Bible Study
My dear friend,
Bible study is one of my favorite things! Not because I am a learner according to Gallup’s Strengths Finder. Not because I love words. Not because it’s what I should do. Put simply, I find life in His Word. The life-giving God-breathed word pushed into the very depths of my being.
Hebrews 4:12 tell us, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
You see, I have tried emotional. I’ve tried the devotional. I have tried everything possible. Yet, I am unable. Oh but His word – powerful and effectual! Yep, that’s what I need. More times than I can count, I find myself in a circumstance or situation where I need the healing balm of God’s Word rubbed into the crevices of my wounded heart. I need God’s Word to short circuit the downward spiral of my racing mind. I need the tender words of the Wonderful Counselor breathed into to my longing soul.
Really, it’s not just a book. It’s not just a study. It’s a personal encounter with the life-giving living God. Through the Holy Spirit’s empowering, teaching and revealing, God stills speaks. To us, God is often the Good Shepherd of the familiar Psalm 23. And indeed, in the Gospel of John Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. Do you know, however, Jesus says that the sheep, that’s us, need the Shepherd and can know His voice?! In the practice of reading and listening, attending and treasuring, we find that the Word of God speaks.
God promises this, “So shall My word be that goes froth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” And for whatever it’s worth, I promise. Through His word God rescued me from the miry pit and set my feet upon the Rock. He gave me a new song. With whatever wholehearted effort and time we place our needy selves before this gracious God in His word, His word will not return void! It always produces fruit.
This is what I believe. Would you take a risk and believe it too? Pursue it together with me? I would be delighted to share the journey.
It is my great joy and compelled service to share Bible study with you. On this page you can find information about current studies and how to join me. As well, I hope to offer some resources for your own personal study and eventually, a forum for a bit of on-line study together via my blog.
When Jesus Sees: A Divine Intersection & Defining Intervention
First Reformed Church, Hull, Iowa
Wednesdays, September 30-November 18, 7:15 pm; six weeks of study
You and I, we really are the apple of Jesus' eye! Jesus sees us like He saw the women He encountered walking the dusty roads of Israel's inheritance. In a world where bearing a second X chromosome meant you were little more than property, Jesus saw them! With compassionate knowing He looked upon them. With deep love and bold words He spoke, touching a depth of soul never before seen or spoken of. This divine intersection of two lives - one perfectly holy and one perfectly broken- resulted in a divine intervention that forever changed the trajectory of a life. What might happen if we experience Jesus truly seeing us? What might happen if we see ourselves at a divine intersection with the life of Jesus? What if, at this intersection, Jesus intervenes, depositing a few defining words that change the direction of our life? It all begins when Jesus sees. Let's journey together through the pages of the New Testament to see Jesus, who is indeed the God who sees. Each week of study consists of reading and listening to His word followed by a series of content and application questions plus a devotional reflection on the week's Scripture.
To sign up for Bible study, send me your name, email address and a message saying, “Sign me up for Bible study.” I’ll get right back to you with the details!