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.
Tara Greenville, SC / RIDING SOLO
#1: I have to believe by Rita Springer
#2: season on singleness; taking one day at a time
#3: I have a heart for those in need & love serving in my local soup kitchen.
Nichole, Marion, Iowa/solo
1. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
2. My house has been for sale since Sept ’12, I have chronic health issues, my mother in law will be coming to live with us this month…for starters. 🙂
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I feel more alone than I ever let on.
4. I looking forward to some fruit…even if it’s just in a smoothie!
Tina/Cincinnati,Ohio/Small Group
4. To look for my fruits that need harvesting and to remember to praise God in good times and bad.
Kathy, Austin (currently in Hilton Head SC for a healthy retreat)
1. Katy Perry
{I’m AWAKE) it lyrics say it all for my current situation
2.This season is filled with caring for a demented mother,selling my home and moving to a much smaller rental property as the result of my husband unexpected job loss. My life as I knew it has “vanished”. My grown sons are experiencing significant life changes in all areas of their lives especially in the emotional and spiritual aspects.
3. I wish my Siestas knew about my efforts to release my false self to God so that Jesus can remove the “old tattered” garment that has been worn for generations in my family. It needs to be “burned” so that no one else in the generations has to wear it. I am praying that my true self designed by God can emerge for my few years left on this earth. I want to experience my true authentic self as designed by God.
4. Fruit, I would like to be a grande “fruit” producer for God and to witness the harvest
3.
Maria Froese – Online small group – #4 The circle convicted me. The amount of praying I do for others, and OFTEN forget about revival beginning with me 🙂
Kimberly, south Georgia, Mother-Daugther Team 🙂
1. Lecrae…Don’t Waste Your Life (Rebel Album)
2. Having the privilege of being a Stay-at-home mom for 16 years and as our girls start to drive, I’ve turned to a new chapter in life of starting a new career.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that even in the darkest places of my life my heart has always longed for Jesus.
4.Being in the south and having the pickings of some great vegetables in the summer, I can’t wait to see what fruits are ripe for the picking in my own life this summer!
Pam, Brighton ,CO/ solo
1. You Raise Me Up, Josh Groban
2. In-laws living with us, rocky marriage, and work related decisions. I need God’s strength, guidance, and my obedience to whatever He shows me.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ would challenge me spiritually and hold me accountable.
4. I need to celebrate out loud all of God’s faithfulness .
1. Tim Timmons – On my knees
2. This fish out of water is stepping out for Jesus, regardless of my present circumstances and it’s about time!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew they didn’t have to hold back, especially with me.
4. I pray I will be faithful to His word this summer and continue to see the fruits He is harvesting with those around me and in myself.
Emily, Westerville, OH, Solo
1. Somebody to Love by Queen
2. About to turn 31 – 30 was a good year – some hopes met and exceeded, some left for now.
3. When I say yes to something, I mean it. I have a hard time when you don’t do the same. Please value my time and friendship as I value yours!
Laura Prater, Tuscaloosa, AL, Solo
1. I have one serious and one silly. For Your Splendor by Christy Nockels and 22 by Taylor Swift
2. I am in a season of learning to trust God in God’s strength during challenging times and discovering how I am supposed to serve him in my everyday vocation.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that even though I am not great at small talk, I love deep meaningful conversations.
Norma, Raleigh, NC – Solo
1. “Prayin for You” (Lecrae)
2. I am super-excited about a successful return to full time teaching and the ministry there, but I’m trying not to get so wrapped up in that excitement (or the busy-ness of life) that I lose passion for my First Love.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am way too much of a people-pleaser.
4. Wow, does the thought of jumping up and down with Him in praise when He brings something to pass make me excited!
Christine, Cape Coral, FL/Solo
1. While I’m waiting
2. Clarity, I need clarity, vision.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew… That I want desperately to be a good girlfriend, I just don’t know how.
Danielle, Cumming, GA/small group
1. Ride Like the Wind
Allison Dalke, Edmond, Oklahoma
1. Home
2. In this season of life, we are adjusting to life with 3 sweet kiddos while running our busy business.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I often feel inadequate and worn.
SarahBeth, Wilmington, North Carolina/small group
I believe “Bubbly” by Colbie Calliat best describes me. This is the song I chose for me and my husband. How I feel for him….
Lynn, Divide, CO/duo
#4. Praying to recognize & pluck (savor & enjoy) ripe fruit – in myself and others. Loved the verse connection a siesta made: “the harvest is plentiful…pray for workers.”
