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.
1. Kimberly
2. San Antonio
3. Solo but I have a few friends also doing it solo that I can chat with
4. I needed a study I could take with me this summer and stay involved in
5. So many quirks….I won’t wear tall boots because there might be an emergency where I need to get them off quickly and I might not be able to!
1. Elise
2. Pensacola, Fl
3. Solo
4. This is great for me yo fit in my schedule and I love Beth Moore studies
5. I’m a control freak!
Kelly, Knoxville, TN. I’m doing this solo. This last school year has been so crazy busy that I have neglected Bible study. We are starting one at church in a few weeks, but I’m going to take advantage of the summer slowdown and do both! I’m about to send my oldest off to college, and I’ll need all the spiritual fortification I can muster. My quirk is that I have perfect pitch balanced by a not so good sense of rhythm.
1. Mary Watkins
2. West Memphis, AR
3. Solo
4. I have been in the desert way too long. I drifted away from the Lord. He has been forever faithful. I only have myself to blame for letting my priorities get out of whack. The desert is dry lonely place.
5. This year I am trying my hand at gardening, again. Every morning I go out to the garden to see if any of those tomatoes have turned red. Can hardly wait for them to ripen.
1. Heidi
2. Escanaba, MI
3. Solo….except for Jesus and all of you.
1. Mary
2. Greensboro, NC
3. With my sister Susie
4. I want to spend some time focusing on my spiritual life this Summer
5. Too many “quirks” to mention
1. Aimee
2. Bend
3. Solo
4. Could use it!
1. Lisa
2. Mineral Wells,WV
3. Group of at least 3 but maybe more 🙂
4. Can’t think of anything I’d rather do more than a Bible study
5. I have a phobia of calling people on the telephone
Linda
Fowler, IN
Solo
Love studying the bible
1. Kathryn Barret
2. Mechanicsville, VA
3. Solo
4. I miss the routine of doing Buble study like we usually do in fall etc at church and I feel I really need to be in the word this summer to get me through this season.
5. Quirk- I eat the same breakfast and lunch every day….creature of habit 🙂
1. Amy Bednar
2. Frisco, TX
3. hopefully with a discussion group
4. just diagnosed with APML leukemia on 5/8/14; need to remember to glorify him in all circumstances
5. It drives me crazy when people go out in public in their pj pants.
1 Jen Zinsmeister
2 Cullman, Alabama
3 solo, at least for now!
4 I did the Gideon Bible study last summer with a small group and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love spending my extra time that summer allows to really dig deep into God’s word.
5 One of my quirks – I sadly admit that I get tickled and laugh uncontrollably when I see someone slip and fall, but only if they’re not hurt! If they’re hurt, it’s not funny to me and I go into nurse mode.
1. Melissa
2. Edwardsville, IL
3. Solo
4. Haven’t done a bible study in awhile and in desperate need of one. Still believing God to completely restore my marriage. I know God has a plan but sometimes it is hard to see it!
Julie Stalvey
Georgetown, SC
Doing the study with my daughter Caroline
I love to be in the Word and don’t want to let the summer months distract me!
My quirk is that I’m an accountant and I’m happiest when things are in balance!
1. Jolee
2. Meadville, MO
3. Small group of 3 friends
4. I do better with structure, plus my oldest daughter just got married on Saturday and this is perfect timing because I have been in wedding mode for a long time!
5. I play number games in my head. All the time. Trying to get everything to end up as an odd number. I also talk to myself in the car, under my breath. 🙂
1. Adrienne
2. John’s Creek
3. I’m part of a small group of ladies and we are meeting online! (very cool)
4. I need to be fed. The Lord has been showing me that His word is the greatest tool I can use to fight spiritual battles, yet it is the greatest tool I can use to share His grace and gospel.
5. This is kind of strange…I like burnt popcorn. I’ll even cook it an extra 10 seconds till it’s nice and brown.
1. Anita
2. Sarnia, Ontario Canada
3. Small Group – about 15 women and rotation of homes
4. I never done a summer bible study and been away from my small group for 2 years; I need accountability and more of His Word in my life!
