Finally after some much needed doctor's appointments and some rest I've made it back to the study... so here we go!
Just a reminder, this is our mid-way point and so we will be spending the next 2 weeks on the same chapter. This will allow for some of you to have a quick break, while others have the opportunity to catch up. I'll post again on October 10th for us to review and comment on chapter 4.
I'm going to pose the same question to each of you that Kelly was faced with by a missionary one day... "Do you know the name of a poor person?" Not, do you know the face of a poor person, but their name? Do you call them friend? This hit me real hard when originally going through this study. I had passed by these people many times. I've even dropped off food once or twice a year, but when I sat down to eat my breakfast, lunch & dinner each and every single day, did I ever consider that this was a true blessing and that there aren't just people in Africa with no food, there are also people right here in my own town without food!!! And what was I doing about it... at the time... NOTHING.
I can honestly say, that I didn't just read this from Kelly and then God convict me and I go on with my daily routine. I actually made a phone call and took on the responsibility of acting on what God has called us all to do, "Take care of the least of these." I now take the time to pray for the homeless in our community and purchase them meals. It's not much, but with God he can make something so small into something so huge!
Think about some way you can be a blessing to someone else this week. Make a intentional decision to care for the least of these. Open your arms and embrace someone by getting to know them, their name and something personal about them.
For those of you who were in our class on Wednesday, you received a list of upcoming ministry opportunities. These will be listed in the SendMeMissions newsletter that will go out tomorrow and be posted on our website. Get involved. Take a step out of the boat, out of your comfort zone and trust that God will protect you and guide you.
Now on to the questions...
Week 2 Questions
#1 (pg45) Is it hard for you to move forward without everyone's support or approval? Why or why not?
#2 (pg39) Why do you think Nehemiah kept this a secret at first?
Session 3 Questions (after you've watched the video)
#3 (pg65) What spoke to you most about the Minter Family interview?
Show Hesed is a place where you can find online bible studies for women. It's also a place where you can meet other Christian women from around the world and fellowship together. If you're unable to a attend a church small group bible study then Show Hesed is just right for you! Bring your book and let's dive in to the Word together.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Session 2 - Come Together
Ok, so we've had 5 days of reading and studying Nehemiah, what do you think? Are you ready for the next 5 weeks? (for those of you who thought you only had to read day 1, I have some bad news for you... you are now 4 days behind :)
I'll mention a few of my favorite parts from this past week and then I'll also list a few questions that maybe you'd like to share with us about. Feel free to just add a comment about how God has spoken to you or you can even use one of your own questions if you'd like.
I want you all to know how excited I am about this study and I find myself a bit anxious for Wednesday night Bible Study which also means I get to post on here! God is doing some amazing things, he is clearly speaking and breaking the hearts of people. Continue to seek Him and search for His will and desire in your life.
So there's a possibly that I won't be this excited for the next few weeks because my favorite NEW word is found on page 20. HESED!!! For those of you who have thought, "What in the world does this word mean?" "What does this website even mean?" Well, now you should know! It's another word for LOVE (show love). But, my friend, not just any kind of love... it is an "unfailing love, loyal love, devotion, kindness, often based on a prior relationship, especially a covenant relationship." I found today online another description of this word, that made me fall-in-love even more with the word... "The consisten, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, FURIOUS love of our Father God." I mean, WOW, that is an awesome kind of love. A love that is even hard to fathom. And it's not really the word that I'm in love with, but the fact that God loves me THAT much. And that He is capable of that kind of love, when I, Jamie Davis, can't even come close to expressing this kind of love. It puts joy in my heart and a smile on my face to know that MY GOD loves me that much! And that He loves YOU that much, too!
Time to dig in to some truth...
Week 1 Questions (Recap from the past 5 days)
#1 (pg16) What gets in the way of your turning to God first? Feel free to discuss external as well as internal obstacles, such as lack of trust, fear, lack of intimacy, and so forth.
#2 (pg25) Do you think Nehemiah's sorrow of heart couldn't be contained, or do you think he purposely expressed his sadness in the king's presence?
#3 (pg27) What has God put in your heart to do? -Side Note: I know for many of you, you may not know yet what God has put in your heart and that's totally ok! Continue to pray for God to revel this to you and speak to you. So for those of you who knows exactly what you're supposed to be doing... share with us what that is and what it looks like and feels like and how God has confirmed your "calling"!
