As you will clearly see and loudly hear on the following video, Jackson, Annabeth and I were in the middle of Camp Bibby when it was time to tape my little video greeting for Summer Bible Study Gathering 2. SO, I brought the kids with me. Lindsee and I decided it would be sillier and better to just give you the unedited, woefully unrehearsed version of the taping. So, here you have it. Since I promised in the video to add a few pictures from our week, you’ll find those at the bottom of this post right after your discussion questions. So glad you’re participating! Thank you for coming along!
Siesta Summer Bible Study Session 2 – COTD from LPV on Vimeo.
In case you have trouble viewing the video greeting, here are the discussion points for your small group and for your comment content to this post:
1. From p.46, middle of the page: Did 1 Thessalonians 2:8 stir up a story of your own about a way you have shared not only the Gospel but also your very self because someone had become so dear to you? If so, please share a portion of it with us.
2. From p.50, in the margin toward the bottom of the page: Isaiah 38:15 records words from the pen of Hezekiah that poignantly describe bitterness: “I walk along slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.” I suggest in the lesson that bitterness makes our souls heavy and our feet like anchors and it ages us far beyond our years. Share something of the impact bitterness has had in your own life and, if God has delivered you from it, testify.
3. From p.51, mid page: Share a time when you experienced some form of persecution because of your belief in Jesus. This topic will only grow more relevant in a culture increasingly hostile to Christianity. We’re going to have to learn to expect it, deal with it, and not shrink back in our faith because of it. Our tendency will be to return insult for insult but Christ has called us instead to bless when we are cursed. (1 Peter 3:9) Nothing about it will be easy. We’ll have to be deliberate to be victorious.
Do Weeks Three and Four of your homework for our next gathering. If you are watching the optional video teaching sessions through LifeWay, watch Session 3 right away before you begin Week Three homework then, after Week Three homework is complete, watch Session 4. Follow up Session 4 with Week Four homework. Click here to access all of the teaching sessions.
Week Three Memory Verse:
“For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:8
Week Four Memory Verse:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16
I love you guys so much! May God reveal Himself unmistakably and personally to you throughout these 8 weeks! I am honored beyond words to serve you. You can drop off here and say goodbye or, for those of you who like this kind of thing, you can scroll on down for a few pictures from last week’s Camp Bibby:
At the Aquarium in Houston. The whole complex was a total blast and God gave us perfect weather. We could easily have had a 3-digit temperature that day but it was dryer and cooler than a normal June day in our warm city.
My boy and me on the Ferris Wheel that looks right on downtown Houston:
Annabeth and Aunt Melissa (AB’s present obsession) on that same Ferris Wheel:
I love the above picture because Melissa looked so similar to Annabeth at that same age. Needless to say, Annabeth is the spitting image of her mother but her hair is much darker than Amanda’s was. Amanda stayed very blond through her young childhood. Below is the actual picture I promised in the video where all of us froze trying to figure out what creature Annabeth said we’d petted. She was right though and here’s the proof! Stingray-bonding with Aunt Melissa:
This picture is from the restaurant in the Aquarium. Our table was right next to it. We were all mesmerized by watching the fish in the enormous tank but Annabeth was totally lost in a world all her own. I’m sure she was Ariel swimming right among the fish in the ocean of her imagination.
This was our boating day on Lake Conroe about an hour from our home. We took Keith’s boat and he taught both kids how to steer it right at his side. It was so much fun. We took the boat all the way to the other side of the lake and docked it at a pier and ate at Papa’s Burgers right on the water. It was a magical day for the children. That modest sized lake would have seemed as large as the Gulf of Mexico through their young eyes.
Thank you for humoring me! I love them so much it hurts.
Happy homework and I’ll talk to you very soon!!!
Durant, OK
Small group (10)
Thank you once again Beth, and I hope you had a very blessed birthday!
First, I wanted to let you know that we have a mixture in several ways in our group-in ages, and also in the fact that we have new Christians, for whom this is their first study, and then some of us who have been through several of your studies and several of your Summer Siesta studies.
I am really excited about this study, and everyone else in our group seems to be, also.
1. Yes, but it is actually the story that I am in the middle of currently.
Every time I get in any small group of girls or women, I feel the Holy Spirit urging me to share my life with them-to be authentic/real-someone others can relate to-the Holy Spirit is still working on me for me to be able to do that, and also to share honestly with my grown up daughter.
2. For a little while, after my Dad passed away, my grown up/pastor brothers and I had some bitterness between ourselves, and it made all of our souls very heavy at the time. (not quite 4 years ago when my Dad passed away, and it lasted for abut 2 years-been restored for about 2 years) I am a peacemaker and tried to make peace, but couldn’t force it. I prayed a lot, and I know my brothers did, too, and we have all been delivered from it, and are back in good relationship with each other.
3. I can’t think of any persecution that I have received, and it makes me think that maybe I’m not sharing the Gospel enough.
Sandy, I wrote exactly what you wrote in #3 in my workbook! Let’s not feel condemnation, but let’s just be conscious of taking opportunities when we have them!
Beth,
Thanks for sharing your grandchildren with us! They are truly adorable and I’m glad you take the time to be with them — since many grandparents don’t take the time.
#1 – I have had the opportunity to have a small group with middle schoolers in our church. Plus I have had the first graders in Sunday School. I’m not sure if I’ve brought anyone to the Lord, but I pray that I was able to sow some seeds that will keep them in Christ throughout their life or bring them to Christ one day. I would love to see them all in heaven 🙂
#2 – I have found that I get bitter when I set expectations of someone too high to fulfill a want or need I have. When they can’t meet my over expectation, I’m disappointed. In some instances I can get so disappointed I’m bitter towards them. Not good. Jesus is working me through this.
