Sister Studies: 2023

Sister Studies: Discerning the Voice of God - Final Session (May 2023)

Congratulations! We've made it to the end of our Discerning the Voice of God study! In the video for this month, I share some final thoughts and we listen to Priscilla's final encouragement for us as we move forward.

Before you watch this final video, here are some questions to think about or discuss.

1. On page 182 Priscilla writes, "We must carve out time to purposefully listen for [God's] voice (1) through prayer, (2) meditating on His Word, and (3) lingering worshipfully in His presence." Which of these three practices (prayer, meditation, worship) do you regularly take time for and which would you like to practice more? Ask God to bring to mind a new time in your day or place in your routines where you can spend time praying, meditating on the Word, or worshiping. (When I'm doing the laundry or dishes, waiting in my car, or when I'm waiting for my coffee to brew are examples of the times I try to turn my mind back to God.)

2. On page 193, she writes, "If I'm asking [God] to reveal Himself, He will do it--as He chooses--through little whispers, confirmations, divine delays, and heavenly echoes that corroborate with what He's already been saying to me through His Word and His Spirit." As you reflect on these last several months, how/when/where/what has God spoken to you?

In the video, I talk about how our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Your body is your very own private meeting place where you (and only you!) can connect with God and where God wants to connect with you. Isn't that amazing? Take some time to thank God for making your body a temple where the Holy Spirit dwells and ask Him how you can care for and honor your body, and how He wants to meet with you in a special way in your body.

Take some time to echo Priscilla's prayer for revival, in our hearts, in our families, in our church, city, and beyond.

We may be finished with this study, but we'll never be done talking about listening to God. We'll keep learning and growing together in the months to come.

MAY GATHERINGS

Sister Circles: The Wednesday morning Sister Circle will be meeting TOMORROW, 5/17. The Sunday morning and Friday evening circles are not meeting this month due to Mother's Day and the church picnic, and the movie night. Speaking of...

We're having a Girls Movie Night!

All ladies, including the youth group (Jr Hi and up), are invited to come watch War Room with us! We're going to have some fun, enjoy some snacks and drinks, and be encouraged and inspired together to keep listening to God and to PRAY. We'll provide the drinks, so bring your favorite movie snack and a friend who could use some inspiration. We hope you can come!

Lord Jesus, thank You for how You have walked with us through these last months. Thank You for speaking to us. Help us continue to grow in dependence on You and faith in You because You are so good and You are always with us, ready to reveal Your heart and Your plans. We love You. In Jesus name, Amen.

For more information about Butler Church women's ministries, visit butlerchurch.org/womensministry. Join the conversation in our Butler Women's Ministry facebook group. To receive email updates/posts from Melissa Ens, CLICK HERE. Thank you!

Sister Studies: Discerning the Voice of God Session 6 (April 2023)

We're getting close to the end of our study! It's been a long journey and we'll never stop learning to listen to God. As we grow and our life circumstances and the world change, we will never stop needing to hear God's voice! It's been good to take these months to study together.

Sister Circles are meeting on different weeks this month. Here are the dates! Sign up here for more details about locations.

Wednesday, April 12 @ 10:30am
Sunday, April 16 @ 9:15am
Friday, April 21 @ 7pm

Hopefully you finished UP TO PAGE 163 in the book. Before watching this month's video, think/talk through some biblical examples of how God orchestrated circumstances and timing in the lives of some specific people who served Him. (There is a list on page 144 in the study book or you can look up Ruth 1:3-7 or Esther 4:10-14.) What do these stories tell us about God's character?

READ Habakkuk 1:5. It says, "The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it..." Discuss (or think about) God's power and ability to move in astonishing ways, how He often works imperceptibly both on our behalves and to bring glory to His own name. Take a moment to brainstorm some of the reasons that we struggle to expect great things from God. What's a practical way that we could help change those expectations in our hearts and minds?

CLICK HERE to print the session six viewer guide..

