Saturday, March 8, 2008

Ready to get started?

I'm so excited the time has come to begin our walk together through the women of the Bible! Let's run through some details of how it will work over the next 6 weeks as we cover 3 women per week.

On Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays I'll be posting the scriptures we are to read here on my blog. You can look them up in your own Bible, or you can read them online. I'll provide a link to Biblegateway each time. Some of the women's stories will be a little longer than others, but none of them require massive amounts of time to read.

Begin your time reading with a short prayer such as this, "Dear Lord, I come to your Word seeking Your wisdom, to know Your will for me, and to know You more intimately. Help me clear my mind and focus in on this. Guide me into understanding what I read. Please draw me close and speak to me as I read and reflect on these words, in Jesus' Name."

The goal on these days is two-fold. One to get the reading done and post an "I did it" comment here. And two, to listen for God's voice as you read and as you continue thinking about this woman and her story through out your day. I don't want you breaking out the commentary books at this point (if that's even your thing), I just want you to encounter the scriptures with no preconceived notions from other people's interpretations, and nothing to sway your thoughts about the story but the Spirit of God Himself.

Feel free to write down your thoughts if you want to as you read or as you reflect. You can write down anything you think God might be revealing to you. You can write down any questions you have while or after reading. You can also write down a prayer you have in response if you want. Writing will help you internalize and remember what you are reading but realize this is optional ... on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays all you have to do is complete your reading and post when you're done. :)

Then, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we'll all come back here to "talk about" what we read, or what we feel we heard God whisper to our hearts, through our comments. On these days we'll learn from each other. If you are a commentary reader or a Greek-Hebrew Study Bible kinda girl, you can break those out and tell us what they say about our ancient sisters in Christ. I'll be posting on these days either my own reflections, or some discussion questions, or a writing prompt for our journals, or else some ideas for further reading or digging deeper. Won't it be fun to read all the comments, questions and thoughts we share?! I can't wait.

So that's the plan - 3 days each week of reading, 3 days of processing what you've read, Saturdays off, and over the course of six weeks you will have learned about the major female characters in God's grand story.

Please realize that some of your fellow sisters on this journey will be old pros in their walk with Christ, while others will be newbies. Some of us will already be reading the Bible regularly, and other of us will be looking to establish or re-establish the habit. We will be from varying walks of life, and varying theological or denominational church backgrounds. So the rules of engagement here are to focus on our common ground as mutual, imperfect Christians and sisters in Christ, and to continually season our words lovingly with grace.

Feel free to sign your first name if you want as you post comments, or your blog address if you'd like to invite people over to your place on the net. (Its OK to remain anonymous.) Won't it be great to come through this study having gained a few new cyber-friends?

As you can see, all you need is an Internet connection to participate. A Bible would be great to have - any translation you want - but you can read online if you don't have a Bible handy. Also, a simple notebook or journal would be useful to have a place to capture and process your thoughts. But all that's really required is a willingness to make the effort to draw near to God by reading the scriptures.

Are you ready? Your first reading assignment will be posted by dawn tomorrow (not that you have to get up that early to read it!). I look forward to our time together.

77 comments:

  1. Yay, Rachel...this sounds great! I'm so participating! Oh, and I would be honored to send you a card! Just e-mail me with your snail mail address! :o)

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  2. This is exciting. I'm even going to pull some other girls from my church to read along.

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  3. I'm excited. Thank you for the time and effort you are putting in for all of us. Lynn

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  4. i'm in!!

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  5. Hi Rachel,
    I am looking forward to this!
    Thanks for taking time to do this study with all of us.
    Margaret

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  6. I'm in and inviting my daughter-in-law to participate as well. Thanks for this:-)

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  7. Yeah I cannot wait! I am in-this is exactly what I need right now.

    Thanks for doing this. I think I am going to use this as well for Bible time with my girls. It would be a great benefit to teach them about women in the Bible.
    Blessings,
    Angela

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  8. Is the 1st posted scripture supposed to be Today 3/9 or Monday 3/11?

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  9. I am new at this online blog thing! This is exciting . . . thanks for the opportunity to participate in the Bible Study!

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  10. Looking forward to the Bible Study.

