This could be the shortest blog post of my life because I’m in my pajamas, face washed, on the bed, ready to call it a day, and needing to get up way before dawn in the morning. But a tidal wave of grace hit my heart this evening and I want to try to put it into words right now at the tall foamy crest of it. I’ve gotten so many tweets from women starting Bible studies over these last 3 days. It’s, of course, because September is such a great time for getting back to some of our disciplines as summer has come to an end. As I’ve scrolled through the feed, a number of women are giving shout-outs about starting Children of the Day this week. Another sister told me on Twitter earlier today she’d just started Beloved Disciple. Another Stepping Up. Someone brand new to the whole concept asked me where she should start and I told her, among our own offerings, Jesus the One and Only.
A different woman told me yesterday she was starting A Woman’s Heart. The mention of that one always brings me close to tears because it was my maiden voyage into a life of study that by God’s unfathomable kindness and grace I, to date, have never gotten over. I almost couldn’t get up off the floor over that one. I fell so in love with Jesus and into such awe over His Word in that journey that it was nearly painful. Each study means so much to me because it overlays a stretch of my own personal life – miles of ups and downs and hopes and dreams and disappointments and detours and uncertain destinations – upon the life of Jesus, the Holy Son of God, on the pages of His own Word. I hope you could describe something similar when you spend weeks of a Bible study series with Him. Our imperfect, insecure lives converge with the fullness of the holy Christ right there on the page through the work of the Spirit and the result is transformation.
I want to say something to you girls. It has been and will continue to be, God willing, the honor of my ministry life to serve you in Bible study. One woman I heard from today has done all 15. Another one was starting her first one. I was overwhelmed by the grace of it. In February LifeWay and I will celebrate 20 years of Bible studies together. We never had a single thought that there would be a second one. We begged God early on to grant us diversity of reach in the Body of Christ so that we could see women’s Bible studies invade barriers and make heavy investments of heart into unity. He has done it. You are from all sorts of churches and backgrounds and denominations. Many who are coming into Bible studies in these last few years have no religious background at all. First generation Christians.
We have studied hard together and graced each other where we didn’t necessarily see eye to eye. We’ve given each other the grace to be different. We’ve esteemed each other as equally cherished by God, saved by the cross of Jesus Christ, and invited to the dining table where divine words become the feasts of queens.
I just want you to know I am sitting on the bed tonight deeply moved and with tears in my eyes. God has been so merciful. What grace to have gotten to be part of your lives though Bible study journeys. Thank you. I don’t even know how to say those words with the volume and force that my heart feels them right now.
Thank you.
It has never gotten old to me. I have never taken it for granted. And my past is too bad for me to take any credit. I know what a mess this woman was in and I know the miracle He did in me with His Word. He completely bathed and reworked and rebooted my brain until I was a completely different woman. And He keeps doing it because I keep needing considerable help. That drive – believing with all my heart that if He can do it for me, He can do it for anybody – keeps me in it every single day, even when days get hard.
Someone asked me in the last post if “Breaking Camp” meant I was saying any personal goodbyes. Not one single one, Sister. Not that I know of. Not unless somebody kicks me out. Smile. I don’t agree with everyone. But I will dang well serve anyone. I’m so thankful right now in my life not to feel enclosed and cramped in a camp. Just blessed by gracious communities. To see women discipled in God’s Word is the passion of my life. The air in my lungs. My partnership with LifeWay through curriculum and women’s events has been in an environment of truest community just like my church and LPM. I am blessed out of my mind.
So, anyway. That’s all I wanted to say. That I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude tonight. If God should ever decide to sweep me home suddenly, I’d have wanted there to be a place somewhere in public record where I just said these words:
Sisters: Feverishly following Jesus with you has been the greatest adventure of my life. THANK YOU.