1)I have been a believer for nearly all of my life (I’m 24). I grew up in a Christian home and went to church camp every summer. At camp and at church, we were always encouraged to share our testimonies with groups of people. But I never felt like I had a testimony. I would hear stories of people who grew up in broken homes, found their way to God out of drugs and alcoholism – inspiring stories. But my story was hard because it stemmed from a chronic, life-shortening illness that I never really talked about. I didn’t want anyone to know because I didn’t want their pity, and I’m a really independent person. I don’t like needing help or asking for help. And yet, God had other plans. Between my junior and senior years in college, my pastor at the time asked me to share my testimony with the congregation. I flatly refused. But he kept pushing, and so I eventually said yes just so he’d quit asking. When the time came for me to tell people what I’d never said before, nothing could have prepared me for the impact it had around me. God has since pushed me out of my comfort zone to share my life – the struggles as well as the victories – with many groups of people in public settings (at my college and at a women’s brunch at my new church) and to openly share on my blog the things he’s doing in my life.
Just as Paul and Silas and Timothy lived among the Thessalonians and ministered to them through their lives, I think we also are called to live out our faith so that we are preaching the gospel without words every day.
I’m so grateful that God has a bigger plan for my life than I could ever imagine myself, and that I’m on this journey of life with Sisters in the faith, loved by God and chosen by Him.
Praise God!
Kelly Fehr – Menomonee Falls, WI
small group (4 of us)
I wanted to do this study just to keep up my spiritual muscles during the summer. I lead a ladies small group on Monday nights during the year, but am off for the couple months of summer. As I was contemplating doing this study, the Lord just asked me to open it up to others. I made a FB post and a few of my friends, who usually aren’t in study with me, decided to join in for the summer.
My “quirk” is organization. I love to organize, especially other people’s messes. I also love organizing parties (almost more than attending them). Just love watching people have fun at parties I’ve planned.
I’m almost afraid to type this out but don’t know where else to turn. I am in tears as I consider the question of bitterness. I am so angry at God that I can hardly breathe. I have stopped praying because my one prayer – for a full return to health – He denies. I know with my head that He loves me, that He cares but the pain in my heart keeps me from getting any comfort from what I’m supposed to believe. And I don’t know what to do.
Thank you all for sharing your own struggles.
As for #1, I can’t recall a time when I have shared like that. And #3, I have not yet been persecuted for my faith but am of the strong conviction that it is coming, indeed, is here for so many.
Thank you to all who are a part of the team bringing this study to us, to me, this summer.
1. As a quiet introvert, I’m not as quick and bold to share the gospel as I wish. But I have had several instances of taking the chance to show Jesus’ love through presence and action. When I was in high school, a new student lost her dad a few weeks into the semester. I insisted on my mom taking me to the visitation. I think I was the only person from our high school that showed up. To this day (15 years later), when I see her, she thanks me for that. Over the next few years, I was present with her as a friend in more tough situations. We were very different, but she knew I was someone that would always be there for her. And I would drop everything to be her shoulder to cry on.
2. About a year after I had broken up with someone, I found out he was engaged. Bitterness overtook me. I was the one that had the guts to end what we both knew wasn’t right, but somehow he had immediately found someone and I hadn’t even been on a date in a year! I got a true lesson in the gospel that summer, where I realized God had given me everything, and this you-owe-me game I tried to play with God downplayed the sacrifice of His son. It took months of prayer and time in Scripture to really let go of that bitterness, but I learned so much in the process. My desire for marriage didn’t change, but my bitterness about being single did. That was four years ago. I’ve now been married to a wonderful man for a year, and we are expecting our first child. But that answered prayer didn’t come until I had truly given over my bitterness and found peace and joy in my heavenly Father.
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
1. Years ago I invested a good bit of time, energy, and resources into the life of a young single mother. She has since moved away and we have had no contact in years, but I pray that my involvement in her life had a positive impact.
2. I do tend to struggle with bitterness, primarily when I feel that someone has treated one of my loved ones unfairly. I have learned that this simply robs me of my joy and peace. I am trying to just give my hurts to God in prayer, the claiming of Bible verses, etc. so as not to give Satan a foothold in my life.
3. I have never been truly persecuted. There has been ridicule at times over decisions we made in the raising of our daughter. I do believe that increased ridicule/persecution will be facing Christians in the days ahead.
Vicki,
This touched me so- no doubt your investment in this woman’s life mattered! I am a (married) mother of 1 year old twins, and there have been so many times I’ve wondered how a single mom or dad does it!!
There have been various times when I’ve thought about how nice it would be if an older woman would take me on and help me out on the random occasion that I’m in a pickle and could use some help (eh hem, gynecologist visit from the other day to give an example). Terribly awkward entertaining kids in a gown if you know what I’m saying. Especially say, the dr walks in and catches you off guard…
I hope that women in the church will look for opportunities to help a mom out, and hopefully she won’t take advantage of you. (I’m learning the hard way some people will.) Especially moms who don’t have family in town like myself! Or single moms or dads.
Just knowing someone is there and has expressed their willingness to help you would bring great peace of mind.
I know it is obvious, but the more globalization happens and people get transplanted for jobs the more people will need their church family to work like their natural family. To meet those needs for them.
(You might even be able to “win back” the ever increasing numbers of those who are growing disillusioned with the established church. Just one way to reach them/us. Help them.) Same is probably true for nonbelievers.
Maybe women’s ministries could even help facilitate this – ask for volunteers who would get paired with needy families and the commitment is only once a month for a year, or something very minimally required – so it doesn’t freak people out thinking they now have extra kids with no end in sight. haha Even I think I could do that. 🙂
Ok I’ll shut my trap, but God’s richest blessings on you and others like you, Vicki!!!!!
Love,
January
COTD is a blessing to me. Even though this is not one of the questions, week 2, day 3 was HUGE for me. Looking at my walk with the Lord and how Jesus is walking among the church is powerful!
1-Sharing the gospel and discipling women God has brought into my “walk” with Him can be hard, but it is always rewarding. These ladies have become dear to me. I hurt when they hurt and rejoice when they rejoice. We’re learning to “do life together” and to share our stories as He writes it out in our lives.
AmandaJo
colorado springs/fountain, CO
small group (3)
1. I had a sweet friend in bible study who was VERY pregnant and not having it easy. She had become so dear to me that I at one point, went to pick up a prescription for her and soup and when delivering it- hugged her dearly- without consequence of catching whatever bug she had a the time and then stayed to help her along with her other children. I am not normally a very sympathetic person and it doesn’t come naturally at all.
