Womens Bible Cafe™

Anonymous Online Bible Study | Week 2
How to Study Your Bible Online Inductive Bible Study | Week 2
Experiencing God Online Bible Study | Week 2

Posted: 05 Apr 2015 09:20 PM PDT

Womens Online Bible study is a great way to develop your faith! We just finished reading WEEK TWO in the workbook “Anonymous: Discovering the Somebody You Are to God,” by Cindi Wood. It’s not too late to join us…grab a book and meet us in our Facebook group for small group discussions. We’ll be chatting about the woman who anointed Jesus with her alabaster jar. Cindi Wood has identified her as “Judged,” and if you’ve ever felt judged by others- including Christians- then please join us in the discussion and this online Bible study.

Romans 5:8 ESV says: but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

It doesn’t say that He died because we were sinless. Jesus laid down His life. So if Christ is in you, are you laying down your life (and your judgment) of modern sinners? Do you condemn alcoholics, adulterers, homosexuals, and others… rejecting them from your church and your heart? Or are you loving as Jesus loved the woman with the alabaster jar?

The love of Christ is unlike human love.

In the Anonymous study, Cindi Wood says about the woman with the Alabaster jar “the fact that she was nameless is very gracious. Her name does not go down in history with her sin.”

This made me wonder if perhaps there are WBC members who would like to share a “nameless story” of redemption and grace? When we add a name, then the testimony has an identification based on human standards: age, hair color, geographic location, job title, marital status, etc. When we are nameless sinners, then the focus is on the one we can easily IDENTIFY: Jesus

This week we are reminded not to judge others and if we are on the receiving end of judgmental people, then leave the accusers with Jesus. “Make no mistake,” says Cindi Wood, “He will deal with them in His time.”

My prayer is for you to be forever changed by the love of Jesus, no longer wearing an identity of “Judged.” Stop identifying yourself with a label unfitting for a woman redeemed by Jesus. Stop clinging to the victim mentality of a woman judged by others, or even judged by her own bitter heart. Let it go…into the arms of Jesus.

ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS WEEK

Join a small group this week
Read WEEK THREE in your book. You’ll read one lesson per day, each lesson is about 20 minutes.
Optional due to cost: AFTER you finish the reading assignment, watch video session three available from Amazon or the publisher website.
If you have not yet registered and would still like to join us, please CLICK HERE.
Join us for a FREE live event with Bible teacher Cindi Wood Tuesday April 14 at 9PM Eastern, 6PM Pacific when you CLICK HERE.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

You will have the opportunity to share your answers to these questions during your small group time. You may also post them here. Consider also recording your answers in your spiritual journal.

In what ways do you struggle with what other people think of you? How often do you let what God thinks of you trump your fears of what others think of you? Why is that?
Remembering that you are God’s handiwork, list THREE positive qualities about yourself. You are not bragging on yourself but on God. (day 4, page 56)
What are some ways that you can change the narrative in your mind from “judged” to “forgiven,” not worrying so much about what others think about you but focusing on what God thinks about you?
Share some of the words Jesus uses to defend you before your accusers (such as forgiven, loved, free, etc.).
Have you or anyone you’ve known struggled with worries about losing your salvation? Describe the feelings that accompanied this struggle. (day 4, page 53)

With Love,

How to Study Your Bible Online Inductive Bible Study | Week 2

Posted: 05 Apr 2015 09:04 PM PDT

Welcome back to our Spring Online Inductive Bible study at the Women’s Bible Café. We are having an awesome time in our discussion group. What a joy it is to learn how to study God’s Word for ourselves. His Word is alive and active and is “inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. God’s Word is His love letter to each of us, and so we need to know and study His Word for ourselves so that we can be equipped for every circumstance of life. It’s not too late to join this Bible study when you CLICK HERE

This week we will be discussing Week 2 of How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur, David Arthur and Pete DeLacy. We begin reading Part One “Observation” – Discover What It Says! Our daily reading lessons this week includes:

Chapter 1: The Rule of Context – Context Rules!
Chapter 2: Getting the Big Picture

Have you ever looked through a keyhole? What did you see? Not very much, because your vision is restricted and only allows you to see a tiny fraction of what lies beyond the door. It is only until you unlock the door and step out onto the other side that you are able to see the bigger picture. This is what it means to identify the context in Bible study. It would be so easy to misinterpret what God is speaking to us in His Word if we do not consider the context first. We need to see the BIG PICTURE and not focus on just a keyhole view.

Context always rules in interpretation!

Kay Arthur writes:

“In Bible study, context is the words, phrases, and sentences surrounding a particular word, phrase, or sentence. This context gives meaning to the particular word, phrase, or sentence and helps you understand what the author is saying. Context can also be expanded to paragraphs, chapters, books, and eventually the whole Bible. Because context rules in, or determines, the interpretation of the passage, it is important for you to know the context of any passage that you’re studying.”

God wants you to know Him. He wants to have a personal relationship with you. What better way to show God how much you love Him than to treasure His Word and to study His Holy Word for Yourself, and that is what Inductive Bible Study is all about.

We are so excited you are joining us in this journey in learning how to study your Bible. We are just getting started. Hangeth thou in there! The best is yet to come!

If you have not yet registered and would still like to join us, please CLICK HERE and then join us in this private group, and a leader will approve your request to join: http://www.facebook.com/groups/WBCInductiveStudies/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK (answer in your small group or post your answers here):

How can context help you see the “big picture?” What happens if we do not consider the context?
What are key repeated words, and why are they important? What is the purpose of marking key words?
What questions do you have up to this point in the study?

