Gideon- Week 6

Welcome to our final week of the Gideon Bible study by Priscilla Shirer.  I hope that all of you have enjoyed it as much as I have.  Throughout this study we’ve learned how God is able to turn weakness into strength. By now you realize there is more to Gideon than wet fleece! Our final chapter this week unveils the obstacles Gideon faced- his own self interests and idolatry. We had the opportunity to complete “The Interview” ( page 150) and then reflect on own situations from a Biblical perspective. Did you claim your own idols after the lesson on page 150? It’s easy to read the pages of scripture and judge Gideon, and as we learned this week, much harder to judge ourselves. I know that you have heard this many times before, but in order for a Bible study to be effective, we need to apply scripture to our individual lives.

In the final chapter this week, we all discovered how something good could become an idol in our lives. My idols were all of the things taking me away from the presence of God.  I say things, because for me it was not just one thing. My biggest idol is sleep, work, and even my chickens.  Is your idol a Facebook game, a television show, an addictive habit…what are you a bit obsessed over? For some women, even Bible study can become an idol when it becomes a badge on the wall and replaces a relationship with God.

Pause from your busy day or your heavy burdens and examine your heart. Make sure you are in alignment with His will, in relationship with Him and detached from potential idols. This needs to be a daily habit as you center your life inside His Presence. My prayer for you is that by finishing this Bible study, you now recognize your own strengths and weaknesses from a spiritual perspective. With this knowledge, you are then in a position of authority in spiritual warfare. Walk in victory…beside Jesus.  Don't forget, He has already won the battle for us.

Visit Beth Moore’s blog for her final update on Gideon when you click here

Thank you all for joining in this Bible study! If you are behind in the study, do not worry just keep plugging along until you finish. 

Group Discussion- Answer here or with your small group 

1. What do you automatically turn to for comfort or relief when you’re unhappy? (page 150)
2. Which of your answers from question one are a testament from the bad-to-worse principle we read about this week? (page 158)
3. Have you ever considered that idol worship is “spiritual adultery” as described by Priscilla Shirer? Knowing this, what are you going to change in your life to remove idols?
4. How does impatience play a role in idolatry in the life of modern believers? (page 160)
5. Priscilla gives 3 principles for guarding ourselves against idolatry: 1) pinpoint your tendencies to comfort 2) re-commit to a God-structured existence 3)rearrange your priorities. Of these three, which do you need to implement immediately and why? (page 162)

Gideon- Week 5

Hello Ladies, we’ve just finished reading week five of the Gideon Bible study written by Priscilla Shirer. We saw a major turn of events as our Biblical hero goes from a God-centered life back into a self-centered life. Equipped by God to overcome his own insecurity, Gideon the hero becomes Gideon the disrespected in a very short time. His demise was listening to the flesh rather than listening to the Lord. Has this ever happened to you?  It’s easy to be deceived by the enemy of lies. When we stop seeking wisdom from God through prayer, Bible study and fellowship…we open the door to spiritual warfare.  Perhaps each of us is a bit like Gideon in someway or at sometime in our lives. When God uses our weakness for His strength….we need to stay in relationship with Him so that strength is not misused by the flesh. For Gideon, insecurity became courage and then courage became sin. Make sure you don’t cross the line with the gifts the Lord give to you. A wise woman knows when to yield to the Spirit and capture all thoughts through a Christ-centered heart.

 .
For Next Week

• Read Week Six in the workbook
• Listen to Audio Session six and seven or Video Session six and seven at Lifeway.com (optional due to cost)

Group Discussion- Answer here or with your small group 

1. On page 123 in the workbook you listed three difficult situations you are facing right now. Then you listed your natural weapon of response and your spiritual weapon. Without naming the difficult experience, name the natural weapons you listed in your chart.
2. Okay, now share the spiritual weapons…again…do not share the difficult situation. The reason we are doing it this way is that the weapons are clues to the situation!
3. What “logic” does the enemy typically use against you to disguise the spiritual nature of your struggles and to mask his role in them? (page 124)
4. How do you feel most fatigued in your life right now? Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically or other. Explain your choice. (page 136)
5. How is your relationship with God affected when you feel week and uncertain about yourself and a task? How does the way Jesus responded in prayer and solitude (Mark 1:35-38) help to keep you on track?

Gideon- Week 4

Hello Ladies!

