Welcome everybody! This is our first gathering for Children of the Day and we are incredibly blessed to have you along! If you’re just now hearing about it, we’d love for you to join us! You’ll find it most helpful to begin by reading this previous post that includes our approach, our summer Bible study schedule and many other specifics: (SSBS 2014 Info post) All you need to participate is the workbook entitled Children of the Day. We only officially “gather” here on the blog every two weeks because summers are so busy. On each of those 5 Tuesdays (starting today), you’ll find a video I’ve prepared for you with instructions for that day. I’ll also remind you to do the next 2 weeks of Bible study before our next gathering. View it personally if you are going solo or, if you’re joining in with others, with your small group. I’ll always put the bare bones of that gathering’s instructions in print in the post as well (as you’ll see below) in case you have any trouble viewing the video. Here’s your first one!
Basic written instructions in case you have trouble with the video:
Register for our summer Bible study by simply leaving a comment to this post per instructions below. Of course, you can take part without registering but you’ll get much more out of it if you fully participate. It not only increases accountability. It stirs up a sense of belonging and fellowship which is so important to us here in this blog community.
Here’s what we’d love for you to supply in your registration comment today: (Try to limit yourself to this information so it will be easy to read and count.)
1. Your NAME.
2. Your CITY.
3. Whether you’re going SOLO or in tandem with a small group. If you’re in a small group, share approximately how many are in your group and where you are planning to meet.
4. Share in a sentence or two why you could really stand to be in Bible study this summer. Maybe it’s that you’ve never been in one before. We would be elated! Or maybe it’s been a long time. If so, this is a great time and place to come back home to the heart of Jesus. Maybe you’re just hoping to get to know Christ a little better. Or, perhaps you’re interested in particular subject matter that appears on the pages of 1st or 2nd Thessalonians. On the other hand, maybe you especially need to be in the Scriptures because you have extenuating circumstances that could really challenge you this summer. What’s motivating you to get into the Scriptures with us this summer? There are no wrong answers!
5. BONUS question (optional): WHAT IS A QUIRK OF YOURS?? Come on, now! Tell us!
If you’re meeting with a small group, share your answers to questions 4 and 5.
I will pitch out a memory verse each week for anybody who wants to participate:
Week 1 Memory Verse:
1 Thessalonians 1:4 The NET Bible: We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you.
Week 2 Memory Verse:
1 Thessalonians 2:8 The NET Bible: …with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Do WEEKS ONE AND TWO of your homework before our next gathering in two weeks! If you’re watching the OPTIONAL video teaching sessions, you will want to watch Session 1 this week before you start your homework and Session 2 before you start your second week of homework. Here is the link: Children Of The Day Sessions
Don’t feel pressured to go to the added expense. All you need to participate in the summer study is the workbook.
I am so honored to serve you and study with you this summer! Can’t wait to see your names and locations! So much love to you, Sisters! We joyfully embrace each one of you.
Katie Terlouw
Killduff, Iowa
4-5 small group meeting at a coffee shop
I’m doing this study because I haven’t done one in awhile and I read my Bible more if I’m in a study.
1. Brenda
2. Bismarck, ND
3. I’m doing the bible study solo
4. To prepare me to be a better table leader in the fall for the same study that my church will be offering.
5. I have to have my cup of coffee in the morning before I can function or talk to anyone. 🙂
Cheryl farmer
Benton, AR
Solo
Bible study is the only way I can stay focused on scripture, otherwise I’m just willy nilly through the verses! And can’t seem to find a way to apply it to my life.
I’m a vintage kind of girl….I love old houses with screen doors,worn wood and old quilts.
1. Mindy Gallant
2. Sackville, NB, Canada
3. Solo (but hoping that a friend will come on board with me)
4. I was drawn to this study after reading the description on the website. And all my bible studies are stopping for the summer, I treasure my time in bible study.
5. I get up at 5am most mornings to do my workout.
1. Ann
2. Austin, TX
3. Solo
4. Sending oldest to college Aug 10! ;0
5. My sweet husband puts my traveler coffee mug in a hand mitt potholder each morning to keep it warm till I leave!
Rhonda H Wade Buchanan GA Going Solo
Doing this study because I desire a closer walk with Jesus
Diane C. Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
I am doing the study with my closest best friend who lives in another city. We will get together by telephone and email. I am really feeling the need to get closer to the Lord through indepth Bible Study (I love it!) and to have the accountability and fellowship with my friend.
