It’s time for Summer Bible Study to begin! Welcome to the online Bible Cafe, as we launch our newest study with Beth Moore: Siesta Summer Bible Study Three. Beth Moore has posted the Siesta Summer Bible Study 3 Launch on her blog. When you visit her blog, you’ll see a 13 minute video segment to watch.
Our online group has about 125 women from more than 32 different states. Each woman participating in the study brings a unique aspect to the group, from the seasoned Bible study warrior to the first time student. As Beth says in today’s blog post “the more alike you all are, the less you may sharpen one another.” We’re all here for the same purpose: to find intimacy with God through His Word. We’ll gather here each week on Tuesday, to discuss our workbook lessons, pray for each other, and grow in faith.
Discussions are essential to our growth and learning, so be sure to post a comment. Simply go to the end of the blog post, see the discussion question, and post a comment. If you want to reply to another member in the study, hit the “reply” link below her comment. You’ll notice comments are on moderation status…because we are a women’s blog, we’ve attracted well over 3,400 spam comments! These have been filtered out of the system via comment monitoring. We update the blog many times during the day, so visit as often as you like!
Today’s Scripture
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. Judges 21:25 NIV (if you click on the reference, you can translate this verse to another version using BibleGateway.com)
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool. A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary. O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water. Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:7-14
Homework
- Write a letter to God on the inside cover of your workbook. Tell Him where you are in your life right now, and where you hope He leads you during your 6-week Bible study journey.
- Complete the first week (Session ONE) in your workbook. We’re meeting again next Tuesday to discuss session one, and then we’ll move on to session two.
- Contact Christine if you have any questions about the study or homework.
Group Discussion
- Characterize your life in this present season using ONE WORD.
- Share a specific goal you have this summer for being in bible study.
- Give specific reasons, based upon Judges 21:25, why doing what each of us sees fit at any given time could be dangerous.
- How does Jeremiah 17:7-14 compare or contrast to Judges 21:25?
1. Overwhelmed
2. To begin to spend time daily with God again.
3. Because as it says it Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” we are headed for destruction if our wicked hearts lead the way.
4. If we rely upon our hearts to direct us instead of the word of God we will be deceived.
1. Waiting
2. Focus on God.
3. We can’t live this life for ourselfs.
4. Contrast…We need God to rule over us. Keep us grounded, focused.
Stress dh is having complications from his diabeties and might lose a big toe. Please pray for us. I want to do this study to meet other christian women. I love bible studies in general and really love Beth Moore. We must stay in the word and not lean on our own moral strenght. Have a great day and God bless.
1. Stressed
2. To learn to listen more to Gods still small voice instead of my own.
3. I have lived, in the past, doing what I wanted when I wanted. It does not work. I have to live my life for God and doing God’s will or I will live in a destructive state.
4.Jeremiah tells us to live in Gods Word not in ourselves where Judges tells us we are ok doing what we want. We must however consider the consequences and I for one do not want those consequences of not living in God’s Holy Word. I want the rewards of a life everlasting with HIM who rules the heavens and will one day rule the earth.
1. Overwhelmed
2. To find daily respite from stressors and a refuge where I can feel the renewing peace of God.
3. Doing what we see fit and what we want pulls God out of the equation. We block out God when we put our wills before His. He knows what is best for us and it is for me to learn to trust Him.
4.The two verses contrast with each other. One describes following self and the other describes following God.
1. Seeking
2. I want people to see God in me! I want to become a better servant, and I need God’s guidance to overcome!
3. Anytime we don’t consider God is dangerous! We have to first seek God in everything. After, God will direct us in our ways.
4. Everyone that trusts in the Lord WILL be blessed!! They are complete contrasts!
1. Happy!
2. I hope to focus on Gods Word daily and to gain a deeper understanding. I hope to become more disiplined in my study of The Word.
3. In Judges 21:25 “everyone did as he saw fit” promotes selfishness and greed, the “whatever floats your boat” mentality that so many have today leads to chaos in the world. I see our world coming to this day by day. In Jer 17:7-14 “Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord,whose confidence is in him” put your trust in HIM and only HIM and you shall be blessed. In todays world you see you can”t trust the stock market,other people,economy but TRUST HIM and YOU shall be blessed. The WORD never fails and never returns void. Keep a pure heart. “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind” In all your deeds do so with a pure heart. I find myself somethimes doing a good deed, because I know it’s the right thing to do, but my heart may not really be in it. I have had to ask for forgiveness many times. The two passages are total contrast. One promotes me myself an I,the other Him and Him alone!