So grateful to serve you and honored beyond words to serve this generation of women with other Bible teachers and communicators like Priscilla Shirer, Kelly Minter, Lisa Harper, Jennie Allen, Tammie Head, Jen Hatmaker, Christine Caine, Sheila Walsh, Angie Smith, Kay Arthur, Joyce Meyer, Lisa Bevere, Anne Graham Lotz, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Ann Voskamp, Lysa TerKeurst, and other stellar women I could name and write about all night. Great things are happening in women’s discipleship all over the globe. GREAT THINGS AMONG OUR YOUNG WOMEN. Great things among the seasoned and all those in between. Most of us don’t care whose Bible study you’re in or if it’s even a formal curriculum. We just want to see women with their faces planted into that Book so their feet will be planted on that Rock.
The gorgeous, glorious, breath of God on the sacred page.
Maybe this is a great post for you to tell us if you happen to be in a Bible study of any kind (by anybody! share the wealth!) or just diving into the Scriptures on your own this September of 2014. It would be so much fun to have you share it and somebody undecided might get an idea for her own pursuit of Scripture this Fall. Let us hear from you if you get the chance.
And thanks for listening. It wasn’t short after all. Why couldn’t it just ONCE BE SHORT????
I love you,
Beth
I am leading Nehemiah by Kelly Minter at church this fall. I can not afford to not be in the word on a regular basis. This happened at the beginning of this year and late last year, to say it was a huge mistake is a huge understatement. Beth your newest study is the one that got me back on track. Thanks for the summer study and all that you do. You truely are a blessing.
In my pajamas, too… Looking forward to two whole hours alone tomorrow to begin back to Bible study. This time solo… Going to begin Breathe by Priscilla Shiver if it is available online to begin the video. Got a notice from Lifeway today. I love Priscilla so much. She speaks words I never forget.
And Beth? You have blessed me beyond measure. I am not the same person I was back in 1997,when I began A Heart Like His, pregnant with our first miracle. You have marked my life and that of my family. Your whole family has really touched us all. Thank you.
Ug, autocorrect and my myopia. I know she is Shirer 🙂
Dear Beth,
Imagine my surprise when I peeked on the blog as I was about to crawl into bed and found a new blog post from you! An awesome surprise! Grin. I am thankful beyond belief that you take the time to serve us, to love on us, to pray for us, to share your heart with us – it is a beautiful gift that you grace us with. I believe a sweet gift from the heart of God. You are my siesta mama, also my spiritual mama. Wouldn’t trade you for the world!
I know I can’t even begin to fathom how busy you are, but regardless you still take time for us…Thank you! I am going to be starting the Esther study at church on Sept 17th. Can’t wait to dig into the word with the other ladies at church! Love ya!
P.S. Also wanted to mention, watched Life Today this evening and when you talked about the dancers at the LPL Conference – that was so powerful – I bawled my eyes out!
Precious Jesus – you amaze me! You are not boring that’s for sure!
Hello Beth, I trust you had a refreshing sleep. Our group is on week 3 of COTD. We are taking it very slowly! I want to thank you for being obedient to God and writing the studies. Because each study mirrors a season in your life, I find them so authentic. I was introduced to in-depth bible study through “Living Beyond Yourself” and now I can’t get enough of them. I would love to do your earlier studies but I would also love to do so many others – Jennifer Rothschild, Priscilla Shirer’s new study on Sabbath – O for the time! But I am also aware that it is easy to get lazy and rely on the authors to do all the hard work, so much so that we are unable to study the Word for ourselves, so once a year our group chooses a short book in the bible and we study that together without any notes or commentaries, relying solely on our own understanding as revealed to us by God.. We have great fun and great discussions. So, whatever you have planned for today, may it be a wonderfully blessed day. Looking forward to the next study. With much love and gratitude, Colleen.
