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. Godâs 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: âYour weakness. Godâs strength.â Weâll 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 yâall still with me?
OK, then, let me fill you in on some remaining details through a simple Q&A. If youâve 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 youâve 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. Weâre 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 anotherâs burdens and pray for one another and remind one another of Godâs 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 âmeetâ 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 itâs 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 youâre participating in Priscillaâs 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. Weâve 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 wonât want to wait until the last minute. You can find them online on LifeWayâs 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, youâll check back in by telling us something about your meeting via a comment on that same post. Donât worry if your group canât meet on Tuesdays. Youâll 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 Bethâs posts. Go for it!
-I really, really want to do the study but itâs not in the budget. Email us.
-Iâve already committed to doing another Bible study this summer? Thatâs great! Stick with it.
-I donât 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 canât 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, letâs hear your comments for the giveaway! Remember weâll only leave it open for 24 hours!
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
Through all my weaknesses ( and there are many). I must rely on my Gods strength !
My weakness — pride. I battle it every day! I’m looking forward to the study of Gideon and pray for this time of study to change me. I desperately want God’s strength over my weakness.
My weakness is loving others, unconditionally. I know this is God’s greatest strength so I strive to allow Him to work this out in my life everyday. Please pray this for me too….
Your weakness… God’s strength…
Over the past couple of years I have been convicted that God is using my weaknesses for the glory of his kingdom. My weaknesses have come to play at work, in my marriage, with my family… everytime a new lesson is learned or another person is touched. God has used my weakness to bring strength to others and myself.
Oh Beth, this hits home more than you know. We just had a leak in our house that is not attributing to black mold on our walls. Anxiety and fear creep in and cause all sorts of weakness in me. God’s strength is bigger than any problem that I have. I need to remember this. Looking forward to this study more than you know.
My weakness is worry. I battle it so much! God has provided in SO many ways and today I was hit again with something I know God is going to help us through, but I just keep going back. I desperately need His peace and strength over this weakness.
So excited to see this title and study. I do jail ministry/church services and have been teaching my own series on famous Bible inmates, currently on Samson who hasn’t even been arrested yet. He has been such an example of how we can mismanage or mishandle both strengths (even those given by God) and weaknesses that I would love the additional fresh teaching that this study would bring for my inmates as well as others I teach. I have always loved Priscilla’s teaching and surely this teacher needs taught too:)
For me the title reminds me that God can use my weakness to strengthen my faith in Him. And teach me to rely on Him in every circumstance.
My weakness God’s strength. Four words that should be glued together. Often I focus too much on my weakness and forget that God works through our weakness and it’s in those weaknesses we are made strong as we lean on Him. I need to be reminded it’s not about me and my weakness…..it’s about God and His strength. Whether it’s being a good mom, friend, worker, whatever my weakness does not have to debilitate me but as I lean on God and allow Him to work through be I can be strong. As David was when he fought Goliath or Gideon with his army of 300……it’s all about HIM!
What a great opportunity for many women to study the word together! My weakness is worry – I need to turn EVERYTHING over to God and Not take it back!
“My weakness, Gods’ strength” hits me as the freeing truth that when I allow myself to be weak and raw, God shows up & is able to do & shine more than almost any other time. And that’s beyond beautiful.
I am needing to find God’s strength in my weaknesses this summer. Last week my husband tried to commit suicide and thank the Lord he didn’t, BUT our finances have been blown out of the water by hospital bills and outpatient therapy to diagnose the underlying problems. Our special needs daughter needs us to be strong so we can raise her to be a woman of God.
The subtitle hits me in a truly personal way during this season of my life, as God is asking me to do some things that are right in the middle of my weakness. So I am totally relying on His strength!
Ahhhh……..My weakness, GOD’s Strength sounds so refreshing! I would love to do this study with a group of young women that I know and love. In addition, it will be fun to be part of Beth’s online group too. As women, we need the hope and encouragement that GOD’s Strength and Word can easily TRUMP our personal weaknesses. We look to you, Lord God!!!
my weakness right now is complacency…in my walk with God, my exercise, and my eating habits.
Looking forward to participating in this study!
I just returned from a 2 week mission trip with my school to Indonesia. Over and over again I saw God use my weaknesses for his strength. Through being stretched emotionally, physically, and spiritually in ways I never thought possible I know, that I know, that I know, that everything I did on that trip was not my own strength, but Christ’s strength through me. In fact, leading up to the trip I prayed over and over 2 Cor 12:9 and had to continually remind myself of this fact throughout the trip. I hope to be able to use this testimony to witness to my unbelieving friends and family.
Your Weakness. God’s Strength.
This to me means that God’s strength is most clearly found in my weakness. When I am weak, it forces me to run to Him for strength. I can no longer do it on my own.
I wonder all the time why God has called me to this new ministry…well five years now….when I don’t feel qualified. It’s because I need to do it in his strength, not my own. I need to be reliant on the Holy Spirit of God living in me.
Looking forward to this study.
