New Bible Study Coming Soon - SEVEN (Jen Hatmaker)

COMING SOON

7 by:Jen Hatmaker
Begins March 21st

Thursday evenings from 6:30pm - 8:00pm

 (First Christian Church - Facilitator, Linda Hernandez) 

*Childcare provided 

All are welcome!

Or join us online for the Virtual Bible Study

Ladies,

Don't forget tonight is our last session and we will be having our Sacred Feast at Jessica Prescott's Home.

Click here to see who is coming, what you are bringing, or if you need to add someone.

We are all ready ...

Session 5 & 6 - Nehemiah's Sacred Feast Nov. 5th

Ok, so as you can see... life has been busy, I have been busy and I've not posted for session 5 or 6. I've recapped both these weeks below. 

As we close out our Nehemiah study we will finish up on November 5th at Jessica Prescott's home in Torrey Oaks at 6:30pm. Click here for the list of what everyone is bringing. Please fill in your name & side dish if you plan on attending so that we know how many to plan for. Feel free to invite a friend!

It's sad that this will be our last gathering... but ladies... we'll have another study to offer sometime in the winter of 2013. We will keep you updated. 

Don't forget to continue to pray and seek God's guidance in your life. Where does he want you to serve? Who is he breaking your heart for? It's a journey we are all on. I've enjoyed getting to know each of you and look forward to our paths crossing again as we study the Word. 

Now get out there and show God's love! 

Questions from week 4:

#1What strikes you as ironic about Jesus tearing down the wall of hostility between the Jews and Gentiles? (pg 99)

#2 Is there a particular area of your reality that the Word of God doesn't seem to relate to? Consider this and then ask the Lord to show you where His Word matters in this place. (pg 106)

Session 5 Video Recap:

Adoption... of how I love adoption... maybe it's because my husband and I are adopting. But I know for a fact it's also because I was adopted. Christ adopted me into His family. And I'm so thankful and blessed to be called HIS CHILD! Loved this video and if you didn't get to see it... go buy it now at www.lifeway.com and watch it!

#3 Understanding that God's words to us are directly connected to our joy, describe how this encouraged you to spend more time with Him and in His Word. (pg 117)

Questions from week 5:

#4 Having a faithful heart toward God looked like something in Abraham's life. Read Hebrews 11:8-12, 17-19. What did it look like? (pg 121)

#5 Where do you need to change? What steps can you take to implement this change? (Remember the Holy Spirit brings about this heart change.) (pg 136)

Session 6 Video Recap:

These women who prayed for over a year to see where and how God wanted them to serve is such an inspiration!!!

#6 Linda Leathers works with women who've been set free from prison but who need freedom of soul. What about her ministry to these women inspired you the most? (pg 143)

#7 Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (NIV) What does this freedom look like in your life? In what areas are you struggling to live out the freedom for which He's set you free? (pg 143)

Oooops...

I just realized I never posted Session 5... Sorry Ladies.

I'll be posting the questions this afternoon! And more info on "Nehemiah's Sacred Feast"

Session 4 - The Word Returns

So this week I'm ahead of schedule... Yay! I'm doing this for 2 reasons. #1 I know the rest of the week is busy for me and so I don't want to get behind. #2 Because I know Linda Hernandez is getting ahead of us all and I want her to share with us what she thought about this last week before she gets too far ahead of us all :)

I was encouraged by Kelly on page 76 to learn about how we need to stay focused on the truth of the word and not be deceived by lies. I highlighted in my book the following words, so that I can keep them close at hand and use them when I'm allowing myself to be deceived. "Lord, what I believe about You (or myself) right now is not true." I think it is so important to verbally say these words and acknowledge them. She follows with saying... Scripture enlightened by the Holy Spirit is our plumb line of truth here.

And another area that I highlighted in my book was on page 80. I'm simply going to quote the paragraph because it has become so true in my life...

God stands to accomplish the impossible through us while too often we're content to settle for the explainable. The impossible requires taking time to listen for what He has put in our heart to do. It means believing that He will accomplish what He has spoken.

What are you trying to explain? What are you making excuses about? Where is God leading you?

Week 3 Questions 

#1 (pg 68) As you consider your own frailty, spend a few minutes writing in the margin the ways God has shown His power in a time of your powerlessness. 

#2 (pg 72) Is God asking you to lay down an entitlement in a situation where you are justified to hold onto it? If so, what do you see as the greater purpose of relinquishing this right?

#3 (pg 75) Is the Lord asking you to say no to something so you can focus on what He's asked you to say yes to? If so, what?

#4 (pg 80) What event in your life most exemplifies something that could only have been accomplished with the help of your God?

Session 4 Video Questions (pg 93)

#5 Nehemiah cared enough to lay down what was rightfully his. How did learning this cause you to think differently about what is "your" and how you can use what God has given you for others?

#6 Discuss the difference between giving to the poor and identifying with them

#7 Pastor Joao and Maria left a comfortable life in Manaus to serve the village of Puru Puru. How did their story challenge and/or encourage you?

Break

Finally, you all get a break! This next week will allow you to catch up or reflect on some of the things God has been showing you and speaking to you about.

Remember that Sarah Idsardi will be sharing at Oak Grove on Wednesday evening at 6:30pm about her mission trip to Guatemala this past summer. She'll also be giving you details on how you can sign up to go to the same Malnutrition Center with SendMeMissions in the summer of 2013!

I'll be leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again... Oh yeah, I guess I do know when I'll be back... this Saturday! (Definitely not long enough!) But excited to be sharing with some women at FBC Bowling Green on Sunday, October 7th, about Missions & how as Godly women we are to serve!

Praying for you all and look forward to getting back into the study on October 10th!

We are planning for an end of the study Dinner Session in Torrey Oaks on November 5th at 6:30pm. This will be for all the Virtual Bible Study ladies & for our Wednesday Night group. Go ahead and mark your calendars to be here!

Until next Wednesday... Jamie

Session 3 - A City Needs People

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?

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? 

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!

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?

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. 

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. 

Nehemiah - Coming Soon

Ok girls, we are just a few weeks outs before we start our study on Nehemiah! I really can't wait to share with you all what God has done in my life because of this study!

Don't forget that we will be holding a class at Oak Grove Baptist Church on Wednesday nights from 6:30pm - 7:30pm so if you are more comfortable with that, feel free to join us.

Most of you though will be participating through the Virtual Bible Study. How exciting?!

Be sure to invite a friend or ask someone that you wouldn't typically have an opportunity to hang out with but could share with them this study. We'll all be able to correspond via the internet whether you are doing your quiet time at 5am, 1pm or 10pm... that's what's so great about a virtual Bible study.

You are going to just LOVE Kelly Minter and everything about her! You are going to be able to relate to what she's saying... I just know this already. And digging into God's Word and hearing directly from Him is such an amazing experience and feeling.

Any questions, you know you can email or call me! McJad_99@hotmail.com 863.245.1587

See you ladies soon... SEPTEMEBER 12th! Be back!

Oh and if you haven't registered online, do so soon! There's no cost to register but there is the cost of a study guide for $15 if you need one.

Nehemiah - Beginning September 12th

The Nehemiah Virtual Bible Study will begin on September 12th. 

Click on the Nehemiah Page to find out more about the study.