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. 500 miles
2. I am currently in a season of learning to trust deeply and to open my mouth and speak to Jesus as if he was standing with me.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I need friendship more than I let on.
4. There is a time to not only pluck the fruit God has grown in you but also to use it.
Bobbie
Danville, KY solo
#1 Lean on Me
#2 My dad lives with me, I care for him and work
I don’t get to go to worship service at church, I teach Sunday School and I really want to be feed through a good
Bible Study.
Stephanie. Danville. Ky. Solo
#1. Waiting here for you
#2. A summer with new possibilities
Lisa, Livonia MI, Solo
1. Lifesong..Casting Crowns
2. Praying my Lifesong will shine this Summer.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew I’m not very confident when it comes to speaking in a small group or praying out loud.
4. I pray this Summer I will sow a harvest of fruit that will be ready for plucking by the Fall when my son returns to college.
Laurie Phoenix, AZ Solo participant
How Can I Keep From Singing Your Praise?
I work at night right now, so sleep-deprived is my current season!
I wish my sisters in Christ would know about me: that I earnestly desire more close-kindred spirit-kind of friends.
The heat in a Phoenix summer can be oppressive, but I am confident that the Lord will provide fruit for harvest, and I will keep my eyes open to see it!
Emily, Ocala, FL/ solo
1. Happy Days
2. 20th Wedding Anniversary!
3. : “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I…I’m not perfect. His grace and mercy only, has gotten me thus far.
4. Yes, fruit will be ripened this summer- yes Amen!
Barbara, Harbor Springs, MI/solo:
#1: “I Just Feel Like Something Good is About to Happen”/Gaither Homecoming crew
#2: I’m 48 and two years into my first marriage to a Christian man who has never had to stand in faith for anything where I’ve spent the ten years before I met him as a single mother of two having to stand in faith for everything and we are struggling with the difference in faith levels.
#3: I wish my sisters in Christ knew that … I talked a lot and have a very difficult time limiting my responses to a single sentence. 🙂
#4: “Watch for the fruit of something to ripen that you have sown” was confirmation of something the Lord spoke to my spirit earlier today during Day One of Week Ten of “Beloved Disciple” which I am also doing because I am a bible study junkie!
Dianna, St. Louis/Group
Song that best captures me now: Hold Me Jesus
Amanda Porter Lubbock, Texas (Solo)
#1 Hello, my name is by Matthew West
#2 Peace. I have a lot is life changes happening and as I see God through this all, I have never felt more of a sense of peace.
#3 I wish my sisters knew that I struggle with worry. I am a huge worry wart, something I am working on.
#4 I cannot wait to see what fruit produces with doing Gideon as well as Nehemiah with Kelly Minter!!
Barb Brown, Wetumpka, AL
#2 – After 40 years with a child in our home, the husband and I are learning to be a couple.
Kristen/Evans, GA/Solo
1-Waiting Here for You by Christy Nockels
2-This is a time of HUGE transition for me. Graduating from school with my doctorate, studying for my licensure exam, preparing to begin a career in a new city and state.
3-I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I always appear confident, bold, and outspoken but I love to be quiet, listen, and follow just as much.
4-Today’s message has me excited to see God reveal the fruits in me that need to ripen in this summer season.
Christy from Holland, Michigan, going solo…
1. “It’s a Wonderful World”
2. I am learning that growing older means growing closer to God.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I count each day as a blessing, even if I sometimes seem crabby.
4. Thankful for summer as a time to learn more about and move closer to God.
Song – This is the Stuff, Francesca Battistelli
God is doing a work in my life right now through “Breaking Free”, I have 3 & 1/2 weeks left before completion, it hurts-but I will be glad to see the results.
I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I really don’t have any close girl friends.
God can grow fruit in my life for His service, whether I believe I’m capable or not, I want to recognize what He can use in me.
Lisha Adam
Wetumpka, AL
#3 I wish my sisters in Christ knew that my life is not perfect and I am far from having it all together.
I forgot to include that I am doing the study with my friend, Barb Brown, who is registered above at #410 🙂
Nancy, West Grove, Pa./2 friends!
1.How He Loves–trying to grasp His love for me!
2. Waiting–possible move ahead; waiting for God to be clear.
3. That I have social anxiety and God still works thru me and he can work thru them, too!
4. A little scared of the fruit thing and what God wants me to do with it; see #1!!
1. Worn by Tenth Avenue North
2. I’m presently in a season of God teaching me what it means to be humble and submissive.
3. I have a great sense of humor.
4. Thanks for sharing the devotional on summer and fruit. May God open my eyes to see the work of His hands.
Stacy; Snellville, GA; Group
#2. Last summer with no kids in high school. After this there will always be a high schooler in our home! (at least for the next 10 years)
The season I am going through right now is becoming a mother-in-law(keeping a close relationship with my daughter and yet setting boundaries).
