Okay Girls! Lindsee here and I have chosen our 11 winners at random! If you would all email me ([email protected]) as soon as possible, that would be so helpful so we can get your books to you SOON!
Drum roll please…
Our first 10 winners of a Gideon Workbook are: (Make sure that if you are a winner, it is the correct comment number that I have posted!)
Comment #634: Amy A.
Comment #33: Beverly
Comment #111: Amy Hanson
Comment #88: Michele
Comment #777: Sharon Seagle
Comment #56: Rina
Comment #555: Lisa Ode
Comment #1: Rebecca
Comment #245: Brandi
Comment #372: Melody
Lastly, our winner of the Gideon Leader Kit is…
Comment #475: Stephanie
We are so excited for you, girls! Can’t wait to hear from you!
Hey Girls! Comments are now closed. Be looking for the names of our 11 winners within the hour! Thanks for your enthusiastic and honest replies! We’re so excited!
Greetings, Sisters! Siesta Summer Bible Study starts one week from today! We are fired up around here! I know your questions are abounding, so this post is to fill you in on all the details to get us good and ready for next Tuesday.
First off, let’s make sure that you know what you’ll need to participate: 1 LifeWay workbook by Priscilla Shirer entitled Gideon: Your Weakness. God’s Strength.That’s all there is to it!
We’ve been getting lots of questions about whether or not Priscilla’s video portions are required in our summer Bible study. The answer is no but only because we try our hardest to keep our summer experience at the lowest possible cost. By all means, if you have access through a group or have the financial resources to get the session DVDs or downloads, do it! To experience the whole thing is optimum! If you’re in a small group, consider all pitching in and purchasing a set then watching them together week to week. You’ll be incredibly blessed by that investment. Priscilla’s gift of teaching is saturated with the Holy Spirit and beautifully infectious. I could sit under her instruction for hours. So, get the sessions if you can but they will not be required to participate in our summer study. All of our discussion will springboard from the workbook.
With that said, I do have one really FUN thing to do before we move further into the details. We have 10 Gideon workbooks and 1 leader kit to give away! All you need to do to qualify is leave a comment on this post and let us know how the subtitle hits you: “Your weakness. God’s strength.” We’ll keep comments open for 24 hours then do a random drawing of 11 people with those specific entries. Watch for a post Wednesday afternoon naming our winners!
Are y’all still with me?
OK, then, let me fill you in on some remaining details through a simple Q&A. If you’ve been in summer Bible study with us before, our approach will be very similar.
Who’s invited? YOU! (If you’re a girl over – let’s say – 16) And you can go solo or participate in a small group! As in past years, our highest hope is to facilitate fellowship and accountability into our Bible study experiences. If you can assemble a group of friends, co-workers, family members, acquaintances, fellow church members, Siestas in your town, a tennis team or a handful of neighbors, you’re likely to get the most out of the process. (If you’ve already participated in this study, think of leading a group through it this round.) If you can’t rally a face-to-face group, Skyping and Face Time can still provide a pretty legit way to experience community in different locations. We’re not looking to be legalistic. We just want FULL benefits. If you go solo, do your best to connect with a couple of girls on line. Scripture tells us to stir one another up in the faith and to call one another to love and good works and to bear one another’s burdens and pray for one another and remind one another of God’s faithfulness. Translation: we need each other!
What’s the Goal? Spending the summer together in the Word! A summer of authentic Bible study is the surest way to a summer of victory.
When do we meet? We will launch our Siesta Summer Bible Study on Tuesday, June 11, and “meet” 4 official times: Every OTHER Tuesday from June 11th until July 23rd. Yes, by all means, meet EACH week if your small group is able but we only ask that you check in here on the LPM blog every TWO weeks to participate in our format for discussion. As much as we’re able, we want to be big on help and small on demands. Summer schedules can make weekly gatherings much harder than usual but certainly keep it up if you can. You can also choose another day of the week besides Tuesday if necessary. We’ve found that it’s the most fun and carries the most momentum when we all do it on the same day but that’s not always possible for everyone. Be free!
Here’s the summer schedule:
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 Launch – I’ll post our 1st Mini-Session which I will either have written or videoed. In it you will receive instructions for discussion.