I miss Bible study so much! I have done a number of your studies, Beth (Believing God, Stepping Up, Daniel, Esther, James, Beloved Disciple, to name a few), and several others as well, but have not been able to the past few years. I am in awe at your zest for the Word and the insights God shows you. The Bible really comes alive for me through your studies! I am attempting to learn to study on my own. This year I am trying to read the entire Bible through for the first time. I’m behind schedule, but doing my best! I also SO look forward to a new study with other moms like me starting this month. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but I’m sure it will be good! THANK YOU for your diligence in studying God’s word and sharing with all of us over the years. I recall and apply themes I’ve heard in your studies all of the time (just the other day it was “God will either deliver us FROM the fire, take us THROUGH the fire, or deliver us OUT of the fire and into His arms”). And I did the Daniel study 7 years ago now. God bless you!!
Beth,
I thank God for you so much and pray for more of the awesome , inspiring, loving words you give to all. I cannot tell you how it’s changing me. A little at a time each day with God’s help and His Word. I’m a 43 year old mom of a three year old in a broken marriage facing a crossroad in my life seeking God’s direction and discernment. I finished Children of the Day this summer with the Siesta summer Bible Study and loved it. I want to start another one now and am thinking about A Woman’s Heart…. Grin. I bought the study guide a few years back when my aunt was hosting it in her home. She lives too far away from me for me to participate in person and I never started it like I thought I would. Your post reminded me that I had the guide already and I just wanted to thank you. Without this post, I probably would not have remembered I had it on the shelf. It’s time to take it down!
I started Jesus, The One and Only a couple of weeks ago and have so enjoyed slowly basking in Jesus’ radiance with each passing chapter. The stories aren’t new, yet I find such a radical difference in them when I slowly stop and really contemplate Jesus and his heart in each of them. He is so beautiful!
I am also working my way through Ecclesiasties right now. My heart has so needed to read each and every verse.
So thankful for a surprise post from you! I know I’m not alone when I say seeing one from you uplifts my day and encourages me in The Lord!
I just finished the Siesta summber Bible study last weekend and although I was late, God met me where I was on every day (just like you said). That study was incredible. I actually cried on my notebook on the last day because it was over. Looking forward to seeing Beth at a simulcast on the 13th! Can’t wait to get filled up and blessed!! Thank you, Beth Moore, for all you do.
I am Just beginning lesson 9 of Daniel. Incredible study! Lots of discussion with my husband about it who closely watches the current state of Israel. Thank you for this study!
I’m two weeks into leading a small Bible study with two women who are newly saved. Because of the great impact it had on my life and the potential it has for these ladies, “No Other Gods” is our study book right now. Thank you for pointing me to that book a few summers ago during Summer Bible Study. It’s now being used (as is my old book- full of notes and some coffee stains!) to help these ladies have no other gods but Him.
I’m so excited to get back into Bible study…I get so distracted these days that I just don’t have discipline to do one on my own…
My Growth group is New Testament Survey, taught by my Pastors wife, Delta with influence from The Bethel Series.
We started the intro yesterday by talking about the “lost” 400 years that is before nt began…such good stuff!
I pray everyone who does a study will be changed by it in Jesus name 🙂
Love and blessings to all!
Love you Beth Moore! And one of the reasons you are so endearing is your precious heart and transparency, just like with this post. We love that you are so much like us and I love that you are so moved this. What a rich blessing that God has given you to see the fruit of your work together with Him. Much love.
We have just finished week one of Children of the Day and all posted that we have a “a-far” burning in us to start our homework! Our group of 5 has been vastly mixed and grown to 20 in a room that is meant for 10. (Moving next week!) We have women that are long believers to baby Christians. Those that have completed 10 of your studies to those that have never opened a study workbook and didn’t know what a viewer guide was. We have two women that saw our study listed in the Bible Study listing at the LPL event and joined us, not knowing a person but now having 18 new friends in the faith. We are thankful for your obedience to birth this baby and blessed to be digging in 🙂
Starting Children of the Day on September 23rd, along with some of my very closest girlfriends. I am excited to see what God has in store for us through this study. My heart longs for Christ and the day I will meet Him face to face. Thank you for your willingness to be used of God to minister to us.
