You’ve just completed Seminar One on  Pursuing More of Jesus with Anne Graham Lotz! If you completed the summary on page 28 in your workbook, then you have created an action plan based upon your scripture verses. If you’d like to share one of your statements, please do so in the comments for today.

To enhance your study, we recommend you listen to the video or audio session of  Pursuing More of Jesus, Seminar One, available at Lifeway for $3.99 audio download and $4.99 video download. It’s about the same  price as a gourmet coffee. If you can’t afford to listen to the audio, then wait until a convenient time that fits your budget. I enjoy hearing the voice of Anne Graham Lotz, she has a rhythmic and gentleness to her words which captures my attention when she speaks.

*As a reminder, we do not work for or have any financial ties to Lifeway Stores and we purchase all of our own materials for this study. We are recommending these resources because they enhance your learning. When you attend a church small group, you will normally watch the DVD sessions. I prefer the home version because I can pause the DVD to write notes or replay the audio, and I can listen when it is most convenient for me.

We’ve had a large reading audience at the Women’s Bible Care, with over 300 people visiting the blog each day.

• Some are reading the prior study Me, Myself and Lies
• Others are silently participating in the current study
• Some of the visitors are using our study as a model to create their own online Bible studies
• Others are leading small group church studies and looking for content

The beauty of all this is that through your individual comments and the author’s workbooks, amazing things are happening. Women around the world are learning and watching and finding inspiration from the study. In the last study, Jennifer Rothschild, author of Me, Myself and Lies visited the Bible Cafe and posted a comment for the women participating in the study.

If you feel your words are insignificant, they are not. Continue to share your thoughts, experiences and personal stories, because somewhere there is another woman who has not accepted Jesus into her heart, and she is watching you pursue more of Jesus.

Blessings and Hugs,

We’re  Pursuing More of Jesus with author Anne Graham Lotz as we continue to study the gospel of John at the Women’s Bible Cafe. Here is a song to enjoy called I Need A Savior by Among the Thirsty

*We do not include the additional videos below the song, these are automatically inserted by YouTube and NOT recommended for viewing.

Today’s Scripture Verse

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Prayer Requests

Heavenly Father, we are blessed to have the freedom to read scriptures and to gather in your name. Thank you for sending your son Jesus to give us life. Walk beside us as we study our Bible and pursue more of Jesus. Fill our hearts, minds and souls with the authentic voice. Teach us to recognize your voice and encourage us to continue our Bible study. Thank you Father, Thank you Jesus.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 26-27 in your workbook.

Group Activity

Fill in the blanks with your own words and complete this prayer from Anne Graham Lotz:

Father, I’m pursuing more of Jesus.

• I want more of his __________ in my devotions
• I want more of his __________ in my prayers
• I want more of his __________ in my lifestyle
• I want more of his __________ in my attitude
• I want more of his __________ in my motives
• I want more of his __________ in my commitments
• I want more of his __________ in my relationships
• I want more of his __________ in my conflicts
• I want more of his __________ in my actions
• I want more of his __________ in my marriage
• I want more of his __________ in my parenting

I want more of his voice in my ear. I’m pursuing more of Jesus and by doing so, will have life to the full. Amen.

Welcome back to the Bible Cafe as we continue our study  Pursuing More of Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz. We’re now on the fourth day- how quickly this study seems to be going!

Today’s Scripture Verse

Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”  John 10:6-9

Prayer Requests

Father, open our hearts and speak to us with your word. Guide us in the study so we may understand scriptures and understand the words of Jesus. Give us confidence as we establish a study habit and routine for learning your word. In Jesus name. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 24-25 in your workbook.

Here is my example for Steps 3 and 4. It is simply my opinion, and my purpose in sharing it is to help you understand how the workbook helps me in learning scriptures. Step 5 is helpful because we form an action or decision from what we just learned.

Step 3 Questions:
Is there an example to follow in this verse?

• We don’t always understand Jesus or scriptures (they did not understand what he was telling them)
• Jesus tells the truth (I tell you the truth)
  

What are the people doing in the verse that I should be doing, or not doing?

• Enter the gate to be saved (enters through me will be saved)
• Come in and out of the sheep pen (come in and go out, and find pasture)
• Did not listen to thieves and robbers (sheep did not listen to them)

Is there a promise to claim?

• Enter the gate to be saved (enters through me will be saved)

Is there a warning to heed?

• Robbers and thieves came before Jesus (All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers)
• Do not listen to thieves and robbers (sheep did not listen to them)

A command to obey?

• Enter through Jesus (enters through me)

Step 4 Questions:

• Do I understand what Jesus is saying, and if not, why?
• Do I hear the truth, or am I still listening to thieves and robbers?
• When did I enter the gate to be saved?
• Why do we go in and out of the pasture?