In the 2 weeks that follow our first Mini-Session, you will DO WEEKS ONE AND TWO OF THE HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN. If you’re participating in Priscilla’s weekly DVD teachings, incorporate those weekly and in addition (or instead of!!) to what we’re doing here on the blog. We will let you guys work those details out on your own.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 (2nd Mini-Session/Group Instructions)
In the two weeks that follow, DO WEEKS THREE AND FOUR OF THE HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 (3rd Mini-Session/Group Instructions)
In the two weeks that follow, DO WEEKS FIVE AND SIX OF THE HOMEWORK ON YOUR OWN.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 (4th Mini-Session/Conclusion) – We’ll wrap it up and it will have flown by in a whirlwind.
If a graph is easier to understand than all my compulsive wordiness, here you go:
Where should you meet if you’re participating in a small group? Wherever you are most comfortable. Do what works for your group. You might meet in a different house each week so no one has to keep her house clean all summer. We’ve had some siesta groups meet in restaurants and coffee shops. Find your groove and stick to it!
So, here’s what you do:
1. Get your workbooks! Our good friends at LifeWay have promised to have plenty of them for us, but you won’t want to wait until the last minute. You can find them online on LifeWay’s web site. Here is a link where you can order the member book. And, if you’re going for the optional DVD sessions week to week, here’s where you can download the videos taught by Priscilla. They’ll be fabulous.
2. Sign up on the blog on our official Launch Day- Tuesday, June 11. For the first time, we’re going to ask that everyone participating sign up individually rather than a leader chiming in on behalf of the whole group. We think this will be less confusing and will give us a better idea of how many are participating each week just by the number of comments. We will ask a few warm-up questions that day to begin cracking open that door of community.
3. I will facilitate the study by posting a blog the 4 mornings of our meeting days. I will give you instructions on these posts for your discussion times and maybe some activities. All will connect to the previous weeks of study.
4. After your gathering, you’ll check back in by telling us something about your meeting via a comment on that same post. Don’t worry if your group can’t meet on Tuesdays. You’ll still be able to find the post and comment throughout the week.
What if…
-I want to use the discussion questions in the back of the workbook instead of the ones on Beth’s posts. Go for it!
-I really, really want to do the study but it’s not in the budget. Email us.
-I’ve already committed to doing another Bible study this summer? That’s great! Stick with it.
-I don’t want to participate but still want to be a part of the blog. We totally understand and want to see you around Siestaville this summer. Know that the Bible Study will only take up one post every other week.
We can’t wait to study the Word with you this summer!
Lord Jesus, take us somewhere we couldn’t have anticipated! Somewhere we desperately needed to go. Raise up an army of mighty warriors right here in this community!
Okay, Sisters, let’s hear your comments for the giveaway! Remember we’ll only leave it open for 24 hours!
Living a life time of self proclaimed strength and can do it all myself attitude with reality check that I can do and be nothing without the love of my God.
My weaknesses…So many
His strength…….To count the ways He has carried me and to know that He will continue to be my all in all in the future.
To Him be all the glory.
I am so weak, and God is the strength I need!
My weakness is the very thing that God can show His strength through. I just need to let Him.
Without the promise of His strength being made perfect in my weakness, life would be hopeless…Thankful for His Strength.
This is so pertinent right now. I am in a desert time needing help. Just getting a workbook is a struggle. I need to be reminded God is my strength. It is hard especially during the night.
Waking up in the morning is just a desperate feeling.
To be honest I rely way too much on my own strength thinking God wont come through for me….all this does is wear me out because I am so weak! Crazy how we can think sometimes!
When I am weak…He is strong! He is always strong and I need to understand my weakness and give it to the Lord.
I am so weak without His strength. It doesn’t matter how long you have been with the Lord it is so hard to survive in this world without Him. As a primary teacher and now a grandmother its His strength that keeps me active and young at heart.
I know from experience that when I am weak, He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Sorry, I started singing after I wrote that first sentence. I’ll bet you did, too. Haha! I’ve always been a do-it-myself-er, so it takes some reminding to let go and trust His strength to cover my weakness. I’m looking forward to hearing from Priscilla on this one.
My weakness, God’s strength. When I’m honest with myself about this, I walk humbly in dependence upon my God. If I am not care to guard my thoughts, I become impatient and walk in hurried pride. This never turns out well…while I may submit in one area, God faithfully reveals another area of my weakness that needs to come under His mighty strength and authority. Thank-you for challenging me to admit, submit and grow! Love ya like a siesta!
