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.Â
Summer Gideon Study 2013 from LPV on Vimeo.
Whitney Janzen. Edmond ok.
2. I am in a learning season of life, I want to keep learning about the truth that is in me.
Geri, Eagle River, Alaska, solo
1. Song “if your happy and you know it clap your hands”
2. Distinct About this season – I am in the center of Gid’s will and am excited to see Him work in our lives
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I have a tender heart with a loud and boisterous personality.
4. Session 1 Make it my business to be deliberate and intentional.
Elisa, Cedar Crest, NM Q#2 – This is a “tired season as my good friend puts it – 3 little kids, husband traveling alot, too much to do (all good…) but nothing getting done well. Overwhelming and out of my hands is a concise way to put it 🙂
1.Only a Man – Johnny Lang, Turn Around
2.Many changes in my life right now, learning to go to God first.
3.I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I get caught up in busy “Amy” agenda, things i think i should do for Him, rather than seeking His agenda.
4.”Pluck, see it and give God the Glory or the enemy will eat it up” Praying to lean into God so I see the fruit, pluck it and glorify God.
Laura R., Gonzales, LA, individual
1. OK… I apologize in advance if this is offensive… I wish it was more spiritual but this is just where I am now. The song that sums up me best at this point is “Much Too Young to Feel this Da** Old” by Garth Brooks.
2. I am in the middle of a season of unprecedented warfare right now and feel like my arms and legs are getting shaky.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I really am more friendly than I appear to be at first meeting; I tend to be very intimidated by others and so I come off as standoffish and/or cold sometimes.
4. The part that spoke to me was about being aware of the fruit… watching for it so it doesn’t get eaten by the enemy.
1) I Need You by Matt Maher
2) God is using my physical body thru bad case of poison ivy to teach me something fresh!
3) I wish my sistas in Christ knew I desire to be in Africa in an orphanage until The Lord takes me home!
Joy V. Levittown, PA -probably solo, but going to ask the women at church to join in
Steven Curtis Chapman-The Great Adventure
My season is one of want: I want to trust more, believe more, and see more.
One thing I wish my sisters in Christ knew about me sooner rather than later is that I very much miss the everyday fellowship of godly women and so to have fellowship with women who would share the same worldview, the same God and Savior is desperately needed in my life.
Cheryl, Midlothian, Va solo
1- The Best is Yet to Come- Paitti Labelle
2- a season of contrasts – ebbs and flows – dry and fruitful
3 _ I wish my sisters in Christ would realize I am not as resilient as I seem
4- Loved the summer references – my favorite was the contrast between the dry and then be grateful for summer rains and fruit.
1.One of Day at a time
2. Of seeking a new journey with God.
1. Redeemed-by Big Daddy Weave. Love it!!
2.This is an empty nest season for me and facing all my past fears, but I’m excited to see how God is going to move. Already had some healing from my past and opening doors in other places. Just excited:)
3.Sometimes I don’t always retain what is told to me. with in confidence or just chatting with the girls. sometimes my focus isn’t always the best:/
Dawn, Mt.Olive, NC solo, oops sorry
Dawn/Silver Spring, MD/Going Solo
1. All You Need is Love
2. This season is unique because my daughter is entering her senior year in high school and we have so much work to do in terms of exploring colleges, figuring out where she’ll apply, and keeping her mom (me!) from falling apart over the prospect of losing her first baby.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I did not grow up going to church, so I know what it’s like to be the outsider in the congregation.
4. I am so excited about watching for ripening fruit and getting ready to do some plucking this summer!!!
1. Won’t be Shaken- Building 429
2. This is a season of waiting, but having fun in the meantime.
3. Wish my sisters knew how creative I am.
1. My current song: Knee Deep by Zac Brown Band
2. This season in my life is unique because my daughter has graduated from college and is living at home, working with us in our family business and I LOVE having her home.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am a faithful friend with a generous heart.
4. What resonated with me from the video: “Be faithful to His Word this summer.”
Cindy, Brooklyn Park MN, solo
1. “Here Comes the Sun” Looking forward to the Summer and next chapter after a very “long cold lonely Winter”. 🙂
2. My two youngest will shortly be heading off to Kindergarten and preschool. It’s a season of change and exciting new beginnings!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew immediately how much I love and care for them. It’s so easy for me to love people but because shyness can still get the best of me it’s hard for me to always verbalize it right away.
4. Absolutely thrilled to discover what ripe fruit God has around me for the picking and looking forward to every opportunity to shout for joy at the work of God’s hand! Thank you Beth and Priscilla!!
1. Untitled Hymn by Chris Rice or Trading My Sorrows
2. Life is good after a very long season of struggles and loss for my family and I’m afraid I’ve been letting the enemy steal my fruit. (I’m on to him now though!)
