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!
It reminds me that when we are weak, God is strong, which I lose sight of that so much. Weakness isn’t a bad thing in God’s sight!! This is a time where we have to go to God constantly and He will prove faithful, as always!!
“Your weakness. God’s strength.” This so fits with my life right now…it is so true that at our weakest God’s strength is always there to pick us up right where we are at. “Guard my lie and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. Ps 25:20.
I cant find the bible study in Canada.
The more obvious my weaknesses are to me, the more evident his strength in my life is. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Blessings.
Whenever I feel my ministry isn’t making much of a difference, I feel a Holy Spirit nudge whispering,”Good! What better reason to cling more tightly to Me.”
I really think this topic is so profound! My weakness(es) and God’s strength. What extreme opposites pulled together in a wonderful image of God’s grace and mercy to us. When we are weak, HE is strong. Amazing! Even as Paul said to boast in our weaknesses because our strength is found in and through HIM. This is becoming more and more clear to me the more HE reveals HIMSELF to me. The more of myself I allow HIM to refine the more HE is able to shine through my weakness. Less of me more of HIM is my prayer.
I can’t wait to dig into this study! Thanks for the opportunity.
Blessings! 🙂
Summertime….watermelon, mosquitos, and my children. All both of them. Every minute of the blessed day. Whew! When I saw the title for our bible study, I was so glad that God was willing to, once again, meet me where I am. My walk has felt like a fall and I want it to be a skip! My “mom” group, Unglued Mothers, is continuing to meet over the summer and I’m elated that in my weakness God has provided a place for me to find His strength so I can share it with my ladies. Face down in my weakness and joyfully full with his strength!
My weakness AGAIN…..God’s strength AGAIN…..Priceless!
When I read the title Gideon~ Your weakness, God’s Strength I was immediately reminded of how many times in my life I have realized that it is not in my strength that I accomplish ANYTHING. We are expected to be STRONG~~ Yet, I am weak to the bone~ I find myself feeling afraid and alone more times than not. It is through His strength that I have been able to achieve so many wonderful things~ Married almost 25 years, I struggle sometimes to find the joy and love that we both desire. Without God in my marriage, it would be impossible to carry on. He provides me wisdom when it sometimes comes crashing in. Raising 3 amazing children again requires His strength. I see a lost world, so many people try to do it on their own terms their own strength. Where has that gotten us? If our culture afraid is of committing to each other then is it any surprise they will not commit to God? Personally I struggle with self esteem problems and addictions. Yet through it all I give my pain to the only one who can understand. He is my rock, my fortress my ALL.
I look forward to this amazing Summer study!! Bless you~
more than ever i need His strength! i have so many weaknesses sometimes i am overcome with how on earth am i ever going to get over these shortcomings of mine in order to find a husband? i’ve grown so much in the last 5 years but i know i still have so much more to go… in Him i am made strong!!!
When I don’t feel like I can do what He has called me to do He gives me the strength to do it. It reminds me of the song “Jesus Loves Me”. . . they are week but He is strong!!!
Oh, don’t draw yet, I hope I’m not too late. This speaks straight to me. Over the last months I have felt overwhelmed with so many situations and in my strength just can’t get anything accomplished! But, when I turn to the Lord, even if the situation doesn’t change right away, I feel the peace & strength to face each day one day at a time and don’t focus on tomorrow.
The whole concept of “your weakness, God’s strength” can be lost in the day to day living out of circumstances. This past year especially, I have been incredibly weak and God magnificently strong. It is the desire of my heart to contnue in a place of sitting at Jesus’ feet in order to really grasp, to the extent I am able on this earth, that my weakness IS God’s strength! And to be able to shar and live it out!
Hey sisters! I think this bible study will be a great opportunity to grow my relationship with the Lord. My little brother passed away in an accident almost 6 months ago at 19 years old. I had a major emergency surgery 3 months later, and have been through many trials lately. I really need encouragement and something to grow me in my walk with Christ and turn my mourning into joy.
subtitle hits you: “Your weakness. God’s strength.”
It hits me right smack in the noggin! Not only does the subtitle humble me it manifests a thankful spirit in me as well!
