Week 1: Days 1 - 7

How did your first week go? If you're "behind", no worries! Just pick up where you left off and visit the blog every 14 days to check in with the rest of the group. Let's recap and discuss the first seven days...

How many times have we heard the Christmas story? We know the details. We know God chose Mary to be the mother of his only son. We know that Joseph didn't run for the hills when he got the news. We know that the baby was born in a stable in Bethlehem. We know he was named Jesus.

I don't in any way want to diminish the beauty and power and awe of the story of Christ's birth. I get all teary-eyed every time I think about it!

But, there are details that we don't know and I love that Beth encouraged us to let our imagination fill in the blanks -- imagine the emotion and the uncertainty of being a new mother compounded by the knowledge that this baby is the Messiah! Did you sit back for a moment and let that just wash over you?


Discussion Questions...

1. What question would you want to ask Mary if you get the chance in heaven?

2. When have you been stunned by something God did for you and wondered, "Who am I that You would even look upon me?"

3. What has God shown you in your own life about His timing...His perfect timing? This question is from page 28 in your book.

I hope that you'll share some or all of your answers to these questions in the comment section. Also, feel free to share anything else that touched you during this first week. If you're unsure about how to leave a comment on the blog, click here for instructions.

Father, we are common women who long to know and strenghthen our relationship with you and your son. Help us to encourage each other and others as we ask you to work in us. Thank You for your Word that teaches us and nourishes us. Thank You for our sisters in Christ here and around the world who strive to glorify You and bring your Word to the lost. And, thank You for sending your son for our freedom. Amen.

Image: Oil on canvas by artist, Mark Sanislo

Let's Get Started!

The right focus of our faith will bring Jesus into clear view. To focus on Jesus means to be taken up with Him, to put Him at the center, to listen to what He says, and to see life from His perspective. Faith looks in the wrong direction when it focuses on us, on our problems, on others, on the world, or on the enemy.


We need to turn the eyes of our faith away from everything, anything, or anyone that distracts us from seeing Jesus. As we see Jesus, our faith will not be focused on our sins, but on the Savior; not on our failures, but on the Victor; not on our hurts, but on the Healer; not on our weaknesses, but on the Almighty One; not on our ages, but on the Lord of the Ages; not on our needs, but on the Provider; not on our anxieties, but on the Prince of Peace; not on our circumstances, but on the Shepherd; not on our problems, but on the All Sufficient One who is with you always.
-Roy Lessin, DaySpring Co-Founder, Meet Me in the Meadow blog post, May 16, 2011

Over the next 90 days we will focus on the life of Jesus, The One and Only. We will be taken up by Him, put Him at the center, listen to what He says and take a look at His life to put our lives in perspective.

Take time each day to learn more and grow closer to Jesus. This study isn't about learning the facts of Jesus' life; it's about growing your personal relationship with Him. Each day there are two questions following the scripture reading and before Beth's "take" on the scripture. There are no right or wrong answers for these questions; no answer key in the back of the book. This is for you to jot down your personal thoughts, feelings and reactions related to the scripture. At the conclusion of each day, there is a whole page for prayer. Don't get caught up in the praying scripture title on the page...that is not how I pray either! Read Beth's scriptural prayer and write to God, our Loving Father about what is on your heart.

Tip: Date each day in your book. I did this study several years ago and as I recently looked back over some of my entries, I wish that I would have dated them.

Ladies, I am so excited to take this journey with you! Below is the schedule that I will follow for emails and blog posts. Don't worry if you get behind a day or two or ten! Just pick up where you left off and use the schedule to follow along when you complete another week. You'll notice that the schedule is conveniently broken into 7 day chunks...I thought the whole 7 day thing that God came up with is quite good, so that's what I went with for our study! I will post every Tuesday...hopefully, in the morning, but I won't make any promises. I'll just do my best!

Please email me at kprahl@me.com or call me at 214.663.6150 if you have any questions or would like to let us know about a small group gathering. I also hope that you'll use the comment feature on the blog to interact and stay connected. Click HERE for a short tutorial about posting comments if you aren't familiar. The same link is also over there in the right column at the top if you need a refresher!

Grab your Devotional Book and your Bible along with your favorite pen/pencil and a highlighter, and let's get started!

The "Schedule"
Please don't stress out at the thought of a schedule! This is more of an outline that will help me stay on track and help you get caught up if you should miss a few days, but still want to participate in the discussion. The weeks will run from Wednesday through Tuesday, with new posts on Tuesdays.

May 25 - May 31: Introduction and Days 1 - 7
June 1 - 7: Days 8 - 14
June 8 - 14: Days 15 - 21
June 15 - 21: Days 22 - 28
June 22 - 28: Days 29 - 35
June 29 - July 5: Days 36 - 42
July 6 - July 12: Days 43 - 49
July 13 - 19: Days 50 - 56
July 20 - July 26: Days 57 - 63
July 27 - August 2: Days 64 - 70
August 3 - August 9: Days 71 - 77
August 10 - 16: Days 78 - 84
August 17 - 22: Days 85 - 90
August 23 - 29: Get caught up or review some of you favorite days or more challenging days.

August 30th, 9:30 - 11:30 Get Together in the Narthex 

Welcome!

Just for this summer, in place of our weekly meetings, we will offer a self-led Women's Book Study and meet once at the end of the summer. During this self-led study you will take a personal daily walk with Jesus while reading Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only by Beth Moore. We will meet on Tuesday, August 30 to reflect on our journey and get a chance to discuss where your journey took you! The book is available in the narthex for $18.50 and is also available at Mardel, Family Christian Book Store and on the Christian Book (http://www.christianbook.com/) website. To sign-up or for more information please contact Britt Lange at brittlange@stphilipsfrisco.org or Kelley Prahl at kprahl@me.com.

Please make sure you sign-up so that we can keep you in the loop via email. Each week I (Kelley) will send out an email with information, thoughts and questions to further your journey. That information will also be posted on this blog, so you can comment or ask questions and get involved in a discussion.

Since many of us can't imagine a summer without seeing each other, several ladies have also expressed a desire to coordinate small groups who will meet at various times and places throughout the summer. Watch here for more information about small groups or contact Kelley Prahl at kprahl@me.com if you would like to host a group or if you are looking for a group.

I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you!
Blessings,
Kelley