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.
Valerie, Smithfield, NC
Small Group!
#2 – The next season of my life is completely unknown to me… what’s unique is that (for possibly the first time ever) I am FEARLESS about it. God’s holding it all in His able hands!
Melissa, Boston, going solo
1. “just keep swimming” from Nemo. (Not really a song, but it’s kinda a fun tune I like to hum!)
2. Huge transition- personally, professionally (I use the term “professional” lightly)
3. I’m not really as serious as I look. I love to have good, clean fun. I know I’m really good at “getting stuff done” but it would be fun to just have fun too.
4. I love the idea that God might bring a harvest in the summertime of my life! Very great study on “summer!”
Emily, Houghton, New York In a group
#2 I am trying to figure out what life looks like with a 1 yr old, starting a 3/8th position at the church, being a wife, desperately wanting to do nothing but sit at my sewing machine all day long, going for runs without pushing a stroller every time, and babysitting 3 days a week in the fall. Thank goodness it is summer and there is some room to breath!
1. Defying Gravity (from Wicked)
2. I just got home from a mission trip in Uganda, it was my 5th time to go…this is a distinct season because I’m once again faced with the decision: do I realize that I’m always on mission wherever I am, or do I fall back into the rut of “normal”.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ DIDN’T know that I am a horrible liar… my “lying dimple” always gives me away ;)my closest friends are the ones who noticed it!
4. The fact that summer can either be a time of harvesting fruits OR drying up in the scorching heat is a great reminder to me that I am always faced with a choice…will I submit my whole self to the Lord and enjoy His wonderful fruit, or will I try to do things on my own and in my own strength for myself?
Vickie, Fort Collins, CO
1) Divine Romance; by Phil Wickham
2) What does it look like to Love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind & spirit, and other’s as myself.
3) That I struggle with feeling like a failure so much.
4) I so desire to see that seeds were sown and fruits are produced in order to “Pick & Pluck” them so that I truly can see the hand of the Lord on my life.
Rachel, Fort Smith, AR (solo)
1. Waiting Here for You (Christy Nockels)
2. My family and I are preparing to move overseas to serve an unreached people.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew I struggle with the same things they do.
4. Loved the summer fruit analogy, as I I have been waiting for a while to hear specifically from God about something.
Andrea Woodstock GA/solo
1. I love the way you hold me.
2. Family challenges but resting in the knowledge that God alone is in control and His promises are true!
3.I am a work in progress!
4. Watch carefully for the seed I’ve sown to ripen and be my summer fruit.
Hi Everyone!~
My name is Kelly and I am going at this solo. I live in a small town in PA called Pine Grove. So looking forward to see how god moves me through this series.
#2-Feel like my like is getting a fresh start and I am 38! It is a wonderful feeling. Right now, where I always wanted to be!
Kelly, would love to hug your neck . Look forward to sharing this journey with you!
Leanne, MS, 2 person group
1.) An Old Hymn – Only Trust Him
2.) I am at a place in life where I know I believe in God but do I trust Him even when things go wrong.
3.) I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I desire to have strong friendships but I am very insecure.
4.) I am looking forward to having a summer of bountiful harvest in my life. I want the gifts I have been given to be used and to grow.
Sara–Topeka, KS/going solo
1) Child of Eden by Joy Williams
2) Overcoming my disobedience toward God
3) I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am a reserved person and though I don’t say anything I am happy to be there with them.
Heather, Jesup, Ga
-While I’m Waiting
-I homeschool, work in the church and am blessed.
-I wish sisters in Christ knew I struggle with insecurities and fear, and that I love the Lord with all my might and strength.
-I know God has been moving me in a direction, just hope I can jump when He tells me to jump:-).
Terry, Indianapolis, IN – Solo
1. Livin’ On A Prayer
2. I am following God by leading little women (7th grade) and big women, while my small sewing business is growing and family members are active.
3.I can be quiet at times. 🙂
4.I am anticipating some fruit ripening!
1. Don’t worry, Be happy!
2. Grown children coming back to the Lord. Committing to grandchildren.
3. That I hold certain worries to myself and I’m learning to turn them over to God and trust Him.
I look to the day when I can rejoice because Jesus has made my joy full by answering prayer concerning my wandering child. I see He has done that work in your family. This is a great encouragment to me. Thanks for sharing.
This gives me Hope that my grown son is coming back to the Lord too! 🙂
God brought me right to your comment to read!! I love how He does that!!
Angie / Montgomery, IL / small group #1 / “Someday” by Charolette
1. It is well
2. In the middle of a spiritual battle requiring the fight of our lives. Satan is sifting our son like wheat.
3. I would like my sisters to know that serving the Lord faithfully does not exempt us from trials and hardships. It does not mean that that which is most precious to you, aside from the Lord, may not wander away from Him causing much pain and grief.