Back when it was popular to do “surveys” on blog posts, I would always see women answer the question “With whom would you most want to have lunch?” The answer was often you. You have always been at the top of my list as well and I think the reason you are such a popular choice among women is two-fold:
1. I think everyone wants to tell you about their life. Maybe it is because they have heard about yours or maybe it is because they just want to share with you. You are so kind that people feel like they really know you. I know that a lot of people want to have deep conversations with you about theological things but, if I got to sit down with you, I would want to ask you questions about being a wife, a mother, etc.
and
2. I think everyone wants to thank you. They want to thank you for that YouTube clip of you that helped them or that one chapter in a study that helped them see something that allowed the Holy Spirit to change them. I really think they really want the chance to genuinely thank you for the work of your hands.
Of course, when I passed you in a hallway one time, I got to do neither of these things. The only thing I could utter was “BETH MOORE, I LOVE YOUR BIG HAIR.” Ugh.
Amy Beth,
You articulated that so well. It is so true. If it makes you feel any better, Beth walked up to me after an LPL conference and said how happy she was to see me and I know it’s safe to say that she felt that way about every woman there. Because I know we’re all amazed that such a big heart can be contained in Beth’s little body. But I was so surprised when she did that all I could do was whisper Thank you…Every time I think of my lack of response I want to walk over and start banging my head against the wall..Grin
Hey Beth,
I simply want to return a blessing to you for sharing your heart and your amazing gifts with us all. I am a student of the word and sometimes a teacher. In fact, in the James study, when you asked us to think of someone whose life you would like, I PUT YOU! I share your passion for lives being changed by the peel
I am currently halfway through “to live is Christ”. I feel rushed at times because I am always so excited and so ready to start a new Beth Moore study. They are all amazing. Beth you are truly amazing and talented. One thing that has stuck with me is when you said “Commit to receiving the full benefit of studying scripture. Don’t just study to increase knowledge. Let every study of the word of God increase your love for the divine Author!” And oh my goodness has it done that in my life. Thank you!!
Oops.. power of His love. Anyway, for me, you are the most gifted teacher of the word that i have heard. Soooo blessed by your ministry from my first study on the tabernacle through Daniel through the Psalms of ascent through Breaking Free and into James. I look forward to our next journey together. Thanks again with much love. Mary
On Tuesday night we started “Children of the Day” with our group of ladies. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has to say to us. Thank you for your teaching.
Dearest Beth,
I love you too. I loved this post. It has been a JOY to be a Siesta, attend an LPM, do a few of your studies and learn and be challenged by you. I have read “So Long Insecurity” 3 times and have the whole thing underlined and it continues to stay on my nightstand for reference. Thank you for your transparency – it helps me when I feel like I have failed and am not worthy of ministering to others even though I so desire to do that in my life. You have not let up, not let go of your passion for Jesus or for ministry and I can’t wait to see in heaven the rewards you will receive for your running your race with such passion, faithfulness and excellence.
I know we have never met but I can say that I love you so much!!!!
BE BLESSED and can’t wait to see what Bible Study comes NEXT!!!!
I did my first ever Bible study,Children of the Day, online with you. Then, on my own, I began Breaking Free. I will be finishing it up just in time to start the online Bible study of The Best Yes by Lysa TerKerst that begins on the 22nd.
Thank you, Beth for LPL Biloxi. Through you, God sent me answers to questions I’d had for so long. Thank you for Children of the Day. It confirmed, written in black and white, word for word, what He some to me at LPL Biloxi. God used you to get this siesta on a Bible study roll and on the path to her calling!
Oops, typo, second line from bottom, What He said to me.
Hey, Amanda! I’m going to do “The Best Yes” online as well! Looks like a good one.
Beth, this post nearly brought me to tears. Thank YOU, our dear a Bible Study teacher and – for many of is – sort if a mama in the faith even though we’ve never met. So much love.