Session 2 Questions (after you've watched the video)(pg37)
Side Note: This video spoke directly to me and I felt like Katie's testimony is my testimony! I'll share more in my own personal comment...
#4 How has today's teaching caused you to think differently about repentance?
#5 In what ways does personal repentance free you from constantly focusing on the sin and shortcomings of others?
#6 How did Katie's story impact the way you think about repentance? What impacted you the most?
#7 Not that it's possible to raise your hand (duh, because this is a virtual bible study) but if you could... How many of you thought to yourself when you heard Kelly mention how so often when she hear's a mission-based sermon she automatically thinks of someone else... When in deed, these messages are for her. Be honest... how many times have you thought that?
I'll mention a few of my favorite parts from this past week and then I'll also list a few questions that maybe you'd like to share with us about. Feel free to just add a comment about how God has spoken to you or you can even use one of your own questions if you'd like.
I want you all to know how excited I am about this study and I find myself a bit anxious for Wednesday night Bible Study which also means I get to post on here! God is doing some amazing things, he is clearly speaking and breaking the hearts of people. Continue to seek Him and search for His will and desire in your life.
So there's a possibly that I won't be this excited for the next few weeks because my favorite NEW word is found on page 20. HESED!!! For those of you who have thought, "What in the world does this word mean?" "What does this website even mean?" Well, now you should know! It's another word for LOVE (show love). But, my friend, not just any kind of love... it is an "unfailing love, loyal love, devotion, kindness, often based on a prior relationship, especially a covenant relationship." I found today online another description of this word, that made me fall-in-love even more with the word... "The consisten, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, FURIOUS love of our Father God." I mean, WOW, that is an awesome kind of love. A love that is even hard to fathom. And it's not really the word that I'm in love with, but the fact that God loves me THAT much. And that He is capable of that kind of love, when I, Jamie Davis, can't even come close to expressing this kind of love. It puts joy in my heart and a smile on my face to know that MY GOD loves me that much! And that He loves YOU that much, too!
Time to dig in to some truth...
Week 1 Questions (Recap from the past 5 days)
#1 (pg16) What gets in the way of your turning to God first? Feel free to discuss external as well as internal obstacles, such as lack of trust, fear, lack of intimacy, and so forth.
#2 (pg25) Do you think Nehemiah's sorrow of heart couldn't be contained, or do you think he purposely expressed his sadness in the king's presence?
#3 (pg27) What has God put in your heart to do? -Side Note: I know for many of you, you may not know yet what God has put in your heart and that's totally ok! Continue to pray for God to revel this to you and speak to you. So for those of you who knows exactly what you're supposed to be doing... share with us what that is and what it looks like and feels like and how God has confirmed your "calling"!
Session 2 Questions (after you've watched the video)(pg37)
Side Note: This video spoke directly to me and I felt like Katie's testimony is my testimony! I'll share more in my own personal comment...
#4 How has today's teaching caused you to think differently about repentance?
#5 In what ways does personal repentance free you from constantly focusing on the sin and shortcomings of others?
#6 How did Katie's story impact the way you think about repentance? What impacted you the most?
#7 Not that it's possible to raise your hand (duh, because this is a virtual bible study) but if you could... How many of you thought to yourself when you heard Kelly mention how so often when she hear's a mission-based sermon she automatically thinks of someone else... When in deed, these messages are for her. Be honest... how many times have you thought that?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Excuse me for Interrupting
Ok, I promise not to do this too many times and just keep adding additional posts that don't have anything to do with your reading of Nehemiah.
BUT... I think it would be nice if some of you out there would introduce yourself.
We had 10 ladies last night (Wednesday night at Oak Grove) and we all had to at least say our names. But, I'd really love to know who's going through the study. Give us your name, location (if you don't mind) and feel free to share a little bit about yourself (like why you are doing this study or what you are hoping to learn from it or what your favorite color is)!
And for those of you that I know for sure are doing this study, you better post something or I might just post for you... and there is no telling what I'll say about you ;)
Ok, now back to our study!
BUT... I think it would be nice if some of you out there would introduce yourself.
We had 10 ladies last night (Wednesday night at Oak Grove) and we all had to at least say our names. But, I'd really love to know who's going through the study. Give us your name, location (if you don't mind) and feel free to share a little bit about yourself (like why you are doing this study or what you are hoping to learn from it or what your favorite color is)!