We are in the same spiritual battle and feeling your pain and grief, but satan will NOT win!! This summer study is exactly what we needed!! We must keep interceding for our boys and NOT give up Hope! They WILL resist the enemy and turn back to God!! I will be praying for your boy too!!
Your comment caught my eye while I was skimming others’ posts. Please know my prayers are with you and your son – you may feel like throwing in the towel everyday but God sees your perseverance and faithfulness, and Satan fears it like nothing else! Love, Emily from MN
2. Changing jobs: new school, new age group. Packing up one class and setting up another.
Shauna, Aurora, NE (individual)
1. Manic Monday
2. I have 5 kids between the ages of 14 and 3 years. I feel like I am running ragged between the toddler needs and the teenager activities.
3.I with my sisters in Christ would know that I am a loyal friend and that I am actually fun-loving, but appear more serious to people.
Lindsay, Calhoun, GA/solo
#1-One day at a time, Sweet Jesus
#2-This season is hard because my family is hurting. When my family hurts, I hurt. It’s difficult to know my role in the situation and how I can help.
#3-I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I want to have strong friendships that encourage me in my walk with Christ.
Laurie, Yorba Linda, CA/solo
1. “You Reign” by Mercy Me
2. I am waiting with anticipation of what God will do next in my life & the lives of my adult children
3. I love building relationships with sisters in Christ.
1) Standing on the Promises
2) Anticipation
3) I’m a deep thinker-if I’m not talking I’m most likely thinking about something.
Sharon, Barrington IL – solo
1. Jesses’ Girl by Rick Springfield – Just finished Beth’s David study and have better knowledge of my heritage and God’s love for me.
2. I am coming out of a season of loss and some family illness. God has seen us through.
3. I would like my sisters to know that I desire community but it is hard for me to reach out, but I do it with God’s strength and not my own.
Gianna / Parker, CO/ Solo
1. I Need A Miracle
2. Season of learning surrendering ALL to Him and dependence on Him, by understanding His amazing LOVE for me! 🙂
3. I would like my sisters in Christ to know that I……love to be prayed for!! There is nothing more comforting to know that my Christian sister has got me covered!
And, that I got her back too!! 🙂
In Jesus name, Amen.
Julie, Bunker Hill, WV -solo
1. ‘Your Presence is Heaven’ – Israel Houghton & New Breed
2. I am trying to come to grips that God is my confidence * He’s all the approval I will ever need * AND homeschooling teen daughters just finished & now there is rest… oh sweet rest for my mind & heart… (sighing)
3. The vocal -jovial PW that they see is privately very unsure of herself…
4. …summer fruits… something is about to ripen!
Jennifer/ White, GA/ Solo
1. FREEDOM CALLS by Jami Smith
2. All 3 kids at home with me full time this summer. Intex Pool set up in my backyard for first time ever 🙂 Finances are tighter and worse than they ever have been, but seeing God’s provision in the midst of it.
3. The things I am passionate about… What God stirs my heart about… That I sincerely want to follow God & that I function only because of Him and His Word… That He is working diligently in my life through all of the crazy circumstances & He speaks to me and orders my steps even when things look like they are falling apart. He alone holds me together.
4. Watch carefully over something to ripen that I have sown. There will be fruit to become obvious this summer… Ready to be picked/plucked… before the birds of prey snatch it away… Asking for recognition of fruit… eyes to see it.
Mom of young adult, just returned from deployment, into arms of new ire.
1. My Front Porch Looking In, by Lonestar
2. What does my season after raising kids look like?
3. I really am laid back.
Dee, Arlington Hts, IL, small group, #2. Mom of young adult, just returned from deployment, into arms of new wife.
Deanna – Frisco, TX – Solo
1. Roll With It
2. I’m currently learning how to believe Truth instead of lies.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am a broken mess without the Grace by which I am saved.
4. “I wonder if it might be something you’ve sewn years ago enough to have either given up on it or have forgotten altogether.”
My name is Tori and I live in Winston-Salem, NC. This is my third time doing the summer Bible study. I’m just feeling kinda lost this year, and I don’t know how to get back to the relationship I had with God. I’m going at this alone (except not alone because I have all of you *grin*). My song, I think, is Bob Marley’s “Don’t worry bout a thing” hehe. And also if any siesta lives in this area, I am looking for a good church to go to. My family doesn’t really want to go anymore it seems.
1. “Slow Down”
2. Blessed to have all my grandchildren living nearby!! 3. “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I sincerely desire to help others, even though at times it comes across as getting in the way” 4. hmmmm i wrote it down on a scrap paper that has vanished….that is so typical of this grandma 😉 5. by the way, i am not in a small group but my daughter is yet she still wants to spend time w/me as my small group….isn’t she a sweetie!!
Katie – Edmond, OK – 2 person group
1. We are never getting back together (my daughter has been jamming to Taylor Swift).
2. God has brought me out of the season of being over-committed to obligations that don’t further Him and is opening my eyes to what He’s really got for me (hence the song title in #1…I’m not going back there!)