After watching the video, think about these questions:

As a follower of Jesus Christ, what does it mean to you to be a part of the family of God? Have you really allowed that to become part of your identity and change your everyday life? If that's a struggle for you, what holds you back? Do you think owning your identity might make a difference in your heart and mind?
Priscilla says, "If the enemy cannot destroy you, he will just try to distract you." How has technology been a distraction in your life, pulling you away from more important priorities? What kinds of strategies can you implement for yourself and your family members to incorporate healthy boundaries when it comes to social media and technological devices? What other distractions do you struggle with?

We have just one more month together in this study! Let's pray together that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead us into closer fellowship with the Father and Jesus and that this last month of study will be meaningful in our walk with God.

Thank You, Jesus, for being our Good Shepherd and for being willing to lay down your life for us. Thank You, Father, for loving us and for calling us into a relationship with You. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for staying with us and for helping us. Help us remember to seek You with all of our hearts. In Jesus Name, amen.

Blessings to you this Good Friday and Easter weekend!

Love,

Melissa

Sister Studies: Discerning the Voice of God Session 5 (March 2023)

Hello and happy March to you! March Sister Circles are meeting this Friday evening (3/10 at 7:00pm), Sunday morning (3/12 at 9:15am), and next Wednesday morning (3/15 at 10:30am). For more information about locations, sign up at butlerchurch.org/sister-circles.

We are getting closer and closer to the end of our Discerning the Voice of God study! We'll be watching Session 5 this month. (You can find all of the previous posts for this study here.)

If you have a copy of the Discerning the Voice of God Bible study book, hopefully you have had a chance to finish the lessons up to page 131. (If you haven't yet, that's okay! You can still watch the video and do the lessons later.) You'll find the Session 5 viewer guide on page 133.

(If you don't have the book, you can print a copy of the viewer guide for this session using this link: Session 5 Viewer Guide to print)

To think about or discuss before you watch the video:

In the study book lessons this month, we read about the difference between encouragement, conviction, and condemnation. God through the Holy Spirit brings encouragement and conviction. The enemy brings discouragement and condemnation. When have you experienced any of the above recently and are you growing in your ability to tell the difference?

In Ephesians 2:10 God says we are His workmanship. God made us but is always in the process of remaking us to be even more like Him. How can learning to recognize His voice help with that growth process? Does God's promise to keep making You more and more holy (sanctified) bring you comfort or stress?

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

In difficult circumstances, why does it take an intentional effort to shift our focus from our surroundings? When you are in a desert season, do you run to God or run from God? Why do you think you respond that way?
Is it easy for you to believe that God's plans for your life--even if they require a detour or delay--are truly the best for you? What might keep you from trusting Him and waiting for Him to do the best?

Father God, please help us to sense Your presence with us in our hard, desert places. Equip us and direct us, but most importantly draw us closer and closer to You and shape us into Your image. In Jesus' name we pray this, amen.

FOR THE REST OF MARCH:

After you've watched the video, work through pages 134-163 this month. We'll watch Session 6 in April and finish this study with Session 7 in May!

Blessings to you!

Melissa

Sister Studies: Discerning the Voice of God Session 4 (February 2023)

Hello and happy February to you! February Sister Circles are meeting this Friday evening, Sunday morning, and next Wednesday morning. For information about times and locations, sign up at butlerchurch.org/sister-circles.

We're continuing with our Discerning the Voice of God study and are watching Session 4 this month. (You can find all of the previous posts for this study here.)

If you have a copy of the Discerning the Voice of God Bible study book, you should have finished the lessons up to page 101 and can follow along with the Session 4 viewer guide on page 103.

(If you don't have the book, you can print a copy of the viewer guide for this session using this link: Session 4 Viewer Guide to print)

To think about or discuss before you watch the video:

Does it feel difficult to spend "enough time" seeking God by studying the Bible and praying? Do you ever think you don't have time or do you just have trouble following through or focusing? Do you even know where to start?
On page 90 of the study book, Priscilla lists some daily activities we often prioritize. (I've included some of her list below and added a few suggestions of my own.) Think about how much time you spend weekly on each activity here. Do you need to take a bit of time away from one of these categories to spend more time with God OR maybe better, can you incorporate scripture, prayer, and worship INTO some of these daily routines? How?