Blessings,

Experiencing God Online Bible Study | Week 2

Posted: 05 Apr 2015 04:25 PM PDT

Welcome back to online Bible study at Women's Bible Café! This week we will be discussing Unit Two of Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby entitled "Looking to God." Our daily lessons this week included:

God-Centered Living
God's Plans Versus Our Plans
God Takes the Initiative
God Speaks to His People
God Speaks with a Purpose

Such fitting lessons to have studied in the beautiful country of South Africa, amongst a people who have such a different view of God and way of worshipping Him than does the typical American. I found myself so taken by the demonstations I saw of God-centered living, total dependence on God's provision day to day and week to week. Of worship that exhibits such dependence and the thankfulness that goes with it. For seven days I witnessed the words of the Blackabys coming alive before my eyes. For those seven days, it was all about "Experiencing God."

Now I am home in the United States, trying to keep that feeling and way of life alive, but failing miserably! I am trying to hold on to what I saw and apply it in a totally different environment, one where "God-Centered Living" looks quite different and "Our Plans" trump "God's Plans" even amongst the most devout Christians. I believe that I can hear God speak…but can I apply what He is telling me?

Have you ever felt that way? That God is telling you something, but you can't figure out how to implement it? Or that perhaps you are not strong enough to do what it takes? That you are swimming against the current? I know I have, and not only after spending a week observing God at work in another culture!

Our unit study covered the difference between a self-centered life and God-centered life. We learned the importance of God using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. There are many examples of this is Scripture. We often ask a fun question in small groups: If you could meet anyone from the Old Testament who would you want to meet and why?” When you look at the answers, you realize these were ordinary people walking in God’s will. They often prayed, waited and then acted on God’s direction. We have the same opportunity today when we yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work through us and in our lives.

At the end of our study this week we learned how God speaks and how to respond. Pay attention to how He is speaking to you. If you are uncertain about hearing Him, use your spiritual journal and write down your thoughts, Begin with the sentence “Today God spoke to me when He…..” and complete the sentence. Examine your heart and mind to see where He is working and speaking in your life. While His voice is not audible, it does exist. Learn to recognize it as you journal daily. Write down any frustrations you have with this concept and share your thoughts in small groups this week, or post a comment below.

In the coming weeks lessons we will delve into these concepts more deeply as we study the 7 Realities of Experiencing God. Are you ready? Are you excited? I know I am!

Flashback – March 24, 2015. Flight 200 from Atlanta, Georgia to Johannesburg, South Africa. The flight reached cruising altitude and I settled back into my seat to work on my Experiencing God lessons. I could see my seatmate, a middle aged black South African gentlemen on his way home to Johannesburg, watching me. Eventually he started asking me questions – Why was I reading and writing about God? What did I expect to learn by doing that? Why was I going to South Africa? What was I going to be doing there? What did my church hope to accomplish by bringing all of us there? He got rather loud and excited, and started drawing diagrams in my book about how churches try to help people and fail. I did my best to answer his questions but I wasn't sure what his angle was or what he was after. It was a relief when the flight attendant delivered our dinners and the conversation ended as we ate, then drifted off to sleep. Fifteen hours later, we landed in Johannesburg. My seatmate shook my hand and wished me well on my journey. His parting words to me were "Remember to be patient, Carla. Remember to wait for God."

ASSIGNMENT FOR THE WEEK:

Join a small group for study and fellowship.
Complete Week 3 in your Experiencing God workbook.
Optional: Watch the Session 3 video or listen to the audio
Record your thoughts in your Spiritual Journal (see pg. 271 for instructions)

BIBLE STUDY TIPS:
Sometimes we all fall behind in our Bible study lessons! Life can take unexpected turns. Satan would like nothing more than to have you just give up, but PLEASE DON'T! You can get caught up and stick with this study until the end. Every weekend, make sure you are caught up from the week before. Try doing one lesson in the morning and another in the evening until you are caught up (yes, we know the book says not to do that…but that's an ideal… better to do two lessons a day than none!) Make Bible study a priority, giving up other activities like television and social media until you are caught up. Use your weekends to catch up since there are only 5 workbook assignments a week and no weekend assignments. Carry your workbook with you and use those spare moments we all have to catch up in your workbook. If necessary just choose a point to "start fresh" – wipe the slate clean and start a new week's lessons. Pick up where you are supposed to be. You can always go back and do the lessons you missed later – this is not ideal but it is better than abandoning the study altogether. Finally, contact your small group leader if you are having trouble – she will be happy to share some ideas with you and keep you accountable.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK (answer in your small group or post your answers here):

In your own words, define "self-centered" and "God-centered". What is the key difference between the two
Blackaby says" If you have trouble hearing God speak, you are in trouble at the heart of your Christian experience." On the surface, that is a pretty harsh statement! What is your reaction to it?
What are four ways God speaks? When He speaks what does He reveal? What is the key to knowing God's voice?
Can you think of a time when God probably wanted to use you in an assignment and you chose not to follow His leading? Describe the situation.
Do your actions acknowledge Christ as Lord of your life? If so, how? If not, what response should you make to right now to His claims on your life?

I hope that you are loving this study are much as I am! Exciting things happen when we "Experience God" – hold on tight and enjoy the ride. This is just the beginning.

See you next week!

Blessings,

femaleInside

Monday, April 6, 2015