Our womens online Bible study continues this week as we discuss our fourth lesson from  Gideon by Priscilla Shirer. We expanded our understanding of God’s patience, unlike human patience. The term “long-suffering” is used to describe this supernatural patience God has for His children. Thank you Lord for that!!

Our lesson this week also explored spiritual gifts and Priscilla presented 4 Steps in Giving Our Gifts to God. You’ll find a Lifeway Spiritual Assessment Tool online when you click here to help you further research what your gifts are.

Finally, we explored Gideon’s famous “fleece test.”  Hopefully you looked at times in your own life and discovered when and how God confirmed His message to you. It’s important to know the difference between seeking confirmation and sitting in unbelief, as Priscilla described so well this week in Bible study.

This week was filled with some great self-discovery questions, so I hope you took  time to pray and complete the workbook answers. Be sure to visit Beth Moore’s blog when you click here and watch the update that was given for this week. Remember, she is updating two weeks at a time and we are updating once a week.


For Next Week

• Read Week Five in the workbook
• Listen to Audio Session five or Video Session five at Lifeway.com (optional due to cost)

Group Discussion- Answer here or with your small group (From Beth Moore’s Blog)

1. We can get no further than p.70 to stumble on something we could talk about all day.  Glance at the bottom of the page and talk about the effect that your weakness tends to have on you when you focus on it.
2.  Turn to p.75 and discuss the first paragraph and your answers to the second question: How have you seen misdirected credit lead to misplaced trust or unhealthy desires for you or someone else?
3. Turn to p.97 and share which answer you chose in response to the following question and explain why you tend to lean that direction: If you are in a season of life in which you feel insecure or doubtful about God, His Word, or His calling on your life, how do you honestly feel God is responding?
4.  How did the 4 Steps in Giving Our Gifts to God on page 101 resonate with you or open your eyes? Conclude with the quote Priscilla Shirer gave us in the middle of p.107 – “honest doubt in which faith lives.” Give an example of honest doubt that you have had at a time when you were still full of faith. A time when those two things were not at odds but part of that same stretch of journey.

Gideon- Week 3

Hello Ladies!

We have just finished the third week of our E-study, Gideon by Priscilla Shier.  I hope you are enjoying this study and that you are able to keep up.  Please remember to post your responses to the questions either here or in the Facebook group. While this is a self paced study, it is not meant for you to feel alone.  Please let me know if you would be interested in a Facebook chat one day this week where we can be more interactive with each other.  I also hope that you have enjoyed the bi-weekly videos by Beth Moore.  Let me know if you would like to view the video that goes with the series. 

This week we learned about Simplicity, and turning a small portion of bread and fish into food for thousands. We saw how five small stones in the hands of David brought down his Goliath. We read the testimony of Gideon as he battled his army and his fears not by his own strength, but by the strength of God. Wowser! I know that I can do all things through Christ because he strengthens me!  Do you?

We also learned this week about fighting fear and staying alert as members of God’s army here on earth. What does this mean to you personally? How will you apply the concept to your own battles in life. Do you seek strength from the Holy Spirit, or are you depending on yourself to carry you through? Pray and ask for more discernment about this as you finish the remainder of this week. Look for ways that your feelings might not be in alignment with God’s Truth, and celebrate those that are inside His will.

Finally, seek opportunities to apply this great wisdom from Priscilla Shirer “The secret is not in obtaining but in releasing.” Who or what do you need to release in order to be inside the will of God? What is God calling you to fast from?

For Next Week

• Read Week Four in the workbook
• Listen to Audio Session four or Video Session four at Lifeway.com (optional due to cost)

Group Discussion- Answer here or with your small group 

1. What would redirecting your focus look like in practical terms? Discuss some strategic things believers can do to redirect their attention off themselves and onto the Lord. (Page 73)
2. What practical strategies can you put in place to foster humility? (page 76)
3. Without getting in to details, Has pride gotten in your way?
4. What is your normal response when faced with letting go?

Gideon- Week 2

Welcome to week 2 of Gideon by Priscilla Shirer! What a blessing to spend our summer expanding our knowledge on Gideon. During our first week of this topical study we learned the about Cycle of Redemption and the historical timeline of events leading to rebellion and discipline.

This week Gideon encounters an angel..pause and think about that! Can you imagine an encounter with an angel! Priscilla Shirer writes “Having your spiritual radar up in constant anticipation of His presence- even in the midst of the joyful chaos and regular rhythms of your everyday living- is paramount in hearing God, because sometimes the place and manner you find Him is the least spectacular you’d expect.” As believers, we need this holy expectation of a divine encounter. Never assume you will only have an encounter in church on Sunday morning or during your devotional time. Always be ready to receive Him. Priscilla writes “To be aware of God’s purpose you must be aware of His presence.”