I am presently in week 4 of your James study which I began on my own the last week of July. Love it. Challenging me so.
I am also presently doing a beautiful 14-day devotional on the Bible App of my phone by Darlene Zschech called “Revealing Jesus.” It is so powerful and has spoken straight to me each day.
Lastly, am also about to begin going through Joyce Meyer’s “The Battlefield of the Mind” with my mentor this fall. (Reading the book together and discussing.)
Oh, Beth,
Ps. 30:5 “Every word of god is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” That’s how I feel about EVERY WORD you have written. I read this post and welled up with tears. EVERY WORD that you have written for the sake of others, at such personal cost to yourself, has been PURE and UPLIFTING, and EDIFYING, and SOUL-HEALING. My mind can’t possibly begin to imagine how many thousands of people your service has impacted. It’s truly innumerable. The benefit to myself, alone, has been immeasurable, and as I share what you’ve taught me, with others, they, too, are FOREVER CHANGED. A friend’s husband recently died in a tragic car accident at age 46. I told her of the power that comes from speaking memorized scripture over broken places. She gave it a try, and then told me that memorizing scripture has been the ONLY THING that has brought true comfort to her heart…no amount of hugs, greeting cards, casseroles, and good deeds from well-meaning people has done for her what the simple act of memorizing God’s living and powerful word could do. She has been strengthened because of GOD through YOU to ME to HER. It’s a never-ending chain of grace. No words in the English language are sufficient to express my personal thanks and admiration for what you have done and continue to do. You mentioned being swept home suddenly. Please. No. The world needs you. I am pleading at the throne of grace for God to lengthen your days. 🙂 I can’t begin to imagine life without you in it. (I am doing 90 Days with Jesus the One and Only, Whispers of Hope, and my constant memory verses.) I love you, Heidi.
Beth, God has used your Bible studies so greatly in my life. Words can’t even convey what they have meant. I love how you point us straight to Jesus in every one & I take that next step with Jesus. Also, thank you for your constant encouragement in Christ. I have heard you at very hard times in my life & have left thanking God for those words of encouragement He speaks through you. I am currently finishing Children of the Day, and it is such a blessing. God bless you. Sisters in Christ.
Our ladies’ Tuesday morning Bible study is about to start looking at the 20+ names/titles for our Lord Jesus Christ found in John 1.
I just started Experiencing God for the second time. First time I did it was in junior high. Can’t wait to do it again!!
We are doing Restless by Jennie Allen. We just covered how God uses suffering in our purpose/dreams. This is so true and it has little to do with the event of suffering but all about what God does in us through that season.
God used Believing God to put some extra concrete on the foundation of my faith. I am soooo grateful for that study.
Thank you for being obedient!
Jen
What can I say? I love you Beth! I’m one of those that has jumped into all 15 Bible studies! The Lord has used His Word to change my life for His plans and purposes! I’m so grateful for your faithfulness to Him and, most of all, for His faithfulness to all of us!
I’ve been a lurker on here for years – and a fellow sojourner in your studies for going on 8 years. But this year, the ladies from our church chose James and I so want to participate but also lead worship – and our practice is every week the same time as the study. so I decided I’d work on things alone. And then my husband, who has seen you, Beth, on all manner of things that I’ve been watching and he’s snuck in on and many that we’ve intentionally watched together,decided he’s in with me. We’re doing it together. He decided that he can handle the estrogen – hair and fashion comments be darned – he wants to study the word together. Thank you. For obediently following His call – even when it was hard and gritty to learn the things first.
Beth,
I am so thankful for you and your obedience to God in what He has called you to do. Each time I have done one of your studies, I always say, “That was the best one ever!” And then I get into a new one, and say the exact same thing:). A friend and I are finishing COD, and I am thinking about diving right in to Priscilla Shirer’s new study.
Hope you had a restful night.
