You’ve just finished the second week of our study- Seminar Two on  Pursuing More of Jesus with Anne Graham Lotz! Take some time to fill out the summary on page 44 in your workbook and create an action plan based upon your scripture verses.

We highly recommend you listen to the video or audio session for Session Two, Pursuing More of Jesus-  available at Lifeway for $3.99 audio download and $4.99 video download.

Ladies, this video session is absolutely life-changing and you should not miss it! In the video, Session Two More Courage in My Convictions, Anne Graham Lotz shares her personal story about finding the courage to share her faith with others, even President Clinton at a white house luncheon! Listening to Anne’s voice as she tells her story enhances the impact of her words. You would not have this same experience from reading the pages of a book, so the video is highly recommended.

After watching the video, Anne wants you to think about this:

• Are you really convinced the Bible is God’s word?
• Are you really convinced that Jesus is the son of God?
• Are you really convinced that we’re living in a rebellious world and everybody outside of Christ is going to hell if they don’t put their faith in Jesus?
• Are you really convinced there is a hell?
• Are you really convinced there is a Heaven?

Anne Graham Lotz will tell you “You can’t be silent. If your heart is filled with Jesus; it’s going to come out of your lips. You’ll have to repress not to let it out.” You must listen to the video because Anne’s words will give you the courage to speak up for Jesus. If you want to remain a silent Christian, watching others in faith and wondering how they got the sparkle in their eyes and passion in their words, then skip the video. But if you want to be on fire for Christ, feeling his love in your entire heart, soul and mind, then spend $4.99 or $3.99 and watch your life change forever. It’s that good!

Blessings and Hugs,

We’re back! I had a brief interruption in my day when I was called to get my kids from school-IMMEDIATELY. Seems one of the kids in Junior High had confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu, so the entire school -Preschool to Junior High-shut down for “disinfecting.” School will resume on Monday.

The absolute best part of the Online Women’s Bible Study is flexibility. Even with an interruption in my planned schedule, I can visit the Bible Cafe and connect with other women of faith. Welcome back to the Bible Cafe as we continue our study  Pursuing More of Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz.

Today’s Scripture Verse

When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26-27

Prayer Requests

As a family of God, we support, encourage and strengthen each other. Thank you Jesus, for teaching us to love one another. We pray for more of your courage in our convictions as we share the truth of your Word. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 42-43 in your workbook.

Group Activity

What does it mean for you to testify? What are your thoughts about this verse?

Welcome back to the Bible Cafe as we continue our study  Pursuing More of Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz. We’ve included On My Cross by FFH for you to watch today!

Today’s Scripture Verse

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason. John 15:22-25

Prayer Requests

Thank you Jesus for teaching us and leading us through this Bible Study. Your words are a blessing to us as we seek more intimacy with you. Be near each of us, as we open our workbooks and study your commands. Guide us into your word and heart. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 40-41 in your workbook.

Group Activity

What are your thoughts about today’s lesson? Is there a verse you want to discuss?

We’re back at the Bible Cafe  Pursuing More of Jesus with Anne Graham Lotz. Monday we learned about loving others and yesterday we read about the world hating us- what a contrast! No wonder why so many find the Bible confusing. I’ve noticed that some of the verses repeat the words “I tell you the truth” or “this is my command” to reinforce the words.

In today’s verse Jesus tells us we’ll be persecuted because of his name-Christ. When we call ourselves Christ-ians, the Bible tells us to expect hate and persecution. No Christian will argue that since we see evidence of this almost daily in the evening news.  Rather than focus on the hatred and the prejudice towards Christians, Jesus wants us to remember that these are people who do not know God (verse 21).

We’re going to go deeper with today’s question: What does it mean to ‘know God?’

Get your Biblical references, look for old sermons from your pastor at iTunes…and see if you can answer this question for YOURSELF. It doesn’t matter what we think, it matters what YOU think.

At the beginning of the Bible study, I shared a dream where Jesus said “KNOW ME.” It seems an important part of this study as we pursue more of Jesus. Those who persecute or hate you do not Know God or Know Jesus. Does Jesus command you to hate them, or to love them?