2. Bitterness had made a mother of one of us in our group(after great loss), very inwardly focused, selfish, and manipulative- changing the relationship between mother and daughter permanently.
3. work environment where personal lives are full of partying etc. as the “normal.” When one of our ladies, did not go out with them after hours etc.- she became talked about and poked fun of. Eventually, this lead to her taking a job elsewhere and placing herself in a better environment.
Happy birthday Mrs Beth! I love you. Christy Fayetteville,AR
Thanks Beth for sharing your grand kids in this video. Loved the real ness of it all. precious!!
2. Bitterness about 8 yrs ago over a broken “best friend” relationship. I did reach out in letter format asking her for forgiveness with no response but I was right with God. Found out recently from a dear friend how ugly I was to be around (not in those words mind you). We looked back & I could laugh at how I was acting!!!
3. Was persecuted many yrs ago by a fellow co-worker. She tried to find fault in anything & everything. Her negative personality was tough enough to deal with. Sadly to say at that time I didn’t realize the persecution was because of my faith in Christ! I know better now 🙂
1. While my boyfriend was in prison ex-boyfriend now I was born again and was able to witness to him while he was imprisoned. It was exciting to see how God was showing me how I was growing closer to Him and intern being able to share that with somebody. I still pray for salvation for my ex-boyfriend but i’m not able to be in contact with my ex boyfriend God told me before he was released i needed to walk away from that 9 year relastionship. Im so glad i did.
2 bitterness oh yes had a dealing with that one also. A friend from church had hurt my feelings and i really didnt know bitterness was forming till God showed me i needed to step out and apologize on my part. So i did and i thought everything was okay till o found i was still doing all i could to avoid even being in the same room as the person or if they were nearby doing the fake amile thing. But i new in my heart i wasnt right. Im still working on it and bringing it to God to show me were change needs to happen.
3. Persecution havent really had that experience like other people i did lose alot of friends when i decided to follow Jesus.
Beth:
You have beautiful grandchildren – thanks for sharing them with us:
I am doing the study on my own on my laptop in my living room and rarely (if ever) like to write about my own journey on a blog but here goes:
For me the most pressing question of the 3 you asked is number 2. Bitterness has been a life long journey for me. I grew up in a very unloving home. Parents now in thier 70 still fighting and barely speaking to each other. I have carried the weight of their dysfunction all of my life. It has created anger & bitterness toward them for many reasons.
God is good and it has been a blessing this last couple of years learning that I am not a disappointment to God. You grow up thinking it must be you that is causing all this hurt and pain. Then I was blessed with a kind and loving husband and two wonderful children. My eyes started to open…..maybe it wasn’t me, maybe it was them! My children are now nearly grown – we are almost done and will soon be empty nesters. God has been working in my heart these last couple of years to just believe him and believe that he is who he says he is. As I pray for more faith the layers of bitterness have begun to heal. I still struggle with my parents and probably always will but when I can look at God through who he say’s he is I know he has a plan and a purpose for me.
1) every year I teach the kids at church the group becomes dear to me. I love sharing the gospel with them and watching them understand and come to The Lord and after they move on I and grow up it is a joy to see them serve The Lord.
2) about a year and a half ago my husband was unjustly terminated at his job after 34 years of faithful service. It did make me bitter and there was heaviness of soul and I think I did age some. Praise God He has helped me move on and know that I needed to follow His example of forgiveness.
3) I haven’t suffered much persecution other than from time to time enduring snide remarks about my stand on the Word at my secular job.
I work at a state university and if you know anything about them, you know they are often places of “exploration” and “freedom”. As I work with my students preparing to be teachers I share with them many of my own life lessons. I feel this is the best way for them to know my commitment and heart for them and the students they will one day serve. On more than one occasion students have come to my office to talk about what I leave unsaid–my sustaining relationship with the Lord. These intimate moments with them let’s me know that I’m ministering to them all and the ones who already know Him see it!
1. My mother had me at the age of 17. My grandparents played a huge roll in raising me. Thankfully they were Christians and raised me to live a Godly life. I am forever thankful to them for teaching me about God.
2. I really don’t have a burning bitterness. But I can remember growing up with not a lot of money. There were times that I might have felt envious of others who had more.
3. I can remember as a child, peers made fun of me for not joining the crowd when doing some of the more popular things that were not what Christians do. Also, I posted this Bible Study on FB asking for others to join me. I had 3 likes and only one comment.
1. As a PK, my parents always involved us in ministry. Many of the people who came into my life became very dear to me. I have been over to their house, taken their late night phone calls, shared their grief etc. there is nothing quite like it. It was an honor
2. Of course this leads me right to the next question. Because I have been there for the good, I have also seen the bad. I’ve had people say horrible things about my family I’ve had good friends walk away without saying goodbye. Yes, I’ve been bitter. At times angry. Am I over it all? I know I’ve given it to god now. And in those moments when I remember, I pray for the comfort only the Holy Spirit can bring. Father, keep healing me and working in me.
3. I was persecuted some at work by non Christians but mostly I was given a hard time by Christians who did not agree with my stand on things like moral issues. More than once I was encouraged by someone who claimed to be a believer to ignore my inner witness and go watch a certain movie or to accept a certain idea.
I thought of you all day yesterday on your Birthday, as you are so dear to me…even wrote its Miss Beth’s Bday in my workbook…”Happy Birthday!” Love Always, Bonnie…n’ Drew you some balloons. 🙂
Hope your day was as wonderful as you are to me!!!
Bonnie, Florence, Colorado, Solo.
1. Everyone that I have taught are ESPECIALLY DEAR to me, from my own Children to my Grandchildren…that I poured my life and the WORD into them!!!
My 3 & 4 yr old Sunday school class…who gave me flowers that I still have…that remind me to pray for them 20 yrs later.
My Day Care Kids to our Home School Group…who as adults still call me, “Miss Bonnie” which is so endearing.