What a beautiful post! 10 friends and I will be starting “Children of the Day” on the 11th! SO looking forward to learning more about Jesus, your wonderful depth of knowledge and humor, the fellowship of sharing our lives with precious neighbors, mom’s from school, and bringing a community of seekers and like minded belivers together! Thank you Beth for all you do!
Just finished “Children of the Day” with some lovely women from my church. What a powerful study! My husband and I lead a small group at our church and the portions on Biblical community were so relevant and encouraging. At the end of this month our church ladies will begin a study through “Stronger” by Angela Thomas.
Beth,
Thank you for your ministry and service. I am beginning my fifth Beth Moore study this fall, which will be my second one leading a group of new-ish Christian women. I know that they were transformed by our first study together, which was Jesus the One and Only, and now I am filled with hope as we begin To Live Is Christ and learn about Paul. We are also attending your upcoming Living Proof Live as a group, which will be a first for almost all of my group. It has been a humbling and awesome experience for me to be a part of guiding them on their own spiritual journeys to Jesus and I am very grateful for the tools you have provided to assist in the process.
Beth, I facilitate a group of mostly Catholic women from at least 4 different Catholic Churches. We went through the Old Testament with you in order. We are starting Living Beyond Yourself this September. We always have lots of questions we wish we could ask you personally. If you ever get near Santa Cruz, CA, we would love to sit on the beach or over look the ocean and chat!
I loved this, Beth:
“We just want to see women with their faces planted into that Book so their feet will be planted on that Rock.”
Thank you for giving your life to make that a reality.
As I have for the past 15 years, I will be journeying with women from all ages and stages in Bible Study Fellowship. This year’s study is Life of Moses. It will be my third time through this study but it never ever gets old. God’s faithfulness on display at every turn.
Hello!,
Our Siesta Summer Bible Study group decided to continue on together this Fall! We are starting Leah Adams’ study ‘HeBrews – A Better Blend’ next week.
I’m also doing your ‘Here and Now, There and Then’ study on my own. Just watched session 4, and shared with my 17-year old daughter about the crystal sea, and how you pantomimed God catching and throwing our sins into the sea. Really, really cool.
Thank you for pouring yourself into and out through these Bible studies. They have changed me and changed my life.
Much love and many hugs,
Adrienne
Children of the Day has transformed my life. No more “status quo.” God lead us to offer this study at 6am on Thursday mornings and we had 23 ladies that participated ranging in age from 13 to 76. His movement among us was palpable, individually as well as corporately. I will never be the same. He won’t let me. He won’t allow me to put Him back into a box. Mostly, He revealed just how petty and absolutely shallow my attitudes and behaviors had become. Praise Jesus for the transforming power of His Word and His Spirit within me. For, “You are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5.
Sweet Siesta Mama! We love pursuing Jesus with you, too! You have opened my eyes to what a joy Bible Study can be. And I THANK YOU! I did COTD with y’all this summer. Just finishing up “Living So That” by Wendy Blight. Getting ready to start “Discerning the Voice of God” by Priscilla Shirer. And I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and volunteered to lead COTD at the church my husband used to pastor. That starts in January and I will need all the prayer I can get! This is a huge step for this not-so-typical pastor’s wife. Nervous already…..but God will see me through! Sending LOVE to all my siestas at LPM. We are so blessed to have you serving us!!!
Beth,
YOU write, always -with the love of Jesus in your heart! His love rings through with every word you put to paper!
I feel in love with your writings a few years ago when I was being sifted like wheat. Wasn’t sure why, til I met you and your writings. I have filled pages of journaling from my soul specifically in my favorites “Personal Reflection Series, something about the hard back a fringed paper that drew me in! (I keep looking for new ones?) -and like you write, …”being reworked, bathed and rebooted,….” My heart melted in the pages as I read, reflected and penciled in my journey –sometimes the lead on that pencil bared down so hard against the paper, gripped with trying to understand persecution, rejection, jealousy — other times -it wrote light full of a refreshed brave, courageous & rejoiceful heart as my eyes became clearer and clearer..YOU are a breath of fresh air, your passion and love for Jesus -ignites the soul. You helped bring back so many things we do happen to learn in Sunday school and a christen heritage grandparents to their very best to pass along to us –
YOU are truly a gift, an inspiration -you are a blessing.
