August 31 - Small Group News!

Happy Monday Ladies!

Tonight's guest is The Shulammite Woman. Her story can be found in Song of Songs 1-8.

Hers is the only female voice that speaks directly and extensively to us in Scripture. Ruth’s, Esther’s,

Hannah’s, and Mary’s voices, for instance, are all mediated through narration. The Shulammite woman boldly declares her longing and desire to be united to her lover in marriage.

We will be discussing the following questions:

1. When you think about your own marriage or singleness in light of this passage, what thoughts and feelings arise in you? (Song of Songs 4:9 – 5:1)
2. Imagine God having such passion for you. How do you respond? 
3. How do these verses express the commitment between the lover and the beloved? What does it take to sustain such a commitment? (Song of Songs 8:6 – 7)
4. Throughout history, intimate love relationships have been shamefully distorted and profaned. Song of Songs gives God’s vision of what love relationships were meant to be. What can you do to pursue such a relationship with God?

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.

August 24 - Small Group News!

Hello Ladies!

It's that time again. Our Fall/Winter Small Group Fair will be upon us before you know it, and I am asking for volunteers to help out at the table!

I need at least one extra body to help out on September 5 & 6 for all services.

• Saturday, Sept 5.....6:15 pm – 6:45 pm
• Sunday, Sept 6...... 10:30 am – 11:00 am
• Sunday, Sept 6.......12:15 pm – 12:45 pm

If you can help out with one, or all services, please let me know as soon as possible! 

Tonight at 8 PM we will be studying a woman who has been described as the ideal wife, the perfect woman; however, the Bible tells us that she represents the fulfillment of a life lived in wisdom.

Her story can be found in Proverbs 31:10-31

The questions we will be discussing tonight are:

1. Does this passage seem out of touch with reality to you? Why? What would make it seem more of a reality for today’s woman? 
2. How does this woman’s husband view and treat her? Why?. 
3. Look at Proverbs 31:25. Imagine someone saying these words about you. What thoughts and feelings leap to your mind? 
4. What does it mean to fear the Lord (Proverbs 31:30)? Why is that more important than being beautiful or good at home decorating or crafts or business? 
5. What would it take for you to become more of a woman who fears the Lord, one who can laugh at the days to come?

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.

August 17 - Small Group News!

Tonight at 8 PM, make plans to join Authentic Living Ministries for another great study on the life of one of the Bible's more well-known women, Esther.

An orphan in a foreign land, she was willing to conceal her Jewish identity in a bid for a pagan king’s affection. Esther seemed willing to make moral compromises by sleeping with the king and then taking part in a wedding that would necessarily have required her to pay homage to foreign gods. Even so, she displayed great courage in the midst of a crisis. Prior to risking her life for her people, she humbled herself by fasting and then put her considerable beauty, social grace, and wisdom in the service of God’s plan.

Her story can be found in Esther 1-3

Our questions for tonight are:

1. By concealing her Jewishness and being willing to become a member of King Xerxes’ harem, Esther seemed to be caving in to the pagan culture in which she lived. What do you think of her actions in this regard? 
2. From other ancient sources we know that Esther’s husband, the king, was legendary for his irrational temper and fits of cruelty. Describe Esther’s dilemma. What will happen if she does nothing? What might happen if she does what Mordecai asks? 
3. Look at 4:12 – 14. What do you see in Mordecai’s words that might have motivated Esther to take the risk? Why does Esther ask all the city’s Jews to fast (4:15 – 16)? 
4. God is never named in the original Hebrew version of this story, nor does the writer mention prayer. Where, if anywhere, do you see God in this story? 6. Esther’s position was no accident, and neither is yours. Think about the time and people among whom God has placed you. What might God have for you to do right where you are now?

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.

August 10 - Small Group News!

Happy Monday Ladies!  

So glad to have you join me tonight at 8 PM for another study on the Women of the Bible.  Tonight's guest will be Gomer.

Though a married woman, she carried on numerous love affairs, crediting her lovers for the gifts her husband had given her. She became the symbol of spiritual adultery — a picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. And yet, despite her unfaithfulness, her husband continued to love her, much like God does with His people.  Her story can be found in Hosea 1 – 3.

The questions we will be studying tonight are:

1. In what ways does Hosea 2:2 – 7 reflect Hosea’s feelings about Gomer? In what ways do these verses reflect God’s feelings about his people? 
2. Why is adultery a fitting symbol for the way humans treat God? 
3. In Hosea 3:2, Hosea has to pay money and goods to buy Gomer back from whatever situation she’s landed herself in. She has apparently run off and ended up selling herself into prostitution to survive. What would it take for a man to do what Hosea does in 3:1 – 3? 
4. How are you like Gomer? How has God pursued you and bought you back?

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.

August 3 - Small Group News!

Welcome to Small Group!

Tonight we will be studying about Huldah.  

Trusted by the King with a matter of great importance, she was a prophetess whose word generated a significant religious reform.  Her story can be found in 2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22-33

Our questions for tonight are:

1. The nation had been following false gods for so long that the Book of the Law (probably part of Deuteronomy) had been laid aside and forgotten. How would you describe the king’s emotional reaction when he heard God’s law? Why do you think he responded as he did? 
2. Describe what you think Huldah might have been like: her person, her character, her relationship with God. 
3. What does God’s message to the nation and to the king say about him: his character and the way he deals with people? 
4. What would it be like for you to have to deliver to your people the message that Huldah delivered to hers? 
5. (Bonus Question, if we have time) When God lets you know you’ve done wrong, how do you typically respond?

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.