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.
Jenny – Corona, Ca (with 2 friends)
1. Remind me who I am- Jason Gray
2. This is my season of fully surrendering and trusting God with everything.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I need their support and encouragement too.
4. What stood out to me in the video was that I need to carefully watch for something to ripen in what I have sown. That it may be something I have forgotten about. This is exciting and I want to see what God has done!
Lisa C. Miller, Fairbanks, AK/ Solo
1 Everyday People by Nicole C. Mullins
2 I am a foster mom to girls and a college student.
3 I need motivation to take that next step.
Sherry, Baltimore,MD; solo
1.All men are broken (Misty Edwards)
2.Heading toward divorce from husband of almost 32 years; five kids; ten pregnancies; homeschooled; one grandbaby
3.At a place of total surrender…my family; my parents (I’m their caregiver); my home; my everything. Clinging to Jesus.
4.Waiting on the fruit of my prayers….
Praying for you right now Sherry! Thanks for sharing…
Astrid, Portland OR
1. only a boy named David
2. kids, kids, kids
3. i wish my sisters in Christ knew how affected i am when they don’t keep their word
4. thanks for the reminder to jump. must shut a door and do so. now
Jean, Louisiana, Small Group
1. Steal My Show by Toby Mc
2. Became a grandmother to Joel and back in college!!
3. I am a Mom of a special needs child and I love it!!
4. Ready to Grow!
Leta, Centre, AL/ Solo
1.Celebration
2. I have a new baby.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am not always as put together as it appears.
4. I have been blessed to see fruit in my life this year. That is why my song is “Celebration”. God is so good!!!
Cheryl, Madisonville, Tx, solo
1. Cha, Cha, Cha, Changes!
2. Too busy with unimportant things
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew how much I love them and need their love back
4. I want to have a REAL relationship with God, not superficial.
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
Doing study with one friend. Getting a late start, but so excited!
Helen, Colorado Springs CO/Group of 2
1.I Love You Lord
2. I have my 91 year old dad, adult children and 8 grandchildren pulling me in many different directions-I love it but I need God to direct me
3. I feel blessed beyond measure by God’s goodness in my life.
Jean – Tennessee / solo
1. Shout – Tears for Fears
2. Obedience! This common thread has run through the past 3 Bible studies I’ve done.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew I need them. Don’t walk away from relationships!
Sandy in Crowley, TX, solo
1. ?
2. This is a season of perseverance and hope for me.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that just because I tend to be quiet does not mean I am not open to warm conversation and friendship.
Tammy, Lawrenceville, GA – solo
1. Just Keep Swimming from Finding Nemo
2. My current season is one where I feel like God has cracked me wide open so that we can do some healing work – I think of it as preparing the soil of my heart for the harvest He hopes to plant
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that as much as I love to pour into them, sometimes I need someone to pour in to me.
4. Remember what God has done so that we don’t forget
His faithfulness when we must wait longer for the fruit to ripen than we would like.
Tracy, Tangent, OR/Group of 4 “ZZs”
2. Being a teacher with July and August off means that the next few months are packed with as much family time as I can squeeze in and a wonderful time for lingering in Bible study (esp. in my hammock chair in the cool summer mornings with coffee).
#1- Hello my name is…by Matthew West
#2- oldest daughter graduated high school and leaving for college at the end of summer.
#3-I wish my sisters in Christ knew how falling apart I truly am inside.
Amanda W./Idaho Falls, ID/Solo
1. Need You Now
2. Rest after returning to work full time
3. Seem serious, but can be silly
4. Summer fruit
June 1st
Denise from Toledo
James 1:6 But when he asks,he must believe and not doubt.NIV
Denise from Toledo
June 15
Psalm 119:98
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies. niv
Amy, Fort Collins, CO
1. I Will Wait
2. Jealous for my kids’ good in a stressful, yet still, at times carefree and joyful season.
3. …..treasure them sooooo much!
4. Summer some fresh fruit, prepare some bread, AND store some, remembering fruit He has brought forth from my life, even as I feel lost in summer much of the time, I know God is good.
Esther, Jonesborough TN, small group.
1) What is His People Prayed (Casting Crowns)
3) I wish I was a stay-at-home mom & I have a passion for the Word of God.
4) Watch carefully for the fruit of something to ripen that I (really God) have/has sown in the past, and ask for elightened eyes to recognize it.
just a note to let you know our group is participating, we are behind and doing our own schedule in july and august, and haven’t started yet, nonetheless we’re participating!