To our Baseball teams…who all went to VBS with us! To my Ladies Group…that I disciples for 12 yrs!
2. I am resolved to resist bitterness.
My favorite children’s book is, “Don’t Hug a Grudge” by Donna Perugini through Little Castle Books, 1987.
When we Hug a Grudge it likes to be held and grows up to be Resentment which holds onto you and wants to get even, Bitterness shows up last because it’s roots are the deepest, it pulls you away from God, squeezes your mind and makes you sick with hate.
All of these are sin and we must wash with the water of the WORD…Eph 4:26,27 for a Grudge, Eph. 4:31,32 for Resentment and Heb. 12:15 & Gal. 5:14 for Resentment, ending with James 4:7.
I have suffered at the hands of others Bitterness towards me and the anguish it causes plus the loss of relationship and getting even with me is quite painful.
3. Persecution for serving Jesus: almost drown, accusations against me, hit, loss of relationships, divided family, loss of sleep, health problems, pain & anguish…But I would rather have Jesus than anything!!!
Song…”I have decided to follow Jesus…NO TURNING BACK…NO TURNING BACK!!! Though none go with me still I will follow…NO TURNING BACK!!!
1. I work in Student Ministry with 7th-12th graders because I was very rebellious during those years of my life and my heart aches for students when I see them heading down that same road. Only by the grace of God did I change and turn back to the Lord. I now share my testimony, especially with the girls, because I want to them to learn from my mistakes, but also realize if they have already made them it’s not too late for them to turn back to God and use their testimony to glorify Him.
2. I struggle with bitterness quite a bit. Either because someone lets me down or I don’t like what they do or say to me. I am constantly bringing this before the Father and I am learning not to become bitter about things because I don’t want them to take root in my heart.
3. I worked at the courthouse during college and it was very hard being around non-believers. I was left out of a lot of conversations (probably a good thing) and I was made fun of when I said I was leaving to go to seminary. Leaving there was actually better for my soul because it was very hard to be in that environment, but I tried my hardest to be a light to those I worked with. Hopefully, I will see fruit from it later in life, if not that’s okay too!
Typo’s…question 1 to my Ladies Group…that I DISCIPLED for 12 yrs.
Question 2 …Heb. 12:15 & Gal. 5:14 for BITTERNESS,.
🙂
Hi Ladies,
Thank you, Beth, for sharing your grandkids! Priceless! I am doing this study solo here in a tiny town, in the middle of no where, in North Dakota. I am enjoying the study and now to read the testimonies of other ladies, through the comments is a blessing.
#1: My best friend and her husband have recently experienced a shift in employment. Husband served for 15+ years as a teacher and coach and the Lord called them into full time ministry. I and my husband have been in the pastoral ministry for 12+ years. It has been an amazing journey to walk with my bestie through this time of transition and be able to use God’s word and the power of His work in my life being in the ministry.
#2: I have not been holding bitterness but that is to the testimony of the my deceased grandparents. I watched my grandfather live 50 years in deeply seeded bitterness. I saw the aging it did to his body, I witnessed the turmoil it had on those near and close to him, and in the end, after my grandmother’s passing, I saw the healing work of the Holy Spirit as my grandfather turned his life over to the Lord. To see the physical transformation in his face as the the healing took place was amazing. He lived for another year after my grandmother’s death/his salvation. I know he died peacefully.
#3: We are church planters. The persecution we have experienced as we are working to get people saved has been almost endless. We know we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but the spirit. We stand firm on the Word.
I’m just now signing up, going solo, because I’m so far behind and embarrassed to ask anyone to join me at this late date! I have nothing to contribute to questions 2 and 3, and my story from question 1 is so many years old, I’ll pass on it, too. But since I didn’t answer the questions from the first week, I’ll share one of my quirks: I make up theme songs for each one of my pets and I sing their songs to them. One is for my own cat and one is for my daughter’s cat, who calls me Grandmeow and my husband Grandpaw.
I loved the video, especially at the very end when Annabeth kept running back and forth in front of the camera, like a cartoon! And I can’t wait to tell your “Oh, no, a granny!” story!
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I admire you greatly for just that, as I am very private and tend to protect my secrets!
Hi Beth and Lindsee!!! I included my website, but if you don’t mind, I’ll include my personal blog, too: http://www.walkingbarefootblog.wordpress.com
First of all, I LOVED LOVED LOVED seeing your babies on this video!!!!! They are adorable and it was sooo much fun to see them unedited!!!!! :0) thank you for showing us!!!!
I hope it’s ok to be commenting, I’m not doing this Bible study this summer with you girls, but I plan on doing it soo with my mom. My mom and a friend and I are actually doing two other studies right now: Believing God and Living Beyond Yourself!!! But I did want to share that one way I’ve experienced persecution recently is in a relationship I was hoping would turn out to be a romance. He is not a believer and when I made it clear I want a godly man, he told someone else we both know that he couldn’t be that, and he immediately got into a relationship with someone else. It hurt pretty much like a breakup should, but God did reveal to me that this is definitely a form of persecution. We had been talking about The Lord and he was to totally receptive for awhile. I don’t “date non believers”, so it wasn’t that type of relationship, but it still hurt like crazy, it still does sometimes. But The Lord is helping me soooo much!!!!
Thank you for the fun post, I love seeing you invest in your grandchildren.
1) Through various teaching opportunities with children and adults I have had this opportunity many times. It took me a long time to open up and not only share the gospel, but also my self but I think that is what makes the Christian life even more authentic and real for others to see that is when our testimony is the strongest and the gospel the most real.
2)I have had bitterness due to some of my upbringing. At times things in life bring those memories back, but overall God has brought freedom from it. I often remind myself that trusting that he is sovereign and all parts of my life were for His glory and the more I live in bitterness instead of letting Him use that part for His glory means I am miserable and no one is brought closer to Him.
3) There were a couple times I was picked on for my faith when I was younger, I would not call it persecuted. Me not being able to think of a more recent time makes me start evaluating my sphere of people and if that is maybe not the best thing.
