Tag Archives: Bible Study

In the News, Leadership

Are you being nudged to lead a Bible study?

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The Bible is packed with life-giving nuggets of wisdom and encouragement from the Lord. When a group gathers around its pages, wonderful things emerge, like camaraderie, insight, peace and determination.
It is enormously gratifying to be part of others’ growth in their faith, as you watch the light come into their eyes over Scripture. Take the step to say yes to that nudge! Bring together some friends and watch in anticipation at what will happen with your offering to the Lord. Maybe it only feels like a sack lunch with 5 loaves & 2 fishes, but that’s exactly what God can use to bless others.

Don’t feel qualified to lead a Bible Study? Ps 119:144 says the Lord gives understanding.

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In more than 30 years of leading Bible study groups, I have grown to appreciate authors who add insight into God’s Word with illustrations, stories, and examples from their own lives, in order to get the point across. When our group is halfway through a series, I am already thinking about what the next one will entail.
Do you want help finding a study that is right for you? Check out the Bible Study Expo Thursday, March 15, to see the nine authors who will be participating. It’s a great way to get the cliff notes on a variety of studies. You might even win a prize when you participate!
“Bible Study Expo this year is partners with Harvest House Publishers, Abingdon Press, Lighthouse Bible Studies, Concordia Publishing House, Touchtone, Zondervan, Fruitbearer Publishing LLC and Shiloh Run Press to host nine Bible Study book authors and 18 book giveaways for the upcoming online Expo.
The event is an online webinar and will take place at www.BibleStudyExpo.com on the afternoon of Thursday, March 15, beginning at 2 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Each hour will be divided into three, 20-minute author interviews, and include two Bible Study book giveaways. The Expo features Pam Farrel with her book, Discovering Hope in the Psalms; Hayley Dimarco with A Woman Overwhelmed; Katy Kaufman with Breaking the Chains; Rhonda Stoppe with Real Life Romance; Sharla Fritz with Waiting; Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith with Sacred Rest; Michele Cushatt with I Am; Jessica Seneca with Raising Girls; and Carey Scott with Uncommon.”
Even if you can’t attend during the event, you can come back later for the full interview. What are you waiting for? Sign up now!
Sally

About Bible Study Expo:
Bible Study Expo is the only expo of its kind, enjoying its 9th anniversary of collaborating with Bible Study coordinators, leaders, publishers and authors, to create a fun, interactive, online experience for Bible Study enthusiasts worldwide. Every year, thousands of women enjoy the live event and the archived interviews to meet the authors and select their next Bible Study books. Bible Study Expo was founded by Gifts of Encouragement, Inc., in 2009, by Marnie Swedberg.

Faith, Reviews

Bible Study Review: Grin with Grace

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Grin with Grace

When suffering hits, the last thing I want to do is grin; rejoice; be content. But Kathy Carlton Willis contends we not only will do those things, but we will thank the Lord for the trials that grow us. Her book, Grin With Grace is a call to return to the Source of life, the One who can use all things for His good purposes.

There are opportunities for us to be instruments of grace, even in the midst of our suffering. ~ Kathy Carlton Willis

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Kathy is well versed in the suffering department. From health issues to the nitty gritty of living life, she knows the need for a dose of joy. Her goal is to help all of us who feel so far from the goal. Is it a lofty goal? I don’t think so, because the pursuit of wisdom brings us closer to the One who gives it freely to those who ask. And that’s a good place to be.

Grin With Grace is sectioned off into humorous real-life stories, Bible study, life-application steps, turning faith into ministry and challenging scenarios to consider. The sections invite journaling and that reflection invites action. Never does she leave us to sit on our discoveries, but pushes us to share them with others. Our women’s group found the conversation starters helpful and the personal approach to faith, endearing. We used the material as a springboard toward more transparency in our faith and encouragement of each other. The last chapter, especially, created an opportunity to voice our support through benediction, or blessing.

One of the ways Kathy teaches us about the dependability of Grace, is to cause us to look at the effects of our promises. Do we say what we mean, and mean what we say? She calls us to a higher accountability as we mirror the character of God. And such is the tough love found throughout the book; spoken with compassion, yet straight and to the point. She reminds us to seek the One who is enough, so that we won’t try to be sufficient in our own resources. And that is the power in Grin With Grace; truth cushioned with kindness and love.

Make time for this study on grace. It will open your worldview to the characteristics of a grace-filled life, and equip you to look for the touches of God in grace-filled moments!

Sally

Check out the Bible Study Expo, for an interview with Kathy Carlton Willis!