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  11. My mom told me about this bible study. It looks like a great idea. I hope I can participate.

    Thanks,
    ~*Melody*~

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  12. I am in-this is exactly what I need right now.

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  13. Very timely! Thank you

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  14. This morning I was in prayer about all the "things" that are required in my life at this moment. I prayed for God to give me knowledge, strength and time to accomplish the requirements that I not only have upon myself but those others have on me. I came downstairs to read my Encouragement for the Day and there was Rachel and this site. Thank you so much for being here and for allowing God to use you as a tool to help shape the lives of not only myself but of so many women into the Daughters who will bring honor and glory to The Lord God Almighty. I am looking forward to my daily devotions with all of you. Your Sister in Christ, Gina

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  15. Yes, I am interested!

    Blessings,
    BJD

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  16. Look forward to the journey

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  17. This sounds great. Thanks for inviting us all to participate. I hope we can continue past the 6 weeks. I love to "eat" the word! It is nourishment for my soul. Thank you! Looking forward to this adventure together.

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  18. I'm done with the reading!

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  19. Thank you so much! More than anything, I need structure- thank you for hosting this study of the bible.

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  20. I have known that I'm one of the ladies that needs to re-establish private time with my Lord. I'm looking forward to this "jump start" back into Bible study.
    Thank you so much Rachel!

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  21. I am looking forward to searching the Scriptures this way.

    marilyn

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  22. I'm so glad I found this today! I've been trying to get things straight again and it's "killing" me that I can't get back to how I used to be in my walk.

    I'm really looking forward to this! Thank you so much for this idea and putting in so much effort.

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  23. May I ask for prayer as we being this journey together? I'll be having my second surgery in six months March 21st. Please pray for a quick recovery, no nausea or vomiting, no major swelling and rest during my recovery.

    Bless you, that you for your prayers, and thank you too that while I'm home following surgery I can focus on this Bible study!

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  24. This is what I needed to give me that extra push each day. Thank you Marge

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  25. Thanks, I've found the next steps and I'm in.

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  26. Rachel, Thanks for caring about us, for taking the time to start this program and for desiring that we all have a deeper relationship with God! Blessings to you! Sue

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  27. Wow! I am just finishing up another online study, which I feel I could have been more consistent with. I use to get up every morning for a half hour quiet time. Unfortunately, I let life changes take that away from me. I long to be on a quiet time schedule again. Count me in!

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  28. I am so excited. I feel God sent this to me today

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  29. I just signed in and this is what i've been seeking, thank you for providing this aid, you've answered what i've been asking God to help me in getting to know him more intimately.

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  30. Thanks Rachel..God Bless you for your time to share with us. Read my daily, Mon. 3/10

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  31. What a cool idea! Glad to be a part. Plan to encourage some of my friends to read along as well. Today's reading was interesting!

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  32. I did It! I am excited about what God has in store for me. I am hoping my daughter will join along. God Bless.

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  33. I have ben getting this message for a while. I got it God. I am in.

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  34. Dear Rachel,

    Thank you for this!! Reading the Word regularly is a challenge for me because of my work schedule.

    I read today's passage and was struck by how cunningly the devil tricks and deceives us. This is why we must constantly keep our guard up...

    God bless.

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  35. Just finished reading the beginning of the study. I am excited to do this. Thanks for making it available. Sharon

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  36. Hi I just finished reading today's Bible reading and what struck me through this is despite the fact that Adam and Eve disobeyed God he sewed them clothing. I could not help but think of how many times in my Christian life I have failed HIM and yet HE blessed me anyway. His love for us is impossible to understand but the longer I live the more I appreciate it. Rose Raintree

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  37. I crave fellowship with women..I'm in and excited about the insight I will gain from all of you!

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  38. How do you post a picture on your comments? I would like to do this but not sure how to accomplish it.

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  39. It sounds interesting, so please do sign me up. Thanks so very much! Aunt M.

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  40. Started late but I read it!!

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  41. Hi Rachel
    Thanks for doing this Reading, I'm then with you and all my other sisters in Christ Jesus. ycf

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  42. This is just what I need to jumpstart me. Our sermon yesterday was getting the junk food out and feed upon the "pure milk" of the word. 1 Peter 2:1-2. Thanks so much for your encouragement.

