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!
Hello,
I do a ministry with at risk kids and this title is ALLL too true! I am weak! I can only do this with God’s strength and guidance. I would be blessed to have this study to do with my team mentors! Thank you!! To God be the Glory!
Lee
Everything I’m hearing over last few days is “don’t do it alone”, I do most things alone. Even though I’m a member of a big church I have no real siesta’s there. This study will i’m sure, show me just how weak I am and as much as I depend on God in many things, I am the one who has to get things done. Do I really know my weakness? Do I really know and accept God’s strength? We’ll see.
I’m totally pumped about this book. I just texted the ladies from my lifegroup to see if they will join me on this journey. It’s like this study was made for us right now! God is so good about what he brings to us when we need it most!
This title is just for ME! I mean really, I am in such a place of knowing my weakness and knowing my only source of strength and hope. I am always amazed at how God leads me right to what I need…if I would just follow and not get distracted! I know this study will bless my heart.
It smacks me in the face. God’s strength can get me through anything!
My weakness is being too busy for God. I let everything else fill my day.
The subtitle definitely catches my attention because I’m constantly reminded of how weak I am every day and how it is not in my strength but in the strength of The Lord that I will make it each day. I’m very excited about the story of Gideon and it’s application to my life.
Thank you for providing the opportunity to have the study together.
My weakness. God’s Strength
At my (perceived) strongest, I am still so weak! So instead of trying to be stronger, better, or bigger then God, I am learning to let go and then and only then can God’s strength carry me.
When I am weak, I am strong; but only because of the One who strengthens me.
My weakness – God’s strength. That seems to be the place where life happens – recognizing my fear of weakness and then choosing to trust in God’s strength! It’s a day by day process for me. Looking forward to renewed strength this summer with siestas!
Wow, just saw this post. just returned from vacation with sickness. Sickest I have EVER been. Need to get well to be able to teach VBS next week. What a prime example of my weakness, His strength. Glad I did the one day simulcast of Priscilla’s. I will draw on that to get through this. Then I can’t wait to do the whole Bible study with the Siestas! I will let God work through my physical weakness next week! Pray for me!
When I am weak then He is strong!
I am doing hospice care for my own father in his home and have time to be in the word when he is resting. What better time to spend looking to God for strength and help. I am weak and he is strong. . . Yes Jesus loves me. . . The bible tells me so.
“Your weakness, God’s strength” resonates with my heart for two reasons…first it reminds me to be humble not proud which always leads to a fall. Second it releases me to embrace God’s all encompassing ability to guide me and take care of me because His is the strength I need in my life. Any strength I think I have is pride and that brings me back to my first reason. I would love a book for the study…I haven’t gotten mine yet.
This definitely speaks to me. In pslams God “crowns us with love and compassion”. To place a crown on someone is to invest is us power thru the holy spirit.
I am very weak and have had a tough go of it this past year – but who hasn’t? In the past I have had many troubles in my life and although I knew God was there, I never trusted Him until I hit my absolute bottom … and His strength has lead me out of my darkest times!!! I know that I need God’s strength to navigate through the treacherous path the devil continues to build in front of me in order to come out the person God wants me to be!!! I am grateful every day for God’s grace and love and strength – even when I am at my weakest. I need God’s strength in every aspect of my life!!! I pray that my participation in this Bible study with such wonderful women of God will help me in overcoming my weaknesses and leaning on God’s strength that much more!
The subtitle is my life right now. I am at a season where I am weak and He is strong! Without Him I would not get through this season!!
My weakness. Gods strength.
We must focus on him and not ourselves. Its not all about me and wha
t I need. It’s what I can do through him to glorify him and praise his name.
My weakness, stress, has been keeping me up late into the night. We are renting a house that recently sold, and we have to be out by the 30th. There are no houses for sale big enough for our family, so I have continued to worry about what we are going to do. Why? I’m not sure. He has ALWAYS taken care of us, and He will during this! But telling yourself that and believing it during the wee hours of the night can be difficult. I must learn to hand this all over to Him!
My weakness: Insecurity
God’s hope: Strength to lay my insecurities aside and just run Heb 12:1-29
My weakness: depression/anxiety
God’s hope: The power to take every thought captive and teach it to obey truth. 2 Cor 10:5
My weakness: discontent
God’s hope: Satisfaction Psalm 145:16
I could go on and on. I guess the real point is that for every weakness I have ( and they are plenty) God’s word speaks right to it like a soothing balm. He is my hope in all things. Excited to study with you this summer!
The subject “Your weakness. God’s strength” has certainly been a theme for my spiritual life/reawakening over the past three years since HE has drawn me closer to HIM through my many weaknesses. Praise the Lord for his patience and mercy!!!
I am praying that my 3 married daughters & I will do this Bible study together. This would be a miracle for our family. Thank you.
Oh, I would LOVE to do this study and the ONLY thing keeping me from it is the the thought of doing it alone – my regular summer study girls are finishing up Believing God this summer. I do so love me some Priscilla though. LOVE!!! I guess I wouldn’t be alone if I am doin it with all of you though, right?!??!?!
When I read “Gideon” at the top of the post, it leapt off the page at me. We have been raising support for almost 2 years to go into the mission field, and all we have between us and the ability to step out is the selling of our house. Two weeks ago, after praying, fasting and meditating over the story of Gideon going to battle with only a few hundred men (wordly wisdom says that’s CRAZY!), my husband and I know the Lord is calling us to move (specifically, mid-July), despite our house still being on the market (again, worldly wisdom says that’s CRAZY).
