We’ve completed the third week of study- Seminar Three of  Pursuing More of Jesus with Anne Graham Lotz! Be sure to fill out the summary on page 60 of the workbook and design your action plan based upon this week’s study.

You’re now ready to listen to the video or audio session for Session Three, Pursuing More of Jesus-  available at Lifeway for $3.99 audio download and $4.99 video download.

Once again Anne has presented a compelling presentation, this time for the Holy Spirit. The session is about an hour long, so be prepared to spend about 90 total minutes as you pause to write notes on the study.

In this seminar you learn the Five Purposes of the Holy Spirit:

• Wisdom of God (Counselor)
• Comfort of God (Comforter)
• Truth of God
• Holiness of God
• Another Jesus

Anne Graham Lotz grabbed my attention when she said the Holy Spirit is not:

• an “it”
• a dove
• a ghost
• a flame of fire
• a feeling
• an emotion
• an ecstatic experience

She quotes scripture and gives Biblical references to the meaning and purpose of the Holy Spirit. Anne shares her personal experience of being Born Again and accepting the Holy Spirit into her life. This powerful testimony reveals how we discover our faith and we must individually accept it since “God doesn’t have any grandchildren.” Anne discusses the real meaning of “born again” and how you find it. She says “If you can’t remember when you invited Jesus or the Holy Spirit to live inside you, how do you know you did? You may forget the year, but you won’t forget when you did it. If there is doubt, revisit that decision.”

Finally, Anne shares an analogy of the Holy Spirit as a puzzle and the role he plays in our lives. When you watch this lesson, you’ll know that Holy Spirit is a “he” and not an “it.” If you’re confused, then watch or listen to the audio-the cost is $4.99 (video) or $3.99 (audio) from Lifeway.

Please post a comment about the following prayer written by Anne Graham Lotz:

• I want more of his ___________ in my disappointment
• I want more of his ___________in my decisions
• I want more of his ___________ in my day
• I want more of his ___________ in my dream
• I want more of his ___________in my steps
• I want more of his ___________in my sotrms
• I want more of his ___________in my home
• I want more of his ___________in my service
• I want more of his ___________in my heart
• I want more of his ___________in my life

Blessings to all,

We’re at the end of week three in Pursuing More of Jesus and concluding our inductive study of John Chapter 14. Once again the comments are amazing-thank you to everyone who is sharing and listening.

Yesterday we posted a survey for our next Bible Study the Anniversary Edition of Breaking Free by Beth Moore. Be sure to share your thoughts about the start of the next study. Do we continue the momentum and jump into the next study, do we start the next study in two months, or do we move along and take a two week break during Christmas vacation? Your opinion matters, so please share it in the right column when you vote.

Today’s Scripture Verse

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:25-27

Prayer Requests

Thank you Lord, for sending the Holy Spirit into our lives and for blessing us with the peace of Jesus. We are not troubled nor afraid, because we choose to love Jesus and follow him with our hearts. Let us share his love with our family, children, friends and non-believers- knowing that having Jesus in your heart and the Holy Spirit as your Counselor is the greatest peace we’ll ever know. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 58-59 in your workbook.

Group Activity

What does this passage mean to you?

How quickly this study is progressing, with just a week and a few days remaining! My initial desire in following the workbook Pursuing More of Jesus was to find  more intimacy with my Savior. In this study, I’m right where I want to be as we complete the final two weeks of study!

As a quick reminder, we’ll study the Anniversary Edition of Breaking Free by Beth Moore in the next study. The book releases November 1, 2009.

Today’s Scripture Verse

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:22-24

Reminder-if you want to see today’s verse in a different translation, simply click the link button and you’ll be at BibleGateway.com

Prayer Requests

Almighty Father, you alone are my rock and in you I put my trust. Thank you for sending a Savior to teach me and a Counselor to guide me. I willingly obey you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Watch over me as I grow in faith and love. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 56-57 in your workbook.

Group Activity

Do you have thoughts about today’s lesson that you find confusing, insightful or helpful to your walk of faith? If so, please share your study with others in the group and post a comment for discussion.