I am a children’s pastor. So many times I try to serve God and the church in my own strength, only to find out how weak I am. This subtitle speaks to me that I need to rely on God’s strength all the time and not just after I have exhausted my meager resources.
This subtitle always reminds me of the verse in 2 Corinthians that says God’s strength is shown in my weakness. When I am weak, then I am strong, through Jesus. I learned that verse years ago as a teenager and it has stayed with me. I would love to focus even more on applying that to my everyday life.
I am a jar of clay with lots of cracks. A cracked pot i guess. The fact He still uses me is amazing and humbling. I’m thankful for the study.
“Your weakness. God’s Strength.” This rings to true in my life right now (and always). I am always amazed and grateful at how God always meets me right where I am at. And always, always when I am at my weakest He always shows up to pick me up and dust me off. It reminds me of a verse that I have been clinging too lately…Guard my life, rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. Ps 25:20
The longer you walk with the Lord the more you realize how incredibly weak you are in yourself & that without Him you really have nothing. I’m excited to do this study!
I get overwhelmed sometimes with my weakness and my failures. I am really needing this summer bible study in so many ways! Thank you again for your ministry! I will be doing it solo.
I have been convicted lately about trying to do things in my own strength. I think this study is another way of God telling me, “You can do NOTHING without MY strength.”
Where ever I’m weak, if I lean on God, he will give me strength. He patches all the wholes in my armor.
If it’s not too late …
My weakness of worry and doubt is His strength. He shows me again and again how to trust in Him 🙂
My weakness. God’s strength.
As a director of children and family ministries in a way-too-saturated culture where families are running constantly, I find that summer is a prime time to provide the best-quality programs possible for kids and families. Parents who might not bring kids to church during the school year will bring them to summer programs, in an effort to keep those kiddos busy and engaged all summer long. For some of these kids, these programs are the one and only exposure to church — and more importantly, Christ — all year. As such, both the programmatic demands and the spiritual attacks in the summer truly highlight my weakness. I am so thankful for the timing of this study — this is the season when I most need to recall, call on, appropriate, and live out God’s strength. Even if I don’t win the lottery, thank you for this opportunity to reflect!
My small group and I are very anxious to get started on this study. This topic hits me square in the middle. Never have I felt more weak.
I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength!
My weakness. God’s strength. This title reminds me of the truth that when I am weak, He is strong. Such an important reminder in a very weak feeling part of life.
My weakness, God’s strength. . . leading a ladies Sunday School class as we study prayer this summer.
God’s timing is perfect and faithful, He is definitely speaking to me about my weakness and His strenght. Life is very busy right now, a busyness I’ve never known before. I’m seeing first hand how demanding and draining ministry can be. My husband is a bi-vocational youth minister and the teenagers are the least of our problems. Little did we know how people pleasing this job would be and it’s exhausting. The past few days I’ve struggle to see past the moment and I feel like I can bearly keep my head above the water. This is a place I’ve never been with Christ and I’m praying and believing He will come through!
I’m excited and ready for this study!
This subtitle immediately hits me as any weakness that I have showcases God’s strength. When I decrease HE increases. I’m kinda visual so my mind takes me to a picture of a “see-saw” – His strength lifts me up and brings me higher when I’m weak – in my habits, thoughts, actions, etc.
To me, it means that my weakness leaves room for Him to work, despite my many failures and flaws; that way He gets the most glory. It’s kind of hard to be prideful when full of weakness and sin, but His mercy endures forever!
Hallelujah!
I am learning to lean on God’s strength as I face my weaknesses. I find that I tend to hide my weaknesses and not face them. I am learning to let God be in control and face my weaknesses.
Many people tend to forget about God when things are going good for them. I have learned that we tend to be more open to God and His guidance when we are at our weakest. That is when we need Him the most. We cry out in our helplessness asking Him to help us through and give us the strength we need. He loves to take our broken hearts and spirits and mend them like new. I guess what I am saying is that sometimes we need to own up and show our weakness in order to see God’s true strength.