Joplin,Mo song – not the title but lyric from Amy Grant’s new one “remember summer…we just lived”. I need that carefree,joyous childlike exuberance. I want my sisters to know that I crave a relationship with them
Diana Dawkins ,Yukon, Oklahoma
1. Livin’ on a Prayer
2. We are considering lots of changes in this season of life, while working hard to build my business.
3. That no matter what is going on in my life I always smile, stay positive and act like everything is ok; Grin and bear it, I try not to let anything get me down.
Rose – Seattle, WA/Small Group
#2 – Season of loss and stillness – seeing God’s amazing grace in a new light and learning complete dependence on Him.
Betsy, Cumming, Ga/solo: 1. Come to the water 2. I’m a stay at home mom to two tween aged children, summer is our time. 3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I’m healing from a family crisis and grieving the loss of some friends. 4. My summer fruit is happening now, I’m being trained as a Stephen leader this week. I will be faithfully serving my church after my commissioning on June 30. I’m excited that I have fruit!
Jamie, Crossett, AR/solo
1) Piece of my heart
2) Trying to adjust to husband’s retirement.
3) How dearly I love them and want a more real relationship with them.
4) There is fruit w/ my name on it! (the bananas)
Jaclyn, Round Rock, TX, solo
1. Worn
2. Dealing with a very difficult marriage and am just really tired.
3. I wish that my sisters in Christ knew that I generally have a huge smile on my face, but I’m really hiding a lot of pain and don’t want to be the downer in the group so I mask it with a smile.
4. I am in a dry season right now and I needed to confess some sin that is keeping me from moving forward. (Did that right after watching the video 🙂 )
gerri,Wapato, WA/going solo 1. He Giveth More Grace 2.In remission from Ovarian cancer, trusting my Lord and Savior. 3 I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am not always as confident as I seem 4.Jump up and down for JOY thanking Him for my remission!!
Niecy Taylor, Albuquerque, NM/ small Facebook group
He will give you beauty for ashes and restore everything the enemy tried to destroy.
Barbara, Norphlet, AR/solo
1. Until then (an older song-don’t know writer-says with joy I will carry on because no matter what
He is there)
2. Helping my son raise his 3 children. We all live together and they are 13, 9, and 6.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew my inside is not always as sunny as my outside.
Gina/Westerville, OH/solo
1. Livin’ on a Prayer-Bon Jovi
2. My daughter moved to South Korea, my son is moving to Colorado for college, we need to sell and move and I may need move my mom here!
3. I wish my sisters knew I was shy not aloof.
4. Expectantly waiting for answers and fruit from praying scripture these last 4 years.
2. With a growing family, growing business and sports, this season is all about being intentional with our time and schedule.
Michelle, Okc, Ok/group
2. My current season in life can be summed up by the word pruning.
1. Lord, I need Thee every hour.
2. I am taking care of parents, teenagers and have grown children and young grandchildren.
3. I want them to know how much I love and need my sisters in Christ!
1. Lucky, by Colbie Calait
2. I’m in a time of transition with a group of friends but also with a boyfriend who could become serious very soon.
3. I wish my Christian sisters knew that I am scared of following God in every area of my life, but I wish we would all support each other!
Sorry I’m late! 🙂
Debbie/Yucaipa,CA./sm group
Song: To Every Season, Turn Turn
(Ecclesiastes)
Kathy,Andover, KS, going solo. 1)O Happy Day, Elvis 2)Going to be a great grandmother very soon. 3)I can be very funny & I love to play cars with my grandson. 4) We will be doing wheat harvest in south central Kansas soon, & I will look at it differently this year.
Erin, Fort Worth, TX – solo
1. Waiting Here For You
2. Gratefully in a season of constant motion taking care of my family, and trying desperately not to let the days pass by without me savoring the moments and enjoying the right now.
3. I wish others knew that it takes a while for me to feel comfortable opening up, but that I am a loyal friend.
4. I can’t wait to see the fruit that the summer produces!
Hilary, Salem, Oregon/ Solo:
1- “Lord I need you,” has been a theme song of mine lately.
2- Leadership. I am starting a new job, stepping into a leadership role, walking out my faith in new ways.
3- I wish my sisters in Christ new that I need prayer and discipline with God.
4- I thought the example of sara’s name on the banana’s was an awesome illustration of how I need to be in plucking fruit. I need to be bold and start picking fruit for Him.
Susan, Piscataway, NJ / solo
#1 Ghostbusters – I loved this movie so much and the theme song brings a spring to my step today.