3. Despite the facade, I’ve still go so much to learn about relationships and life and most importantly, God!
Angie M – Macon, MS
1. Walking After Midnight (Patsy Cline)
2. I am a mother of a 3 year old and a 3 month old (hence the walking – and bouncing and rocking – after midnight).
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am sometimes a perfectionist. It is both a good and bad trait!
4. I like the idea of summer fruit as we always plant a garden. I look forward to harvesting my spiritual fruit as well as our garden fruit this summer!
Warn by tenth ave north!
I turn 40 this year I quit my full time job after 5 yrs. I have a special needs son and my family is in a mess.
I fright with depression everyday and. I have been for 15 yrs.
TNLG Leander TX. 2) In the season of change.
Dawn, Homer Glen, Il. small group
In Christ Alone.
Growning.
Wish my sisters in Christ knew I always feel everyone is more spiritually mature than I am.
Brenda/Tonawanda NY/solo
1) If we’ve ever needed you (Casting Crowns)
2) Mom of 2 girls who has allowed too many commitments to take over my life and replace my time with God which is why I am coming to this study to get back in the word as I once was.
3) I fear opening up all of me to others for fear of judgement of all I have done. Praise God that he can forgive a train wreck like me.
4) I feel like this whole last year has been a dried up summer for me. Need this summer to be a period of sowing & ripening.
Mary, Brookfield CT
1. Leaving on a jet plane
2. The boldness of God in my life and my boldness in return.
3. I’m here to support you.
Loved the devotional, looking to seeing the summer ripened fruit!
Angela, Huntington Beach, CA, solo but discussing via email with my really awesome friend who lives across the country.
1. Keep Holdin’ On.
2. It’s been a year since I made a huge life change, graduating from school and getting a job across the country, now I am trying to find where I belong and what His purpose is for me.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that it takes a little while for me to be less shy and although I don’t always say much that I do need their friendship.
4. I can’t wait to see what this season of summer has in store!
HeatherLea, Oxford,MS, solo/partner
1. Slow down by Third Day
2. God continues to work behind the scenes while I adjust.
3. I would like my sisters to know that I really listen, but I still have some learning to do. And that each person is worth the story you have to tell…but they need your listening ear as well.
Ashlee/Roswell,GA/solo
1. In Christ Alone
2. I am adjusting to life as a widow after my husband died unexpectedly on 4/23/13.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I long to develop closer relationships with them.
This is Pam from Amarillo. Our group enjoyed our first session of “Gideon”! I answered the first question with the song “Sunshine Lollypops and Rainbows”! God is so good! We have had blessed RAIN!!
1. All I need is You/ Jesus Culture, Kim Walker
2. Lonelier, by choice & by circumstances.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ see God more in me, than me.
4. To know our fruit is not for us to eat it, but to produce & store it for us when we need it & for others.
“I Refuse” By Josh Wilson
Torn between loving grandchildren with a passion and letting go of the parents that blessed me with them!
I would like my sisters in Christ to know that I have a passion for seeing hurting and deceived set free because of how much power to deliver He has demonstrated in my own life. When I pray for them sometimes He allows me to feel some of their pain, I hate it but consider it a blessing because we often wear masks that would lead others to believe we are OK when we are not!
karen, Fredericksburg, VA / solo
#1 Worn – 10th Ave N
#2 Present season – spiritual dry season despite a bountiful secular time
#3 i wish my sisters in Christ knew that I may look like Im strong and have it all together – but I usually feel like Im falling apart inside
#4 – Ps 32 – For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. (Addressed my present season!)
Emily, Minneapolis, MN/small group: #1 – Be OK by Ingrid Michaelson – I chose this song because I’m coming through a period of intense transitions over the last three years – getting married, buying a house, changing jobs, losing my Grandpa, and witnessing my parents divorce after 30 years. I am craving a period of steadiness and routine after three years of (both good and bad!) chaos.
Song title: Sweeter as the days go by (hymn)
I am enjoying the winter season of my life. However, I am looking forward to this Summer Season and where the Lord will lead me as we study together.
I wish my Sisters could know the peace that the Lord has given me in every season of my life, even in the most trying of times.
Kimberly
Ogallala, Ne
Small group
1. Thank You–33 Miles
Jayne/Broadview,Mt/ small group/ #1 On My Knees
1. “Too Much Month at the End of the Money”
2. Last week–on the same day, my oldest daughter got her permit and my youngest daughter (5yr old) learned to tie her shoes.
3. ….we can be ourselves with one another without worries or fears of being judged.
Missy Hoffman, St. Paul, MN-4 person small group
1. “I will wait” by Mumford and Sons.
2. A season of being faithful and obedient as I look for guidance as to what’s next, or simply to be fruitful in a time of “waiting” which may not be a season of waiting at all but rather where God wants me to operate.
3. I would like my sisters to know that I like them to ask me questions about my life. I appreciate when I am asked about life and follow up questions.