Entertainment (TV, Netflix, YouTube, etc.)
Spiritual matters (Bible study, prayer, worship, going to church)
Reading magazines, novels, or the news
Shopping
Work and other responsibilities (in or out of the home, paid or not)
Talking or texting on the phone
Other hobbies
Time with family
Exercise
Social media
Video games (apps, etc.)
Attending or driving kids to their sports or other activities
Home projects
Other...

Read John 8:1-11 and think about the difference between Jesus' reaction and the reaction of the Scribes and Pharisees to the woman caught in adultery. When discerning the voice of God, we'll need to recognize the difference between God's voice and the voices of others - so we can listen to God! In this passage, how do we see God's voice of conviction compared to the Pharisees' voices of condemnation?

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

In times of seeking God's will on particular issues, do we often get stressed and quickly frustrated? Are our actions and attitudes showing us that we believe it's "up to us" to hear what God is saying? What's the truth?
In searching for God's instruction, have you found yourself losing sight of God Himself in favor of the things He may give? Why is that such a common temptation? Discuss how you might refocus your efforts to get to know God for Himself and not for the blessings or instruction He could give you.

Holy Spirit, please help us keep growing in our DESIRE to hear from You, our COMMITMENT to seek You, and our ABILITY to recognize Your voice. We know that we need You and thank You for walking with us and teaching us to listen and follow You. In Jesus' name, amen.

FOR THE REST OF FEBRUARY:

After you've watched the video, read through pages 104-131 this month. We'll watch Session 5 in March.

I'll be back in a couple of weeks with some more suggestions for how we can incorporate scripture and prayer into our days!

Much Love,

Melissa

Sister Studies: Discerning the Voice of God Session 3 (January 2023)

Happy New Year, Sisters! Whether we're ready or not, it's 2023. A new year has started and I hope and pray it is filled with spiritual growth and much fruit in our lives as we seek to walk closely with God, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, our faithful Guide.

January Sister Circles are meeting next week! (Join us! Click here to sign up.)

Sunday morning Jan 8 at 9:15am at church (Let us know in advance if you'd like childcare or want to join this group by Zoom)
Wednesday, Jan 11 at 10:30AM at church
OR Friday, Jan 13 at 7:00pm at Starbucks!

This month we'll be continuing with our Discerning the Voice of God study - Session 3. (You can find all of the previous posts for this study here.) The Sunday and Wednesday Sister Circles will watch the videos together, but you're encouraged to watch them on your own as well or if you can't make it to one of the groups.

If you have a copy of the Discerning the Voice of God Bible study book, you can follow along with the Session 3 viewer guide on page 71 of the book. If you don't have the book, you can print a copy of the viewer guide for this session using this link: Session 3 Viewer Guide to print

To think about or discuss before you watch the video:

Does the idea of "practicing" to discern God's voice make sense and come naturally to you? Why might it seem a bit strange at first?
Read John 10:27-30 and think about God's role as our shepherd. In verse 27 we see how God is intentional to speak in a way we can hear: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me..." What does that mean to you?

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

Do you have a story of a time when you clearly heard God's direction? Or a time when God asked you to wait?
Priscilla said "Waiting on God means being obedient and fully engaged in what He has currently given you to do until your Guide tells you to take the next turn." Is there an area that you've been asking God to work in and He seems to be moving more slowly than you like? If we applied this quote to our situations, how would that inform our daily walks and attitudes about our current circumstances?

Holy Spirit, thank You for being so patient with us as we learn to listen to You. Thank You for speaking so that we can hear You. Help us seek You with all of our hearts.

FOR THE REST OF JANUARY:

(I know it's a little confusing...) After you've watched the video, read through pages 72-101 this month. It will say "Week Three" in the book, but for us it's "Month Three". Our slower pace works out to approximately one page per day. We'll watch Session 4 (page 103) in February.

May God bless you as you seek to follow the Holy Spirit's leading this first month of 2023!

Much Love,

Melissa