#2 Advanced age (47) first time single mom to 2 active and amazing toddler boys (2 1/2 and 4 1/2 years old). I also work full time outside the home.
#3 I have traveled a difficult path to get to where I am today. I am healing and a work in progress.
#4 The theme word “summer”. Watch carefully for something to ripen that I have sown, so long ago that I may have given up or forgotten.
Sandy D. From Franklinton La. I’m in a small group of 9.The season I’m in is a season of being separated from my close friends.
Angie, Shelbyville, Ky/solo
#1 Oh Happy Day!!
#2 Feeling stretched beyond my abilities but
blessed by God at the same time!
#3 I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I rely so
much on grace & strength of God to get me thru
each day & that all things are truly possible with God!!!
#4 To be looking for ripened fruit, be sure to give God
glory for it & make sure I store some away.
Carrie, Northeast Missouri, Solo.
1. Keep The Faith – Bon Jovi.
2. Too old to be young, to young to be old.
3. My bark is worse than my bite (maybe I spend too much time with my dog, but this is what came to mind).
4. I want my banana!
Tjasa, Slovenia, small group
1. Forever young 😉
Valerie, Louisville, KY, solo
2. This season finds me in a place I’ve never been -BFF is battling cancer. It’s so overwhelming sometimes I can’t utter a prayer.
4. I need to pull from my storehouse and be reminded of Gods faithfulness. I know He is for me.
Britt, Burlington, NC/solo.
1. “I’m so excited”
2. I am in a season of joy and excitement that is causing me to trust God in new ways, because I have witnessed miracles in my life that He orchestrated.
3. …I can’t be involved in more activites, because my life is very busy, but I sincerely care for others and believe I am doing all I can possibly do without overloading myself.
4.Part of our responsibility is to “recgonize fruit when it is fruit”- I have been hesitant to recgonize some of the gifts God has given me because my humility overshadowed it and minimized it.
1. Living on a Prayer.
2. Wife of 28 years, mom of two college-aged kids, and teacher about to go on summer vacation.
3. My past sins make my life less joyful than it seems.
4. Watching for fruit to ripen this summer.
Char-Pampa, TX going solo
1. Blessings by Laura Story
2. Learning to live with the debilitating disease MD as my strength weakens. My weakness…God’s strength!
3. I wish my sister in Christ knew what a perfectionist and procrastinator I am!
Ami, Bloomington, Illinois/solo
1. “Going Through The Motions”
2. I need God to rekindle a passion in me!
3. I love an adventure
4. So longing to see that fruit ripen and praying I won’t be looking the other way and miss it
Katie H, Virginia Beach, VA- Solo i think 🙁
1. Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
2. I had a baby girl on April 21 and the week before that we had to leave our home because of a water leak and mold. We were out of our home for almost 7 weeks and we are still waiting for the repairs to be done. I’m trying to deal with the stress of that,a long with a newborn and a 3 1/2 year old and a Navy husband gone alot.
3. “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am still very new in my walk with Christ and still have a lot of learning to do. I’ve not been able to stay with The Word a lot lately due to all the stress but I’m ready to find my way back. “
Tiffany- Summerville,SC
1. I Will Survive ( with my God leading me!)
2. I am a mother with 3 boys- one in high school, one in middle school, and one in elementary school. Love being a boy mama!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am a “Mary” and could spend hours upon hours studying and sitting at Jesus’ feet daily- so much to learn.
4. Praying for eyes wide open to see the summer fruit! (and to “store/ remember” it and to share it!).
Leigh Ann in Augusta, GA
1. At Your Feet by Melissa Greene
2. Less than a year ago I returned from spending 3 years on the mission field…still trying to find my place…started a new job almost 3 months ago, moved to a new city where I am looking for new friends and a new church…can be a bit lonely lately. But God is good all the time!
3. I wish they knew earlier than later that I can be fun…I am quite and introverted, but like to have fun too.
4. I loved the part about reaping something this summer…something that may have been sown a long time ago. Maybe this summer is the time for the harvest.
1. The World I Know
2. Contentment and gratitude for the work God has done in my life.
3. I wish my sisters knew that I fear making myself vulnerable.
Susie, Moultrie, GA, Small Group:
2. I am letting go of my oldest daughter as she goes to college, praying over her to follow Christ.
Lynn, Pittsburgh, PA Solo
1. Walking on Sunshine
2. This is the last year of the season in which I have all three of my children home.
3. I wish my sisters knew how much I want to love them with Christ’s own love.
4. SUMMER – what an abundant opportunity to soak in His word as often as possible.