Sister Studies: October 2022

Obedience is a Seatbelt and a Seed (Fall Sister Studies Session 1 Bonus Recording)

Hey, Sisters!

I have a question for you. When you hear the word "OBEDIENCE" do you cringe, either because you don't like to obey or because your kids or students don't obey you? Hang on… don't click away just yet. Yes, God calls each of us to obedience but it's a BLESSING, sometimes like a seatbelt that protects us and sometimes like a seed that grows in surprising ways.

I hope you have watched the first teaching session for Discerning the Voice of God, where Priscilla Shirer teaches on the importance of deciding IN ADVANCE that we will obey whatever God asks of us. (If not, you can look for it here!)

In this BONUS recording you'll find...

an overview of what Priscilla discusses in the study book that goes with the first video.
stories from Shelly Spencer about getting obedience right... and wrong!
a few extra thoughts to encourage you on the way.

Listen to the audio only in your favorite podcast app or here...

Watch the video here or click here to open it in a new window.

For more information about joining a Sister Circle monthly group, visit https://www.butlerchurch.org/sister-circles

May you experience God's richest blessings as you walk by faith in obedience in the days and weeks to come.

~Melissa

Sister Studies: Session 1 (October 2022)

Hello, Sisters! Here is Session 1 of our study for this year, Discerning the Voice of God with Priscilla Shirer.

If you are joining with a Sister Circle, you may want to watch this video ahead of time. (Some groups will watch the video together and others will just discuss the questions.)

October Sister Circles meet October 9, 12, & 14. (Join us! Click here to sign up!)

If you have a copy of the Discerning the Voice of God Bible study book, you can follow along with the viewer guide on page 7 of the book. If you don't have the book, you can print a copy of the viewer guide for this session using one of these links:
Session 1 Viewer Guide with "Fill in the Blanks"
Session 1 Viewer Guide with Answers

Before you watch the video, take a moment to think about these questions:

What first comes to mind when you think of hearing from God?
Does hearing from God come easily or has it been a struggle?

In John 5:30, Jesus says, "I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will."

Considering Jesus as a model, what might it look like for us to submit to God's will in our everyday lives?
Does this come easily to most of us? Why or why not?

After you've watched the video, here are some other questions to consider.

What resonated most with you from the video?
How do you struggle with stillness and prayer? What can you do to intentionally practice stillness?
Have you ever been reluctant to obey something you felt God was telling you to do because you didn't think God would "work" that way?

Father God, please soften our hearts and purify our wills so that we would desire to obey You more than anything. Help us to say, "YES, LORD." May we mean it with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. In the Name of Jesus, Amen

Keep an eye on your email (or here) for follow up posts throughout the month. If you have the book, go through the first "week" of the book (Days 1-5) and we'll look at Session 2 together in November!

(November Sister Circles will meet November 13, 16, & 18.)

May God bless you as you seek His face, His heart, and His voice.

Much Love,

Melissa

Fall 2022 Sister Studies and Sister Circles with Priscilla Shirer!

Hello!!!!! It's been a couple of months and I'm so glad to be back with some exciting news! Sister Circles and Sister Studies are back! Butler Church Common Ground Women's Ministry leaders (that's me, Shelly Spencer, and Helen Ens) are excited to announce we will be going through the Discerning the Voice of God study with Priscilla Shirer this year. (No, sorry, Priscilla Shirer won't be joining us in person, but we'll get to watch her on video!) If you have ever heard her speak, you already know it's going to be so good! If she's new to you, I can't wait to introduce you to this gifted woman of God.

Check out the Discerning the Voice of God Bible Study Trailer here!

You can engage with this study in several different ways.

Join a Sister Circle! We have 3 Sister Circles that will meet once a month to watch and/or discuss the videos. One will meet on a Sunday morning, another will meet on a Wednesday, and the last one will meet on a Friday evening at Starbucks or another location. (This month we'll meet October 9, 12, & 14. Pick the one that's best for you!)
Watch on your own online. I'll be sharing the videos here on the blog so that they can be accessed any time during the current month. (Due to copyright restrictions, they can only be up for a limited time.) Make sure you have signed up for the Sister Studies emails (see link below) so you don't miss anything.
Get a copy of the Bible Study book. You don't have to have the book to participate, but you'll definitely get more out of the study if you do! We have a limited number of books available at church for a discounted price, but you can also order one on your own from any book retailer. (Just be sure you get the correct version. It should look like this. Not sure if you want the book? Here's a sneak peek of the first chapter shared by Lifeway.com.)
Watch for additional content! Hopefully at least once a month I'll be sharing an extra bonus video based on what I'm learning from the book as well as what others are saying they are learning. (We would love to hear from YOU!)

SIGN UP HERE so you can get the emails and/or join a Sister Circle! The first study video will be in your email tomorrow!

May God bless us all as we seek to hear His voice in the coming months.

By His Grace,

Melissa