3)
Our small group of 9 in Port Orange —
In week 3, what stood out to us was the discussion on hindrances (p.67). Several of us stopped on the meaning of the Greek word Hindrance = tumor (Been there!)That was a jaw dropper! We would love to unload a bunch of hindrances! One of mine is grumbling. I have been trying to drop that one, but it is a change in progress.
In week 4, we loved the study on “Even more” (p.91-92)! Beth, this was an amazing learning tool, looking up each scripture and identifying what was even more. Ladies if you skipped these pages, go back and do them! It was so inspiring! As Christians we can always do more. Wherever we are is good, but add even more, for even more joy in the Lord! We are loving this Bible study. One of our ladies already has a mission trip of her own planned for later this summer. Amazing how God works!
#1 I try to share my testimony on the job which is not easy these days. But I know God has placed me there to show others the only way to deal with the chaos is by trusting God.
#2 When my mother died, I became very bitter. I felt I was all alone with no one to love me . But then God led me to a church and I remember the Pastor talked about not being alone! I think I cried through the entire service! It took awhile but I finally began to understand how much God loves me and thru His love, my bitterness slowly went away.
#3 I have not experienced persecution in America but four years ago I went to Cuba and saw what persecution was like. I also saw true faith and love of God – no fear. I hope I may do the same if persecution begins to occur in this country as Beth suggests it will.
Beth your grandkids are adorable!
I have a 3 month old baby boy so I have to share fast while I still have two free hands (we also have boys aged 12 & 9 – married 18 years)
While I don’t have time for specific answers to the questions, I wanted to add few comments…
I loved starting off the study by writing down our name/meaning and recording our current season of life. Very powerful!
As is the way of the God, He has faithfully met me right where I’ve been at each and every day through this study. The timing has been amazing almost every day! What else would I expect, right?
I loved the weeks on the Holy Spirit (John 3:8 – properties of wind) and the one on Walking (“live continually God aware”). I also appreciated the wisdom of the “remix” and how that paralleled with Paul’s longing to visit those who were dear to him. That
Beth, thank you so much for this study and for knowing it would be a powerful work in our lives!
Hey Beth,
Thanks so much for the realness of being a grandparent! Missed the last session, my daughter had her 3rd boy so I was being Muma. I love how you can relate! Blessings and fun and fatigue and joy all wrapped in grandkids. Enjoying the study! Thanks so much!
1. I talked about sharing myself with those who volunteer for our nonprofit. My daughter spoke of sharing with a friend having a rough time.
2. Neither one of us could come up with much in the way of bitterness in our own lives, but could think of an example between some close relatives.
3. With much travel experience, it is difficult for either of us to feel like we have truly been persecuted for our faith, though we have both experienced instances when we felt belittled or mocked.
I loved your video. I had Camp Minnie’s with my grand boys this week so I can totally relate. There is nothing like spending time with grandchildren.
The discussion question that spoke to me the most was the one about bitterness. After a friends betrayal, I found myself in a very bitter place. It took getting on my face before The Lord and letting Him heal my hurt before I could forgive. I was powerless to forgive without the Lords comfort to me. I was finally able to let it go and the relief is unbelievable. Thank you for all you do to help women to seek Gods will for their lives. You have made a difference in my life for sure.
Cheryl R, Midlothian Va
Dear Beth and LPL team: God used 1Thes 1:3 to minster to me and then I to others. It was like I never saw it before . And then it became life .First to me -as I have been working endlessly at home and work – with mix results and he saw my work and encouraged me. I in turn used the same scripture to thank 100 medical staff last week for the service and work they did . I said God sees: your work .. and is pleased. and also thanked my staff in the same way . This scripture has become part of my marrow. Thank you
and BTW this study challenges me to talk about Christ more openly and to both non and believers . I didn’t expect that . XoXo cheryl
I am writing on behalf of the Summerwood/Atascocita Siestas (we names ourselves! ha!)
Meeting tonight were Leaneta, Mallory, Leslie, Keri, Jo-Ann, Joy, Donna and I. We had two sisters (Tiffany and Debra) out. After watching the video, we shared with each other on all three questions and also had a good time sharing about Bible verses that remind us that it is a good thing when God searches our hearts – ; ). We are enjoying the push to stay in the Word this summer and are looking forward to the next two weeks’ worth of homework.
Beth,
What a fun time I’m having doing this study of the Bible! It’s become my “me” time during the day-and a place to find refreshment-regeneration. Although, going solo, it’s a real challenge-as I’ve never done a Bible study before and would love to ask you a million questions about what I’m reading. But I know I will learn and understand what I need to know, when I need to know it, as God is with me all the way. Right?! 🙂
1) I’m working on being more courageous in sharing the Gospel with others.
2) I understand this passage a little too well, as I’m struggling with a very strong sense of bitterness that’s been with me for about 5 plus years. I very much wanted to have children, and have struggled with two miscarriages since my husband I were married. Needless to say without going into too much detail, it’s a strain. And making me question every aspect of my life’s direction.
3) Surprisingly,at work! Again without saying too much, when I actually have had the courage to discreetly share the Gospel with a “sister in Christ” who desperately needed support -it very much “stirred” something up with some of the staff members and “corporate” as well. It really surprised me! But, it’s actually helped me better to understand what Jesus’ disciples might have gone through in part. And it’s actually made me question…have I been living with my head in the sand all these years? Thinking most Americans at least accept Christianity. But now, I’m sort of feeling like maybe I’m a minority for being Christian. Anyways,this much I’m learning-keeping quiet is not always the way to go.
Loved the video! It was precious! Hope you had a great birthday!
1. God has done great things in my life, and brought me out of some pretty tough situations. During college I felt like part of my healing was in sharing what God was doing in my life. Now, three years out of college, I still feel like my calling is in sharing His word and my story. So whether it is girls in our local youth group, or students I teach, I love sharing my life with them and occasionally getting a glimpse of them seeing Jesus and experiencing his love and grace.
