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. Conflicted.
2. To participate, grow, and learn! And to finish!
3. When everyone does as they see fit, people get hurt. You cannot live life in a bubble – you must always consider how your actions affect others. The folks who live life unto themselves are often viewed as angry, petty, and dangerous. And they destroy themselves as much as their actions destroy others. God did not create us to be alone, or to live as though we are alone, or to live doing only what makes us feel good. As soon as we do what feels good to us, we injure our relationship with God. Eve was the first to test that theory!
4. When man does what is in his heart, instead of searching for God, he leads himself into heartache and ruin. God knows the plans He has for us, and if we will only search Him, we can be assured of His peace.
That said, I know that I often struggle with knowing if the choices I make please God! He is so often silent! That is why in this current season I am “conflicted”…I am not sure I know the next path to take…
1. wounded
2. healing and trust. Learning how to surrender completely and draw from the Bible into my own life.
3. Without some sort of a guide line we run over each other – we neglect others and their feelings in our paths. We jump from one thing to another without a clear map for ourselves even.
4.With guidance and the first reason for doing things we do things for love and out of love. We have a purpose-an end result.
I just came across this bible study and I don’t know the questions that are asked but, I’m desperate for the spirit of God. I want to become closer to God because He is the reason that I’m living. I have a strong thirst for Him and I don’t want His spirit to leave me. I need his Holy spirit to guide my life and point me in the right direction. I want Him to fill my cup and let it overflow with His love so that I will be a positive influence to everyone around me. I did read Jeremiah 17: 5-16 and what I gained from reading this passage is that we should put our trust in God alone. When we trust in God, we will be as trees with roots so deep that our trials and tribulaltions will not keep us from trusting in Him and because he will be our “living water,” our “leaves will stay green and we will keep producing “delicious fruit” through Him. We should not put our trust in people because we will have “no hope for the future.” God knows the depth of our hearts. He knows our secret motives therefore, we should look to Him to save us and heal us from our evil ways. We will be truly blessed if we trust Him with our lives.
1. Scared
2. Trust God with ALL my heart with ALL my soul and with ALL my strength that is within me.
3. The world is such a challange to me each and every day. I was surfing the web for a Christian womens chat room/study and found this web sight. Little confused but will learn soon how to navigate. ha. I love the Lord so much. But, right now my heart is hard, scared and angry. I have been married now for 4 years. No children, just two cute sister kittys named Joy and Faith.
My goal is to trust God with all these trials that are going on in my life; attacks from satan, pure genuine love in my heart, exercise for good health, delivered from anxiety and depression that rules my life (not good), work and have a healed marriage with my husband. My husband is being tempted by the world and I am concerned and worried about that. Will you please pray for us? His name is mike and I am micki. We are Christians and love the Lord very very much. I am so broken and lost. I have many many mornings sitting figuring out….what do I do today?
Thankyou to all you believers out there. I will continue to navigate this websight. Amen
Welcome to the study Micki, I’m glad you found us! Sounds like you’re already on the path to trust the Lord heart, soul and strength (Deut 6:5) my life verse. It may help to start praying Deut 1:31 “LORD CARRY ME.” You can also find comfort in this Jeremy Camp Song- Carried Me, Footprints in the Sand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKUV5rYFfk0 When you finish reading a week’s lesson, come here and join the group discussion. It’s okay to read behind the group, there are three other women who are just starting the study and you’re all on week one!
Thanks Christine for keeping me accountable.
1.Anxious
2.To grow in the Lord.
3.When I let self get in the way it is usually a mess. When I trust in the Lord and wait on HIM it is always as it should be.
4.Contrast. We need to strive for a pure heart always praying for guidence in serving HIM.
Hi,
My name is Lenell and I live in Massachusetts. I’m really excited about joining this bible study. This is my first women’s bible study on-line and I’m look forward to the discusssion on Ruth. I know I’m late starting the study but I believe God will speak a word to me in this group study.
1. Confused
2. Goal: Closer walk with God and seeking direction for my life.
3. Sin takes control of our lives without the Lord.
4. God will provide us with peace and comfort and without him we are lead to sin.
Welcome to the study!!