God’s strength over my weakness is a wonderful thought! I pray that everything I do brings glory to God, and I know that when he works where I can’t, exactly that happens, because there is no way it could have been accomplished without Him!
So my first response on seeing the title was “Really??? Even that is possible? What a great God we serve that even my weaknesses can be used and redeemed for Him.
The title took me back in my mind to where I was claiming this promise! His grace IS sufficient, and His strength IS made perfect in my weakness. The experience really grew my faith as I had to trust Him to work. The title actually brought on an emotional response In my heart, so I felt led to start a small group with this study in the fall.
I love the title. It’s as if it was written for me. It’s the journey I have been on for the last several years and I got so excited when I read it. In fact, I wasn’t planning to do the bible study with you all this summer as I am doing another one but when I saw the sub title, I jumped right in. 🙂 Can’t wait!
It might already be passed the 24 hour mark…who knows??!! 🙂 As soon as I saw this summer’s study choice I knew I had to be in on it & then I wondered who would be willing to join me. Summer is so hard to commit to a weekly study as it’s usually jam packed with activities for our kids. I really feel it will be through God’s strength that a study is pulled off this summer. I am down for the challenge though and ready for my world to be rocked through the study of Gideon!!!
When I think of the title – My weakness, God’s Strength, I think of how many times I don’t go to God like I should and ask for the strength He promises to give. I know my weaknesses well, but I need to remember God knows them more, He loves me, and promises to be my strength. What a wonderful Savior we have! So excited about this study!
Love this title because I can mentally overlist the weaknesses and minimize the strength He gives. This title helps to remind me to fix my eyes on Him & humbles my heart in knowing that He can make so much, out of what can seem so little, for His Name’s sake & glory! Hallelujah!
The study title “Your weakness, God’s strength” hits me in the face…because that’s what I have backwards when I let my fears keep me from doing what I know God is calling me to do. I look at my weakness INSTEAD of depending on God’s strength. I know from His word that I don’t have to do it on my own, but need to depend on God’s strength, but I still let the fear of my weakness win, so I’m hoping, and trusting that this study will help me get past my weakness and count on God’s strength!
I have been talking a lot of talk but have been caught up in allowing a weakness distract me from walking the walk. I feel totally weak and am very thankful the the strength of our God. I must lean on Him and refocus my efforts. Thank you for the giveaway. I would be blessed to win. Thank you so much for your ministry.
When we compare the world’s standards concerning weakness, we don’t stand a chance. How great is God to have the crazy idea of using our weaknesses. I can’t wait to study this, as I have a ton of weaknesses to be used for His glory!
Wow! It hits me right between the eyes! It’s because in my weakness I am made beautiful and whole, through His strength. Without His strength, I am, really lost. Looking so forward to this study!
After all of these years as a believer, I am simply awestruck that He loves me that much. It changes everything…e v e r y t h i n g.
“Your weakness. God’s strength.” After many (many!) years of trying to live in my own strength and living depression with and anxiety, chasing my own tail, feeling out of control, making very poor choices, the list could go on, I’m beginning to find direction and joy in life by submitting to God. At a time when my life was more out of control than it had ever been (husband dying of cancer), Psalm 91:4 (NIV) became by life-jacket. Knowing that He shines brightest when I step aside gives me comfort and peace. I can’t wait to do the study this summer! Blesses to Priscilla (love her studies) and to LPM for doing this. YEAH!
My Weakness. God’s Strength.
Yup! That about sums my life right up:) There are just days that I look at myself and have to wonder how He could use a simple girl like me? How He could take my inadequacies and blossom them into His perfect use? Just when I think I should walk away and allow someone else more fitted and gifted, He says: But if you’re willing, Child, it will be you! Oh, how I long to really walk my life in His strength alone and stop trying to do it myself first…
My weaknesGods strength oh what would I do if I couldn’t rely on Gods strength when I can barely hang on in this world thank you God for giving your strength so freely
I take great comfort in knowing that although I may be week He makes me strong!
Your Weakness: God’s Strength
This makes me feel like I can take a deep breath because its going to be okay. We are so reminded every minute of our weaknesses, but that should not be the focus! God’s strength is comforting!
In my weakness, God’s strength is there!
I’ve been in the biggest season of weakness in my life for the last 9 months and God has been my only strength. Not my husband, parents, family, friends…just God. I’m moved to tears just thinking about Him as my all in all and my Rock. I’m so excited to dive into this study to learn more and be saturated in His word!