Priscilla reminded us this week that “the ordinary is often the disguise of the divine,” and invites us to become aware of divine opportunities to serve God.  I hope you wrote some of the scripture verses on index cards this week…and that you will memorize them to prepare for your assignment from God.

May you be bold for Jesus….accept His calling and radiate His love.

Prayer Requests
Thanks for your prayer requests, they are lifted up daily.

For Next Week

• Read Week Three in the workbook
• Watch the Beth Moore video on her website when you click here

Group Discussion- Answer  any or all here or on Facebook page (some based on Beth Moore’s questions)

1.  Based on the question in the middle of p.37 of your homework: To what specific area of holy bravery does God seem to be calling you in this present season?
2. What expectations do you think Believers have about how God reveals Himself? How do you think these expectations have been formed? (page 42)
3. Drawn from the portion on p.46 regarding the 5 ordinary tasks you perform on a daily basis, share a memory of an ordinary circumstance in which God met with you in an extraordinary way.
4. Based on p.50 and the discussion about the first part of the divine declaration to Gideon, how confident or insecure do you tend to be regarding God’s promise that He is with you? Explain your answer.
5. Why do you think it is critical for believers to understand their identity before moving forward to their destiny? How can an incorrect or malformed spiritual identity hamper someone’s spiritual success? (page 57)
6. Look at the bottom of p.57. Would you be willing to share the pair of terms that best describe a disparity you’ve dealt with between your self-perception and a biblical view of who you are in Christ? If you’re willing, also briefly explain your answer.

Gideon- Week 1

Hello Ladies!

We just finished reading week one in the Gideon workbook by Priscilla Shirer and are gearing up for week two.  If you haven't started  yet, it is  not too late as this study is at your own pace. I hope that you are reading one lesson each day, but you can do more or less as you choose.  Remember the video sessions are optional, and the answers to these workbook pages are in the back of your book on page 189. Don’t get discouraged about the random questions based on the video, simply look in the back of the book. I also hope that you have been able to view the video from Beth Moore last week.  The next one will be in this Saturday's, July 5th, post.

The story of Gideon is only found in three chapters of the Bible, in the book of Judges. According to the Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, the author of the book of Judges is unknown, although Jewish tradition attributes the book to Samuel, without evidence to support the claim.  Most of the 12 Judges are from different tribes, as you saw on the chart in your Gideon workbook this week. Gideon’ story is recorded in Judges 6:1-8:35

I always hear that setting the stage with some history of the story is welcome and appreciated.  to help us this week Priscilla Shirer presented a few timelines, a family tree and even a circle of redemption to set the stage for our study. We learned this week that the Spirit of the Lord came upon the Judges. “God hand picked people for the job who were terribly flawed, then empowered them to fulfill these roles in spite of their shortcomings,” writes Priscilla Shirer. Over and over the Bible teaches us that the Lord uses ordinary people for extraordinary purpose. You don’t need to be equipped to serve God, you need to be called by Him.  You need to yield and allow the Holy Spirit to move in and through you, not just in a ministry calling but in everyday life. This week, spend some time praying over your calling….and your role as a member of the family of God.

You are chosen by God for this new life of love and should dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:12-14 Message Version

Prayer Requests

Continue to pray for each other this week. Even if you are not sure what to pray for, remember that God knows our needs.

For Next Week

• Read Week Two in the workbook

Group Discussion- Answer here or with your small group

1. QUESTION 1: What, if any, are the “iron chariots” of intimidation that keep you from moving forward in complete obedience to God’s Word? (page 11)
2. On page 18, Priscilla Shirer writes “today’s difficulties are a result of yesterday’s disobedience.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
3. What do you think has been most central to the moral decline in our day: failure to pass our faith to the next generation or failure of the next generation to receive it? (page 34)

Gideon- Starts Today

Hello ladies and welcome to our summer bible study as we begin reading Gideon, Your Weakness God’s Strength by Priscilla Shirer. This is a 6-week womens online bible study.

