Hey, Everybody!
It’s almost May and, around here, that means it’s time to announce our Siesta Summer Bible Study for those who are itching to take a journey together. In all these years of doing summer Bible study together here on the blog, we’ve never gone through one I’ve authored. The biggest reason is that I really love to go through other authors’ courses with our blog community. That’s a refreshing blast of Holy Spirit-breath to me and you can count on us doing that again next summer. The other reason is that the launch date of one of mine never coincided well with the beginning of summer. With Children of the Day (an in-depth study of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians) coming out in May, the timing works out perfectly. I ask you to trust my heart on this and know that we’re not doing the study this summer so that I can drive up sales. I can’t prove my motives to you but I give you my word. That’s all I know to do. Any of you who still find it uncomfortable can, by all means, choose another Bible study by a different author and feel completely welcome to formulate your group right here in the comment section to this post. Just start your comment with the words in all caps “ANOTHER OPTION” and get together on line and choose which Bible study you’d like to do. There are so many fabulous ones available. You have my complete and joyful blessing to use this community to put your group together. Any way we can serve you is a tremendous honor to us.
For those of you who would like to do Children of the Day with our community this summer, here are a few important facts:
* We’ll start Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Around here at Living Proof, we formed the habit of Tuesday Bible study over the years so that’s why we choose it as our gathering day but you are welcome to commit to any day of the week that works for you. Simply adapt the instructions to that particular day.
* Children of the Day is an 8-week study so we will wrap it up on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.
* As we’ve done in past summers, we’re only asking you to commit to “gather” with us and/or with your group every other week since summers are so busy. We will still stay on schedule for each week’s homework but you’ll only need to check in once every 2 weeks.
* I will put up a short video greeting here on the blog by 8:00 AM every other week on our gathering days, starting with Tuesday, June 3rd. The greeting will include instructions for discussion in your small groups or with the blog community at large. Your “discussion” with the blog community will take place through your response-comment to that post.
* We strongly recommend forming small groups for the pure camaraderie and accountability of it but you are also very welcome to go solo. The best small groups of all meet face-to-face but, if that’s not possible, try to formulate one on line. You might even Skype. Do whatever would benefit you the most and offer you the fellowship we all need so desperately.
* You only need the Children of the Day workbook to participate in the summer study. You don’t need to download the video sessions. All discussion questions will be based on the written work alone, as we’ve done in past summers, so that no one is forced into the extra expense. Each week we will put up a link to that week’s COTD video session for those who also want to include those but I will leave that option entirely to you. There will be no pressure whatsoever. People often ask if the video sessions and homework portions are the same lessons. They are not. They are designed to complement one another for a comprehensive approach to 1st and 2nd Thessalonians but they are not redundant. They are on different segments and concepts found in the 2 letters.
Does that answer many of your questions? OK, now for the schedule:
Between release date (first week of May) and June 3rd, acquire a workbook of Children of the Day but don’t start it yet! No homework needs to be done before our first gathering. The workbook looks like this:
You can find it at your local LifeWay Christian bookstore by the first week of May, or click here to order online at any time: COTD workbook
GATHERING ONE: June 3, 2014 – Our summer Bible study launches! By 8:00 AM that morning, God willing, you will find a brief video greeting from me and instructions for that day’s participation/discussion. Again, you can do it any day that week. We’re just choosing Tuesday as our official gathering day. You will “register” for summer Bible study by leaving a comment on the June 3rd post with your name and city and whether or not you are participating in a group or going solo. I will give you the specific instructions at that time. At the bottom of the post will be a link for that weeks’ full-hour Session 1 video if you choose to add on that option.
Do Weeks 1 and 2 of homework for Gathering Two.
(June 10th – link will go up for COTD Session 2 video for anyone going for that option.)
GATHERING TWO: Tuesday June 17, 2014. Brief video greeting from me and instructions for that day’s gathering or discussion. (Link for COTD Session 3 video for anyone taking that option.)
Do Weeks 3 and 4 of homework for Gathering 3.
(June 24th – Link will go up for COTD Session 4 video for anyone taking that option.)
GATHERING THREE: July 1, 2014. Brief video greeting from me and instructions for that day’s gathering or discussion. (Link for COTD Session 5 video for anyone taking that option.)
Do Weeks 5 and 6 of homework for Gathering Four.
(July 8th – Link will go up for COTD Session 6 video for anyone taking that option.)
GATHERING FOUR: July 15, 2014. Brief video greeting from me and instructions for that day’s gathering or discussion. (Link for COTD Session 7 video for anyone taking that option.)
Do Weeks 7 and 8 of homework for Gathering Five.
