"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together...but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
Aaahhhh....the sweetness of "the assembling of ourselves together." The nourishment and refreshment of face-to-face Bible study and fellowship are vital for us as Christians. The Bible teaches us the importance of healthy face-to-face relationships with believers so together we can worship, study the Bible, fellowship, pray, break bread, encourage and challenge one another. For Christian women, I believe the desire for us to gather and grow is woven into our heartstrings. We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together...and I think we crave His perfect design of gathering and growing in the core of our beings.
Acts chapter two teaches us the necessities for vibrancy and growth. The believers gathered regularly "...with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God..." (Acts 2:46-47) Sounds inviting and refreshing. Simple, vital, nourishing, life-giving gathering together.
This will be the fifth year I have facilitated and hosted a Gather & Grow Bible study group in my home. A very precious group of women gather together to grow in Him and His Word. We assemble to seek the Lord, to worship in song, to pray, to share struggles and to rejoice in praise to Him. We read His Word, we laugh, cry, sing, listen and share. We gather and grow...for Him and in Him.
The growth in each woman's heart through the Gather & Grow Bible study is a testimony to His faithfulness and His desire to grow us in His truth! "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." 1 Corinthians 3:7 God brings the growth. God's breath brings the increase.
The personal testimonies, notes and emails we have received from the women in Gather & Grow about how they have grown in the Lord are jaw-dropping amazing! GOD is good. GOD gets the glory. It is all HIS doing.
What really tickles me is when we hear from husbands of women in the group. When the husbands are making a point of telling us the change in their wives, I do a happy dance. Living a life of godly integrity happens within the four walls of our own homes first. So when we hear from one of the husbands, we rejoice at God's good work all the more! The husband of one of the gals in our group even gave our Gather & Grow group some alternative names ~ "Assemble & Resemble" and "Hang Out & Sprout"! That is indeed, by His grace, what we do - Gather & Grow, Assemble & Resemble, Hang Out & Sprout.
Autumn 2011 made its debut as it peeked over the horizon at 5:05 this morning. Autumn brings the start of Bible studies that journey together through winter and linger into spring. Seasons of gathering together. Seasons of growing together.
Are you feeling led by the Lord to host a Gather & Grow Bible study? I'd like to pray for you and encourage you. Please be sure to leave a comment with your prayer request. It would be an honor to pray for you and your group.
If you feel led to host a Gather & Grow Bible study, I am giving away, as unto the Lord, a Made to Crave Bible Study Bundle (by Lysa TerKeurst)!! This Bible Study Bundle includes a book, DVD teachings by Lysa and a Participant's Guide!! Please leave a comment and share a bit why and how you feel led (be sure I have your contact information). The winner of the Bible Study Bundle will be announced next week, and we will get it to you right away!!
(If you are unable to comment here, please go to https://www.facebook.com/HisTableForTwo and leave your comment under today's post. Comments from here and there will be included in the MTC Bible Study Bundle give-away. Thank you.)
As we each daily meet with Him at our own Table For Two, we are encouraged to also gather with one another in His Word and in fellowship. He meets us and fills us. Gather & Grow with Him. "You shall be filled at My table..." Ezekiel 39:20
"So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."
Acts 2:46-47
52 comments:
Thank you for this giveaway. I would so love to host this study at my house. Have a beautiful weekend.
Janet
I am overweight and working on losing weight. God is directing me that I need to get healthy. I have had a problem for numerous years. My son isstudying about obesity at school and has been talking to my husband how worried he is. This time I losing through the glory of God. I am the temple and I have to take care of myself/His temple so I will be able to do what our Heavenly Father has planned for me. I keep sensing that I am to help others in this area. That I am to teach, encourage and provide support. This set would be a great way to start. My name is Joyce Szretter 256-426-8609, jsz001@live.com, 927 Baltimore Hill Rd, Huntsville, AL 35810 Thank you for doing this giveaway. Even if I dont when, I know this will be a life changing study for those that go through it.
Do not enter me to win, I just wanted to tell you I love your new blog and wish you the best! Have a great weekend.
Hi Sharon!! WOW... I started Made to Crave about a month ago and was SO inspired by this teaching that I have been praying about leading a group of women in this study! I have fought weight issues my whole life; my mother passed away when I was 18, I jumped into a marriage that was a disaster, so I ate to find comfort. That ended in a divorce and still I fought my weight, as I hadn't figured out how to fully trust in HIM. Year later, I remarried; a man I had met at church; only to find he had an addiction, lost his high paying job and we've been struggling for the last 4 years. During this time, my weight continued to grow!!! Finally, GOD opened my eyes and led me to Made To Crave!! I now realize I've eaten my way through the struggles in life, turning to food instead of my FATHER!!! I'm now down 26 lbs and feel a whole new life ahead of me!! I can't wait to share this wonderful study with ladies that I know!!!
BLESSINGS TO YOU,
gp0137@comcast.net
Hi Sharon,
I just LOVE your blog, and your words.
