“One of the things I really like is how you have us dissect the verses to see what the Bible is really saying. I’ve been learning a lot.”
So said Maria as we sat in a booth at a Denny’s restaurant. She is one of the women studying the Bible using the Brokenness to Beauty Bible Study. Published the end of last year, this is my first time facilitating a Bible study using it. My responses to the positive comments, like Maria’s, are always, “Praise God” or “Thank the Lord.”
And I am truly thankful and give any and all praise back to God, where it belongs. God is using his Word as he promised he would, to instruct and enlighten us as we study it together. His Spirit also convicts.
In Lesson 6 is a section titled “What’s In a Name?” that directs the reader to find Scripture verses that describe the Name of God, such as, “Our Father who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name,” and “the Name of the Lord is holy,” and “Your Name, O Lord, endures forever.” And that most scary verse, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). Yes, God’s Spirit uses his Word to shine the light of truth on our hearts, and habits.
“I am trying very hard to change the way I talk. God really convicted me even though I never thought about it until it was pointed out in the study, that saying ‘Oh my God,’ unless I’m praying of course, is wrong!”
I know Patsy will change her habit of using God’s name as an exclamation, because she deeply loves and is committed to Jesus. Thank the Lord! He is using this Bible study in all the women’s lives, mine included, because this Bible study steeps us in God’s Word and challenges us to act on it! The Word of God is living, powerful, and eternal. God’s Spirit is our Teacher; I just have to facilitate!
I’ve taken each woman out individually for coffee or lunch to create an opportunity to get to know them better. It has been so much fun! Each woman is unique and her story is unique. And as I listen, I can detect the hand of God in each of their lives.
These women bless me by their love for the same Lord I love. They bless me for their hard work to study the Bible each week and come prepared to share what God is teaching them. They bless me for their desire to live worthy of him who died to purchase their salvation.
In a few weeks, we will conclude our 10 lesson Brokenness to Beauty Bible Study. That will not be the end though. I’ve had confirmation from God to establish a women’s discipleship group and with the interest expressed by several of the women in the Bible study to be in it, we will flow seamlessly into the
“Growing in Grace Women’s Discipleship Group” in the following weeks.
By God’s grace, we will continue together to “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18.
Please pray with us. Our desire is to be disciples of Jesus who live worthy of him!
For more information about my book Brokenness to Beauty and its companion study, Brokenness to Beauty Bible Study, please contact me at Jacqueline@jacquelinegwallace.com Or visit my website at http://JacquelineGWallace.com/books.
My sister in Christ: thanks for the delight to read your blog. I like it and I encourage you to continue , you are on the RIGHT track ! God richly bless you all has you study the Word and seek to grow in His Grace and the knowledge of Himself and His Son Jesus Christ the Lord of glory, soon to return for His own! Blessings, prayer and praises . Regards to you and Randy.
Thank you for your encouraging words, Ethel! I just now returned from our Bible study and I am sure you would enjoy our group and come to love these women as I am! What a blessing to be with them. And what a blessing you are, Ethel, as you pray for and encourage me (and my family)! God bless you today and always!