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN/group with 3 ladies from God’s GALS group.
#1 Two songs: “Don’t Try So Hard” Amy Grant ft. James Taylor & “Time Stand Still” Rick Springfield (2008)
“MTV and shopping malls tell me that I’m getting old…”
Dawn Laird ,upstate NY, solo
1. My Hope is in You
2. Coming to an amazing insight in the Word as I teach and study with a small group and at church.
3. That though I may be a enthusiastic goofy funny woman I value quiet time learning what God puts in front of me though friends and others ministry.
4. Looking forward to opening my eye’s to the summer fruits around me.
1. Something Beautiful by Needtobreathe
2. In this season I’m an auntie to a 2-year old nephew and we are also dealing with my Dad’s health issues.
3. I wish my brothers and sisters in Christ would know that they need to push me just a little to get me to open up and that while I appreciate asking about my family, sometimes I want you to ask if I’m okay.
Karen, Brandon, MS/solo
1. Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) – Chris Tomlin
2. I’m transitioning into a new season with my business that is exciting and a little scary.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I value personal communication that’s not primarily through text messages and social media. (Call me old-fashioned.)
4. This video was a confirmation that this summer will be a ripening season for me; the Lord had already spoken this into my spirit!
Cindy, Snellville, GA; Group #2 oldest child about to enter middle school, she’s excited to plug into the middle school group at church and I’m sensing we will have more in-depth talks about her walk with the Lord and a result OUR relationship will deepen.
Diane, Commerce, MI
1. Chalk in the Rain by Point of Grace
2. I am retired and helping care for and enjoy grandchildren – after a long season of losses our family is growing!
3. I wish sisters would know that I don’t feel any different than I did 30 years ago.
4. I would love to spend this summer enjoying the fruit of contentment and satisfaction, instead of thinking of how things could be better.
terry,houghton,ny,small group,#3 i wish my sisters in Christ knew that i am timid.
Melodie; Fort Mohave, AZ
1# I Got A Pea; working in the Kids ministry as a children pastor this is the song for me. http://youtu.be/1Q6DdTcqGy8
2# Full of life and new life asking God to show me who I am not only the person in the ministry but Melodie!
3# I wish my sister in Christ knew that I love to host others to serve dinners, lunches, n parties! Fellowshipping with my Brothers and Sister in the Lord!
4# Thinking Beth’s never been to Bullhead City Az, 115 – 125 degrees. Negative: Hottest, Dies out, old things; Positive: Growth comes Veggies, By the end of summer Life is beginning new!
1. Song: “Hello! my name is ‘Child of the One True King’ ”
2. Here & Now: The word summer popped in my head- FOR REAL!! Hot, dry, sticky,…all revolving around trying to LIVE in the “wait” mode of adoption. It’s not a sentence, but it is what came to my mind and heart first.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew… that ‘broken-ness’ does heal by His grace, love & faithfulness, and what He healed- will NOT be the same as before–Praise Jesus!!
Jamee, Sanford, FL, solo
1. A Whole New World!
2. Having been beyond blessed to give birth to my first child in March, I am leaving a very familiar 10 year teaching career to embark on a foreign journey as a stay at home mom…gulp!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am more sensitive than I initially appear.
4. Looking forward to avoiding a spiritual dry spell in this hot summer!
Angela-Corbin, KY-solo
1. “This is the Life” by Francesca Battistelli
2. Being the mother of a teenage daughter-Whew! What an adventure!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that at times struggle with feelings of inadequacy and trust.
Sunny, Summerville, GA (solo for now but trying to join online group)
1.) A change would do you good
2.) I feel settled in my faith, work, marriage, and family life.
3.) I wish my Sisters in Christ knew that I come across as bossy to try and cover up my insecurities at times.
4.) I love the thought of plucking and harvesting fruit this summer. I need a reminder that what I do matters.
Joanna, Atlanta, GA #3 God has brought the old hymn Trust & Obey to my mind so many times recently and I believe it is to remind me in this season of changes that my priority is to place my hope and trust in Him, follow Him one step at a time and wherever He leads I can rest in His blessings!
Hey Y’all,
I’m going solo right now but have bought some workbooks for friends!!
1. The song I feel most like at this moment–“Stop Dragging My Heart Around”!
2. In my present state I am trying to find balance in my busy state. Christ is revealing this to me in
In this season. I get such a kick out of all the ways He opens my heart! What a awesome
Savior we have
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew how dear they all are to me.
