Week 1: Chapter 1

Okay, so I know most of you probably have the book and are faithfully doing your daily assignments and are just plugging along in this new study.  However, I have had several ladies ask if they could just follow the blog - without necessarily buying the book.

I will NEVER tell something they have to buy something to study God's word.  Just get your Bible in your hand and your spirit in a place to receive what God wants to show you and you are welcome!

So, tonight (while the kids are asleep & John is at a church meeting) I thought I would give you a few notes about the first chapter.


Chapter 1:  The Names of the Lord
At the very beginning of this chapter Kay asks the question, "Where do you run in time of need?"

We study the names of God to know where to run to find help in times of trouble, worry, and fear.  When it seems like darkness is all around you and nothing you're doing seems to be working, where do you go?  When you feel like you're lost and you just can't seem to get a handle on life and certainly can't find joy, you need a strong and powerful name you can lean on and run to - and God is just that kind of name.

Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."

My sweet friends, we may not be able to ever know the reasons why things happen in our lives, but we can know the God who is able to deliver us through every trial and circumstance.  Do you believe this today?  If you're not sure... hang on.  Stick with us for this study.  Test and see if your faith is not strengthened the more we get to know Him.

Psalm 20:7 says, 

"Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; 

but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God."

Do you know what it means to boast in the name of the Lord?  To boast in something means to have confidence in or to trust.  So to boast in the name of the Lord means to have confidence in His name.

Can you say that you boast in the name of God? 

I think that we don't run to God or boast in God because we don't really know Him.  I hope that you have taken time to read the many names of God at the back of your book.  Did you know before this study that God even had that many names?!

Read all of Psalm 20.

In this passage look for every word that has something to do with trouble, need, or help and mark it in some way.

Now look for the Lord's promises - mark those too!

I also write a blog that bears the name "LIVING ABOVE' - we see in verse 1 that we can be set securely on high - we can live above whatever we're going through.  What sets us there on that high place - THE NAME OF GOD!!  Now that's some kind of power!

One last thing about this Psalm... verse 7 refers to chariots and horses.
What happened to the people who boasted in those?

What happened to the people who boasted in the name of the Lord?

Now don't you feel proud of yourself?!  We've already covered Chapter 1!!

Comment suggestions:
Always feel like you can "share" or comment on anything that you like about this chapter.  Even if you see something that I didn't bring up here!  I love it when someone sees something totally different from the same set of scriptures that I read!!!

But if you're needing some help...
1.  Contrast the two type of people - those who boast in the Lord and those who boast in horses & chariots.  Did you learn something here?

2.  Have you ever trusted in your own type of "horse & chariot" and if so what were they and how did they work for you?

3.  Now name a time that you totally trusted in the name of the Lord.  What were your results?

Please take time to pray over what you have learned from this first chapter.  And I would love to encourage you to memorize Proverbs 18:10 - "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."

I love you all dearly and welcome your input, insights, questions, and comments!
Your sis in the faith,
Pen

Week 1: Introduction

I'm so excited this day has finally come!  

Wednesday - Day 1 - Week 1 of our online study of, "Lord, I Want to Know You."

I don't know the hows and whys of what brought you to this study in this venue, but I would love to!  Please feel free to share in the comments what made you want to do this particular study in this manner (online) and at this time.  I think our answers will be interesting to share!

Today, I just want us to get familiar with our book and all that we'll be learning in this study.  In the local Bible Study group, we're doing this entire book in just 6-7 weeks.  I know it seems fast, so we're calling it our Summer Intensive Bible Study.  But the beauty of going through a study online is you can take it at whatever pace is comfortable for you.

Each week we will be discussing 3 names of God - or going through 3 chapters at a time.  Again, don't let this deter you from checking in and following along.  Just continue to read and comment at the pace that best fits your mood, schedule, and availability (or if you have children - the pace at which they keep interruption to a minimum!) .

Now I want you to get familiar with your book...

The first thing I want you to do is write your name and the date in the inside cover of your book.  Also write somewhere that you did this study with a group of ladies online.  I promise you'll reference this book again in the future and it will make you smile to remember the date and the circumstances of which you studied the Names of God.