Each week there are five daily lessons in the Gideon Bible study, so you will read one per day for five days of the week. As you read your Bible study, for six weeks you’ll put God first in your life. Your focus will be on Him at the start of your day. It’s interesting when we read in the morning, we’re often reminded of our lesson throughout our busy day. A verse or a phrase will simmer in your mind and then refreshes itself sometime in the day.  Some of you may prefer to read in the evenings or on your lunch hour…the important thing is to get started and create a routine.  A good plan is to read each morning Monday through Friday, allowing the weekend to make up any lesson you missed during the week. For our study, the weekly post will arrive on Saturday, but you can begin to complete your study on Monday or right away.  This study is geared for you to work at your own pace each week. 

I will invite you all to a Facebook page to be able to talk to each other and feel like a study group.  It is not ever mandatory to participate, it is only an outlet and place for us to chat over the course of the week with each other.  You can post your comments on the blog or our Facebook Group page.  Please note that Facebook is a closed group and secure, this blog is not closed and others can see your comments.

This first post is arriving early so that you are aware of how we will move forward.  The next post will arrive on June 28th.

Please enjoy the link below by Beth Moore.  This was her Siesta Summer Study for 2013.

summer Gideon Study 2013 from LPV on Vimeo.


Prayer Requests

If you have any prayer needs, I will be happy to pray for you or with you.  Just email me and let me know what I can do.  I will send my number out via email to our group as well.

Assignment For The Week

• Write a letter to God on the inside cover of your workbook. Put today’s date inside your book and tell Him where you are in your life right now, and where you hope He leads you during this study.
• Pray before you begin reading. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to wisdom.
• Begin reading Week One in your workbook
• If you are watching the Priscilla Shirer videos, watch Session One, available through Lifeway (not required for participation in the study). To download the videos click here. If you are not watching the videos, the answers to the video sessions are in the back you your workbook on page 189

 Discussion Questions- Answer in your small group or post a comment below (the questions are from Beth Moore’s blog)

1.  A fun one: What title to a popular song – from any decade you wish – best captures you right now? (It can be serious or ridiculous.)
2.  Write one sentence describing something about your present season – your right-here-and-now – that makes it unique. Life changes constantly. What is distinct about this particular season?
3.  In one sentence, what is one thing you wish your sisters in Christ would know about you sooner that often doesn’t come out in your relationships till later?  Complete this sentence: “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I…”
4.  Optional: Watch the devotional video from Beth Moore. Make a one-sentence comment regarding anything in the video devotional that resonated with you.

Wonderstruck- Week 6

Ladies-

Welcome back to online Bible study for women, today we complete our Wonderstruck study by Margaret Feinberg. What an amazing six weeks of Bible study! I hope that you all enjoyed each week of study as Margaret framed the topics of divine expectation, God’s presence, rest, prayer, friendship and forgiveness.

This week we focused on forgiveness and how God forgives you personally. The Bible is rich with stories of forgiveness and grace extended to the undeserving. Allow freedom to sink into your heart when you forgive others. Bless those that you forgive.  I absolutely loved that topic---blessing them.  What an easy step to skip. 

The consequence of unforgiveness is bitterness, resentment and anger. If you struggle in this area, pray constantly and ask the Lord to teach you to forgive. It’s time to realize that we are Daughters of the King, forgiven and free.  Take what God has given you and forgive others.  To do so takes the burden and puts it at the foot of the cross. When struggling with forgiving others it is important to remind ourselves “Jesus loves her too” and then we will see someone from His perspective.

Ladies, Embrace freedom. Live wonderstruck in the Presence of the Lord. After these last six weeks of Bible study, you should have a new vision and an expectation of wonder.

Be blessed and be free in Him!!


Group Discussion- Answer below or with your small group

1. How does reflecting on God’s forgiveness, and the experience of creating the list of 30 things God has forgiven you, strengthen your resolve to forgive others? (page 141)
2. When have you felt like a prisoner of unforgiveness? (page 151)
3. How does forgiving others make you feel freer? (page 153)
4. Do you pray blessing on those you have forgiven?

Wonderstruck- Week 5

Welcome back to online Bible study for women as we continue Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg. This week we’re discussing week five from the workbook, with only two more weeks to enjoy!

Our focus this week has been on the wonder of friendships. I hope you have been able to look at the questions on page 108 and discover joy in your friendships. If you have not already done so, you can make a coffee date this week with one of your friends or someone you’d like to know better and go over the questions.  

 

As you read the five daily lessons from Wonderstruck  this week, you learned about healthy and unhealthy friendships. We all have both of these in our lives and Margaret challenged you to set some friendships in order with “The Difficult Conversation” TDC.  Hmmmmm- did anyone have to set any friendships on order?