As we’ve begun to tell family and friends that we are about to take this step, and started saying our good-byes, I have repeatedly been drawn to the verse that tells us that when we are at our weakest, He is our strength (and my portion for each day, as well!).
This certainly hits home for me. My husband and I are getting ready to lead a youth retreat and more and more God is reminding me that this is not about me but all about Him. I do not have to stress about the places that I fail, because He never will.
I just verified that my two daughters have been abusing drugs and alcohol. My weakness? Trying to fix them. I give them to God, only to snatch them back because God is taking too long.
I am relying on God’s strength to carry me through my weakness. This past Sunday I was approached to assume a duty within our church and let’s just say I AM OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!!!! I am crazy about these summer bible studies and have so blessed with those in past years. I also lead the women’s Bible studies in our church and would love the opportunity to participate in this summer’s study. Blessings to all at LPM.
I forgot to respond to the title….I have learned the hard way that relying on my strength to get my kids & grandkids to attend church or grow closer to God is a waste of my strength. Taking my disappointment & frustration to God has opened my ears to ” be still, and know that I am God.” Through God’s grace there has been answered prayer in this area. God’s not through with our family, and I am learning to trust Him in his timing. I really think this summer Bible opportunity could be our next step in following God.
Great question—-God must be strong because if He is strong where I am weak—-I have a lot of weaknesses; SO HE IS STRONG:)
All I have felt lately is weak….mainly because I have trying to be so strong on my own. I need Gods’ strength more than ever right now.
Wow! My weakness, God’s strength. In what ways can He use my many weaknesses for His glory? Lord, please do it.
God’s strength is my life saver. For without being in the word I am weak. Looking forward to diving in!
Michele O.
“Your weakness. God’s strength.”
Goodness, how does this NOT hit me? God’s strength is what fills in for my weakness in parenting, in relationships, in work, in Bible study, in everything.
God’s strength REPLACES my weakness, but it’s a constant open invitation rather than a one-time thing. I have to remind myself over and over to LET God’s strength take over. My own strength IS weakness. If that makes any sense.
God has carried me through a major heart surgery to get an LVAD to keep me going until my heart transplant. That is my weakness but Gods strength. H e has shown up in major miraculous ways! I do not know if I will be able to afford the study this year but praying for everyone. Gods dtrengthbis amazing!
I have lived my whole life being reminded of my weakness, and being rescued by His strength. Where would I be without Him???
God is the source of my strength. In my flesh I am weak.
Last night, while caring for my sick little baby and I was so tired, I told God that I was not going to cry as way to show him that I believe he is good.
Thanks to God and Jesus for their STRENGTHS because this is the only reason my WEAKNESSES were revealed for SAVING. I struggled on a daily basis until I was able to let go of my will and searched for God’s will and strength through His word and teachings. I am on my way to finding the strength for my weaknesses in daily visits with the Lord…..thanks for being a part of my journey.
This title strikes fear in my heart. I’m not exactly known for my “weakness”. God did not deliver me from drugs or alcohol, He had to deliver me from me. I still have to embrace that deliverance daily. I am so looking forward to this study. I’m sure it will help me quit helping God (especially when He needs no help)
God has been teaching me that my pain, my weakness is not the enemy. I’m married and my husband is not saved, so we have conflict about almost everything from finances to how we raise our children ( who are 3 and 4). I feel so ALONE in my marriage. I have felt God with me these past 5 years, but I want to see his Glory in this marriage. I believe that God will turn my husband’s heart, so I’m holding on to hope. I want to learn to fix my eyes on Jesus and not feel defeated because I allow myself too many pity parties! I want to see God made strong in my weakness!
My Weakness, God’s Strength
This speaks to me in giving me faith that my weaknesses are where I have the most opportunity to find God and find courage & strength in his love.
It makes me think how The Lord has pulled me out of a hole I put myself in over the last 10 years…. And now He’s giving me the opportunity to help another woman with similar struggles. Makes me think of Gideon and how The Lord called him a mighty man of valor before he really was one. I love this.
I love it that God uses our weaknesses to pronounce His strength and ultimately bring Him glory! If God could use someone like Gideon, He could use me too. I just need to be obedient and trust Him!
The title speaks to me in so many ways. Mostly though it just makes me praise God that He can still use me with all of my flaws. I’m so excited to uncover the Truth of what He says about my weakness…His strength!
let us know how the subtitle hits you: “Your weakness. God’s strength.”
My weakness is being fairly shy and not really outgoing. However, through GOD’s strength and love and grace, he has given me the opportunity to work with youth in many areas of my life. I know that without God this would not be possible. God is my strength and my all in all!
The subtitle of this Bible Study describes perfectly my situation over the last couple of years especially. I was filled with pride but was humbled by the Lord. I know now that I truly am weak (and that’s a good thing) and I need His strength daily (moment by moment at times) and that’s a good thing too!
Thank you for the opportunity of this giveaway. Hope I’m not too late to enter!
This subtitle reminds me of the Bible verse I’m currently memorizing from Habakkuk 3:19: The Sovereign LORD is my strength….
I need His strength daily. For without Him I can do nothing.
It reminds me of God’s faithfulness in my weakness. I just finished leading Priscilla’s Jonah study and the secondary title of “A Life Interrupted” certainly hit home with me as I had ovarian cancer with treatments and surgery and never missed leading but one session when I was so weak. God faithfully strengthened me enough to at lest go and sit down to lead the discussion!
Just got back from the KLove Fan Awards and was reminded every minute of the weekend just how big God’s strength really is. Wow, He’s so much bigger than what we see as our greatest weaknesses. Thank you, Lord, for forgiveness and grace!