I’d like to be one of those people who awakens each day, cozies up with some coffee, brings out their adorable journal and special pen, and reads the Word in the peaceful early morning hours when the world is still tucked into bed and the sun is gently warming the earth – yeah, but, nope. Unless I’m in a group, accountable to others I tend to just have that cup of coffee and leave the spiritual, thoughtful journaling and meditating to those who are more disciplined than me.
“But you write Bible studies! You study and read and teach and create and all that!”
Yeah, I know. Weird right? Here’s the deal – I’ve learned that God gave me a passion and a skill set – teaching and writing. I love both, and so I’ve realized that in using both I end up more personally invested in that idyllic devotional time. So, I began writing studies – to be a blessing to others (I hope) and for sure to get me on the ball and more disciplined in my time in the Word – and that might sound odd: “more disciplined” as if it’s a chore – it truly isn’t – well, except when it is. You know what I mean?
So, here I am getting ready for another season of a brand new Bible study. For three years I’ve known I’d be in Genesis. I wrote a study through Esther and Ruth, Hebrews, Acts, and last year – a big one, Romans. All the while knowing that this year I’d be in Genesis.
I waited to begin Genesis for a few reasons – for starters, I had some personal questions to seek out answers for, I wanted to have a better understanding of some of the tricky subjects – excuse me, Nephilim? What in the world? Young earth? Old earth? Evolution? Was Adam a real person? A talking snake? – and I just wanted to be really ready – and now, I am! Well, as ready as anyone could be to take on a deep, verse-by-verse, dive into one of those most foundational books ever written in all of human history – no big.
So, here I am (I know I already said that) inviting you to join me – join us. I lead a small community of women who, like me, just want to have a more focused and intentional time in God’s Word. We want to grow, think, be encouraged, have community, and above all come to a deeper understanding of the God who loves us.
You can register and join me in person if you’re nearby in the La Mirada area or you can register and join me online. We meet every other week September-April (with a break in December). Tuesdays at 9am or 6pm and also Wednesdays at 6pm. There’s discussion and fellowship time with other women – probably some who actually do get up at dawn shortly before her children “rise up and call her blessed” – and then I share a message from the lesson we’ve just studied.
I write lessons to give us daily time to dwell in a passage. We meet in person or online every other week, so that gives you a full two weeks to work on your lesson. This is organized a little differently than most Bible studies. Over the course of two weeks each lesson will look like this:
Day One: Grace Group & Teaching – share, discuss, grow, and encourage. I also teach through the previous passage.
Day Two: “Fly-Over” day – simply read through the passages we’ll be dwelling in throughout this lesson.
Days 3-9: “Drive-Through” – get into the passages more closely – dwell in the Word and let the Word dwell in you!
Day 10: “Create & Share” – bring together what the Lord has been teaching you in a creative way. I’ll give you a prompt and encourage you to share what you’re learning.
You can register and get more details on my church’s website www.LaMiradaChurch.com
Here’s a link to my podcast and YouTube channel
And, you can join my Bible study group on Facebook
Complete the “Let’s Connect” form on this page and I’ll keep you in the loop.
I generally kick off a new study every Fall that runs from September through April. Click Here to see the current study and view past and upcoming studies as well.
~Jennifer
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