4. I am looking forward to a very revealing summer, steeped in His gracious love! I want to put all
Weaknesses at His feet and radiate His living strength.
1. God I look to you.
2. Empty Nester – just recently moved to the area. Enjoying life with my honey…..
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I because I tend to be a perfectionist, get easily upset when things are not right.
4. I’m praying that the Holy Spirit will show me the fruit that is ripe for the picking. It’s so hard for me to “see” it…..
Jackie; Beckley WV; small group #1
Song title: “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney, because life goes by so quickly, before we realize it.
Ashley, Maine/solo
1. The Garden Song
2.Present season would be just taking a break and breathing before starting another new thing in my life.
3. I wish my sister in Christ knew who I really am.
4.
Sheina, Grove, OK; Solo
1) Why Me Lord
2) Grief and Faith
3) Often lonely.
Tangila, Pearland TX; duo
1. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
2. Regarding my current season, it is one of anticipation; to see the fulfillment of a promise and what God has planned for my oldest child who graduated this year.
4. I am claiming the ripening, picking, preparing and storing of much fruit this summer!
1. Crazy Love”
2. I am totally surprised how demanding and exciting these middle “sandwich” years are!
3. …that I am not as “together as I seem to project, I am a mess!!!
4. I need to be sure to recognize the fruit and I think the key is gratitude!
Cc, Arlington, TX/Solo
#1 … You Have Called Me Higher (All Sons & Daughters)
#2 … My precious mother passed away recently, and my sister and I and our husbands have the privilege of caring for my 94 year old father.
#3 … I am quiet, but that’s because God wired me to listen and be present and not feel compelled to use an abundance of my own words.
#4 … Store It. It’s so easy to forget how good God has been to us; God has done this – He has brought forth fruit in my life.
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA/solo
1. Obsession
2. Minor health issues never experienced before
3. Really do care about people
Sarah, Dallas, TX. Going solo
1. “His Strength Is Perfect” by Steven Curtis Chapman
2. I’m turning 40 in less than a month and have some big hang-ups about that
3. I wish they knew about my invisible chronic illness, fibromyalgia, so that they could understand why I have to cancel at the last minute or don’t volunteer to bring food because I can’t know that far in advance if I will feel up to coming to the activity that day.
4. Devo really resonated, thank you, siesta mama! I like the part of fruit ripening that’s been on the vine so long you thought it was forgotten.
Kelly, Glenwood, MD, participating with my mom:),
This season in life is about Transitions… roles in motherhood, job opportunities, engaging with the community around me.. all changing – Its an exciting, uncertain time when pressing into God is all I can and want to do!
Kathie,Cary,NC/solo/#2 – can’t seem to recover from a period of loss and loneliness.
#2 – I’m a stay at home mom and my children are now out of school for the summer.
Jan, Cypress, Texas, Solo
1. Close to You
2. Just diagnosed with diabetes, so I am resolved to lose weight to reverse it if that’s possible in my case.
3. I’m initially very shy with new people and don’t want to speak up…but I’m sure listening!
Allison, Raleigh, NC
My life theme song – It’s only the World!!!! I have to keep that in mind daily as I try to walk with Christ.
Right here & now I’m preparing to continue my ministry and start home schooling my two children. Whew! A new wild adventure. Why keep it easy? I wish others knew I wasn’t really capable of these tasks without my Heavenly Father and He would equip them to if they were willing!!!! Not me, but you God is my constant prayer!
Leann, Greeneville , TN /solo
1. Follow Me There & Something Beautiful
2. I am in a season of huge change! Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, Spiritually … And that makes me so anxious to see what the next season brings!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I only look put together and that I’m not as rough as I may seem.
Paula, Chocowinity, NC / small group: #1 Life In The Fast Lane
Indianapolis, IN- solo
1) God bless the broken road.
2) I am currently enjoying a season of relaxation.
3) I wish people knew that I do things always with good intentions, even though my mouth gets ahead of mind sometimes.
4) I hope my eyes are open wide enough to see the fruit!
Hi,
I’m doing this Solo, in the Atlanta, GA area.
1. My Song: Just Breathe – Anna Nalick
2. My Season: God has me in a holding pattern; I am definitely in my Joseph in Prison Season (after he was forgotten by Pharaoh’s Cup Bearer).
3. I wish you knew: I don’t always feel *anywhere near* as brave or as confident as I come off to be at first.
4. Video Devo Comment: The summer fruit theme is right in line with where the Lord has been recently telling me that I am; I believe I am at the very tail end of what has been a difficult 5 year journey which has literally changed me completely, adding spiritual depth and richness of character that I would never have known to request from God.