Welcome, everybody! We are ecstatic that you are joining us for Bible study this summer! Please read the following instructions quickly but carefully then watch the video. On each of our summer Bible study posts, I’ll always write out the interactives just in case you can’t get the video to work. OK, Sisters! Here goes!
BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT: PLEASE READ ALL WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS AND WATCH THE VIDEO IF AT ALL POSSIBLE . ALL COMMENTS ARE MEANT TO BE IN RESPONSE TO TODAY’S INTERACTIVES. Your comment today is particularly important because it also serves as your registration for the summer experience.
UNLIKE PREVIOUS YEARS, WE ARE ASKING FOR EVERYONE PARTICIPATING TO LEAVE A COMMENT RATHER THAN THE GROUP LEADER LEAVING ONE ON BEHALF OF ALL. It tended to be too confusing. Your comment to each of the 4 blog posts this summer is your interaction with us here in our blog community. (I know some of this seems redundant but we get lots of questions about these kinds of details so we’re just trying to make sure we’ve covered as much as possible.)
If you are in a SMALL GROUP: you will share your responses to all of the interactives with one another in your gathering. Then, when you come back to make your comment to this post, you will choose one of the questions to answer here. You can answer more if you desire but we are only “requiring” you to respond to one.
If you are GOING SOLO: please respond succinctly to each of the interactives. The whole community will in effect become your group and sharing your answers will be part of the activity and accountability. It will make the summer experience immensely richer for you.
ALL PARTICIPANTS identify yourselves in your comments to this post by: First Name, city, state, and country if not the USA and whether you are participating with a small group or going solo, then respond to your interactives. Here’s a sample comment for our summer Bible study to give you a paradigm:
Cheryl, Shreveport, LA/small group: #3 … (her response to the third question will be written here. Note that she is participating in a small group so, since she’s already answered each of the questions in her gathering, she only needs to respond to one here. If she’d gone solo, she’d answer all of them here.)
1. A fun one: What title to a popular song – from any decade you wish – best captures you right now? (It can be serious or ridiculous.)
2. Write one sentence describing something about your present season – your right-here-and-now – that makes it unique. Life changes constantly. What is distinct about this particular season?
3. In one sentence, what is one thing you wish your sisters in Christ would know about you sooner that often doesn’t come out in your relationships till later? Complete this sentence: “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I…”
4. *Optional: Make a one-sentence comment regarding anything in the video devotional that resonated with you.
OK, Sisters! Have Weeks One and Two of Gideon completed by our next gathering in two weeks on June 25th! We are so happy to have you here and to serve you.
Summer Gideon Study 2013 from LPV on Vimeo.
1.) “Africa” by Paul Coleman
2.) I’m in a season of loneliness this summer because I’m a college student home for three months and I don’t know many people in this town.
3.) I wish my sisters in Christ knew that my love language is quality time; the best way to know me is to spend time with me to allow us to share our hearts with one another.
4.) It resonated with me that summers CAN be such a time of dryness, literally and spiritually, but just because I’m home alone or working most of the time doesn’t mean that God can’t bring fruit; perhaps His plan is for me to spend a few months sitting quietly at His feet, communing with my Daddy. 🙂
I can’t afford to buy a book right now because I’m a student and have spent my money this summer on a trip to Africa, but this video devo blessed me a lot, so I’ll listen, read comments, and do my best. 🙂
Hey Emily,
It would be my pleasure to help you get a member book. If don’t mind giving me your e-mail address, maybe we can figure out how I can get it to you? Or, if you prefer to e-mail me, my e-mail address is [email protected].
Blessings!
Missy
Michelle Prairieville,LA /solo
1. “Livin on a Prayer”- Bon Jovi
2. My husband is not a Christian and God is dealing with me about how I should be treating him.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I love people and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with wonderful friends.
Sandi, Drayden, MD/Small Group #3: I wish my sisters in Christ knew that my fear of rejection is always raging inside of me and that I take a lack of interaction way more personally than it is ever intended.
Harriett, St. Albert AB Canada fav. song, Van Morrison’s Have I told you lately that I love you (Lord)?
Natalie, Canton, Georgia/Small Group-#4 Praying for the women in my small group…that we would remain faithful to God’s word and take this summer season to focus on the fruit He has prodeuced in our lives.
Angie, Perrysburg, ohio #1- God is able. Every moment of every day, I need to remember that God is (indeed) able, and willing.
Cheryl, Charleston,WV/Solo
1. Running on Empty
2. Loss, instability, & new life make my life unique in this season.
3. I wish they knew that my own insecurities make me seem distant & that once I understand I am accepted, I am so easy to be close to.