2. I feel like I have been in a season of bitterness. A year ago my aunt was murdered. A few years ago my brother-in-law was diagnosed with stage four melanoma. My local church has been going through a lot of challenges and changes. I actually think that God put this study in my life at this time to help me overcome that bitterness that has been slowly consuming me. It’s funny because I don’t think I fully realized how bitter toward Him I had really become until I sat down with this study. Beth, the Lord really spoke to me through your words on pg. 50. Thank you for that!
3. I have faced some criticism from others for the way I have chosen to live out God’s call in my life to love people like Jesus did. Interestingly enough it has come from other Christians. Thank you for your reminder to bless when we are cursed!
#1 I recently lost my best friend to colon cancer. We shared so much life, but what I miss the most is our daily sharing of the gospel. We shared daily devotionals, life applications, scripture revelations and encouraged each other in prayer, seeking and walking with Him. This lesson has helped me realize how neglectful I have been at sharing my life with others and how avoiding painful/difficult situations has left me with only superficial relationships. My prayer is for God to help me be more transparent and real, knowing this will make me a more credible witness.
1. I feel like I’m really connected to a few of my closest friends, going through life together because God brought us into each other’s lives. We are experiencing the ups and downs and the Lord’s work in our lives together, and it’s beautiful. I’m so grateful for this very particular gift the Lord has given me.
2. Bitterness becomes a distraction from Jesus when I let it take root. It’s all about me and my own feelings, and not about the Lord, love, or anything I should actually be spending my thought life on.
3. I can’t say I’ve faced particular persecution, but being a believer makes me an alien to this world, causes all kinds of uncomfortable differences with people who thought they knew me, and changes how I spend my time and energy in ways people don’t understand.
Loved the video. Thx for sharing ur precious ones!!God bless u & urs!! I think what hit me was that bitterness is no longer my issue . What happens when the bitterness fades to a fightening reality & the part I have played in this nightmare ?? I witnessed someone who may have “sold his soul” so to speak today. I think the experience might have scared a ” navy seal”. Only Our Lord can show me a way through to his redemption for my sons & me. Something about absolute surrender & humility. I cried myself through a pity party before I could redirect my hope in the Lord. Love & appreciation.
Jen B., Maryland
Those grandbabies are just darling!!
1. At first I struggled with answering this one then it occurred to me the countless conversations I’ve had with my son (soon to be 13) about the goodness of the Lord and all the examples in the Bible about how awesome He is and that my son has a purpose. Planting Seed! Prov. 22:6
2. My father died when I was 12 and we didn’t have a great relationship before then. I carried a lot of bitterness towards him all through childhood. It wasn’t until college, when I was dealing with some judgment, that I felt the Spirit nudge me and show me that I had been judging my father all those years. I immediately asked for forgiveness and mentally let things go. I literally felt a weight lift from me, a burden lifted. Even still, it wasn’t until about another decade later (and many conversations with two people who knew my dad and how he loved me) that God healed me even more in this area. I feel so delivered from that bitterness praise be to God.
3. Not sure if this is persecution but what I immediately thought of was when my former supervisor (and self proclaimed atheist) actually recoiled when she noticed I had a Bible on my desk. She told me that I couldn’t have it there. She did apologize to me the next day as she knew how important my faith was to me but I will always remember how she physically responded to seeing God’s Holy Word on my desk.
Enjoying the study tremendously. It is already hitting on some wounds which is good because I believe yet another healing is coming! God bless and Happy Birthday Mama Beth!
Hi, this is Anne in TN going solo.
1.A couple of years ago, I was given the opportunity to teach in our church Women’s Ministry Wednesday night Bible study. (That’s a mouthful.) I am a teacher by profession, but I had not wanted to lead a women’s Bible study because my Mom has done it for many years, and I knew that women often come to class with problems that seemed way over my head. I am single, and I have told the ladies up front that I could write everything I know about men on the palm of my hand and have space left over!
Anyway, I have tried to be very honest with them about the things I struggle with, and I get their encouragement and exhortation on occasion, and I am grateful for it. I am an introvert and not a “joiner” by nature, so this has been a real step out for me. It is not the public speaking that ever makes me nervous; it is the relational aspect of ministry because I don’t consider myself a people-person. I am blessed to have a co-facilitator with a lot of experience in women’s ministry and a talent for networking.
2.When I was in college, I went through a season of great bitterness against a family member whose poor choices were negatively affecting the whole family – again. Believe me, it had happened more times than I could count, and I was really angry and resentful. I was also unhappy with God because I blamed him for putting me in a dysfunctional family. (I’m embarrassed to admit this because it is incredibly foolish.) Before I came out of this sentence, I learned something about repentance, as well as forgiveness.
One thing I learned was Eph. 4:32. To forgive “as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” is more than just forgiving because we have been forgiven. It is to forgive in the same way that we have been forgiven. I can forgive the person who has wronged me because Jesus paid for that sin, and He will redeem the wrong done against me. He bears the cost of all sin, and I can turn to Him to make right what has been broken.
3. I don’t know that this rises to the level of persecution; I would call it opposition. When I was writing my dissertation, I let one of the professors on my committee know that I was a Christian. I didn’t say it straight out, but it was obvious from the way I was discussing the literature. Since I was writing about Protestant writers from the sixteenth and seventeenth century, he immediately became paranoid that I was going to turn my dissertation into a sermon. He gave me a certain amount of grief through the process,and my director (who is Jewish) had to referee. Even at my dissertation defense, he kept pushing questions designed to put me in tight spots. I passed, but I felt like I had scraped through by the skin of teeth. I’m still embarrassed at fumbling certain questions. At the hooding ceremony, my advisor kept muttering to herself, “I don’t know what his problem is.”
Thanks, Beth. I’m excited to be doing this summer study!
1. I’ve been part of groups that shared significant portions of life together: praying for health crises, job layoffs,wardrobe changes, etc. We shared times of prayer and study but also walking through life together.
2. I’ve often struggled with feelings of bitterness about my circumstances or who i am (not liking myself). I’m starting to recognize those times as attacks by the evil one and hopefully i wallow in those times for shorter and shorter periods.