5. While biking, I’m infatuated with looking at the ground for dropped money.
Amy
Miamisburg, OH
Doing it with my mom who lives in Wisconsin!
I went through 1 Thessalonians back in one of my college classes and fell in love with the book. I’m excited to learn from God’s Word and strengthen my relationship with Him- Oh, how I need Him more and more!
I HATE cotton balls. Even thinking about them right now makes me shudder. 🙂 I teach kindergarten and I always avoided using them for crafts because I just can’t even stand them!
1. Latisa
2. Upper Marlboro, MD
3. Small group – meeting via video chat
4. This is my first online bible study and I need
To hear from God regarding his direction for my life.
To increase my prayer life (praying in the spirit)
5. The covers need to be perfectly straightened
Before I can get in the bed. If I get up in the middle of
The night then I will make the bed up before getting
In it again! Lol!!!
1. Rochet
2. Kennesaw, GA
3. There are 3 of us.
4. My first group study in a year! I’m hungry for the Word at that deeper level … I need it.
1. Traci Wilhelm
2. Germantown, Ohio
3. Solo
4. This is my first bible study. I’ve been listening to your bible studies on youtube and just happen to come across this blog today. I just cant get enough of the word. I want to know more and more about my Lord. I would like to grow spiritually
5. I always have to make sure the house is straightened up before bed
1~~ Karen
2~~Knoxville, TN
3~~Our Small Group does not meet in the summer and I have never studied Thessalonians in-depth.
4~~I don’t let anyone clean my kitchen except me. People LOVE that!
1. Lynn Buckalew
2. Brandon, MS
3. Small online-email-text message group – my daughter, sister in law and niece!
4. I need a fresh word – have become stale – have already watched 1st video – the answer is – I AM IN A REMIX!!!
5. Probably too many things to say –
1. Deb
2. Fort Wayne, IN
3. Two other friends
4. Jump start to leading this study in the fall or winter
1. Gena
2. Fort Worth, Texas
3. Group of 5 moms of littles
4. We love Beth’s bible studies and are looking forward to moms’ nights out every other week
Talking about what we learn.
5. I hate wearing shoes!
1. Debbie
2. Munday, TX
3. Group of 14 meeting in our fellowship hall
4. We love the fellowship of a simple meal . We all need the focus a study brings.
5. Our quirks involved folding laundry; reading the tv; money in our wallets; and bottles of water in our fridge!
1. Katie Groen
2. Miami
3. Solo
4. I want to make studying the Word of God a priority during each week.
5. I love for my handwriting to be neat, even on unimportant things…I have even rewritten post-it notes to fix it. Must be all those years I spent teaching kindergarten.
1. Sheila
2. Phenix City, AL
3. SOLO
4. Love Beth Moore Bible studies
Elaine – Fremont OH (NW Ohio) solo. I need more fellowship, encouragement and accountability.
(I won’t turn music off in mid-phrase. I wait for the end of a phrase or the whole song!)
1 Anna
2 Huntsville ,Al
3 solo
4. To have a deeper understanding of Christ in my daily life.
1. Susie
2. Grandview, Texas
3. Sola
4. I love Beth Moore studies and need some accountability for it through the summer. First time doing an online study.
5. I like my sheets tucked in at the bottom of the bed!
1.Ruth
2. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA
3.Solo
4.I want to spend more time in the Word this summer.
5.I need to think about a quirk.
Kymberly
New York, NY
Solo
More discipline in studying God’s word
I’m one of those silverware drawer nuts, as well. But in addition to having them perfectly stacked, I also put the clean ones on the bottom so there is an even rotation. (Okay, I do this with bowls and plates, too)
Sue in Seattle
Going solo; as a full-time working outside the home mom of three sons I don’t get to attend women’s bible study as often as I like. This is my opportunity to join in during the summer months. Of course summer doesn’t officially start until July 5th here in Seattle!! LOL. Quirk??? You’d have to ask one of my boys 😉
1. Debbie
2. Muscle Shoals, AL
3. Solo
4. Have done a couple of Beth Moore bible studies at church and really enjoyed them. A summer bible study sounds fun and it will help to study His word this summer.