4. Genesis 8:22- you have not had the last season of fruit in your life spoke so loudly to me that I understand why I ran across this Bible study & I am thankful. 🙂
Karen – Boone, NC solo
#1 Afternoon Delight
#2 married 41 yrs – both children grown & married, no grandchildren yet 🙁
#3 just how much love is poured out toward others
#4 I loved the video – I am praying fruit this summer will ripen for a young loved one to turn their heart to Jesus – I know He is working my constant prayer out as I write.
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks, CA, solo
1. What’s Going on? By Marvin Gaye
2. Boy, this season has been going on for several years and it has been DRY! Looking so forward to finally seeing some ripe fruit.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ would know that I love to encourage them and would greatly appreciate some encouragement in return.
4. The whole devo was awesome, but I especially was excited to be reminded to ask the Lord to show and reveal to me any ripe fruit that is ready to be picked!
Dear Gretchen, I pray that the water of the Word refreshes you in this season and the seeds that have been dormant sprout and grow beautiful fruit. I agree, encouragement is so important in the Body of Christ. It cal lift drooping spirits.
God bless you!
Heather
1. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”
2. My first grandbaby was born three months ago and youngest just graduated high school.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I want them to be real with me. I think we all need to be more transparent with our sisters in Christ.
Casey, Plainfield, IN/solo
#1 “I am not the Same” by Aaron Keyes
#2 My family is preparing for our new adventure, moving to Colorado this July.
#3 That I am so scared about making friends in this move.
#4 I pray that God will give me strength through this move and deepen my relationships with my daughters.
Durant,OK, small group
1. 10,000 Reasons
2. I am trusting Jesus to guide me in fulfilling His purpose for my life, now that my children are grown and following his o
Jenny Buford, GA/Solo
1. Blink by Revive
2. I’m an empty nester suffering withdrawals from all the activities & opportunities to be in service through my children’s activities…I don’t know what to do with myself!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that there are times I want to just “join in” rather than be the planner/organizer.
4. I sense that the Lord is ripening something within me – I want my heart to be open to receive it & I want to run with abandon toward it.
1.Song: Let it be
2. Very reflective as I am preparing to slow down my whirlwind pace by sending my youngest 3 sweets of 4 to school all day in the fall(triplets). Feel like I have been sprinting for six years…not sure I know how to stop or where I really am.
3. That I am unequally yoked
Roxanne, Victoria, BC, solo
1. I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
2. So much uncertainty; so many changes; simply holding on to the One who doesn’t change.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I struggle with letting people in, it’s not that I don’t want to.
4. And I quote, “No matter what you’ve been through or what has got you to where you want to give up, but your summer season still comes, and there will always a time for ripening, and plucking, and preparing, and storing that good fruit. You have not had the last season of your life when anything is ever going to ripen.” Thank you!
Karen, Fl, small group
1. Never Once–Matt Redman
2. Trying hard to honor God when things around me are falling apart.
3. ……I am never sure of myself. Never.
4. I’m tired of living in the winter. Lord, through the summer rains, bring the harvest.
Angela; Lake Cumberland, KY; solo
#1. Healer by Kari Jobe
#2. In my family my middle child just graduated high school, my eldest child is doing an internship in Washington DC while my youngest child is having difficulty giving up his bottle and potty training…talk about extremes.
#3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I really wish I had some close sisters in Christ to help me through my crazy days.
#4. I am excited about the harvest of fruit…Lord fill up my basket with all different kinds.
Jan, Hawkinsville, GA/SOLO
1. One Thing Remains (Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me…)
2. The distinctness of my present season is lots of change – at home, at work, at church, in me; some difficult, some good.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I really can multitask and I don’t have ADHD like they tease me about – I’m getting it ALL. 🙂
4. I loved the devotional and I know that a ripeness of some long-tended fruit is coming. This season of change is going to prove once again that I serve the One who never ever changes – He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
1. Free Falling (just the chorus/refrain since its the only part of that song I know) Ha!
2. Season of training; physically as I train for a half marathon and spiritually as He shows me more about preparation, faithfulness and perseverance.
3. I would like my sisters to know that this is as “calm” as they will ever see me…I AM RUINED FOR JESUS. 🙂
Lori, Tupelo, MS/ solo
1. On the Road Again
2. two teenagers, one about to begin independent driving, and one who wants to be involved in everything, needing to become more healthy
3. I’m shy but by no means a wallflower when you get to know me.
4. pluck, prepare, and store
#1. Girls just wanna have fun
#2. Knowing this is probably the last summer my daughter will be home.
#3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am very insecure.