Here we are again, Pursuing More of Jesus at the Women’s Bible Cafe. It’s been an interesting study, since the format is less structured that other studies we completed.

If this is your first study, we’d like you to know: those of us who have completed other studies are finding this study a challenge! We’re not comfortable with the format and the lack of direction from the book author. There are no answers in this workbook, and most of the pages are blank! We are learning from the inductive study format, yet we are also questioning our own understanding of scripture.

The study through the Gospel of John has opened our eyes to some important ideas, while at the same time left us feeling inadequate in Biblical knowledge. The only answer I have for this: Persevere. Don’t allow yourself to quit from frustration, simply move on the the next page of study, or participate in the discussions. By quitting, you excuse yourself from the daily presence of being with God. Maintain your daily time with God.

Today’s Scripture Verse

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:20-21

Prayer Requests

Heavenly Father, know that we are here to listen to your word and learn from scriptures. Give us the knowledge and understanding to motivate us as we complete our inductive study. Stay near and listen to our words. Guide the women  participating in the Womens Bible Cafe into a deeper faith. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 54-55 in your workbook.

Group Activity

How did you respond to this scripture verse?

Welcome back to the Women’s Bible Cafe, as we grow in faith with one another. We’re an online small group sharing and discussing the Bible together.

Like any Bible study, we’re each at a different place in our workbooks. Some of you are ahead in the workbook and some are just now reading the second week of study. No problem, the online format allows you to study at your own pace and post a comment to join the discussions.

We’re still Pursuing More of Jesus with Anne Graham Lotz as we continue with the third week of study. This week we explore scripture verses from John 14 as we seek More of His Spirit.

Today’s Scripture Verse

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. John 14:16-19

Prayer Requests

Thank you Father for sending the spirit to be in us, for not leaving us here as orphans. You came to us and live in us, we praise your name. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 52-53 in your workbook.

Group Activity

What are your thoughts about today’s verse?

We’re going into the third week of Pursing More of Jesus. Last week we found More of His Courage and watched an amazing video presentation by Anne Graham Lotz.

Our conversations were interesting and sometimes uncomfortable as we shared our personal feelings about hate, love, courage and doubt.

This week we’re going to Pursue More of His Spirit. We’ll Pursue More of Jesus by reading the gospel of John, Chapter 14 verses fifteen through twenty-seven as we pursue more of his spirit.

Once again Anne begins the first day’s lesson with a short scripture verse: just TEN words. Having completed other Bible studies, I find it frustrating to face a blank page with ten words. The simplicity of the study annoys me, yet when I look at the remainder of the week, the pages are filled with an abundance of scripture verses. Certainly Anne has a plan for her readers, and with faith I have an open heart and mind.

Once again, there appears to be a workbook error. At the end of this week in the summary pages 62-63, the scripture verses do not match the verses of this weeks study!

Session Three Schedule

• Day 1-More of His Spirit (John 14:15)
• Day 2-More of His Spirit (John 14:16-19)
• Day 3-More of His Spirit (John 14:20-21)
• Day 4-More of His Spirit (John 14:22-24)
• Day 5-More of His Spirit (John 14:25-27)
• Day 6-Recommended: Audio Session Three

Today’s Scripture Verse

If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15 (NIV)

If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you! John 14:15 (The Message)

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 (English Standard Version)

Prayer Requests

Father, you’ve sent a friend and spirit to be with us always. Reveal to us the Spirit of Truth and fill our heart, mind and soul with the holy spirit in Jesus’ name.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 50-51 in your workbook.

It helps to understand today’s lesson if you read the different translations and the verses before John 14:15.  This chapter of John is titled “I am the way, the truth and the life” and Verse 14 says

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (English Standard Version)

Just prior to today’s scripture verse (John 14:15) Jesus tells us to ask anything and he will provide. Following this, in verse 15 he tells us

If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15 (NIV)

Keep this in mind as you complete today’s study.

Group Activity

Jesus told us to ask anything in his name and he will do it. Then he tell us IF you love him….you will OBEY his command. What does this mean to you?