One quirk I have is the need for fresh air….summer or Canadian winter….always have a window open, even just a crack. And let`s get that patio door wide open first thing in the morning!!
1. Karla
2. Williamsburg, VA
3. Solo
4. This is the first summer in many years I have not been working on my PhD! (Finished it the end of last summer) Time to put the focus back on God! Things are good in my life right now, and I want this opportunity to praise Him in the good times not just in the hardships of life, when I have no other choice but to trust in Him.
Central Illinois
Small group 2
Challenged and asked to do it
1. Lindsey
2. Birmingham, AL
3. Solo
4. I let life get in the way this spring and my study of the Word became less and less of a priority. I want to use this study to get back in His Word.
Barb Setterdahl
Gilson, IL
Solo
I’ve been a facilitator for several of your studies in our Church – usually Spring and Fall and miss the accountability of daily study. I need to have this in my life. Also the group is planning to do this study in a small group setting in the Fall so I thought I’d get a head start.
My quirk? Hmmm, let me think. Maybe that I love to watch ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ as a part of my morning routine.
Thanks for offering this Beth and LPM. You are a blessing.
My name is Elizabeth Howard. I am originally from Indiana but I married an Air Force man and we live in Guam at present. I am joining some friends and family in a small group via Facebook. I am here because The Lord has a calling on my life that is greater than myself. I need to be better equipped in His word.
One of my quirks is…I snort when I laugh. 🙂
My name is Tracey McMullen and I live in Littleton, Colorado. I will be doing the study solo.
I am doing the study because I long to draw closer to my Lord and I do that better with some accountability and a schedule.
A quirk of mine? I don’t like hardly any white foods – they gross me out!
1. Marla Jensen
2. Union Grove, WI
3. Going Solo
4. Going through a lot of transition and need to continue to be in the Word.
5. I obsessively file and clip my nails.
Bradenton, Fl
1. Teresa
2. Sac. CA
3. Sola
4. I’m doing Bible study in the summer, I want to stay connected to God. I’m a raisin that needs to be plumped up by God.
5. One of my quirks is that when I pour a cup of coffee, the cream MUST go in first, followed by the coffee.
1. Sue Church
2. Lewiston Maine
3. Solo
4. Just finished teaching a women’s Bible Study. Want to stay in the word this summer and will be leading this Children of the Day in the fall
5. Only mustard on a Hotdog! Lol
1. Jen C.
2. Beaverton, OR
3. Solo
4. Both of my in-laws were recently diagnosed with devastating terminal diseases. I need to make sure I stay in the Word this summer, and this study just seems perfect.
5. I prefer to eat ‘lunch’ or ‘dinner’ food for breakfast!
Me too! Especially like left overs about 9:30am.
Cindy Marvel
Wanatah, IN
Solo
I’m struggling with fear right now about the present and future and need to be in God’s Word over the summer! I am part of a school year Bible study each year but summers are harder to stay in the Word without something structured:)
My husband and kids tell me I cackle when I laugh hard, a snort or two also when I’m really having a good time!
1. Stephanie Scott
2. Dallas, TX
3. Joining in with Divine Consign consignors. Online discussion through a facebook group.
4. Needing a summer Bible study because our church (The Branch) takes a summer break from women’s Bible study. Tina Teutsch and I own this small business (Divine Consign) and thought it would be fun to do this with our consignors that we only see twice a year.
5. I like my ice tea with lots of ice and my water with no ice.
1) Jamie Wattenbarger
2) Bakersfield, California
3) 2 young women I love very much; in my home
4) I have always wanted to join your summer study, but never have. Both of the girls joining me expressed interest in doing a study this summer, so when I saw this opportunity I couldn’t resist. I am pleased they said yes!
5) I have OCD tendencies. If watched me make my bed, you’d likely role your eyes and groan.
MIchele S.
Edmond, OK
Small group of 3 meeting at a friends brand new exercise room at her house.
