January 26 - Small Group News

Hello there!

I pray that your week has been full of God's blessings!  I am looking forward to tonight's Small Group and can't wait to see you there!

Last week we discussed Hagar, and what a great discussion we had!  Tonight we will be ending the first month of our study with Lot's Wife.  Can you believe it's already been 4 weeks since we began these new studies?!!

Lot's Wife... She was a prosperous woman who may have been more attached to the good life than was good for her.  Though there is no indication she participated in the sin of Sodom, her story implies that she had learned to tolerate it and that her heart had become divided as a result. 

Her story can be found in Genesis, 18:16-19:29

You are invited to join Authentic Living Ministries tonight at 8 PM (AZ time) as we discuss the following questions:

1. Lot invited these men to stay in his home without consulting his wife.  What kind of home must Lot's wife have made for him and his children?  How would you respond? 
2. Even though we know ancient culture demanded that you guarantee the safety and well being of guests in your home, when Lot offered his daughters to the mob outside, how do you think his wife reacted?  (please answer in more than one or two words)
3. Even though warned not to do so, Lot's wife couldn't resist looking back.  Why do you think she turned?  Do you spend a lot of time looking back? 
4. How can you leave the past behind, enjoy the present, and plan for the future?

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Don't forget, for those of us in the Glendale, AZ area, the Vineyards' annual Women's Conference is coming on February 6-7.  You can sign up online, here:  Restoring Eve: God's Purpose for Women

I'm going to both days and I hope to see you there!

Love & Blessings,

Kathy

If you’re reading this on the Blog and not in your email box, and would like to join Small Group, follow these instructions…

• REGISTER your email to get Small Group updates!  Look to the top right of the Blog, put your email in, and don’t forget to ‘activate’ your registration through the link that will be emailed to you by Feedburner.
• JOIN SMALL GROUP by going to the Join Small Group tab and follow the instructions found there.

January 19 - Small Group News

Good Morning Ladies!

Welcome to another beautiful Monday!

Tonight we will be discussing...

HAGAR...A foreigner and a slave, she let pride overtake her when she became Abraham's wife.  A lonely woman with few resources, she suffered harsh punishment for her mistake. She obeyed God's voice as soon as she heard it and was given a promise that her son would become the father of a great nation.

Join us tonight at 8 PM as we discuss the following questions:

1. Sarah's proposition was a customary one of that day.  Hagar had little say, but she must have had some reaction to the proposition.  What reaction do you have when you find yourself in a situation over which you have no control?  How can God help you when you are in such a position?
2. The area to which Hagar (while pregnant) ran away was probably barren and sparsely populated.  Describe how desperate she must have felt to run away from a difficult but safe situation to the 'desert'.  Have you ever been that desperate?  What were the circumstances?
3. Even though Hagar and Ishmael were outcasts and alone, God lovingly cared for them.  How do you think Hagar felt when she laid Ishmael down and went away because she "could not watch the boy die"?  How did God meet her needs?  In what ways has God met your needs when you were despairing and alone?

I can hardly wait until tonight to discuss what we learned in our study last week!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Next week, January 26, we will be studying the life of Lot's Wife.  I promise not to make it too 'salty'.  (go ahead, roll your eyes!) Please make plans to join us!

February 6-7 is the Vineyard's annual Women's Conference.  If you're in the Glendale AZ area please make plans to attend!  Let me know if you are and we can meet up and attend together!  For more info, please go here: http://vineyardnorthphoenix.com/wc2015

I'd like to take a moment to welcome all of our new Group members!  We are so very pleased to have you join us!  And I'd like to give you all of our returning ladies a hearty virtual >hug<.

See you tonight!

Blessings, Kathy

If you’re reading this on the Blog and not in your email box, and would like to join Small Group, follow these instructions…

• REGISTER your email to get Small Group updates!  Look to the top right of the Blog, put your email in, and don’t forget to ‘activate’ your registration through the link that will be emailed to you by Feedburner.
• JOIN SMALL GROUP by going to the Join Small Group tab and follow the instructions found there.

January 12 - Small Group News

Welcome back to Authentic Living Ministries! 

Last week we discussed the life of Eve and how her life mirrors our own.  It was a fascinating study, full of insight and I know that personally it touched me.  If you missed it, no worries, because tonight we are going to be looking into the life of...