3. It feels a touch complain-y to equate what i’ve gone through with persecution that other believers go through around the world. When i decided to follow the Lord and give my life to Him, i made changes in my major and direction of my life because of how i felt He was leading me. As a result, i experienced a strain in my relationship with some family members who didn’t like hearing me say “God told me to…”
1. I work with an organization out of my church that takes kids from the roughest parts of the city and we tutor them and love on them and more importantly teach them about Jesus. I was blessed to teach the older girls in Bible study and get to share things about me and my life that they were able to relate to like not being from a Christian home. It was truly a blessing to disciple these girls especially the oldest girl who was so eager to learn about Jesus. We would talk afterwards and connect. I was able to teach her things that an older woman had taught me.
2. Two years ago my parents divorced and I was so bitter and anger about it. I was anger with them, with myself, and with God. I became so bitter because I didn’t get to watch my parents grow old together and I had to move out of the only home I had ever known. I became apathetic towards everyone and everything and then God woke me up through an older woman who was disciplining me to show me how bitter I was. Through Scripture and much prayer and through forgiveness, I was able to let go of the bitterness.
3. I was in a college class this past yeara and on the very first day the teacher asked us how we felt about homosexuality. Being an open Christians, I was the first person she asked. She tho fun I would be judgmental, and hateful about it. I calmly explained that I believed homosexuality was a sin, but I was a sinner, too, and my sin is equal to everyone else’s. She left me alone after that.
Wow, I love your grandchildren. They are adorable. Thank you for sharing them with us. I am so enjoying this study. I started out doing it solo, because my ladies group and myself are already a couple of weeks into your David study. I am leading it, so I ask for your prayers. This is my first time leading one. Even with that going on, I could not pass up the chance to do this study with you, so I have pulled my teenage daughter in with me this week to watch the videos and we are knee deep in both studies. Here are my personal answers
#1 As a youth leader in my church, I think back to the times I have talked with different kids. I have a young lady in my church who has become like my third daughter. I have watched her grow up in our church and I am very close with her parents. Through the last few years as she has started college, she has seen the temptations, and struggles that Christians can face in the world, and many times she has come to me for advice or just someone to talk to. I usually do not share many parts of my past with people, but for some reason she is one of the few I have.
#2I have had to fight bitterness it seems like for as long as I can remember. In my private life, professional, and even in my spiritual life. I know that for the longest it seemed that I could find so many things to be bitter about, and it had such a negative impact on my life. God has helped me to see these flaws in me, and I pray daily to overcome them. For me it was the type of bitterness that I would not let anyone know about and it would just build up inside of me. I now have this saying to myself when I feel like I am getting bitter, or even think bitter thoughts, “Lord forgive me, bless this person or issue and take away any ill thoughts or feelings I may have about them.”
#3 This one was a hard one for me. I live in the Bible belt. I live in a small town where you are looked down on and persecuted for not being a Christian. As a child who was raised in church and then lived away from church for many years, I experienced the persecution of what I can the misinformed Christians. Although some of that has changed over the years, I see it still going on within the different churches. Now it is all about which church you go to. I pray and work every day to reach the sinners like myself and not let them be pushed away. The one thing that has happened to me over the past ten years since I rededicated my life to the Lord, is my friends have changed. My old friends go the other way when they see me (not all, but most of them). I find it sad, but I still make a point to let them know about the Gospel whenever they will stay still long enough for me to talk to them. I pray for them daily, and I know God is at work with them and that is why they run ( figuratively) .
Thank you so much for sharing with us, I have been so blessed by this study, and feel like God is working with me though this and the David study as well. I am so excited about our God!
1) Right now, I am a mentor mom for MOPS. It is an opportunity for me to show Jesus in my words and actions to moms with young children.
2) At this moment, I’m not struggling with bitterness. Though I have struggled with bitterness in the past with a relationship not turning out the way I wanted and being hurt by someone who never apologized for the hurt they caused.
3) I can’t recall suffering any persecution for being a Christian. I think maybe this is because my workplaces have been churches, my friends are either Christians or are comfortable with Christians, and my family if they are not Christians are tolerant.
Thank you so much for that video with the grands! I feel like we are doing an “informal” bible study in this format and I love that you are keeping it “informal” also!
For 1 and 3 I don’t really have a response. Sometimes I feel like that is horrible, but it is the reality. I have never really been close to someone who wasn’t Christian, so never felt the need to share the gospel like that. Our church series this summer is styled after a Boot Camp and the Pastor is using the Sunday sermons as a method to “teach” and “equip” us to go and share the Gospel. Even though I grew up in the Church, I feel like I never really “Learned” that, so I am kinda glad that is happening.
2. Bitterness….. I spent many years bitter after my sister had her first child. It was to be the first grandkid in the family and we all fawned over it and her the entire pregnancy. I will always remember where I was when my father called me to tell me that she had her baby a few hours before. I was stunned! We all live in the same town and in fact the hospital was literally 3 blocks from my work (where I had been) and I hadn’t received notice that she was even heading to the hospital! It wasn’t that I wanted to be in the room or even at the hospital, but I felt totally betrayed when I wasn’t even notified that this HUGE and glorious event was happening! I thought we were closer than that! It took MANY years to let that go……. but it did happen!
Thanks again for everything, Beth! Loving the study!
Thank you for this opportunity to share the Gospel and our lives with you as you have shared with us!!!! Thank you for the video and sharing your very life through your beautiful family, especially your grandchildren and the many pictures and Camp Bibby time…!!!!
1. Ministry to Broken Girls. Sharing life with them as family members as much as possible. Sharing prayer, Bible study, church, youth group, summer camp, trips, outings, meals, daily living. Sharing my life’s story as LORD leads to show the TRUE GOSPEL in reality.
2. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; This verse details the truth of what the LORD is bring me out of and I am so thankful! The LORD is helping me obtain HIS GRACE more and more. Bitterness is awful and has affected my health, relationships and person-hood long enough. God’s Grace is more than enough and it brings peace, growth, cleansing and the beauty of redemption. I am receiving more of JESUS and HIS GRACE daily and am soon to start over in a new home after 26 years plus in my childhood home. The move is symbolic of obtaining GRACE and is a receiving of the gift of GRACE!