5. Particular way of folding towels & alphabetiizing my dvd’s
Sara
Brownsburg, IN
Solo
This is my first Bible study.
Quirk: I am constantly studying something because I REALLY want to be intelligent but my memory is terrible.
2. South Lyon, Michigan
3. Solo
4. Grow closer to God
5. I get ridiculously annoyed when people don’t use the
word there, their or they’re correctly. I may need
therapy….
Terra from Mobile, Al
I need to draw close to Him this summer. The last few years the “busy” pace of life has pulled me away & though in the past, I was a huge Bible study girl, now that I work full time, I’ve lost my center.
Quirk: I have LIST for EVERYTHING. I like the planning better than the doing!
1. Amy
2. Fresno, CA
3. With 1 friend meeting once a week while kids play
4. Already in the Word this summer through ministry work, but need to make sure I have a place where I am in the Word for purely personal devotion.
5. I have no clocks in my house – I know, it’s crazy!
katie
jonesboro ar
with my intern at church
i love 1 & 2 thessalonians
1. Kristin
2. West Monroe, LA
3. Solo
4. I’m going through a time of transition and I want to stay grounded in the Word.
5. I love to read but they have to be real books. I can’t do kindle or e-books. I have to have the actual book in my hand and hear the turning of the pages. Same goes for my Bible. There’s just something about experiencing it with all your senses!
Gwynn’s Island
Virginia
At my husband’s suggestion I got the Leader kit and we prayed God would give me some friends. Well, HE DID! COTD in our home on Monday morns with 6 others-so far! I am so excited and believe God will really use this study in a mighty way! Oh Praise His Holy Name!
1. Lee Offutt
2. Stamping Ground, KY
3. Solo
4. Just needing a bible study for the summer!
Mary Saul
Houston, Texas
Solo
You described it well week 1, day 3 – my soul feels sluggish toward God. Also I know He knows I am here, but sometimes I don’t feel it.
Quirk – I have to knit or crochet – occupy my hands – when I watch tv, ride in a car, talk on the phone, etc.
I live in Suffolk, Va., work in Chesapeake, Va., and attend church in Portsmouth, Va.
I wanted to do this Bible study because I need something this summer to get me back into feeling spiritually awakened. The only way I know to do this is get into the Bible and this study will help me be disciplined to do it.
I am doing this study with some friends from church and one of my colleagues at work. We haven’t decided about meeting but have set up a group email.
My quirk is that my feet don’t hit the floor in the morning until I read my Jesus calling devotion. Another quirk is that at work I kinda have my own language and the people I work with just know what I am saying by gestures etc.
1. Mary
2. Trenton, Nova Scotia, Canada
3. Small group of 8
4. We need to stay connected. (My first bible study!)
5. Quirk: I burst into song at a moment’s notice … daily activities and conversations always bring lyrics to mind. 🙂
My name is Debbie
I live in Phenix City, Alabama
Solo
I have to be honest I LOVE Bible Study! I came upon this study being done and I am just all after it!
A quirky thing about me hmm well most would say this is OCD but I have to have everything even numbered….even the tv volume has to be on an even number…crazy quirky
1)Kim Anderson
2) Charlottesville, VA
3) hoping to get a small group of women together
4) I miss my bible study during the summer and need the encouragement
5) I love to sing and dance while I clean my kitchen, makes it more fun 🙂
1. Andrea
2.Roscoe, IL
3. Solo
4. I love staying in a Bible study, and I love taking Beth’s studies, so I would not miss taking this one!
5. I love planners, and absolutely love the first of the year when I get a new one…so much potential each year.
1. Karen
2. San Diego, CA
3. I am doing the study with a small group of friends.
4. I have been going through a spiritual desert and I need this study to draw me back into the Word of God. Also, need the fellowship of friends and the accountability of the group.
5. I like to drink coffee from home in a Starbucks paper cup, it just seems to taste better :o)