After completing Steps 3 and 4, I find myself contemplating more questions than answers. This is where Step five is helpful: Create an action plan.

• Father, I want to pursue more of Jesus and understand his words. Help me discern the truth and filter out the thieves. I willingly enter the gate and follow my Shepherd to be saved. I will continue to study my Bible and learn from scriptures so I may know Jesus.

Group Activity

Please share something you found when reading the verse today. Each of us will continue to have different answers and discoveries, so sharing will unite us in a common goal: pursuing more of Jesus.

Post a comment to share your thoughts.

I am so thankful that we are reading and learning from  Pursuing More of Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz. Welcome back to the Women’s Bible Cafe!Grab a cup of warm tea, Holiday coffee or a glass of water and sit for awhile as you dive into the words of John Chapter 10.

In the first two lessons, we learned that that the authentic voice is Biblical. Jesus tells us the truth and how to recognize the sound of God’s voice: through scriptures. He warns us to beware of religious leaders and other Christians who will drive us away from God and steal our faith.

Pray for more of His voice in your ear when you feel enclosed by static noise and confusing information. Pray for the ability to discern the authentic Biblical voice of truth. Pray that God will filter every voice in your ear through Scriptures as you read and KNOW the Bible. We’re Pursuing Jesus!

Today’s Scripture Verse

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” John 10:4-5

Prayer Requests

Father, in your Glory you’ve given us eyes to see and ears to hear your voice. I ask that you peel away those people and things that blur our vision. Set our feel on a clear path of pursuing more of Jesus. Each woman in this study desires to know Jesus, understand your word and feel love in her heart. Bess the women who have given their time to study your word, walk beside them and teach them through authentic scriptures. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 22-23 in your workbook.

Group Activity

Have you ever followed a thief in your walk of faith, detoured and found yourself on the wrong path of destruction? Without using details or NAMES, describe a time where you listened to the thief and he stole your faith.

Post a comment to share your thoughts. Please go back and read comments already posted for Lesson One and Lesson Two and participate in the discussion.

Welcome back to the Bible Cafe as we continue our study  Pursuing More of Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz.

Today’s Scripture Verse

The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:2-3

Prayer Requests

God, we ask that you speak to our hearts as we study Pursuing More of Jesus. Give each woman in this Bible study the gift of time, allowing her to read your word and reflect on its meaning. Provide her with the resources she needs- such as quiet, uninterrupted time, a willing mind and a loving heart. Let the words of scripture flow from her Bible and workbook into her heart. Thank you for revealing yourself to her with your words. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 20-21 in your workbook.

Group Activity

What did you learn from these verses? Is there a lesson you learned when you studied these words? Did you make a new discovery or remember a forgotten one? Why do you think this verse is important?

Post a comment to join the discussion or go back and post a comment to participate in yesterday’s discussion.

Welcome to the Bible Cafe as we begin our study by Anne Graham Lotz. You’ll need the Pursuing More of Jesus Workbook, your Bible, and pencil. Get comfortable, pray before your begin your study and let’s discover more of Jesus from the book of John.

Your workbook is divided into four sessions and two workshops. Session one is titled “More of His Voice” and covers scriptures from John 10:1-10. Make sure you’ve read “How to Use Your Workbook” before you begin your study.

Having just completed the Me, Myself and Lies Bible Study…my thought closet is cleared and ready to hear the voice of God. How does God speak to His children and what will we hear? How do we discern God’s voice from the voice of the enemy who preys upon us?

These next five days we’ll discover some answers by reading the gospel of John, Chapter 10 verses one through ten.

Session One Schedule

• Day 1-The Authentic Voice is Biblical (John 10:1)
• Day 2-The Authentic Voice is Biblical (John 10:2-3)
• Day 3-The Authentic Voice is Personal (John 10:4-5)
• Day 4-The Authentic Voice is Powerful (John 10:6-9)
• Day 5-The Authentic Voice is Powerful (John 10:10)
• Day 6-Recommended: Audio Session One

Today’s Scripture Verse

I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. John 10:1

*Note: If you click John 10:1, you’ll see the verse at Bible Gateway and you can use a different Bible translation

Prayer Requests

Father, I pray that each and every woman in this study will seek your voice and know Jesus. Open their hearts and minds to your word, teach them your will and lead them in spiritual growth. Amen.

*Note: If you have a prayer request, please post a comment. Thank you.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 18-19 in your workbook.

Group Activity

What did you learn from John 10:1? What are the lessons and what does it mean for you personally?

Post a comment to share your thoughts.