Apex, NC
ashley
melissa
leanne
becki
rachel
sonja
Kay/Deer Park, Tx/solo
1. Celebrate!
2. Just retired from over 30 years in education
3. …what Christ has brought me through
4. interested/curious to look for/think about ripening fruit
Kathy/Easley SC/small group
1. Jesus Take The Wheel
Dora, Houston, TX, solo:
1. Word of God Speak.
2. Season of learning why it’s important to hold my tongue. Not every situation or conversation requires a comeback or opinion. Sometimes it’s more important to listen and be supportive.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am quiet but I’m not snobbish. Once they get to know me, I can be funny, trusting, supportive, and someone they can lean on.
1) I will survive
2) Getting older, struggling with still feeling necessary
3) I hate pride.
Julie,Maryville,Tn,solo
1. Changes
2. My season is all new- new job, last sons leaving for college, new part-time job,
3.I’m not as strong as I appear…
Pam, Cypress CA, solo:
1) My God is Real
2) First summer of semi-retirement
3) …..that I love God but struggle with surrender in daily ways.
Ally, Edmonton, AB, Canada, solo
1. Worn Tenth Avenue North
2. Enjoying Canadian summer after a looooong winter with my 17 month daughter.
3. I love to encourage others, but sometimes need others to encourage me.
4. I am looking forward to seeing what God is ripening this summer.
Carson, Virginia
1) Broken Girl
2)Launching a church.
3)That I don’t have it all together.
4) The ripening/The Harvest/Proverbs 6:8 Preparing the Bread
Vanessa, Johnson City
Praying for you as we are there also. Our church is five months old.
Jerri, Radford, VA (with 5 friends)
1. I Can’t Get No Satisfaction
1.Amazing Grace
2. Life is too short to not be where He wants you to be. I am in a season of change.
3. I am a very loyal friend and I truly will be there when the need arises.
Kerre, Chattanooga, TN (Group)
2. Mother of a newly divorced daughter.
Barb Rowe ~ Naples, FL ~ solo
1. I’m Worn – Tenth Ave North (think someone crawled inside my heart and wrote these words, MAN)
2.Older than I have ever been and strangely working longer and harder than ever.
3.That I am more like them than they may realize and I love them all!
4. Don’t forget all the good God has done for us, in us and through us. He is not done with me yet. Gen 8:22
I love that song! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Dawn, Pottsville, AR / Solo
1. Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen.
2. Things that never bothered me before seem unbearable right now.
3. I wish my sisters-in-Christ knew I feel so very different and isolated sometimes.
4. I loved Genesis 8:22 from the devotion…He is Sovereign!
Juli, Locust Grove, GA/going solo:
1. The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
2. Raising 4 children, ages 8, 9, 11, and 12. I will have a teenager in 2 weeks! I’ll be 40 in Aug. :-/
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am really not “stuck-up”. I just approach relationships with caution due to past hurts. It is very difficult for me to allow closeness with others.
4. Turn your fruit into something to show you are His disciple. Do not forget how good God has been to you.
Stephanie Jo, Corvallis Or
Solo; Late but here and ready 🙂
1. Song – Pursuit by Jesus Culture
2. Season – Tired and needy for Jesus
3. Sisters in Christ – I dont have it all together. Just a girl desperate for Jesus!
Kate, Millville, Canada. Solo
1. I have no idea!
2. My present season is one where I am starting to slowly emerge from a season of stress, turmoil, and confusion, hopefully to a season of peace, contentment, and renewed faith.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I don’t have it all together and sometimes feel alone.
4. “God, in His grace, comes up with a solution to the problems they created”; “She allows herself to be put in situations where God has to move”.
Pam, Dublin, VA, group:
1. Take it to the Limit
3. I wish they knew that what they may see as intimidating is really just me being straight forward.
Kimberly, Coastal NC, Solo
1. I Will Listen(Twila Paris)
2. Season of evaluation/listening –
What are the dreams God wants me to pursue?
His direction?
