Bible Study

I'm linking this post to Mary's blog, Giving Up on Perfect, and am writing about subjects that she's chosen for the next seven Thursdays:

March 10 – Baptism
March 17 – Wedding
March 24 – Funeral
March 31 – Worship
April 7 – Bible study
April 14 – Prayer
April 21 – Communion


I used to work at a church and was off on Thursdays. About 5 years ago, I began attending a Thursday morning Bible Study at my church (a different church from the one that employed me). We met weekly through the school year with a group of about 15 to 20 women and we made our way through Beth Moore studies, different books of the Bible, different topics (like heaven and what scripture says about it). I had gained knowledge and developed relationships with these faith-filled women.

I was unemployed for almost three years and was able to devote more of my time/life to studying the Bible. I began journaling and blogging and because of the quiet in my home, I was able to be aware of God's presence in every aspect of my life. The years of being at home were a gift.

I've also do Bible studies on the telephone with my friend Terri in Maryland. We began with a one year women's devotional, completed Me, Myself and Lies...A Thought Closet Makeover, watched "Made To Crave" online and are continuing with another book. We read a chapter a week and use the questions to guide us in our conversation and thoughts on faith. We've been friends for over 20 years and bringing Bible Study into our weekly conversations has deepened our friendship. A gift!

I was hired last December and my days are now spent at work Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (And please don't misunderstand me, the job is a blessing because as most people know it pays better than not working. :)

But there are drawbacks to not being at home.

I am no longer able to meet with my Bible Study Buddies at my church. I am on the prayer request list and every week I receive prayer requests by email. So a prayer connection remains.

Terri calls every week and after catching up on our families and our lives, we dig into our Bibles and learn more about God's grace and encourage each other.

I am reading The One Year Chronological Bible and visiting Wendy Pope's blog/vlog.

I read (in)courage daily and a few other blogs.

I read Jesus Calling (a daily devotional) each morning before walking into work because it focuses my mind on Jesus.

Through Bible Study, I have become less legalistic in my faith and I think it makes God happy that I don't just know certain parts of the Bible but also am learning of His grace, mercy and am building a relationship with Him.

For years I was stuck in the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law, which is to love the Lord our God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind, and love my neighbor as myself. (Luke 10:27)

I think of myself as a life-long Bible Study student and am intentionally incorporating God's truths into my life.

And that is a gift.

Thank you Mary for choosing today's topic.

Please visit Giving Up on Perfect to read what Mary and others have written about Bible study.

Do you have a memory or some thoughts you'd like to share about Bible study?