3 could come today). We are a group of busy moms with elementary, middle school, and college aged children. After our discussion, here’s what we wanted to share: We are each facing challenges that involve close relationships that we value deeply. This summer, we hope to learn to trust that God will guide and steady our footsteps as we navigate these complex challenges. We are excited to do our first Summer Siesta Bible Study!
We are 3 meeting on Tuesday evenings.
We are calling ourselves the Rockledge Restorers
Awesome Study
Waukee, Iowa; Three Amigas, 3.
Summary: We talked about our challenges this summer and where we need God to “steady our steps”. The question that promoted a deep discussion was on the graciousness of God towards us. We found that our relational and church backgrounds heavily influenced our tendency to see God as gracious or harsh and condemning. It brought up the desire to break free from legalistic tendencies and being able to extend grace to others after receiving it for ourselves.
Glendale, OR; Sandy Hartley (Heaven’s Hart Ranch) 🙂
I loved being reminded in #2 about His testimonies being wonderful and for guidance, our care, protection, to help and not to harm and that it IS His way! Also #6 stood out when one of the words for Oppression was “Tyrannize.” Having two younger boys and knowing what a Tyrannosaurus Rex can do to those weaker then itself, gives a vivid impression of the difference between Authority that is there to use the power to protect, verses the tyrannizing power from oppression that wants to rip us to shreds spiritually, physically and emotionally. I also have shared with my family #7 how I love having His Face shine on me, reflecting off of me, smiling on me as I let Him work through me, correcting me and growing me. It’s neat to point out to our two sons (8 & 4) when something they do for others or in seeking His understanding, is Him shining on them and through them! I hold that close, as others may frown or smile, but it is HIS smile that I seek more then anything else 🙂
Going solo but want to discuss what I have learned with a friend. Praying that God will open my mind and heart to what He wants for me.
This is to just update my email. Technology?? We are Roebuck Cinco
We’ve got a group of 4 in Chicago and 1 in Florida who will be Skyping in our discussions. We’re just starting on the 10th, so our Siesta will extend just a little longer.
Spring in the Desert
Tucson, AZ
3 of us in our group
We’re meeting on Wed or Thur depending on our schedules. Praying for good things!
Six of us in Illinois. Sorry I’m late.
We are calling ourselves the RBD3’s. The youngest member of our small group (my best friend’s daughter) gave us the name that uses our first initials. We are from Moore, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. There are just the 3 of us. We are meeting at my home. I’m R. We found in discussion that our search for graciousness involves getting healthy and getting rid of some clutter in our lives. We are looking for God to Steady our steps in getting healthy and clutter free this summer.
Mobile, Alabama, 2 friends joining me but we have not had an official meeting yet!
Praying God will have His face shine upon us and reveal His word to us in a special way this summer.
Caledonia, IL Deb Palka- Solo!
The biggest thing for me is #5- I own a small business and I struggle on a daily basis to keep from being “owned” by my own business or causing my business to become another “god”. I too often put everything else in front of my relationship with my Father and I really need to change that.
Charleston, WV, LASH (Ladies Always Seeking Him) 23 ladies from various churches meeting a my home. We have made a list of our “Most Wanted” unsaved souls and are fervently praying for at least one to come to know the Lord during our 7 week study. Actually one name on our list is the High Priestess of the local Wiccan coven and I invited her to Bible Study and she is coming tomorrow night (July 10)!! Praying for God to work a miracle in our midst !
Going Solo in Holly Springs, NC – Question 2 was particularly delightful – I loved reflecting on the many ways, the LORD’s statutes have proven right and just and truthful in my life. I love it when people ask these kind of questions – for it gives you the opportunity to boast on the LORD in a personal way! Question 4 – I am praying for immediate application as we head to Ecuador on a shorterm mission ….yes LORD please steady my steps according to your promises that I might be fully obedient with everything you put in my path and on my heart to accomplish…I will proclaim your faithfulness!
New here, and going solo in Colorado.
I have appreciated God’s kindness.
Chatham,Louisiana. Going solo on this one. But know for sure I am in good company. using the NKJ version for Psalms 119: 132 & 133. ” Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. ” #3 & #4 spoke the most to me. How simple but so hard for us to put into practice. If we could grasp how much God loves us and how His desire is to bless us and show great mercy toward us . But we have to be TOTALLY committed to Him in all things. Then the windows of heaven would be open for us to receive. And when we are in total submission to Him nothing will have the power to rule over us. If we could only understand the Goodness of God. What a great study this will be for us in the days ahead.
Billings, MT, SwansonGirls, 3
I am doing this study with my two daughters, it is their first in-depth Bible study. Ages 12 and 15. We had a great discussion of God’s graciousness to us and the differences between authority and oppression. We’re getting a bit of a late start, but so excited! Thanks!
Cheryl P. Cleveland, TN solo I was touched with the reminder that God is gracious to me even as I am dealing with a move to a new state and many changes.
Chicora, Pa Courtney I pray for wisdom & discernment,Lord God for each one of us, steady our steps, love you all the questions hit home, love & prayers xoxo your siesta CB