I just married my youngest daughter in May, and my nest is 100% empty. I work at a public school as a media specialist to 850 children pre-k to 5th graders and want to refresh my soul over the summer.
Hard for me to pick just one quirk, but the most obvious one in my life, is my tendencies for things to stay the same, like when I do a Bible study, I pick a particular pen to record all my homework in, and if that pen gets lost or runs out of ink, I will have to replace it with an identical pen:)
1. Debby Sawtell
2. Cypress, Texas
3. SOLO
4. Allways hungry for more !
5. Hate to be barefooted.
Hello Ladies: My name is Janeissy Armstrong, I am currently living in Linden, NC. I am doing this Bible study with a friend. I decided to be part of this Bible study to keep myself in the Word during summer and hectic daily life. It helps me to keep focus on His purpose for me. My silly quirk: my first prayer in the morning is while I still laying down and figuring out how to get out of bed. God then gives me the strength to go with the day 🙂
1. Lori Adkins (aka Little One)
2. Sabetha (Kansas)
3. Solo
4. Why? Going through a divorce & trying to heal from an emotionally/physically/financially abusive relationship. I cannot run FROM the situation, but I CAN run TO a safe place (God) per Jeremiah 16:19
5. Quirk: I refer to events as either Post-It-Notes or Billboards. Sometimes the Spirit whispers to or nudges my heart, & I may not understand – I say “I got a post-it-note today”; Sometimes He yells at me very clear in a situation – “Whew! I got a Billboard” 🙂
Rochelle W., College Station, TX. I’m doing it solo, but so is a friend of mine so we will have the opportunity to get together to discuss. This is my first online bible study. I have great expectations and am excited about joining this study.
Christy Miller
Vidor, TX
I’m going solo.
I’m very excited to study Thessalonians! I know that God has something just for me through this study and I can’t wait to see what. This is my first time to participate in a summer study with y’all.
Sandy; Norman, OK; solo; preparing my heart for my daughter who just graduated High School to leave and attend college in London, England in the fall; My husband says that when I’m through eating, I lay my food to rest by burying it under my napkin.
Sandy,
I’ll be praying for you; we launched our son last summer to school in Florida (we live in California). 3000 miles is a long way; yours will be longer. But God… is already there in London and will be with your daughter and with you all along the Way!
1. Renee Horton
2. Tuftonboro, NH
3. small group
4. because I need the structure and discipline
5. Im intense!
Renee – your intensity makes me laugh at times…love that quirk!
Going solo…desire to grow closer to God.
1. Marta Delgado
2. Chattanooga, TN
3. Solo
4. I need to be accountable for my own protection of wearing the whole armor of God so that I may not be taken by any wind of doctrine. Daily I need to make sure and know that it’s all about Him so that I can fulfill my purpose from Him which is to glorify Him and enjoy Him for ever!!!
5. I will only use the word “awesome” when referring to the person of God/Jesus. Everything else can be amazing…=o)
Michelle
Austin, TX
Solo
To be still and in the word. Busyness often overtakes me in the summers so this is my commitment to be still and hear what The Lord needs me to hear.
A quirk I have is an incessant need to buy new pens….and journals….but not able to fill them up as quickly as I buy them. Lots of empty journals and fresh pens!
Tiffany Locke
New Smyrna Beach , Florida
In a small group. Meeting on Sundays mornings .
Personally, I’m continue to strength to my relationship to God more. Also I’m in the mist of writing a bible study about the shoes that God has us wears at times.
Quirk: when I’m stressed or need to think things through I will arrange furniture thing. I also have to have my bed made before I leave the house. Or my day is in organized.
Heather Hock, Parachute, CO
I’m flying SOLO for this Bible study.
I’m shutting doors in my life and I need to fill my house with the Word.
One quirk I have is, I have to use a pen color that matches my workbook NO EXCEPTIONS 🙂
Hi all, so great to join with you in study this summer!
Jennifer
Pullman, WA
Going solo this summer
I joined this study in particular during this summer in particular as a desire to stay deeply grounded in the Word as I move states, change jobs, and return to the area where I grew up.
Oh, quirks…regardless of temperature outside, my coffee is almost always iced. It baffles baristas when I stand with gloves, fresh in from freezing weather and order something iced.
God bless each moment we are in study together!