(July 22 – Link will go up for COTD Session 8 video for anyone taking that option.)
GATHERING FIVE CONCLUSION: July 29, 2014. Brief video greeting from me and instructions for that day’s gathering and closing. (Link for COTD Session 9 video conclusion for anyone taking that option.)
Here is the above schedule in diagram form thanks to my beloved assistant, K-Mac. You can enlarge it to see it better or copy and paste it to a document and print it out if you’re that kind of weird person…because I am, too:
Sound fun??!? Yep, it also sounds like a bit of work but not a single word of Scripture will drop to the ground. We can have confidence in advance that the pursuit of Christ through His Word will completely alter the summer of 2014. I’m ecstatic to have the privilege of spending these 8 weeks with you in Bible study. You are a tremendous joy to me. Our God-given emphasis right now at Living Proof is on stirring up women who are less-discipled in Scripture to come to love Christ through His powerful, living, relevant Word. We would be thrilled for you to help us by inviting some women along who have never before done this kind of thing. Take the chance and ask them! So many women have a hunger for God. They just don’t know exactly how to identify it. Bring them along if God opens that door!
Can’t wait to get started! Dearest love to you all!
Beth
Went to Lifeway today and bought my book. Hoping I can get a couple of friends to do it with me, or I’ll just go along. SO excited.
We’ve been participating in Beth Moore Siesta Summer Bible Studies since 2009 and would not miss this one! We are delighted to grow and fellowship under the teaching of Beth Moore. I anticipate we’ll have 900 women participating on our Facebook small group discussions…God is good!
Praying for your team as you encounter spiritual warfare leading up to the study. May the LORD protect you with a shield of fire, a SWORD of truth and a LOVE that is untouchable…in Jesus name.
Christine Smith
Founder and Ministry Director
Womens Bible Cafe
Amen Christine! Excited for this study – I love WBC and Beth Mooore! It’s going to be an awesome summer!
So excited to do this! I cannot wait!
Can’t wait!
I am in!
Beth, I am so looking forward to this online study. Thank you for all that you do in allowing the Spirit in directing your path and bringing so many along on these journeys that you walk with Christ each day. What a blessing you are, to the Glory of God.
I’m very excited about the summer study. I was at Lifeway the other day and looked at the members book. I carried it around the store and was ready to buy it but then I felt I needed to pray about it. I have been praying for God’s timing. Seeing your post this morning about the summer study just confirmed God’s timing for me!!!
Happy Friday
Kathy
Looking forward to doing this study this summer.
We are a GO! So excited. Started the emailed invites tonight and have encouraged my 15 or so ‘regulars’ to “be brave and invite 1st-timers/the ones you don’t normally think of first!”
Excited to see what the Lord will do through this… so excited!
Lord, bless my man, who has said YES to caring for the little ones and for allowing that many WOMEN through these halls each week. Bless him. Bless him.
looking forward to this study!
I’m excited for the Children of the Day Bible study! I’m from central Minnesota, divorced with children and one grandchild and attend a non-denominational church.
I am sooo excited about this study. I’ll be doing it alone this summer but am hoping to repeat the study in my local church’s women study starting in September. Thank you Beth for all your time, effort, and Spirit directed councel in directing our hearts to the foot of the cross.
Bought my book Friday night…so excited!
Can’t Wait!!!!! So excited. Thank you so much for doing this. Love you guys!
I can’t wait, I love Beth Moore’s studies.
Can’t wait to start this study looking forward to including my friends in this Siesta Study as it will be my first summer study with Beth Moore and all of you wonderful sisters I’m Christ
I’m in and so excited to start.
This will be my first online bible study and I am so excited. Just wrapping up “Daniel” by Beth Moore and have to say it was AMAZING.
I am really looking forward to this bible study. Thanks so much. May God Bless. Joyce Dupree
I am Sue from Greenwood, IN, and I have been doing the Siesta Summer Studies since 2009 with Miss Beth and with Womens Bible Study Cafe.
I will do this, and will work on getting a group together!
I’m going to do this study solo! My book just came in the mail. Excited!
Very excited about this study! I will be participating here and through Womens Bible Cafe.
Excited for another great Beth Moore study
Hi I will be traveling back to Uganda on June 3 so won’t be all to watch. Is there some way to make it up? God bless!
Hi Diana! Once the posts are up on the blog, they are up for good for you to use at any point. So no worries if you miss a week or two, you can always go back!
I am so very excited about this study! I have been participating in Beth Moore studies with the WOmen’s Bible Cafe for a while and I love them!
Praying for you and your team!
Picked up books to do the study with a couple of friends. Can’t wait!