Julie, Huntsville, AL, solo
1. Who Am I
2. Life is hard right now, me, husband, and 2 sons all going in different directions, money is tight, not sure what to do.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am very reserved, I am very lonely, and though I may act like I like to be alone, I really crave being with others and being made to feel a part of the group. I get jealous a little too easily.
4. Beth hit home with the part about holding back, keeping silent. I pray I can confess and be cleansed.
Ingle/Matthews, NC/Solo
#1 Stayin Alive – because I survived the winter move to a new city.
#2 First summer in a new town, daughter starting kindergarten, rising up out of a valley
#3 I may look like I have it together but I don’t – and I am looking for “Jesus” ladies to help me with my walk
#4 I love the idea of summer fruits and taking off the “sunglasses” to see what God will provide.
Durant,OK, small group
1. 10,000 Reasons
2. I am trusting Jesus to guide me in fulfilling His purpose for my life, now that my children are grown and following his open doors to minister to someone else with my whole testimony.
3. I wish my Christians sisters knew the terrible sin that I comitted 32 Summers ago, and that I knew they would still want to be my friend.
4. Summer Fruits- I would really like to reap Summer fruits for the Lord, by being brave enough to share my testimony without leaving out part. Maybe, just maybe this will be the Summer to do that!
1.Sleeping Single In A Double Bed
2.My daughter just graduated from high school and will be going to college in the fall – eek!
3.I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am very insecure.
1. Everyday People -Sly and the Family Stone (oldie!)
2. In a season of bittersweet contentment, loss of brother and birth of his first grandchild – also a freeing flexibility knowing everything is great because God is in control – perfectly.
3. I wish my sister’s in Christ knew sooner that I am not as good or as strong or as confident as they think – they are finding out!!! Yay!
4. I’m gonna be praying, looking, and seeking that fruit this summer! Thanks for a new look at summer -gotta love a tan too!
Sarah Beth, Alpharetta, GA
1. Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitudes, Jimmy Buffett
2. Childless and going through menopause at 47
3. I am caffeine and solar powered
4. I need to not only look for but recognize and celebrate the fruit God has brought into my life.
I wish my sisters in Christ knew that although I come across serious, I love to laugh till it hurts. I just need to allow myself to do it.
1. Song – He is With You – Mandisa
2. Present Season Moving forward after my husband, the love of my life went home to be with Jesus 3 years ago. Devoted Grammy of four beautiful grandchildren!Struggling financially.
3. I long for friends, sisters in Christ after moving so I could live closer to my family.
4.I’m going to be looking for that banana with my name on it after praying for so long!
Brenda, Quakertown, PA/very small group of 2…me and one dear other.
#1–What doesn’t kill you” by Kelly Clarkson
#2–I am middle-aged with a re-filled nest and a new job.
#3–I wish my sisters in Christ that I suffer for mild depression at times.
#4–Often people think of summer as a time to slow down and relax, yet summer is truly a time of action…plucking; preparing; and storing as it applies to study God’s word.
Sarah, Springfield, MO/solo
#1: The Desert Song by Hillsong (All of my life…I have a reason to worship!)
#2: A season of hopeful waiting. I’m in my 30’s, single, and waiting on God to grant the desire of my heart to be a wife and mother.
#3: That I treasure my sisters in Christ.
#4: His strength is perfect!
Amy, Richmond, VA / solo
1. “In Repair” by John Mayer
2. Between losing my Mom a year ago and watching my precious children enter adolescence, I suddenly feel all grown up.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I struggle with fear, every single day.
Karen,Orange Beach,Al-Solo
1. ‘Worn’ by Tenth Avenue North
2. I am at the beginning of empty nest.
3. I’ve had a couple of really bad years. I need God to bring something new in my life.
4.I want my banana!!!
Molly, Boone, NC, Small Group
#3 That I have tendencies to be extremely insecure in who I am.
Kristin: Nashville, TN : Solo
#1- “Holding On” by Jaime Grace
#2- This season is in a time of coming out of a wilderness time and struggling with opposition, knowing that God is leading in a certain direction, but being met with struggle and oppression.
#4- I feel like a fruit is coming to be in my life of caring more and being secure in what God thinks of me, over what others think of me. Letting go of worry, truly excersising trust.
Jayme, Kentucky/solo
#1 I will survive
#2 Mom of a 10 month old trying to find balance.
#3 I tend to over analyze my actions.
Michelle, Auburn, IN- solo
1. Cat’s in the Cradle
2. My son is going to be a senior in high school next year….I am not ready for this season of life to end.
3. I wish that my sisters in Christ knew that I although I am very shy I long for a deep friendship.
1. “Sacred” by Caedmons Call
2. I’m mom to 3yr old and 1yr old working more than full time and about to start a masters degree program- overwhelmed and exhausted to say the least but excited to see what the future holds.
