Thursday, June 21, 2012

Duty or Delight Summer Study - Start

Hello Everyone! 

This is the day that we have been waiting for.  I don’t know about you but I am definitely chomping at the bit to get back into Bible study.  It has been four whole weeks since I have been studying with my Tuesday morning ladies and I am finding myself missing what I took for granted week after week as we gathered throughout the year.  I bet you are too!  If you don’t attend Tuesday morning Bible study, know that you are welcome here and we are thrilled that you have joined us.  There is always room for one more.
                                    
Would you agree that there is something about opening up God’s Word with other like minded women who are thirsting for a fresh revelation from Him?  I feel such an excitement whenever I start a new Bible study since I know that I will be changed (and so will you) by the time I flip that last page and close the workbook.  I have been praying that there would be an incredible outpouring of His spirit as we dive into His Word together over the next six weeks.  I am believing that God would mark us by what we learn and that there would be a kind of move of the Spirit that brings lasting and long term results.   One that is clearly noticeable in each of our lives.  That is the kind of prayer I know God hears and answers. So let’s come with anticipation and expectation with our collective hearts and minds open to what He has in store for us.  He never fails to disappoint.

So let me give you the ABC’s of how this is all going to work.  There are three things you will be looking for each week when you log onto this post:

A) Make sure that you are working on the correct week of homework
You will want to make sure that you are working on the homework that is assigned for that week.  For example, today is the day that you will start week one of your homework.  You will notice that each week’s work is not divided into days but subjects.  This is a beautiful alternative to what we have done in the past.  With this format you can move through the material at your own pace.  If there is a concept that you want to meditate on, you have that option to slow down and let it soak in before you move on.  The only thing that you want to keep in mind is that you will need to finish all the work by the end of that week.

B) Watch the video intro/recap
We also have something very exciting that I discovered after our initial post for Duty or Delight.  I found on our author’s website some intro/recap videos that are about four minutes each that we can watch (on your own) at the start of each week of work.  These videos will briefly recap what you have learned over the previous week and introduce what is ahead in the next.  These are worth watching if you are one who enjoys that kind of thing.  I am very excited about this new development because I know the more ways we can get the same material into our minds the more apt we are to retain it.  

C) Direct you to the memorization verse
Another thing we will do with each post is remind you of the memory verse that you will be working on.  If you look in the back of your book you will see six scripture memory cards.  Our goal is to memorize all six scriptures by the end of our study.  If you don’t like the version (not the verse) that she is using, feel free to memorize from whatever Bible version that you feel most comfortable.  That choice is yours.  Memorization is a vital part of spiritual transformation and if you have never done this kind of thing before, I greatly encourage it.

OK then!  Is everyone ready?  I know I am!  Here is what you need to get started.

1) Your homework for this week starts on page 10, Knowing God Has Chosen Us, and runs all the way through page 35.  I am anticipating this time in the Word to be filled with great encouragement.  Remember that we will not be meeting until July 10th where we will cover weeks one and two.

2) Your Bible memorization verse is Ephesians 1:4 “For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.” 

3) Here is the video clip for this week.  You will want to watch it before you start your homework.  



Ok Ladies, this is where we fold back the front flap of our study, turn to page eleven, put a crease in the binding, pick of your nearest pen and read with me….Would you agree that life……

Love you guys!  I am so excited that you have decided to join me in this time of study.  You are wonderfully loved and deeply appreciated.  Be blessed. 

Serving in His Grace;
Arlene