Congratulations on each of your achievements to share your passion, your heart & soul -and bring out the best in others.
I am pleased to see you team up with so many other women leaders and was thrilled to see your visit with Joyce M.
Our nation, needs to see leaders -across any aisle- collaborating – in HIS name, to remind us HE is with us and this great nation built upon HIS principle -is unshakeable. “Nuf said” ~
YOU are Living Proof of the power, beauty & grace of almighty love! Praise be to him for YOU –
Love and blessings,
With a Rejoiceful Heart Always,
Lisa
Oh how I appreciate your post. It moved me to reflect on the journey our great Father has had me on for almost three years leading Bible studies for the women at my church. For so long I argued with Him thinking surely He wasn’t calling me to lead, especially since that was way out of my comfort zone. In January 2012, I finally decided to trust Him and it has been a sensational ride! Our first study was A Woman’s Heart. Amazing. I found a greater appreciation for Christ as my Savior and my relationship with Him was forever changed. Of yours we have, also, done Faithful,Abundant,True; James; Loving Well and Daniel. Next to A Woman’s Heart, Daniel is my favorite (so far)! I love the history and depth. We have, also, done Priscilla Shirer’s Jonah and Discerning the Voice of God (another fave). This coming Monday we will be starting Nehemiah by Kelly Minter, then Children of the Day in February. God has been so faithful and abundant through this journey. Our group started with 5 and has grown to 27. I am so thankful this is the path He has me on now. I am so thankful for you, Beth, being a great part of this journey as well. Without devoted servants of the King, like you, many of us would still be lost, searching, wondering what our purpose is in life. Thank you for your obedience.
Beth — You will LOVE Nehemiah! Kelly is so down-to-earth and the study was truly a blessing in my life. (BTW, gotta try the salsa! YUMMY!)
Beth,
You will never know the impact the Word of God has had on my life through your Bible studies. I have completed all of them (most twice) and just started COTD. My friends and I talk, worry and pray over you and your family like we’re your BFFs. But we are, aren’t we? Thank YOU for giving your life to His service and allowing Him to speak to me for so many years, through the combination of your words and His. I have been changed. Over and over again. NEVER STOP. I’m so thankful for His love and yours!
Love, Kay
My women at church are starting up again next week, and we are doing a study by Chuck Swindoll. I think it’s called Experience the Land. This will be my first Chuck Swindoll study. I am so thankful for you and your studies–your James study was my first group Bible study experience a couple years ago and going that much deeper into God’s precious Word has changed me, as His Word always does. Thank you for being part of that. Love to you and yours, Miss Beth!
Beth,
I’m so thrilled about the new Bible study, COTD. I’m leading a group of 25 amazing women! We started Tuesday night, and I already have women who have told them they have completed their homework for the week. They are so excited about this study. I can’t wait to see God work in their lives.I feel as if I have walked beside you for many years. I began years ago with A Woman’s Heart. A friend had to drag me there and at the end of the session, I was bawling in my car asking God to forgive me for not going willingly. I feel as if you are my best friend and you know my every thought. Every study has always been exactly what I needed at the time. I have gone to your conferences about 10 times. The last one was in Biloxi which was amazing. We are still talking about “a tree” and “The Tree”. All I want to do now is be able to meet you sometime and give you a hug for helping to change my life. I have introduced so many women to your Bible studies. I can’t begin to tell you the lives they have impacted. Including my sweet daughter-in-love. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings Pam
God blessed me greatly when He lead me to my first ever women’s Bible study at my church in 2009. It was Breaking Free (your first one)and the leader was a great Christian woman. Needless to say I’ve been in Bible studies ever since and the leader is now a personal friend, God is so good! Our group has grown over these years and on the first night of our fall study we had 85 women to begin ‘Children of the Day’. Thank you Beth for obeying God to write that first study and to continue forward. Because of yours and others dedication to God and His word it has been life changing for me and many others. I even went on my first overseas mission trip earlier this year, something I had never even dreamed of doing. God Bless and please don’t stop writing anytime soon!!