And for those of you that I know for sure are doing this study, you better post something or I might just post for you... and there is no telling what I'll say about you ;)
Ok, now back to our study!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Session 1 - What Makes You Weep?
Ok, so it's week 1, day 1 and here we all are... ready to dig in to Nehemiah! First off, let me encourage you to STOP RIGHT NOW AND PRAY! Make this a habit. Pray each time before you get online to study scripture and watch the videos by Kelly.
I know you all are going to enjoy this study, but I do want to warn you that you will begin to pray that God break your heart. Understand that when you do this and if you honestly mean it, then He's going to do just that. And in the beginning it may be uncomfortable. Ok, actually, it's going to be really uncomfortable, but God didn't call us to do nothing. No, He's called us to serve, give, love, share, disciple, feed, pray, go and so much more which requires us to continue to seek Him each and every day.
Go ahead and read pages 9 & 10 titled "What Makes You Weep?"
Then, if you can, watch the first video by Kelly Minter. You can purchase these online at www.lifeway.com (or email me if you can't afford to purchase them or don't have a way to).
After you've watched the video, then answer the questions below. (When responding to a question or commenting on someones answer, please reference what question # you are answering.)
Just so you know, this week there aren't many questions, because we haven't really read any. But next week we will have the group discussions & personal reflecting questions posted as well. Feel free to always add additional information that you found to be beneficial or something that God revealed to you. You don't have to just stick to the questions posted.
Here we go!
Session 1 QUESTIONS
#1 How Does Nehemiah's compassionate heart stir your own heart to love and service?
#2 How did it affect you to learn that Nehemiah heard about the Jew's suffering while living in a Persian Resort?
#3 What about Gloria's interview struck you the most? How did she inspire, challenge, encourage you?
I know you all are going to enjoy this study, but I do want to warn you that you will begin to pray that God break your heart. Understand that when you do this and if you honestly mean it, then He's going to do just that. And in the beginning it may be uncomfortable. Ok, actually, it's going to be really uncomfortable, but God didn't call us to do nothing. No, He's called us to serve, give, love, share, disciple, feed, pray, go and so much more which requires us to continue to seek Him each and every day.
Go ahead and read pages 9 & 10 titled "What Makes You Weep?"
Then, if you can, watch the first video by Kelly Minter. You can purchase these online at www.lifeway.com (or email me if you can't afford to purchase them or don't have a way to).
After you've watched the video, then answer the questions below. (When responding to a question or commenting on someones answer, please reference what question # you are answering.)
Just so you know, this week there aren't many questions, because we haven't really read any. But next week we will have the group discussions & personal reflecting questions posted as well. Feel free to always add additional information that you found to be beneficial or something that God revealed to you. You don't have to just stick to the questions posted.
Here we go!
Session 1 QUESTIONS
#1 How Does Nehemiah's compassionate heart stir your own heart to love and service?
#2 How did it affect you to learn that Nehemiah heard about the Jew's suffering while living in a Persian Resort?
#3 What about Gloria's interview struck you the most? How did she inspire, challenge, encourage you?
BTW click below where it says comments and that is where you can see what our group has commented on and where you can reply.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Nehemiah Schedule
Nehemiah Virtual Bible Study Schedule
September 12th - Week 1
September 19th - Week 2
September 26th - Week 3
October 3rd - Break (time to catch up or reflect)
October 10th - Week 4
October 17th - Week 5
October 24th - Week 6
October 31st - Final Video
There is no "homework" prior to Week 1. You will begin each week by watching the video and then you will read that weeks worth of questions. Every Wednesday evening I will post the questions that are up for discussion (as if you were in a classroom).
Video Series: Each video is available for purchase for $2.99.
Click here to purchase the videos.
September 12th - Week 1
September 19th - Week 2
September 26th - Week 3
October 3rd - Break (time to catch up or reflect)
October 10th - Week 4
October 17th - Week 5
October 24th - Week 6
October 31st - Final Video
There is no "homework" prior to Week 1. You will begin each week by watching the video and then you will read that weeks worth of questions. Every Wednesday evening I will post the questions that are up for discussion (as if you were in a classroom).
Video Series: Each video is available for purchase for $2.99.
Click here to purchase the videos.
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