Thanks for hosting a giveaway. Hoping to be able to participate in the Bible Study!
As always God prepares our heart and spirit for what He is going to lay before us. Over the past few weeks I have been reminded in so many different ways of how I am weak in every area of my life without Him. I think God is leading me to use this study for our community ladies Bible Study in the Fall, so I am so excited about this opportunity!
I’m living this out now. My personality is prone to anxiety and depression. When anxiety attacks strike during times of intense stress, it’s hard not to give in to self-pity and thoughts of comparison: why can’t I handle my life; why do I obsess over things, and why can’t I be more laid back like everyone else. I’ve learned that if I don’t keep my focus on Jesus and His Presence and the truth of His Word, I will focus on my weaknesses and sink lower and lower into depression. But when I cry out to Jesus, when I turn my mind over to His Word and the Truth I find there, when I keep Scriptures I’ve memorized at hand and meditate on them, then my soul is lifted and my attitude changes. Suddenly, I can do things, feel like doing things, and I feel like singing and fighting the good fight of faith once more. Abiding in Jesus Christ and letting His Word abide in me makes me bold and confidence. My weakness reminds me of the availability and my need of God’s strength.
I am so ready for this study. I have always been a “Fix-it” kind of gal. Only relying on myself. I have come up against a wall and realize that I cannot always fix things for myself and my family. I need to allow God to work in my life and be the One that I rely on and to also encourage my children to do the same thing.
This statement gets me excited!! Can’t wait … I feel weak in most areas; so I’m excited to see how God wants to take those areas and do something with them; He wants to strengthen them with HIS power and use them; use me. I’m honored and I’m excited because other than God doing it; I remain powerless in my weakness. I’m thrilled that God can take whats weak, and make it strong. Not sure what this will look like, but I’m trusting Him to do it.
I am soo excited to get started…..
My weakness, God’s strength….
When I admit my weaknesses, and quit relying on my own stinkin’ self, then I can rest and rely on God’s strength. He is always able and always strong, but when I think I can do things in my own strength, I won’t experience His.
Much love and hugs,
Adrienne
The title “My Weakness, God’s Strength” struck a chord in my heartstrings. I’ve gotten complacent about my walk with God and felt nothing but weak lately. I have my oldest daughter moving home in the next couple of weeks after finishing her Bachelors degree not because she can’t find a job, she had several offers, but because she is pregnant and will be an unwed mother who needs support right now. Reared in church and a Christian home, I’ve been devastated by how this could happen. It’s a reminder that all of us walk this sod in our frail, human state. I desperately need to see God’s hand in this situation. I need to see God’s strength in this weakness.
My weakness, God’s strength. Sometimes all I feel capable of is looking up, I am unable to act on my own. Gideon is a favorite.
That as much as I welcome the fact that God has woven into me talents and gifts and passions, He has also imbued me with weaknesses that are a special place where He can shine most brightly in me. I revel in my strengths. I wonder if He rejoices in my weaknesses?
I have never tried an online study, so this is definitely a first! I have just taken a huge step of faith by taking on a leadership position that Is going to take me out of my comfort zone and require God’s strength for I am weak.
There are so many areas where I am weak and on my own unable to overcome. But thanks to God, through His unconditional love, His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, I am made strong and can do all things. Thanks for the opportunity to win the Gideon study. We would love to be able to offer it at our church this year!
My weakness, God’s strength—-“I need Thee every hour”!
Got to realize that in our weakness God is strong!
Though it fights my flesh, I have walked with Him long enough to know down deep it is at my weakest that He then can be glorified through me by it being ALL Him. This is a daily battle to: take him at His word. let go of my way. do as He said. trust. be in AWE.
Don’t know hardly a thing about Gideon. Going into it with open arms to embrace what applicable truth it brings!
Goooooood Morning,
I don’t know if I am to late for the drawing or not . Oh, late ? one of my weaknesses! Well, God is always on time and if He wants me to make the drawing then , Yeh . I am so excited to join all you sisters for this summer study , and boy do I love Prisilla …
Let’s break out the Popsicles and ice cream and learn some “linear” living .
Blessings
Kim