My REAL bible study life started years ago (at home) with BREAKING FREE. Just me and my Lifeway audio CDs and my study guide. That study changed me! Afterwards I had to find a local church offering these types of studies on a regular basis.
Moving on to HERE AND NOW, THEN AND THERE I memorized scripture!!! I did not know how powerful this could be. (And they will war against the lamb, but the lamb will overcome them because he is lord of lords and kings of kings, with him will be his Called Chosen and Faithful follows)
In LAW OF LOVE we were challenged to start our prayer time with (who among the gods is like you… Oh lord. majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working or doing wonders). And I do!
I am so thankful for Beth, Living Proof (and twitter posts/blogs) because I am encouraged in my daily life.
After I finish Kelly’s WHEREVER THE RIVER RUNS, looking to start
Children of the Day. And perhaps Priscilla’s BREATHE in Jan-2015.
Trying my best not to just do bible studies…
But let them all soak in: to my thoughts, decision making etc.
Bless you for humbly sharing your heart!
Just started Precepts study of Colossians last night. Looking so forward to what God will teach me!
Oh, Mrs. Beth. Thank YOU. God has used your ministry in my life more than any other. I started my first study of yours (A Woman’s Heart – the pink cover!) ten years ago. I was 20, my daughter was 3 months old. And little did I know that halfway through the study, I would become a widow. God’s timing still brings me to my knees. I had never before done an organized Bible study like that one, and because of the structure and the schedule, it gave me a life raft to cling to when my entire world fell apart. I still have that book, it’s pages tear-stained and yellowing, as I sobbed my heart out over the loss of my husband, and of our dreams, and of life as I knew it.
As of this post, I am a month from my 30th birthday, still a single mom, and a very different woman from the girl that first cracked the Bible open with you. I wish we could sit down to a cup of coffee and share God stories 🙂 And you’ve been there for so many of them. Thank you, thank you, thank you. May God bless you a hundred fold for all the blessing you have been.
As for this semester, I just started Children of the Day with a sweet set of ladies I can’t wait to get to know. And I’m also doing The Life of Moses with BSF with my 10-year-old daughter 🙂
I am currently working in Kelly Minter’s “No Other God’s”. Can I just say AMAZING!!!! I had it in my to do stack for about a year and just never got around to it until a few weeks ago. Right after I finished up “Children of the Day”. It was just sitting there and I made the decision to get started in it. WOW!!! Does God have perfect timing! It was just what I needed to see, hear, and feel even if I didn’t want to!!!!
Beth, you blew my mind with your last post as I have been struggling with camp/community for so long, but I feel that God has helped me resolve & come to peace with changes I must make. And then you post this! I love Bible study! I love just reading the Bible every morning and seeing things that I have read for years, but they never jumped off the page until a particular morning! But when you talked about diversity, I am about to burst! Our little town, (and I mean little) hosts your simulcast EVERY year, and we invite all the bigger churches in neighboring towns to come. So many denominations, so many different backgrounds, race, and this year I have told our Women’s Minister I have this huge gut feeling that says “expect big”!. I have been taking that as in numbers, but now I feel it may just be a “big”, really “big” change in those of us who do come, no matter the number. You bless our socks off year after year! Last year I led one of your Bible studies, Sacred Secrets, and I have others stashed away just waiting for the time. You bless our lives so much, and God’s Grace has never seemed more real to me than at this very moment. I love you, my sister!
Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans – starts next week in my home. We’ll be doing Children of the Day in January.