3. I wish my sister’s in Christ knew I am extremely insecure when it comes to close female relationships.
4. Just feel this study was put in my life at a very specific time for a very specific reason (not sure what it is yet…) so I’m overall very excited to see what fruit God wants to throw at my head!!
Ooops- I’m Sara, Birmingham, AL, solo but with mom/sister/MIL long distance
Brenda, Houston,Tx
1. Overcomer, Mandisa
2. Waiting on The Lord to show me what he has for me to do next.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I want them to see The Lord in all I do and say.
4. I pray this season I will come out of my dry season of financial burden. In Jesus name.
Sara Austin, TX solo
1. Working for the Weekend
2. This season is about making time for my spiritual growth so I can be the daughter of God I know I can be.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I struggle to ask for help with words but my actions & body language scream for it.
1. My song – Blessings, by Laura Story
2. Present season – God has been revealing to me how I can use my experiences that He has/is bringing me through to help others. It is uncanny how these people have just started to appear!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am such a goofball, very funny and love to laugh! The first thing they notice is my health and I’m praying God & me can change that!
4. When you mentioned summer, I thought about all of the terrible weather we have been having in OK., but unbelievably, certain areas of our state are still in a drought. That hits home to me. We must thank God for the rain and the sunshine, and pray the harvest will come in His time!
oops – Beth, Wynnewood, OK going solo
Leslie, Christiansburg, VA:solo
1. Show Jesus by Jamie Grace
2. Going into 5th year of ministry at IHSP, house is going into foreclosure, the Lord is helping my husband get the meds he needs for his MS, grandfather is very ill,..
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I asking God to open my eyes to what He has for our family.
4. Wow Beth! This message spoke in so many ways. Being reminded that the fruit of Summer will be coming, for example in the IHSP, preschool ministry, that the Lord has been in this ministry for sure. But being reminded the fruit will soon be ready for plucking! I could go on…
#1. Don’t worry, be happy!
Schel – Bayou Vista, TX/Group – #3 I wish that my sisters in Christ knew that I was so far down in the pit before I was saved they wouldn’t recognize me!
Marcia/Raleigh, NC/solo
1. The Tears of a Clown
2. Approaching milestone birthday – not happy with how I am now, and trying to figure out how to change to make things better.
3. I do a lot of negative self-talking, so I need all the genuine, building-up encouragement I can get.
4. “Let Him completely cleanse us and get on with life” – I need to get out of my current mental state and start living a fuller life.
Lillian, Vermilion, OH
1. “Wild Angels”
2. I know God is preparing me for some major changes–maybe within the next year–which will give me much more time to serve Him.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I write for God.
Charise- Moreno Valley, CA Individual with a possiblity of some friends joining me.
Broken
I am in a season of learning how to live life with Multiple Sclerosis with joy and full trust in God’s great plan for my life.
I teach my four children at home and although it is a learning curve with my illness I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am blessed!
Palatka, FL; Solo
1. A popular song title that best captures me is “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
2. I am in a season of new beginnings. New job, making an old house new, and renewing myself by getting healthy physically and spiritually.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that on the outside I’m okay with not being married, but inside I pray Hannah’s prayer every morning and it hurts me deeply.
4. I’m a fruit-ditz! Hoping to readjust my contacts to notice when God throws me a blackberry. (I hate bananas.)
1) A song I have connected to recently comes from Shane and Shane’s new CD. It is called “Though You Slay Me”. It is about God breaking us and humbling us to the point of having nothing except Him. Although we go through these times, in the end, we surrender to Him and He redeems those broken pieces, putting them back together to create newness and beauty.
2) Right now in this season of my life, I am facing two specific struggles. One has to do with a major change and the other has to do with fighting for contentment in an area that is seemingly stagnant and unchanging, and honestly somewhat mundane. I found out a week ago that my only sister, and very best friend is moving away as her husband got a new job. I am so thrilled for them and am excited to see what God has in store for them. It is the ultimate bittersweet. So in this way, I am struggling with the change. In the other struggle, I am fighting for contentment and joy in my everyday, sometimes mundane, job. I am thankful for my job but am struggling with being okay where God has me and not dwelling in what may or may not happen in my future.
3) I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I want to know them, really know them but that I struggle to open up too. Let’s take steps of vulnerability together.
Tricia, Wendell, NC Solo
1. In Christ Alone
2. I am in a season of many changes, challenges and several health issues.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ would know very much I love and care for them and their families.
4. My prayer is God will reveal to me the anything that is keeping me from bearing fruit and that I will be obedient to confess and repent so that I can bear summer fruit for Him and and be faithful to His word.