3. I’m driven and outgoing yet I’m also insecure and I internalize my stress. Teenage son a newly licensed driver so I am dependent on God to keep him safe and my nerves in check. 🙂
4. We can reap the harvest of summer or let the enemy feast on it. “Don’t let the enemy steal the fruit!”
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC/small group
#1 Jesus Calling by 33 Miles
1. Tim Timmons – Starts with me
2. I am on the verge of my child’s senior year, exciting and scary. Definitely a season of change.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew… that I am a people lover. I try to be the kind of friend that others can count on.
Sara, Boone, NC, solo:
1. Take It to the Limit- Eagles
2. I never thought I could find so much joy in five 3-week old puppies!
3. I wish my Sisters in Christ knew how much I value their friendship.
Mary Beth, Bristol, TN, Women’s Bible Cafe group ~ #2 I’m in a season of surrender to the Lord. After years of rebellion and then giving God MOST but not ALL of me, I’m finding my way to that complete surrender. Praise God!
Going solo in California while grandchildren are visiting from Texas and Arizona! Love this time of year!
1. Lord, I’m Desperate For You
2. I’m recovering from breast cancer, more emotionally now than physically.
3. I wish my Sisters in Christ knew that I am insecure and fearful of letting people know the real me. And as I’ve gotten older, I’m finding it harder to make friends because of past hurts.
4. Pick the fruit with praise and thanksgiving! I need to look for the ripened fruit and pick from HIS summer harvest.
1. Steady My Heart
2. I am in a season of new beginnings.
3. I wish my sisters-in-Christ knew that I don’t have it all together and sometimes I just need someone to help left me back up.
Angela C., Pawleys Island, SC / Solo
1. Mercy Came Running
2. I am experiencing grief and transition after a difficult season of vocational, financial losses and family member deaths. I have had to move from my home and the city I love to live in a very small town without many friends.
3. I am very vulnerable and liked to be in control. God is teaching me to abide in Him completely.
.
Joanne Bremerton, WA Solo
1. Stand by Your Man 🙂
2. I am very weary from a very busy ministry year and feeling depleted.
3. I wish my sisters-in-Christ knew that I struggle with the balance of meeting others needs and going to the Lord to have my needs met.
4. Touched by the thought of being faithful and looking for something to ripen that has been sown. May my eyes be open to that for encouragement.
Laura, Townsend, MA : Small Group
Enjoying the comforts,they forgot the Comforter.
Jane, Houston, really small group (one other friend)!
2) the season of life I am in right now is loving 3 baby grandchildren and dealing with 83 year old mom with Alzheimer’s.
Cheryl, Alodones, NM/Small group in Albuquerque, NM: #1 Worn by Tenth Avenue North
Valerie, Yucaipa, CA
1. Do I trust you?- Twila Paris
2. Will the prodigal come home and will I trust God through the process? Yes!!!!
3. I have gone through many seasons of pain but God has been faithful through them all.
4. Don’t want to dry up in the summer from lack of water. Jesus water me with your word and bring forth the fruit for the plucking.
1. “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” by Fleetwood Mac.
2. I have temporarily taken a leave from leading Bible study due to my husband having a serious illness.
3……. have a lot of insecurities.
4. A summer of ripening fruit.
Mitzi, Toccoa, GA: solo
1. Blessings by Laura Story
2. I am an old classic in need of a lot of repair and restoration (new parts would be nice!)
3. I wish they already knew my backstory so that I wouldn’t have to retell the painful parts that God has used to make me who I am now.
4. Psalm 32 hit me dead on! God always seems to want to use Beth to minister to me in the hardest seasons of my life and I am eternally grateful for it!
1. Kamyl, Sioux City, Iowa, / group
2. Song title – Take a Back Road by Tim McGraw
3. I just finished my Masters in Sp. education, the last feather has flown from our nest, and my husband and I are waiting on a diagnosis and smiling anxiously at our empty nest/re-newlywed years that are beginning.
4. I wish my friends knew even though I have a lot of friends, I can be lonely in the midst of a crowd and would enjoy if they would stop by for a cup or glass of fellowship.
Gina, Cave City, AR (small group of 2)
1. Takin’ Care of Business
2. My husband and I just bought a franchise and are trying to get our business started.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am passionate about women’s ministry and helping others to grow while trying to grow and serve as He leads.
4. Praying for the Summer harvest.
Erin
Atlanta, GA
1.”Here in the death of Christ I live,” is the line from the song In Christ Alone that best sums up this season.
2.My present season is like standing on the edge of a precipice where God is daring me to live by faith and fully obey so I can receive from Him fully and experience abundant life and be set fully free.
3.Im pretty outgoing so friends get to know me quickly, but I guess that I care deeply about children, racism, orphans and justice.