Count me in! And hopefully some friends too! I’m looking forward to another summer of studying scripture! Last summer was a blessing and I’m still holding on to those lesson from Gideon!
First Time On-line Bible Study. Very excited!
My book arrived today. Can’t wait to join in!
I’m praying now for who to invite to join me in this study. So looking forward to who God brings and what He does this summer.
I discovered Beth Moore when I was invited to attend her study on James through my friend’s church. I took so much away from that study that I got online and discovered all of her other studies! That was a little over a year ago. Since James, I’ve also completed Patriarchs, Daniel and Deuteronomy. I’ve started a chronological bible study – I’m completely addicted now. 😉 Sometimes it’s hard to decide which study to do next! I saw this one and I have to say, focusing on God’s love is something I desperately need. So I’m hopping online to pick up the workbook and I am in! — Tracy
Count me in. Looking forward to a summer study!
I have a group of 5 who will be meeting in my home every other week. We are so excited about this study. Praying the Holy Spirit will transform our lives as we dig into His word.
Hello! I’m a full time Christian singer songwriter and am gonna do the study with a friend via skype while I’m on tour! I live in Australia and will be away from my home church for much of the year and really need to keep my faith growing so very excited about this study! Wondering how much the Video sessions cost to download or if I’m better off buying the DVD set from a store here in Australia for easier access? Thanks!
One from Australia! So fun! It might just be easier for you to do the online download, but please know that the videos are optional. All you need is the workbook, the videos are a bonus! But, they are each about the cost of a Starbucks drink. $5 or under! I hope that helps. We’re so glad you’re joining us!
Will be doing the study with my daughters – one home from college and the other long distance through Skype!
I can’t wait! Thanks you so much for doing this Beth. It will be amazing to do your new study alongside you this summer. I just can’t wait to see what God has for me.
Another one from Australia! If any Siestas are in Brisbane, let’s do this together, please! Otherwise, I will be doing this on my own and joining you in spirit.
I’m based in Coffs Harbour Australia, but travel a lot of the year. Great to know another Aussie involved! I have done a bunch of these studies and they have been wonderful. I’m actually in Brisbane for a concert next week- details at http://www.belthomson.com
I’ve been facilitating Beth Moore’s studies every summer since 2000. This summer we are doing Priscilla Shirer’s Gideon study. I wasn’t sure how I felt about skipping a Beth Moore one. NOW, I don’t have to. I’m going to do both! Plus, one with our Pastor on 1 John. Lord, help me gain many new insights from each study and apply them to my daily living. I’m excited to try COTD online. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
I am looking forward to another Beth Moore Summer Bible Study…thanks for making this available to us 🙂
I am going to do this with two of my girlfriends via the phone since we will all be spread out this summer! But I was a part of the launch team so already have my copy and soooo excited to start, thank y’all so much for doing this! Also, the first day it starts is my birthday wooohoo 🙂
I am so excited about this. I will probably be going alone. I can’t seem to find ladies who want to commit to a study in the summer. As a teacher, the summer is the best for me.
where are you located, Yvonne? I’m a teacher too and there are a few teacher friends who are doing it with me… we are in Southern California,…
sorry… I couldn’t read through all the comments so I’m not sure if you’ve already answered this question… I am excited to be doing this study with a few teacher friends… but we won’t be off from school until after June 12th or so. is it possible to start this “late” and try to follow our own schedule? will all the links and video downloads be available if we are running like 2 weeks behind? I’ll make sure we are still checking in… if this is totally not recommended, then we’ll try our hardest to be “on time”. again.., sorry if you’ve answered this already…
Yes ma’am! You can start it that day, indeed. The videos and posts won’t go anywhere once they’re up. Hope that helps!
I will be forming a group to be held in our church on Sunday evenings. We will have five COTD study books available for those in financial need that otherwise could not attend. So if someone expresses that need in our area please pass them my way. If we need to have more than five we will get donations so others can attend. We are on the far west side of Indianapolis Indiana. Last year I was waiting for a heart transplant ( still am) and our 12 year old son had been diagnosed with brain cancer. I won a free bible study book for last summer study, or I would not have been able to participate due to finances. We would like to pay that forward to others. Looking forward to learning with all of you ladies.
New to online Bible studies…super excited to start this journey! Praying for all of us to get a lot out of it.
Excited to do this study, hope to have a friend join me.
Count me in…will be flying solo on this one.
Really looking forward to this study. I am spreading the word!
This is my 1st siesta with Beth. I am looking forward to it. I will be doing it solo. Looking forward to the fellowship.
Looking forward to the study. I am sending information to my bible study group. Right now I will be doing this solo.