Today’s Scripture Verse

Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. John 15:20-21

Prayer Requests

Jesus, thank you for teaching us and sharing your name with us as we chose to obey your teaching and listen only to your voice. Help us see those who do not know God. Continue to stay present in this Bible study as we read our verses day-by-day and seek knowledge within your words. Fill our hearts with your peace and calmness and bless us as we come to know you more. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 38-39 in your workbook.

Group Activity

What does it mean to ‘know God?’ Post your comments and share your ideas with the guests in the Bible Cafe!

If you are afraid to post because you’re unsure of your answer, you’re allowing the enemy to grab your voice away from God. Speak freely and safely-too many Christians have been silenced by world hatred and they’re afraid to talk. Give your voice to God. Blessings,

Compassion International

Last week we learned to pursue more of his voice and studied verses about to help us identify the authentic voice of God.

We had some great discussions about the sheep, shepherd, gatekeeper and pasture! We even enjoyed some inspirational photos of sheep and the shepherd!

This week we’re going to pursue more of His courage.

In the next five days we’ll Pursue More of Jesus by reading the gospel of John, Chapter 15 verses seventeen through twenty-seven as we pursue more of his courage.

While the Day One lesson is a short verse with few words, it’s meaning is so important that Anne Graham Lotz devoted an entire day of study to this command.

Session Two Schedule

• Day 1-Courage to Stand Out (John 15:17)
• Day 2-Courage to Stand Out (John 15:18-19)
• Day 3-Courage to Stand Out (John 15:20-21)
• Day 4-Courage to Stand Out (John 15:22-25)
• Day 5-Courage to Speak Up (John 15:26-27)
• Day 6-Recommended: Audio Session Two

Today’s Scripture Verse

This is my command: Love each other. John 15:17 (NIV)

But remember the root command: Love one another. John 15:17 (The Message)

These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:17 (English Standard Version)

Prayer Requests

Father, you’ve commanded us to love one another. Open our eyes to this root command, show us more of his courage and teach us your word. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 33-35 in your workbook.

It helps to understand today’s lesson if you read the beginning of John 15 as Jesus talks about the vine and the branches.

Group Activity

What did you learn from John 15:17? There are few words in this verse, and the longer we think about them, the more we discover. What did you discover?

Post a comment to share your thoughts about John 15:17.

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

Today’s Scripture Verse

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.

As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:18-19

Prayer Requests

Thank you Jesus for choosing us out of the world for your purpose. Give us the courage to speak in faith and belong to your kingdom. Guide our steps as we walk in a world that hates us because we believe in you. Walk by our side and fill us with courageous spirits as we aim to serve, honor and please you. Be near our hearts and give us strength. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 36-37 in your workbook.

Group Activity

Hate is a very strong word. What was your reaction to reading this scripture verse? Please post a comment.

When you received the Pursuing More of Jesus workbook from Lifeway, you also received a white sheet of paper with this note:

Due to printing error, the homework for Seminar Two should be as follows: (John 15:17-27), not the passage in the Participant’s Guide.

Leader, please make a copy of this worksheet for each participant to replace the pages 34-44 of the Participant’s Guide.

As a leader, I’m reading a few days ahead of the online group so I have time to write the blog posts. It was better for me to discover this now instead of Monday morning! Here are the correct scripture verses for the next week of study:

Seminar Two Verses

• Day One-John 15:17
• Day Two-John 15:18-19
• Day Three-John 15:20-21
• Day Four-John 15:22-25
• Day Five-John 15:26-27

I’m not a fan of publication errors, especially when I have to write out the words to all these verses. Each day of the study we list “Today’s Scripture Verse” so watch the study carefully next week.

• One solution is for you to print the verses from www.Biblegateway.com using the NIV translation that the author uses for this study. Cut the verses to fit into your workbook and past them on the correct days for Seminar Two.
• Another solution is to use a notebook for Seminar Two lessons. Print the verses, paste them into the notebook, and continue the study with steps two through five.
• You could also write each verse into your workbook on the correct page.
• Or you can cut up the white insert with verses John 15:17-27 and paste the verses on the correct days (my favorite option)

Being Martha not Mary, I can face my frustration at this inconvenience with the knowledge that it will be over in five days and then the workbook returns to normal. If you’re Mary in spirit, then you know that its the words of scripture that matter most. Ah…sigh…learning to be like Mary takes patience. What would Mary do?

Let’s move on…Monday we begin Seminar Two and pursue more of his courage in our convictions.