3. YES, I have experienced severe persecution on so many levels! These persecutions have been costly and brutal and too awful and long to discuss. The battle to live THE GOSPEL openly has been a living WAR INSIDE and OUTSIDE ME and INSIDE AND OUTSIDE the church, sadly worse in my experience, inside the church and believer’s communities! Authenticity and anointing go together and the enemy wars against these so much. I have been hindered greatly, rejected and gossiped about and slandered and in a sense abandoned by some and left discouraged and disappointed and very wounded many times for trying to live the GOSPEL!
4. The greatest point to me in these first two weeks is the factual statement and Scripture on page 55: “The gospel of Jesus CHRIST is meant to be the best thing that ever happened to people and to nations. To stifle the gospel does not just oppose God; it opposes all mankind.” “FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM.”
I am living to give out the GOSPEL and even the church has persecuted me to such a level that my life was at risk and in danger and I at times almost gave up. It is crazy. There has been a stifling and hindering of giving out the Gospel in my life that opposes the LORD himself! LORD HELP US TO GIVE OUT YOUR GOSPEL EVEN IF IT COSTS US OUR LIVES! Revelation 12:11 us all!
Thank you again, THE LORD has used this BIBLE STUDY greatly in my life. This is my second time through and wow has The LORD anointed this study both times!!! I go to Greece to Thessaloniki on July 7 and was called to go during first time through! Thank you again! IN CHRIST, Deb
Hi Beth, loved the video, put a big smile on my face! Also happy belated birthday!
So I can’t answer the questions but I will say that I am loving the study and over the past two weeks God has highlighted to me that I have some serious heart problems. Paul really loved these people like they were his own children! That blows my mind. I have great friends and people I admire from a distance but my heart doesn’t burst for them like it does for my kids. Not sure if it is past hurts, lack of confidence or just plain laziness but I do tend to keep people at arms length, even my own family. Beth you are such a great example to me of loving Gods church deeply and fully. Praying God will work a miracle in me cause that is what is is going to take! Xxxx
1 Thessalonians 2:8 story,
When The Lord called my husband and I into ministry, separately, but put us together at Bible College in ND, we had no idea the grand adventure of travel he would place us on to groom us. Upon graduation, The Lord took us to Oregon, then back to the Dakotas, then onto Tenessee, to Oklahoma, to Nebraska, and then back again to the Dakotas all in less than 20 years. Each precious church body we served in, God gave us a special grace and love unique for the people, as we shared our lives with them and they with us. They have become very dear to us even after we’ve moved away to knew locations. God is faithful through every step!
Oh, Beth! I’m SO glad you posted that unedited version! You don’t even know how it blessed my heart. I’m the mother of 2 littles, ages 7 and 4, and you have NO idea how frequently that happens to me when trying to facilitate/organize a Bible study! I was just joking with my Bible Study partner that’s walking through this study with me this summer about how chaotic our sessions are together. She nannies for 2 small children the same ages as my own. We watched the first video down at my neighborhood pool huddled around a laptop with a beach towel draped over the top to block the sun so we could see while our 4 minions splashed and dove their way into sheer delight. The entire time I silently prayed that the Lord would watch over them and be the Ultimate Lifeguard for the next hour because we clearly were not paying attention. I crave Him so much and I just kept praying, “Lord, just 1 hour with You! Just 1!” He was faithful as always and there was no drowning that day. 😉 Can I just say how thankful I am for the pause button on the video?!? Hahaha!
We will comment on our 2nd session together later this week but I couldn’t keep from expressing my gratitude for your authenticity. It blesses this mama’s heart to no end to know that perfection is not a requirement when seeking His face! 🙂 Love you!
Connie, Iowa, 1.Being together in Bible studies sharing Gods Word and also sharing our lives and struggles and praying for each other. 2. Lack of peoples desire to know Christ more and serve Him. 3. Not being allowed in the Gideon ministry to place Bibles and testaments in a (Christian) country.
Bobbie Lutz, College Station, Tx (solo)
I’m so glad you had Jackson and Annabeth with you and didn’t edit the adorable ‘grand’ part of being a grandparent! They’re priceless…we’re looking forward to Camp Bobbie/HeyHey in August with our little ones!
1. When I got married years ago, I made some decisions concerning my faith walk for reasons that I now see where very wrong! I was trying to please a new-to-me family member instead of God. I had grown up going to church every time the doors opened and I loved it! My family and friends were there, that’s where I learned to share my faith. While our kids were growing up, I shared the Gospel with them, the way I learned in Sunday School…but I had stopped growing in my own Faith. I have a SIL that suggested I fill the hole in my heart with a Bible Study by a wonderful sister in Christ..(thank goodness she wasn’t ashamed of her faith journey and shared!!!). BUT, I realized I was studying for ALL the wrong reasons…to prove someone else WRONG instead of proving His Word is right! I’ve put my progressive lenses on straight now, looking inside of me and sharing what I’ve learned. I want people to see Jesus through me…through my actions and my words! We have a granddaughter (sophomore in college) that took a religion class on youth ministry this last semester and her professor asked them to choose a family member to be a mentor for the semester…she asked me! Those were the best “Tuesday’s with Ashley” that I’ve ever had! We had great discussions and I shared with her as she asked!
2. In the video when you (Beth) talked about bitterness becoming a cancer in our lives…I realized that the decisions I mentioned in the question above slowly caused me to resent that family member so badly that it turned to bitterness over the next 35 years!!!! Sundays became the most dreaded day of the week for me. (It makes me sick to my stomach to say that!) This has effected my relationship with my wonderful husband, and I’m still seeking answers…praying for guidance. I refuse to let this bitterness cancer ruin my life…my Healer is with me!
3. I hear people on a daily basis criticizing Christians and see it on social media but I keep reminding myself that God created this World…He can destroy it in a flash! I don’t want to be one of the reasons He destroys it. I try to pray for all the negative, hate-filled people instead of going to their level of spewing. (Unfortunately, I’m not always successful…oh, the prayer still happens, but….