I desperately need to figure out how to find the strength of God while in my deepest weakness…sigh
“Your weakness. God’s strength.” He comes to me when I am weak. He is there when I need Him most. When I’m not trying to do it all on my own, He is most evident in my life. I need to learn that He is the power behind my “can do” attitude. So many things!
It reminds me of the phrase we have been talking about in the Women’s ministry: “God doesn’t call the enabled, He enables the called.” Oh how we need it!
I can’t find the bible study in Canada.
God IS my strength when I am weak!!!! Great Title for a bible study!
I have been using Joel 3:10 …”let the weak say I am strong”…as I reminder that I need to call things that I have not seen happen with my eyes as though they have already happened. When I feel weak, I say out loud that I can do all things through Christ because that is His promise. I believe the enemy uses thoughts and feelings of defeat to throw us off course. I am in a season where I must refuse to believe everything that I feel. I am determined to take these perceived weaknesses & infuse them with God’s strength,
It’s a relief!! I don’t feel as equipped to be useful for God as other people because I am a natural introvert. It seems so easy for hubby, the extrovert! Head knowledge tells me that God can work through me if I allow Him to, but it’s a little (lot) harder to soak that truth in as heart knowledge. Hoping Gideon helps me. Thanks!
I have had the most physically and emotionally exhausting year of my life. I am in the middle of my third hyperemesis pregnancy in three years, bogged down in our adoption process that it going nowhere with little boys just waiting for us, and the emotional toll of trying to raise small kids while sick.
I am normally a super energetic go-getter personality and I am really having to learn how strong God really is in our weaknesses. It turns out that’s not as easy of a lesson to learn as I thought it would be!
That tag line is exactly what I need to hear and learn and know (not just know, but KNOW) right now!
Thank God He works through weakness. 🙂
Being a stay at home mom of 2 preschoolers, I need GODs strength everyday and every minute. I’m trying to live in Gods strength so that my babies can see Him in me. I want them to live in Gods strength and not in their own weaknesses. I’m learning that they follow by example.
The title really hits home. Too often I expect myself to be close to perfect. I need to remember that God can use my weakness for His glory! Excited for Summer Bible Study!!!
“My Weakness, God’s Strength”? How can this not be for anyone struggling with family, finances or a sense of failure in our lives? I have been looking forward to this for a while. Nothing is better than Bible study with untold numbers of girls!
Your Weakness, God’s Strength brings me so much comfort! I know my weaknesses and how many there are, but I am so thankful that God is strong and can use my weaknesses for His glory.
I live “heavy” on the weaknesses and “light” on God’s strengths – need to turn this around. So looking forward to this study doing that for me.
Kind of sums up my life, I’m weak but he is strong. I have been leaning on those words since I was little.
God has proved His strength in my weakness so many times in my life, but I DON’T want it to be over at age 67!!!!!!!!! I want God to STILL “take me on a wild ride” in the years ahead!!
Seems I heard someone say that years ago, I have prayed that prayer through the years AND GOD HAS ANSWERED!!!!!!! Love you guys!!!!
Stacey from Boulder, Colorado.
My weakness, God’s strength. Well. I’ve prayed numerous times that God would make me stronger, that my weaknesses would go away. I was under the influence that my weakness was my fault, my doing, my issue, a character flaw and that I just needed to get over it.
I was wrong. My weakness is about God,it’s His gift to me. His remedy for my ego. His answer to my pride and self idolatry. My weakness carves the truth out of my stoney heart and says, this is for my good. This is so that I know that He is God and that I am not.
Today is my birthday, and at 42, my greatest gift I can think that God has given me is my weaknesses. For this is where my need for God is found. When I am weak, I thank Him for being strong 🙂
Can’t wait to hear what Priscilla teaches us about Gideon and his weaknesses!
Can you do the mini-sessions anytime of the day or will there be a specific time we need to log on the blog?
Love the subtitle:). It is a reminder we can do nothing worthwhile apart from God as He takes us in our entirety (junk and all) and uses us for His glory.
Thank you soooooo much for holding this bible study via your blog this summer. Great help for those of us on the run this summer.
What will you choose. With everything that you do and every choice that you make you have to choose whether you are going to try to do it in your own weakness or if you are going to do it through the strength of God.