4.The video really, really spoke to me. The first part – about God’s hand being heavy upon because I just need to call sin sin, even if it seems small and the last part about growing really weary and being afraid to even look for the fruit of what I’ve sown. Both describe my season perfectly,
Heidi, Amarillo, TX Solo
1. “I see Heaven” by: Bryan and Katie Torwalt
2. I have two precious babies that live in heaven now and my husband and I have almost completed all of our adoption classes to start adopting babies to become ours.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I have a son that passed away with a brain tumor at 2 1/2 years old and then I went into preterm labor at 24 weeks my daughter went to live with Jesus and her brother.
4. “There is a banana this SUMMER that has my name on it!”
Margo, Littleton, CO solo
1. Please Release Me
2. Troubled marriage, mother who will need to transition to another living arrangement.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew how much I treasure AND NEED their friendship and love.
Margo you are not alone I could have easly answered #3 the same way you did Praying for you sister
Stephanie, Ontario, Canada: Solo
1. I am a Friend of God
2. I am learning to “be” instead of “doing” all the time.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I often struggle with fear and anxiety.
Stormy, Lynchburg, VA small group
2. I have been praying, waiting, and seeking while He has done a whole lot of molding for a year and a half and I believe my knowing will turn into action soon.
4. fruit from #2 is near!
1. That girl is on FIRE
2. My 20 year old son has moved out and walked away from his faith. My heart is BROKEN.
3. my bultness is not meant to be rude and is refreshing
4. Looking for the plucking of fruit
I am doing the Study Gideon But our group could only meet on thursday nights (great Study) I do not post much but chech in often and pray…Ladies I am standing in the need of prayer! I was doing my homework 1st day Page 11 when I got a text from my (Pastor) husband telling me that the Doctor said His breathing was down to 25% I just finished reading and moved by the folloeing words…
No weapon could (can)stand against the power of Yahweh! I clam this truth for my Husband Joe Hodges Pastor @ Lake View Baptist Church San Angelo Texas thanks you so much for your time, prayers and posts that have keeped me encouraged so many time before God Bless Julie
Can’t wait to start the program. I’m doing it with my daughters. Thanks so much!
1. Beyonce- Love on Top
2. I’m running a business, raising kids and trying to live for God too, without letting one or the other get behind.
3.I wish my sisters in Christ knew that it’s in my nature to try and analyze everything around me, how, when, where, and why, even if it makes no difference to me at the moment.
Meredith, Jacksonville, NC
1. Baby Mine by Alison Krauss
2. My husband is deployed and I recently found out I am pregnant with our first baby! I am learning to trust God and His timing and goodness in my life- even (especially) when I feel lonely and afraid.
3.I wish my sisters in Christ knew my passion for women’s ministry and how I long for them to grow in Christ this summer!
4. (12:30-14:00)…watch carefully over something to ripen that we have sown…maybe something sown years ago that we have given up on or have forgotten altogether…There are summer fruits that will be plucked this season, not just sown!
Shelly
Gordon, Texas, small group
4) After a season of drought, I’m looking for some summer fruits with my name on it!
Jenny, Holland, MI: small group of 2
1. “All I Want is You” by U2 (as in, my kids are singing it to me!!)
Sharon – Glennville, GA – solo
#1 – “Where Do I Go from Here” Barry Manilow
#2 – Still trying to find my purpose now that my girls are grown and don’t need me like they used to.
#3 – I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I really want friends that will call me to do things with or call me to help them.
#4 – looking for some summer fruit
Denise, Knoxville TN, Solo
1~ The Flame by Cheap Trick
2- I’m in a season where I’m feel like I’m coming into my “own”, or -who God is calling me to be, and of learning to be fearless, feeling like a butterfly emerging from the cocoon. 🙂
3- I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I often feel alone
Oh, okay- so the ONE time I did not follow directions!! 🙂 After submitting my info and hitting submit, I ended up going all the way through the video- devo and prayer- and wow! Thank You, God for affirming me through this Scripture and Beth’s devo! For number 3, I had originally put “that I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I can help them heal, emotionally and spiritually.”
4- I can not wait to see the fruit that God brings to bear from all the seed I have planted!
Jenny – Iowa
#1 While I’m Waiting
#2 In a season of waiting
#3 I wish people knew that I’m not shy earlier
Dee, Loveland Colorado, solo study
#1 – I Will Follow Him (oldie), #2 oldest son and family moving in until they find a home #3 One thing I wish my sisters in Christ knew is that I am challenged to recall scripture.
Laurie, Newport News VA
#1 Divine Romance
2# Going through menopause : /
#3 I wish my Christian sisters knew that I may seem distant and quiet at times but when you get to know me I’m really not
Julie, Houston, TX/small group: #3 – that I am looking for deep, meaningful, authentic friendships and would rather have just a handful of close friends than 100 acquaintances.
Diane – Roswell, GA
Going solo on the study
Pop Song – “Love and Laundry” by Point of Grace 🙂
Present season – Just got last child out of elementary school and am turning 50 in August!
I hope my sisters in Christ know that I value and need their friendships and support even if I may seem self-sufficient and “in control”.