Intimacy With God - A Different Bible Study Method

Digging deeper into God's Word is something that I really want to do more of on a daily basis. My pastors wife and I were discussing this one day and she gave me a great idea of how to draw more out of verses that I love!

We all know about 'thought bubbles' when it comes to writing, but she suggested using this same method for learning more about scripture too! I immediately loved the idea, because, as you know, I love anything and everything to do with writing (even using a dictionary and thesaurus!)

It may seem like a less personal way to study the precious word of God, but I've found that it adds more depth of meaning to the verses and more of a handle on how to apply it to my life. Which is what we all need to do more of, I'm sure!

So, here's the process ...

• find a favourite Bible verse that you want to memorise and dig deeper into
• write this verse in the middle of your page with a circle around it
• circle/highlight/underline the most significant words of the verse for you
• using a dictionary and thesaurus find meanings of selected words and write them branching off each word
• find other Bible verses that are about chosen words and write them branching off definitions

Easy to understand? I'll show you ...

 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, 

but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

2 Timothy 1:7

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

This is definitely something that I will continue to do as a part of how I study God's Word. I desire to be a women who pours out the word of God; living words that refresh, guide, encourage, correct. I know that I can't live this life and fulfil all that God has given me to do at each stage, without the guidance that comes from His Word. God's Word is life to us; it should be our priority. 

Our most valuable possession in this life is our intimacy with God. 

We have to determine how intimate we are going to be with Him. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

Enjoy being intimate with God this week!

What On Earth Am I Here For? - Part Two & Three

I'm a little behind, I know, but here are the lessons that I've learnt in weeks two and three of 'What on Earth Am I Here For?' It's been a great few weeks of learning together as a Church family, as husband and wife and individually. 

Week two we learnt ...

... that we are called to be loved.

• The first purpose of our life is to be loved by God! Jude 1:1
• Our first calling is to enjoy a relationship with God. Rom 1:7
• That relationship is to be His son or daughter. Eph 3:17-19
• His love is wide enough to be everywhere, long enough to last forever, deep enough to handle anything, high enough to overlook our mistakes.

God's love is based on who HE is. His love for us is extravagant and lavish. God wants us to feel His love. He wants a family to love and He wants you and me in it!

What changes happen if we stay aware of God's constant love for us?

• We feel accepted rather than ashamed. Rom 5:1
• We can be bold in bringing our needs to God. Rom 8:14-15, 17. Heb 4:16
• We have peace in pain that we don't understand. Rom 8:28
• We gain courage to take risks. 1 John 4:18

Week three we learnt ...

... we are called to belong.

• The second purpose for our life is that God formed us for His family. Eph 1:5
• God's family is called His Church. 1 Tim 3: 14-15
• We are called to belong to His Church. Eph 2:19

The benefits of belonging ...

(Five Bible metaphors)

• In God's family we learn our identity. Eph 2:19, Heb 2:11
• In God's temple we are supported by others. Eph 2:21-22, Rom 1:12
• In Christ's body we discover our unique value. Rom 12:4-5, 1 Cor 12:15-16
• In God's flock we are protected and cared for. 1 Peter 5:2, Gal 6:2
• In God's garden our lives become productive. John 15:4-5

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Also, a reminder that it's definitely not too late to join in Sufficient Grace's first ever Instagram Photo Challenge for the month of August! To find all the information click here, I'd absolutely love to have you join in and spread the word! 

I'll be posting a week's worth of my Instagram pics on a post soon! 

I hope you're having a beautiful week!

What On Earth Am I Here For? - Part One

Our Church has just begun an exciting study together called "What on earth am I here for' by Rick Warren. I thought that I'd write a quick post each week to share with you what has been the main points that I've learnt that Sunday so that this way, you can be encouraged and also know a bit about the study for yourself in case you're wanting to work through it too!

So, these are the main points that I've learnt from the study so far, feel free to read the scriptures added as a part of your quiet time ...

• My calling is a gift from God - it's free. It's a flat out gift. Gal 1:6
• I am called for God's purpose - God did not make me for me. Eph 2:10
• God chose may calling before I was born - Gal 1:15 & Isaiah 44:2
• My sins and mistakes do not change my call - God has no plan B for me. 1 Tim 1:12-13
• My calling is permanent - Rom 11:29
• My calling is connected to others - I can't enjoy my destiny on my own - Eph 4:4
• God empowers what He calls me to do - 2 Thes 1:11
• There is a prize for living out my calling - Phil 3:14 & 1 Thes 2:12

Listen to God's Word everyday

Enlist friends who challenge you

Ask questions and accept correction

Remember and reinforce what I learn

Now DO it!

See you later this week! Have a beautiful day!

FTF: Cynthia Heald Study Number Three

Well our small study group is on to our third of Cynthia Heald's studies for the year! I think it's very safe to say that we enjoy her teaching very much! We are now going through, "Becoming a Woman of Freedom". If you haven't tried one of her studies yet and you want to, then get started! You won't be disappointed!

 

 

We are up to chapter four next week. So far, chapters one to three have been amazing. Full of Biblical truth, encouragement and opportunity for growth. I've really enjoyed being in a group while doing all these studies as it's so amazing to hear what God is doing in the lives of my friends and also to hear their perspective and what God's been teaching them. The fellowship of discussing and answering the questions together has really drawn more out of this study for all of us.