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  43. I've been going to bible studies off and on for the last year or so. Thanks for starting this! It saves gas, time, and opens the opportunity to meet so many other christian ladies.

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  44. I am in. This is all very new to me but looking forward to it.

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  45. I did it :-) this is GREAT!

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  46. I have just completed the reading, and my question is:How can this so easily relate to where we are in today's world, so easily persuaded to be disobedient and make decisions outside the covenant of husband and wife.She did not get the idea from Adam, she allowed someone else to speak in her ear. MCarter

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  47. My toes still hurt from having them stepped on with your email this morning. Thank you for offering up this challenge. I'm in!
    KP

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  48. GOD knows what you need even before you know that you need it. HE also makes it crystal clear when He gives it to you. I have been wanting to read my bible on a daily basis and I have never made the time to be consistent. I would start off reading the bible and for one reason or another I would stop. I am so happy the Rachel has this 6 week group reading and discussion. Not only will I be reading the bible but God has allowed me to share with others and make new friends. Hallelujah for it all!

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  49. I am so excited to have found this. Count me in.

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  50. I am so excited to have found this. Count me in.

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  51. The Proverbs 31 daily devotional that I recieved today and this Bible reading group was exactly my prayer this morning. I am so thankfull to have recieved that devotional. God is so good and he does know what you need before you ask. I thank you, Rachel, for being obedient to Gods Word to do as He has asked you to do so His daughters can recieve from Him. through you

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  52. I'm in. Thank you for taking the time to guide us in this study.

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  53. I did it! This looks like it's going to be an awesome way to grow and learn!!
    Lesli<><

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  54. This is still new for me and i want to get closer to god and this such a great start.

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  55. I'm in - just found this on 3/10. This is just what I need!!!

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  56. This is wonderful ~ thanks for all the hard work, Rachel. I'm a newbie at this (both reading the Bible and posting to a blog) so bear with me!

    Thanks!

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  57. Thank you for doing this. It is wonderful!

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  58. i just started and read the section on eve one day late but i did it

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  59. hey sister thank you for this journey and your dedication, and i could say I see eve different she made a mistake admit, repent and payed for her mistake. She must been a very strong women I don't think i would be so strong to walk her walk.

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  60. Thanks, Rachel I'm very Thankful that God led me to read the devotional today. I've been praying for an accountability partner for over a year. Yesterday someone from the SS class I lead called and asked me if I would consider being her prayer partner. We will meet later this week to begin our accountability partnership. And now today there is this accountability for the next 6 weeks. Our God is Awesome!

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  61. Count me in, Rachel. This is what I have been waiting for. I have decided to make time for reading my Bible each day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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  62. Yes! I am soooo in!!! Thanks for this opportunity!!!

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  63. This is just what I need right now. Thanks for doing this bible study.

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  64. We all have a lot to learn from the women in the Bible (both good and bad). I'm looking forward to learning even more. Thanks.

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  65. This is so awesome! I'm in and did my reading and am loving this incredible opportunity for insight and fellowship! Thanks Rachel! God Bless You!

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  66. This a great way to find time for the word esp with such a busy schedule. I am in! Thanks!

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  67. Thanks Rachel. This is going to be a blessed experience.

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  68. Thank you for the insight and accountability. I shared with some of my friends and they signed up too. God is so good. I've read about Eve and Sarah and am anxious for tomorrow's postings.

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  69. last night was my first night, and i just can't wait to get home tonight to read again. I invited a few girls yesterday by email, i'm not sure if any joined in. if not they are really missing out. You were so right for us not to judge EVE. I know i certainly don't know FOR SURE what i would have done. Knowing me though, i probably would have eaten the apple as well. Maybe two! Thank you for sharing your insights and thoughts with us, and helping us to have a closer relationship with our father. Forever greatful!
    Cindy B

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  70. Online Bible study - that's what I'm talking about. How exciting!!
    Let's go on our adventure...

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  71. I am still new at all this but I do love this Bible study. It is wonderful to study with a group of on line sisters in Christ
    BonnieM

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  72. I'm coming on board, too. Let's get crusin' together!

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  73. Please can I join in. Hope I am not too late.

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