3. I value community and genuineness and love the Lord.
4. God will bring to harvest something I have been waiting on.
Sherrese, Fairmount Heights MD
!. Unchained Melody (Oh My Love, My Darling)
2. Out of place, lonely, disconnected, alone from people
3. Looking for a new church community and grief stricken over having to leave my current church
4. Need to remember what God has done. Summer season will come and not had the last season of mt life.
1) “Desert Song” Hillsong
2) What is distinct about this personal season is that my oldest daughter is graduating high school and going on to serve with YWAM in missions. Another distinction is that we are moving from our home to another city. We have suffered loss in ministry and friendship in the past years. Our big recent losses are our electrical contracting business and our home. Praise God He provided a new job in a new city!! Shout!!
3) I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am vulnerable to befriend people who have tendencies of control and I have to be diligent to have good boundaries when I meet new people and form new friendships.
4) “Summer is the time for ripening”. I’ve been in the desert for such a long time this statement was really an encouragement to me.
Alpharetta, GA solo
1-Rolling in the Deep- Adele
2- left to care for an elderly and very “difficult to love” parent (because she has run off everyone else)
3- I am incredibly intense and passionate….its scary at times….but you’ll be ok….I’m not psycho….really! 🙂
Elizabeth,Yuma, AZ Solo
1.What Faith Can Do
2.A season of uncertainty, separation, growing in unknown directions while waiting for the harvest.
3.A survivor of abuse, sexual, physical and emotional who reach for God to guide her through.
4.Even if you fall, God will give you the strength, t get up, to get moving!
Flying solo!
1. The popular song that fits best right now is: Sheryl Crow’s “Every Day is a Winding Road”.
2. This is a season full of grace and compassion in the midst of incredible change.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I…love to receive the same encouragement and cheering on that I give out!
4. What resonated with me from the devotional was the fact that if we “summer over the fruit” God produces in us, we can leave room for the enemy to steal it.
Oklahoma City, OK -Solo
1. Gravity by Sara Bareilles
2. Finding my footing in a new job, still single and about to start grad school.
3. I’m often accused of being too serious; I CAN have/be fun, I just think a lot and deeply… sometimes that is not to my benefit.
4.Just found this study today, so I have some catching up to do, but oh my! “Do you have something that is just begging to be dealt with?” *raises hand* “Summer fruit that will ripen…” oh, I hope/pray so.
1. “celebrate good times”
2. season- enjoying summer with my kids, wondering what’s next
3. ?
4. this was exactly the message my heart was looking for! just finished breaking free and I want to celebrate what God has done and is doing right now. Not to forget!! ready to pass this message on to my BFF and jump on board this summer siesta!!! WOO HOO!!
Eurika – Christiansted, St Croix, US Virgin islands.
Hi, I know this is very late, but I only came upon this today, so I’ll be joining as well.
1. Amazing grace
2. My husband has been having heart problems for the past 8 months, already went through a big procedure and is still waiting for a major operation that will be in August.
3. That I quickly love people deeply, even though I am an introvert and it takes me a long time to become friends with people.
4. Picking fruit and saving it for later, because that is what I will need for the trying time during my husband’s operation.
1. my Girl thank u Abba for calling me
2. It’s anew season it’s a new day
3. our 1 + only son has no job = wife divorce
thank really need the study
Dinorah/Georgetown,Tex/solo (for now):
One sentence that best describes where I am now:
Christian Nurse Practitioner working in faith-based university that is hostile towards Christianity.
One word that best describes me now:
seeking
Thank you.
I know I am behind a couple of weeks, but I’m a fast learner and will catch up.
1. Beautiful day
2. Mom of a 4 yr old starting preschool in fall.
3. I’m not shy or unemotional… Exactly the opposite but just too afraid to let people in on my emotions.
Glenda, Oklahoma City, solo
1) “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North
2) Searching, seeking peace and meaning
3) I am lonely.
4) The video was so appropriate based on today’s world, even though it was about the world so long ago. It’s amazing how history repeats itself, over and over again.
Thank you, Beth and staff, for all you do. You all are my rock!
Amy Storms -from Santa Clarita, CA, but very soon to be from Joplin, MO 🙂
1. “Life is a Highway”
2. It’s a season of crazy change as we ended a 12-year ministry in CA, stayed in an RV (with five people for 40 DAYS!), and are currently driving across the country for new jobs and schools and ministries in MO.
3. I’m an introvert in an extroverted role.
4. Such a timely word for me: I’ll watch for what’s finally ripening! Thank you!
1. “This One’s For The Girl’s” -Martina
2. Adjustment to a new job & my boyfriend temporarily working in Australia.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew what the Lord has brought me through.