When I was first asked to lead Bible studies, I thought why me? I don’t know near enough to teach, others are so much more capable. What I discovered is that I did not have to teach but lead through the strength of God’s word and love for us. I have been blessed over and over–I’m the facilitator, God is the great teacher!
My weakness, his strength…I am in a season of restoration as a result of some pretty hurtful things. When I rely on my own strength it only results in anger, pride and more pain. However when I can embrace my weakness and humble myself, God’s strength lifts me time and time again.
Matt Maher’s song has been running through my mind for a couple of days now, especially the line “My one defense, His righteousness, O God how I need You.” And this subtitle speaks to me in the same way. Without Him, I am nothing…I can only trust in His strength.
When I am weak, He is strong. 2 Cor 12:9. He must become greater, I must become less. John 3:30
The title is my prayer! LORD, use my whole weak life to bring glory to Your Name…in Your strength, not my own! Reminds me of the old hymn “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”…I am weak but Thou art strong!
My Weakness, God’s Strength!
I have always considered myself weak. I have been divorced for almost 20 years and feel my weakness is keeping me from finding the right mate. I am so overwhelmed by my past failures and regrets that God’s strength is the only way to get over it and on with my life.
I am so excited about this study. My current bible study is just ending. My weakness, God’s strength gives me great joy and comfort. Sometimes I don’t even know my own weaknesses and God steps in to fill the gaps anyway. When I feel weak I know I can depend on God. Can’t wait to learn more this summer!
Have fun with the study this summer. I was just released from my job last week and do not know if I will be able to take part.
I like it…it is so Truthful!!!
My weaknesses are nothing when compared to God’s strength. All I have to do is tap into His strength to help me overcome my weaknesses and always remember that it is Him!
It appears I will be learning a lot about God’s strength this summer! Lord, do a work in me.
This student of God’s Word loves the subtitle and has tears in her eyes from reading it. Lately my weaknesses seem to outweigh whatever strengths I might have. The subtitle was like a gentle God-hug reminding me just now that His strength is magnified in both my physical and spiritual weaknesses…even when I don’t for the life of me see how it can work.
My weakness?? The box here isn’t nearly big enough! Perfectionism is one. In another bible study we were discussing how we are told to bring strangers into our homes and feed them and be hospitable—and how many of us don’t even do that with our friends!!! We chat in the church lobby, say our hi’s and then never fellowship throughout the week. SO GUILTY OF THIS. I’m worried about what people will think of my home (and by default me) bc in my opinion it isn’t up to snuff.
So when you announced this bible study I invited a group of ladies over to do the study. It’s time to get over myself!
âYour weakness. Godâs strength.â this hits me hard. I have in the last month found out my husband of 25 years has been having an affair. I feel so weak, and when I start to feel a little stronger, he hits me with ordering me out of the house, away from my belongings and everything I have known in the last 25 years, he leaves me with no money and judge that tells me go get a job. I daily wake up feeling so so weak. But when I text the right Christian friend and read my daily devotion and Bible I feel a little stronger. THere is a point when I feel like God is not there and I feel all alone. But then God puts the idea of Priscilla Shirer’s new BIble study in my path, and then I find this group. I have to believe that God can use this ugly circumstance I am in for good. I would love to win this prize. Why? I use to lead women’s BIble study for 20 years and I am feeling lead to take this study even in my brokenness and lead and be lead by Priscilla. Unfortunately, I cannot afford it. So this could be a huge blessings.
Can’t wait for the study and see what God will do in my life
I am part of a ladies small group that has met for over 5 years. We have done your studies for the entire 5 years!! I would love to be the recipient of your generous gift of the study books and the other materials. We are always looking for what will be our next study focus….this looks like it would be just perfect! Thank you for your ministry and for your generosity!
Anne
Your weakness, God’s strength:
The story of my life!!!!! In every area of my life I feel that I’m ill equipped, have terrible past, not worthy, and yet time and time again God uses my weaknesses to glorify Him, whether it is using me as spokespersonto those who are going through the same thing or showing God’s unconditional love and grace on my life. I am soo excited to do this study and want to do it with a small group so I would lOVE a copy of the leader kit and Book! would be such a blessing because we all need to be reminded of how God uses our weaknesses for His Glory.
My weakness God’s strength…It makes me just sink back into Him and be grateful it is Him and not me!
How does the subtitle hit me?
I am learning to look up to God and let him be my strength while I daily face a hard season with my oldest son. My wanting to `fix` him just isn’t working and leaves me weeping. The more I realize how weak I am the more God can work in both our lives.
I, like Gideon, am facing a HUGE battle! I know this cannot be won in my own strength, yet God is calling me to go to war. HE must be my strength in my weakness! I loved the Gideon simulcast and just know they I need to take the next step and complee this study.
Beth, I struggle daily with the challenge of being an obedient child of God. I want so much to have a Christ-centered relationship with my husband. I want the three string cord of Christ, my husband and myself desperately. Seeing other marriages that have the cord makes me sad for my relationship, but I know God is in the business of making the impossible possible. I must trust Him and lean on Him. Thank you for listening and I thank God for Him creating you to be a wonderful witness to all women. God bless you and your family and your ministry.