And You, Jennifer! God be with you as you begin a new life adventure. Big hug from a sister in Texas.
1. Lisa Morris
2. Jackson, Tn 3. solo 4. I need this study because I feel dry and am going through struggles in my prayer life especially for my grown son and understanding what direction God is taking him in. 5. I arrange my computer and phone every morning to the same location and place my Starbucks cup in exactly the same place. There must be no pens left on my keyboard from the night before. Then I place my turkey bacon under the computer stand and I’m ready to work.
Hi! I’m Andrea. I live in Parrish FL, near Sarasota FL. We have a small group that will be meeting on facebook. Most of us are from FL but we do have a dear friend in Mississippi joining us. I love the accountability of Bible studies like these. It’s a way to remain in God’s Word and to hear from Him so that I can resist the pull of the world. My quirk: Beth, I’m with you on the morning coffee thing, haha! I love your idea of putting God first before the coffee. Also, I’m a music geek! I have a concert buddy. It seems like we don’t go much more than a month without attending a Christian concert somewhere. Love alt. rock and soul.
1. Cynthia Smith, Robin Nelis
2. Greenwood, Indiana
3. Small Group
4. We’ve done several of Beth’s studies in the past and LOVE them! We’ve never done a Summer Siesta study before and liked the idea. We’ve also never studied Thessalonians before and are anxious to dig in. We’re both trying to “jump-start” our DQT in order to be more consistent and find that we are more committed to that when we are also involved in a study.
5. Robin-I eat popcorn one kernel at a time and have to have a Coke along with it.
Cindy-I eat French fries in pairs-never one at a time-and the fries must be of similar length.
1. Shaena Crespo
2. Albuquerque, NM
3. Virtual small group ( some scattered and some local)
4. I need to hear from God this summer and I know He speaks from His word! Anxiously awaiting that still small voice.
5. I can’t eat meat off of a bone… It makes me feel like a barbarian… It’s weird, I know. :0)
Hey Shaena! I’m excited to be doing this study with you! So loved being in the speakers’ group with you last summer! May God give you ears to hear His still small voice clearly and confirm in your mind & heart it is His voice you hear!
Clemson, SC
Solo
Reason: Just finished group study of Life of David, want to really focus and work through Thess. on my own.
Quirk: We take in random students who need a home. The first time I realized our current summer resident was here, was seeing all his belongings piled in the living room!
Malinn Saxe, Kingwood, doing study with 1 other person.
City: California
Solo
Every summer I seem to get out of the habit of regular Bible Study and I have determined not to do that this summer. I need to stay in God’s word.
Carol, Mason City, IA, solo Really need a Bible study to get me digging into the Word. I can tell my spirit is waning and too much of “me” is coming through. Desperately need a fresh Word from the Lord and daily infusing of His Word. That’s why I’m doing this! I just ordered the book, so I will be a little behind but will do my best to keep up!
Nancy rhinelander wi
I am in a changing time in my life and really need the Word and bible study is what helps me. At this time I am going solo . Thank you for this time together.
Tammy from Fort Wayne is doing this study because the books of Thessalonians has always interested me. My quirk is that I always must cover up to sleep… no matter how hot it may be! 😉
That should say “HAVE always interested me.” Verb agreement!! 😉
1 AdeleAlys Spil
2 Matthews NC
3 Small group online
Also an in person Church group
4 (Still) difficult circumstances. I need the daily reminder of Gods love and light
5 Love a particular brand of fizzy designer water (La Croix) which means cross.I call it living water and always carry a can or two of it in my purse.
Aleta Whittaker
Martinsville
I’m doing this study with a small group on Facebook.
I need this study because it keeps me in His word and focused on Him and not on myself.
I’m a people watcher.
Oh! One more thing the person who instigated this Study for this small group on Facebook is stationed with her husband in Guam.
1. Tricia
2. Charleston, IL
3. Solo
4.Great way to begin my summer vacation. I am a para in Early Childhood Special Ed. Love the kiddos but ready to be in the Word every morning
Durham,nc. Solo
Had a hard 6months and just need something to lift me up.
Lawrenceville GA
small group of 6 meeting in my home.
Love of God’s word to satisfy our thirsty souls is the reason we do summer Bible study.