I hope that if you took nothing else away from this week's lessons it is the reminder that Jesus is the only Friend we really ever need. Many of us have had the experience of losing a friendship and not knowing why, or of feeling lonely with no one to share our triumphs or sorrows.  This is never easy, but during these seasons you can always go to the one friend that will never abandon you.  Remember that He understands as He also experienced this when His own friends abandoned Him, King of Kings.    Talk to your Friend, give Him your worries, and seek His opinion instead of your friends.  He will be there for you, and He will also show you the friends in your life. 

 For Next Week

• Read Week Six in your book.
• Listen to Video Session Six (optional due to cost)

Group Discussion- Answer below or with your small group

1. When have you felt the pain of unrequited friendships? (page 110)
2. What three things should we look for in identifying the good company we need to keep? (page 113)
3. Who in your life has been a Paul to you (a spiritual mother or father) encouraging you to grow in your relationship with Jesus? Page 117)
4. Who in your life are you being a Paul to…encouraging them to grow in the fullness of being a follower of Jesus? (page 117)

Wonderstruck- Week 4

Welcome to week four of Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg. This was a fantastic week of studying prayer and the many ways that Jesus prayed.  If you take nothing else away from this week's study, please let it be as Margaret wrote “Prayer is simply communicating with God. Through prayer we both listen and talk to God.”

I love how she pointed out that prayer is short.  Granted, prayer will take on many timeframes and will fit the situation both lengthy and short, but I appreciated knowing that a quick short prayer is ok too.  We saw how Jesus prayed alone, prayed for someone, or prayed in public. He did this not only where He was without preparing, but He also showed us that He prepared at other times by being alone on purpose or getting up early.  I say this because we need to know that prayer should be simple, we do not need to stress to get it all right by over planning our conversation with God.

The pivotal point of the week for me was reading Jesus' prayers while on the cross.  I literally cried when I really saw the wording of who He was directing His prayers too.  On pages 100 and 101 Jesus prays to His father, to God, and finally to His father again.  In the middle prayer He was separated from the relationship with His father as He took on our sin.  I felt so humbled and saddened all at once by the depth of His love.

I challenge you to begin a prayer journal if you have not already done so.  Take note of the conversations you have with God, and the answers you receive.  Note the timeframes it takes for the answers, and maybe even note your feelings about the answers you get.

This Week

• Read Week Five in your book.
• Listen to Video Session Five (optional due to cost)

Group Discussion- Answer below or with your small group

1. What helps you keep a steady rhythm in your prayer life? (page 87)
2. When have you felt abandoned by God? How did you respond? (page 101)
3. Do you ever just talk with your Abba? 
4. Of the 9 prayers by Jesus that was discussed, what challenges you the most about prayer life?

Wonderstruck- Week 3

Welcome back to another week of online Bible study for women as we study Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg. This week we studied the wonder of rest.  Did you make any changes in your schedule this week? Tomorrow is the Sabbath-will you rest?  As we studied, rest is about renewing your mind and your body.  Are you taking time to find peace of mind, settle down, withdraw and improve your health?

Margaret Feinberg suggests adding reflection and relaxation time into your schedule. She writes “The pause awakens us to God…when I’m physically tired, weary or stressed, I’m less likely to live with an awareness of the Holy Spirit.” Then she gave us two helpful tools for resting- the art of saying “no” and the activities list we created on page 73 in the workbook.  I have often struggled with being able to say "no" and would suffer because of it.  Not only me, but my family as well.  I was too busy and too tired to be there to attend to their needs, let alone spend time with God. 

On my dining room wall hangs a beautiful scenic picture that has the verse, " Be still and know that I am God".  I had to hang it in the most used room of the house in order to be aware that God wants me to rest so that I can be there for Him and for my family.  It is extremely important that we create that quiet place in our lives where we sit and reflect. There is simplicity in resting…my prayer is that sometime this week you’ll find that quiet place to be!

For Next Week

• Read Week Four in your book.
• Listen to Video Session Four (optional due to cost)

Group Discussion- Answer in our FaceBook  group

1. What challenge do you have in slowing down and resting more?
2. In what areas of your life are you prone to overcommit and overextend yourself?
3. What happens when you spend more time with Jesus, how do you feel while “resting in Him?”
4. Did you select an activity from your list on page 73 and make time for it last week?