 

 

Here are the topics covered in this study:

• Laying Aside Hindrances: Running with Freedom
• Laying Aside the Old Self: Running with the New Self
• Laying Aside the Past: Running with an Eternal Perspective
• Laying Aside Pleasing People: Running with Fellowship
• Laying Aside Bitterness: Running with Forgiveness
• Laying Aside Busyness: Running with Rest
• Laying Aside Anxiety: Running with Peace
• Laying Aside Doubt and Fear: Running with Faith and Trust
• Laying Aside the Flesh: Running with the Spirit

 

I am really enjoying getting deeper into the Word through this study. It has revealed areas in my life that are still needing God's gracious work in, and I'm thankful that He brings these things to my attention lovingly and tenderly and He then helps me learn the lessons.

 

If you are wanting a really beautiful, Biblically accurate and challenging study, then any of Cynthia's would be great for you. Her studies are so good for getting to know our amazing God and Saviour even more deeply.

 

Be sure to let me know if you've started one of her studies and what you think about them!

 (Linking up with 'A Wise Woman Builds Her Home' for more encouragement for you!)



Faith Talk Friday: Another Brilliant Cynthia Heald Bible Study

Well I have just completed another of Cynthia's studies with our little Monday morning Bible study group, and needless to say, it was fabulous! This study taught on the topics of God's Purpose for Himself, for us collectively and for me uniquely. It has been a blessing. Once again Cynthia adds many personal experiences and life lessons, scriptures and quotes, that add such richness and value to the truth that she teaches into the hearts of women.

 

These are some of my favourite truths that I have learnt through this study:

• God's choice of me is the basis of my view of myself. If the sovereign, majestic God of the universe lovingly and personally called me to Himself, then I am valuable, precious and loved because of that calling.
• Gods ways are not our ways, but His ways are always right, always for His glory and always for our good.
• It is in waiting that we are able to sense God's prompting to do something or just keep waiting.
• It is enough for me to know that God has called me and that He is continually working everything for His good purposes in my life.

I think that's enough to share, or I'll just keep writing out the whole book! I will say though, that the quotes in this study, particularly by Oswald Chambers, are simply amazing. We all agreed that we could have just stopped and 'delved into' some of these quotes and learnt so much just from them alone!

 

If you are wanting a challenging, yet refreshing study I highly recommend this study. Very highly recommend it. It is life-giving and God-inspired.

Here is an excerpt about the study taken from Cynthia's website:

 

Women sometimes wonder, "Who am I? Why am I here?" While society emphasises wealth, success, and the pursuit of pleasure, the truth is that we are created by God in His image, and our fulfilment is found in pursuing His purposes for us. This study will guide you to a better understanding of your identity, God's will, and His intended purpose for you.

 

Please be sure to let me know if you are working through these studies too, or have done in the past. I would love to hear from you! It's good to join together and encourage each other in the truths we learn!

 

The next study we are beginning is on the 'Names of God'. I'm a bit excited as this is an area I know I've only just begun to comprehend! God is just so good, so faithful and full of unending love for us.

 

I hope you're having such a blessed week.

A Brilliant Cynthia Heald Bible Study

On Monday mornings I have been going to a friends place, to join with a beautiful group of ladies for a Bible Study. It has been such a timely study in my life (in all of our lives) and being on a Monday morning, it's a lovely start to the week.  I thought that I would share it with you so that you could enjoy it too if you wanted!
 
It's perfect for individual or group settings. I enjoy group settings the most for a few reasons; one being the accountability to get the 'homework' done so that you experience rich growth, two because it's so good to witness how God is working in all of our lives (and to encourage one another), and three, well, it's always nice to get together with a group of like-minded women to fellowship!
 
The study is called 'Becoming a Woman of Simplicity' and it's written by an amazing Christian lady named, Cynthia Heald. You may have heard of her, if you have you will know how biblically accurate and encouraging, and sometimes (more-often than not!) correcting her Bible studies are! If you haven't heard of her and you are after something to encourage you in the areas of staying focused, removing distractions, not being pressured by deadlines, people etc., then this study is perfect for you. It teaches how we really don't need to be living a stressful, world-driven life, but a life in-step with God; drawing from His strength, guidance, leading and peace. A God paced life. Cynthia states that the key to 'all this' life is to have the focus of our hearts being single-mindedly devoted to knowing and loving Christ.
 
Cynthia gives beautiful teaching from truths lived out over her life; she lives out what she speaks out.
 

 

 

The blurb on the back of the book.

 

 The chapters discussed in the study.

 

A passage that hits the nail on the head.

(Sorry for the poor quality picture. I hope it doesn't hurt your eyes

trying to read it. Let me know if you would like me to type it

out for you more clearly, it would be my pleasure!)

 

 

Cynthia was even kind and gracious enough to reply in person (using our names) to an email that our Bible study leader sent to her letting her know how much growth we have enjoyed through this study! Such a lovely lady with such a beautiful faith.

 

I look forward to learning through the rest of the study in the next few weeks. Thankfully, all of us have decided to go on and do another of Cynthia's studies together after this one is finished! It does us good to challenge and work out our faith, to stretch ourselves a bit and let God do His work in us!

 

I hope that you would consider this study or any of her others to do on your own or with a group of women if you are wanting to grow even more in your faith. (I have also done 'Loving Your Husband' ... ahem ... that study was ... very rewarding!)

 

And Cynthia, if you ever read this post (highly unlikely I know!), thank you so much for your wisdom and for your obedience in using your gifts to bless the lives of women in His Name, I'm sure there have been many.





 

I'd love for you to pop back and let me know if you've done any of Cynthia's studies, or plan to do this study and how it goes for you!