Second, turn to page 196.  The page number is not actually listed on the page - but it is a page at the end of the book (right across from "Study Resources") that lists all the names of God that we will study, along with what the names mean.  Take a moment to read them all and then circle the one that most intrigues you.   Perhaps because it fills a need that you have or perhaps because it's a way that God has really been there for you.

Now I want you to look at page 193.  If you're like me, you might need help pronouncing a few of the names we're about to learn.  I wanted you to know that this page exists & where to find it so you can reference it as we go through the book.

Okay, the final thing before we dive into this study, turn back to the Introduction (I know I'm weird, I started you at the back of the book only to finally bring you to the front) and look at the first page 3rd paragraph.  I want you to underline this verse.  Perhaps even find it in your own Bible.

Let's look at it together here:  

Daniel 11:32, "the people who know their God will display strength and take action".

Are you ready to have more strength in your every day?  Are you ready to take action with specific areas in your life?  Then I have the answer... get to know your God!  

I love Kay's very first sentence of the Introduction, "So much of our confusion, our pain, our indecision, and our wrong decisions come because we do not know God."

If you are ready for these negatives to go away - then get ready... they more you know your God, the more confident you can be sure that you're on the right road for your life.

Okay - let's dive in!  Let's get started already!

From now until next Wednesday work on the first 3 chapters of the book.  Next Wednesday you'll find discussion topics and questions.  If I get industrious you may find blog posts before then - sometimes I just can't help myself when it comes to studying God's Word.

So...  read and study the first 3 chapters of the book.

The first names of God that we will study are:

1.  Elohim - The Creator (chapter 2)

2.  El Elyon - The God Most High (chapter 3)

Finally, I want to encourage you in this study!

There are several levels at which you can go through this book.  I promise you that you will get out of this what you put into it.  Kay Arthur does NOT spoon feed you!  Having said that, I still want you to come here & study God's Word with me at whatever level you are prepared to learn.  I would love to encourage you to mark the things that Kay tells you to mark.  She's going to have you read some verses many times - do this!  You'll understand why as we go along.  She's going to have you ask the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions about scriptures - so you can dig out His truths for yourself.  She wants you to develop your Bible Study skills and not solely rely on what others say about His Word.  You're going to really enjoy this about her teachings!  She is going to help you develop really strong spiritual muscles! 

So whether you're just here to read the blog periodically or answer every discussion question in the book daily and on schedule - you're welcome here!  I want this to be a place where you feel safe, loved on, and cared about!  I may or may not know you and all that's going on in your life - but God does!  And through studying His Word together we can support and love one another!

Comments for today's session:

I look forward to learning more about why you've chosen this study, at this time, and in this venue (online).

Also share with us your thoughts about learning the many names of God.

Then finally, share with us which name of God you circled on the chart at the back of the book and why.

I'll see ya next week!
Your sis in the faith,
Pen

Welcome to "Lord, I Want to Know You!"

Welcome Everyone!
On June 30th, we are starting "Lord, I Want to Know You!" Bible Study by Kay Arthur.  I have heard from so many ladies many things about Bible Study time.   Some of you want to participate, but the time that we're meeting just doesn't fit your summer schedule.  Others of you don't even live in New Orleans!  You would like to do the study - but you live in Texas, or New York, or Utah! 

Well, I'm here to invite all my friends to do this wonderful study 

on the Names of God with me - right here - online!

How will this work?

First - become a follower of this blog.  That way I'll know who's interested in doing the study.  Then each week, I'll post discussion questions and you can leave comments or questions you may have about the chapters.  

What about the book?

You can purchase the book just about anywhere!  You can either go to www.cbd.com or any LifeWay Christian Store will have it as well.  You might can even find it at a Barnes & Noble.  I believe the book is about $14.

What is this study all about?

Everyone loves to hear their own name said aloud!  So does God!  And God has MANY names!  He has a name for just about anything you may need - healing, comfort, provider!  The more we know about His Name - the better we will know our God.  Please join us right here.. as we study the names of God together!

I'm so excited about this new addition to our Ladies Bible Studies!  I'm looking forward to seeing just who all will join us from all over the world!  No matter where you live, what you do, who you are - YOU ARE WELCOME here!

Your sis in the faith,
Pen