SARAH - Beautiful enough to attract rulers in the ancient world, she could be strong-willed, and jealous.  Yet Sarah was considered a loyal wife who did what was right and who didn't give in to fear.

Join us tonight at 8 PM as we discuss the following questions:

1. Put yourself in Sarah's position.  Do you think you might have laughed also?  Why or why not?
2. God fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Sarah in his time. Have you ever waited for God to fulfill a promise?  How did you feel?  What did you do?
3. God used Sarah in spite of her feelings, her impatience.  How can God use you in spite of your imperfections?

I am so looking forward to seeing you tonight!  

Blessings!

Kathy

If you’re reading this on the Blog and not in your email box, and would like to join Small Group, follow these instructions…

• REGISTER your email to get Small Group updates!  Look to the top right of the Blog, put your email in, and don’t forget to ‘activate’ your registration through the link that will be emailed to you by Feedburner.
• JOIN SMALL GROUP by going to the Join Small Group tab and follow the instructions found there.

January 5 - Small Group News!

Welcome back to Authentic Living Ministries! 

As we begin the New Year it seems fitting that we are beginning our studies with the woman who began it all.

EVE – She came into the world perfectly at peace with her God and with her husband, the only other person on the planet.  She lived in Paradise, and never knew pain, sorrow or grief until she listened to her enemy and began to doubt God.

Join us tonight at 8 PM as we discuss the following questions:

1. How easily do you think the serpent deceived Eve?  Do you think she ate the fruit the first time he approached her, or did he wear her down over a period of time?
2. What are the 3 reasons Eve came up with to rationalize her sin?  What sorts of reasons do you come up with to rationalize your sin?
3. What is the first thing God does for Adam and Eve after He declares what their punishment will be?  What does God’s act tell you about Him?  What do you think He is willing to do for you after you have sinned and repented?

Tonight is going to be one of personal discovery and renewal of our faith as we delve deeper into the life of this “First Lady”.

Blessings!

Kathy

If you’re reading this on the Blog and not in your email box, and would like to join Small Group, follow these instructions…

• REGISTER your email to get Small Group updates!  Look to the top right of the Blog, put your email in, and don’t forget to ‘activate’ your registration through the link that will be emailed to you by Feedburner.
• JOIN SMALL GROUP by going to the Join Small Group tab and follow the instructions found there.

Welcome to Small Group Online!

I am so excited to have you join Authentic Living Ministries as we begin a New Year of Bible study!

To those who are new to the Group, I would like to extend a very warm WELCOME!  To those of you who are returning I would like to say I am so glad to have you back!

Before Monday, I just wanted to give us all a little bit of a refresher on how our Online Small Group works!

What time does Authentic Living meet?

• Every Monday night at 8 PM AZ time, (beginning on Monday, January 5, 2015)

How long does Small Group last?

• An hour

How do I participate?

• On the night of Small Group, login into Facebook and go to the Authentic Living Small Group page.  I will post a picture for the night, and underneath that picture is where our Small Group will meet for the night.  We will open with prayer, and then I will be posting a series of questions.  All answers should be posted in the comments under the picture as well.  We will close with prayer requests.
• All answers should be prefaced with Q1, Q2, etc…so that we know which question is being answered.

Privacy:

• Please remember NOT to share any of the pictures or conversations from within the Group on Facebook.  In order to keep our group Private, and allow us to have the freedom to express what God has put in our hearts without fear of other people reading our comments, we cannot use the 'share' option.  Once you 'share' a post, it opens up the Group to your friends, and their friends, etc...which effectively removes the privacy of the Group.  Thank you for understanding!

Helpful Hints:

• The group moves fast, so you may need to refresh your page periodically to keep the comments current.  You can refresh in several ways.

*Click on the 'refresh' icon located at the top of your web browser.  It's usually located next to your 'home'button, can look like a circled arrow. *Click on the 'world' icon at the top of your Facebook page, then click on the first item in the list.   *After refreshing, you may need to scroll down to find the latest comment.

What is our current study and when do I start reading it?

• Our current study information can be found here:  Study Schedule Tab
• The reading schedule is pretty much up to you!  I've given you the list of topics and days in the link above, so if you want to break the study up during the week into day by day studies, or do it all at once, it's up to you! 

Not registered yet?

• To register for ALM’s Online Small Group, go here: Join Small Group!
  
  

Again, I am so excited to begin this New Year with you!  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Blessings,

Kathy