We’ve finished the final week of study for  Pursuing More of Jesus with Anne Graham Lotz! Don’t forget to fill out the summary on page 76 and create an action plan based upon this week’s study.

You’ll want to listen to the video or audio session for Session Four, Pursuing More of Jesus-  available at Lifeway for $3.99 audio download and $4.99 video download.

This was one of my favorite audio sessions from Anne Graham Lotz as she shares More of His Glory and her walk in faith.

Anne shares her personal story of being a young girl with blind faith, maturing as a woman accepting her own faith and her Mom’s journey home to Heaven. When you listen, Ann walks you through her life ans shares personal stories that will imprint your heart.

As she discusses death, Anne says:

• Eternal life is eternal. If you could lost it, it would not be called eternal. You receive eternal life.
• Death is when you faith becomes sight.
• Your eyes open to the face of Jesus.

Anne continues the seminar with ideas about spending more time with Jesus. She discusses being homesick for the God she knew as a little girl, and adjusting her priorities to spend more time with Him. Her message is powerful and convincing, so please find time to listen to Session Four, Pursuing More of Jesus*

*reminder, we do not work for or are affiliated with Lifeway or Anne Graham Lotz

Blessings to all,

It’s the final lesson of Pursuing More of Jesus with Anne Graham Lotz as we end a four week study of spiritual development.

During this study we’ve found a passion for Christ and instilled our hearts cry to know him more. We’ve had thoughtful discussions and meaningful time with God.

Congratulations to everyone who persevered and completed the study, and to those who are still finishing their workbook. You’ll have about a month before we start the Breaking Free study with Beth Moore- we’ll start when the books become available. Until then, you’ll see a few more posts and some comments as we review this study and prepare for the next.

Today’s Scripture Verse

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. ²⁵“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:24-26

Prayer Requests

Father God, you’ve shared your glory through your son Jesus Christ, whom you loved before the creation of the world. You made him known to us and shared your love with us. We are truly blessed to be followers of Christ and to call ourselves Christians. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 74-75 in your workbook.

Group Activity

• What have you enjoyed most about this workbook?
• What have you disliked, and why?
• Have you made any changes in your life, as a result of reading the book Pursuing More of Jesus?
• Please share your experiences, good or bad.

We’re growing in faith and love and look forward to our next study with Beth Moore!

Blessings to All,

Welcome back to the Bible Cafe! We’re at the end of our study Pursuing More of Jesus with Anne Graham Lotz. This has been a quick workbook and it’s amazing that we’re going to be finished with the workbook in just a few days.

Keep coming back to the Womens Bible Cafe to see comments posted by the guests. Some women are updating their workbooks once a day and posting comments, while others are updating once a week, usually on Sunday.

Note: If you look in the far right column of the blog, there is a list of recent comments. Click on the comment and you’ll be directed to that blog post. If you click on the person’s name, you’ll be directed to their blog or website-it’s a bit sensitive!

Today’s Scripture Verse

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: ²³I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23

Prayer Requests

Heavenly Father, your son Jesus prayed for us and with us, showing us the intimacy he has with his Father God. We are thankful for these scripture words and the opportunity and freedom to read them in our homes and carry them in our hearts. We bless you for giving us wisdom and understanding as we desire to Pursue More of Jesus. Thank you for the direction of Anne Graham Lotz and the encouragement of the women participating in this study. Connect us in spiritual community and walk with us as we continue to learn and grow in faith. IN Jesus name, Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 72-73 in your workbook.

Group Activity

When you read this scripture verse today, what stands out most to you? Did you uncover something new or discover something important? Please share your thoughts and post a comment!

As we follow Anne Graham Lotz with Pursuing More of Jesus we realize that it’s something we ‘d like to continue the rest of our lives. Why stop pursuing more of his Voice, Courage, Spirit and Glory? Are we too busy for this, too confused by God’s word, or too interested in outside things? Certainly, television and shopping and family and good friends are more important than getting to KNOW Jesus!

As children, we had more time for Jesus with our daily prayers, Sunday school, and quite conversations with God. As adults, we claim busyness of our jobs, education, families, health and friends. Yet when we invest our time in these things, how do we find intimacy with Jesus? If you feel lacking in intimacy with God, then this is the time to notice your priorities and adjust your purpose.

When Jesus died at the end of a life serving God, he said “it is finished.”  He left us with his voice, his word, his actions and his love. What will you do with this gift?

Today’s Scripture Verse

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. John 17:13-19

Prayer Requests

Father, you came into this world and revealed yourself as man so we may KNOW Jesus. Drive us to our knees as we find intimacy in prayer, Bible study, devotions, and worship. Give back the innocence of our childhood, where we made you a priority and found comfort in your voice. Protect us from the evil one as he distracts us from your purpose and intimacy. Be real to us Father, and begin to change our life purpose in a direction that is pleasing to you as we continue to pursue more of Jesus throughout our lives. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 70-71 in the workbook.

Group Activity

Jesus shows intimacy with God through his prayer in these scripture verses. What does intimacy with God mean to you? How do you feel when you read today’s verse? Please share your thoughts today.

Today’s lesson of Pursuing More of Jesus was overflowing with the love and commitment of Jesus. These verses are so rich with information, my Pastor would probably spend two months in sermon on this! As it stands, we’re spending a short amount of time-just one day’s lesson.  My favorites from this lesson include:

Now they know-verse 7
They know with certainty-verse 8
They believed-verse 8
Glory has come-verse 10
They may be one as we are-verse 11

Today’s Scripture Verse (Jesus Prays for His Disciples)

I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. ¹²While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. John 17:6-12

Prayer Requests

Almighty God, protect us in the name of Jesus and fill our hearts, souls and and minds with his love. May we know Jesus with certainty. May we Believe Jesus with confidence. May we see your glory and shine your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 68-69 in the workbook.

Group Activity

What verse had the most impact on you in today’s study? Why?

Pursing More of Jesus in this last week of study, we seek More of His Glory as we study the Gospel of John, chapter seventeen. Under the leadership of Anne Graham Lotz, we’ve learned how to:

• Pursue More of His Voice (Week One)
• Pursue More of His Courage (Week Two)
• Pursue More of His Spirit (Week Three)

Without doubt, we’ve learned more about Jesus than we knew before starting this inductive Bible study. As Anne mentions in video Seminar Three, “It’s the Holy Spirit’s priority to get you into the word and have it permeate your life so you live by it.” She also reminds us to pray before we study, asking the Holy Spirit to give us the mind of Christ. As you begin this week’s study, ask Jesus to draw you near him.

Session Four Schedule

• More of His Glory-Day 1 (John 17:1-5)
• More of His Glory-Day 2 (John 17:6-12)
• More of His Glory-Day 3 (John 17:13-19)
• More of His Glory-Day 4 (John 17:20-23)
• More of His Glory-Day 5 (John 17:24-26)
• Day 6-Recommended: Audio Session Four

Today’s Scripture Verse

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ²For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:1-5 (NIV)

Prayer Requests

Jesus, draw us near and guide us through the Gospel of John as we pursue more of you glory. Fill our hearts with the holy spirit and empower our minds with the truth of your word. Bring the holy spirit into our souls as we mature in the Christian faith. May our thoughts, actions and words be pleasing to Father God. Amen.

Individual Activity

Complete pages 66-67 in your workbook.

Group Activity

Would someone like to give a lesson they found in this passage today? What are your thoughts?

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?