My heart’s thought on “your weakness, God’s strength” brings to mind the scripture, Philippians 4:13, but the truth of it is that sometimes I just feel weak. In a recent, and still in it, time of trials, I re-read the Book of Job. I have loved the Book of Job for it’s beauty and God’s mighty account of Himself. So, recently, in April, I re-read this wonderful Word from God, seeking insight and help because I was in a “weakness time” for sure with daily trials coming left and right, it seemed. I re-read it with an eye towards HELP and ANSWERS and this is what I came away with: I don’t understand; I don’t get it, BUT I do KNOW my Redeemer lives! So, in my weakness, I’m strengthened in the knowledge that my Redeemer lives. I pray for Him to daily give me trust and faith to be faithful to Him, for in myself, I am weak, but He is strong, and I KNOW to the bone that my Redeemer lives, and He is good.
I have felt led to teach for several years…I have been faciliting a ladies Bible study on Sunday nights at our church for about two years. However, I have grown weary and just wasn’t feeling it anymore. Well, our ladies group attended the Living Proof Live event in Duluth this weekend, and I heard from God! Beth said she had a message for someone, and that was me! Through Beth God told me to get my “heart and hiney” together for Him. I know that God wants me to serve him in this area, but I feel so WEAK. I know that He is author and finisher of my faith, but I am so afraid to step out in faith. I am not sure what will be asked of me…. Can I follow through, will I let Him down? Only now as I write do I realize that doing nothing is letting Him down. I long to be used for His glory, praying for the grain of the mustard seed faith to get out of the boat and fix my eyes on him to change lives for Christ! Thank you Beth for being obedient!
Expectancy pops into my mind because I know the possibilities of how God may choose to exhibit His strengths in my weaknesses are endless. Recognizing our desperate need for Him in ALL ways gives opportunity for us to step out of the way and watch expectantly for His power and glory to be revealed. “…..For when I am weak, then He is strong” (2Cor. 12:10)
I’ve really been struggling with the issue of who God says I am vs. who I think I am. He says I can do all things all through Christ; some days I think I am doing good to get out of the bed. I’m tired of living in constant defeat and am hoping this study will help me learn to rely on God’s strength rather than feeling like I need to fight (and lose) the battle on my own!
I have so many weaknesses! I praise God that he can use them for his glory & need to remember to rely on him.
My weakness, His Strength
Surprisingly, my strength is turned into weakness when I rely on myself over allowing HIS strength to rule. This study may well fit into my current quest for defeating pride, and making much of God.
I agree with Laura’s Psalm 73:26! But, more than that, I think of how God does not call the qualified – He qualifies the called. This week I confirmed my first paid speaking engagement for next February. I am speaking at a conference for college students in Orange, CA. The young lady who is organizing it is a student at Chapman University and has a heart to minister to God’s people through the arts. She invited me to speak about my experience in this area. My only hesitation – and God totally squashed it – was I never have attended college. With a new baby on my hip, I barely finished high school. And I think of living the last 8 years with physically debilitating issues in my back, yet I’ve only received specific treatment for pain 3 times for a period of six months or less each time. I am now pain free and exercising with weights through physical therapy GOD IS SO GOOD! He takes the things that seem foolish to the world and uses them to confound the wise. I’m living proof of this revelation today! Today, I’m Song of Songs 2:1 (MSG) “I’m just a wildflower – His wildflower – picked from the plains of Sharon, a lotus blossom from the valley pool!” AND, thank you for hosting a give-away on my birthday! đ Hope someone who can use the Leader’s Kit wins it for their group! EXCITED.
My weakness, God’s strength reminds me of every time I’ve told the Lord, “Oh, no … just don’t make me ______.” Fill in the blank … children’s ministry, women’s ministry, speaking at a retreat … all the things I said “I could never do,” He ended up asking me to do and with my knees shaking, He gave me the joy and challenges of my life. Not only did he get me through it, I learned like crazy and grew stronger in HIS Word. To Him all the glory! Can’t wait for this study! P.S. I’m learning not to tell the Lord I don’t want to do something … đ
âYour weakness. Godâs strength.â My first thought is…Lord, I know there are MANY! My weaknesses are certainly numbered but I do feel like now, more than ever, I am at a place where I am recognizing what they are specifically {rather than allowing them to be generalized and depressing} and more willing to hand them over and understanding that He WILL shine where I {have and will} fail, every time, if I just surrender. God is so good, friends. I know that in our own strength, we stumble but in His {although we may still stumble} HE will receive the glory He deserves and we will be tools of the kingdom.
Hi ladies… I have never done any of these studies but have been so drawn to do it this summer with one of my sweet sister – friend of mine. The title my weakness his strength so pertains to her life as well as my life but in so many different ways. Yet the same faithful God!!
Praying that the Lord would speak to us very personally!
Thank you!
My pastor-husband and I have been in a huge ministry struggle and transition, but the Lord has been so faithful through it all. The moments I finally say, “I can’t fix this!” and “I give up control of this–I’m weak,” that’s when He’s the strongest.
I am so thankful that His strength is made perfect in weakness!!!