God has intensively worked in my life and I'm looking foward to seeing the great things He will accomplish.
I came to your blog to know your work, and read your posts, but I have to say that I would love to win the made to crave package! I've heard about this book for so long, and I haven't had a chance to read it.
And my contact is (403) 801-3274
and e-mail: mcaseca@gmail.com
Have a great day, sweet sister.
Blessings,
Michele
i have fibromyalgia and have gained 20 lbs...i NEED this desperately...I love you all....Gods Peace!!!
Good Morning! I love how all these blogs associated with Proverbs31 Ministries are linked together. It's like a family of leaders inside a body of believers. :)
I am very interested in leading/hosting a Gather & Grow Bible study. I am sort of doing that now with the "A Confident Heart" Bible study Melissa Taylor is heading up. 4-6 of us ladies meet in my home & another friend's home every Monday to discuss the book in order to "Gather & Grow." However, I don't know what being a host/leader of Gather & Grow entails. Please email me with the details if you don't mind or refer me to whom I need to get in contact with to find out more info & to possibly be added to the list. Thanks for the wonderfully uplifting blog today. I am officially "bookmarking" this page.
Thanks & God Bless!
Amy Pitman
sajhpit@yahoo.com
Hi Sharon, I bought the Made To Crave book and started reading it, never finished. I do better in a group, like exercise, I do better in a class than alone! I would love to lead a Women's Bibile Study on the Made to Crave book and I'm sure there are others in my church family that would attend. Thank you for this opportunity!
Oh how I would love this. I have been praying about leading a group of woman through this study. This book has helped me so much, I so greatly look forward to the study.
Please enter my email address into the contest....
1dyed4all@gmail.com
Thanks so much for this offer...
Janee
I am very interested in leading a study with this material. I just started reading this book and would absolutely love the opportunity to share with other women that we were made to crave God and received His freedom from the bondage of food & overeating.
Thank you for all you do.
My email address is: terri@sonrise.cc
I would love to lead a Bible study in my home! Tha ks for the opportunity!
Kathy
birdwatcherok@yahoo.com
It just so happens that I am about to lead this study with my women's Sunday School class!! It would be so great to win this bundle for someone that can't afford it, so they would have it for the class! I have already read the book and it was such a blessing to me that I wanted to share it. God bless you!! And please pick me!! :)
Sharon, with fear and trembling, I have answered the call to lead where He guides. This will be my first experience with a G & G group, and I could use all the assistance I can get, with resources and especially with prayer. The timing is not what I would have chosen, but I am learning that His strength is perfect in my weakness.
Sharon, I just discovered your blog this morning and how awesome it is and just when I needed it too! What a blessing from God! I have felt for over a year now that God is directing me to teach His Word and help others grow however, we attend a large church and every time I seek to do something to teach the door is shut. When I saw this today I really feel this is it - No one can tell me I cannot have a Bible study in my own home!!! So why have I not thought of that before - guess I thought if it involved women at church I had to have their approval. I am so excited and would love to have resources and help to do this for the glory of God and show others that the cravings we have and desires and longings can only be filled by God because that is the way He made us!
I listened to Lisa's Made to Crave video conferences. The material is wonderful but I would be much more successful in using it to modify my thinking and craving if I was working with a sisters who could hold each other accountable.
Hi Sharon! It is such a pleasure to have been at She Speaks Conference this past July. I have been newly tasked with the Women's Ministry work at our church and have seen two 8 week Made to Crave studies by other ladies that have inspired me! Our first Celebrating Women group will come together for prayer and worship on October 8. It is my heart that we seek and hear the Father's Heart for revelation and guidance as we move forward as a ministry. Made to Crave would be a wonderful first addition to our future direction.
The blog area is beautiful!
Pamela Sparks, Hampton, VA
sparks_pamela@cox.net
Hi Sharon, my name is Betty Kreinbring and I live in Elizabeth, CO. I have felt God calling me for a few months now to lead a bible study for women in my community. This blog was written just for me : )
I would love to be entered in the drawing. My email is Ibebetty@msn.com.
Thank you for your blog. I will add it to my daily encouragment. My prayers are with all of the other women that have posted as well. God continues to inspire and direct my path daily. I am very blessed.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Betty K
It is my hearts desires to gather together as women and admonish each other to grown in our love relationship with our LORD. I believe intanacy with GOD is only possible through regularly communication, admration, showing our love. No better way than Stidy to show ourself approved, pray sharing our hearts, and love through worshiping together in one according . I am the womens ministry leader in my local church and finds it heart breaking that we can not make this commitment even on a monthly basis. I have been seeking God for direction and found this email. I would appreciate the oppurtunity to recieve the made to crave materials I just know it is the will ogden god that I continue to seeking my calling to and be blessed by women sharing and growing together.
OK---I have to admit I'm glad I was directed to your site today. I'm new at leading a Bible Study, and lately have conflicting thoughts b/c I don't feel I'm home with my kids enough either and have been debating dropping my Bible Study time with ladies from church. Your article is encouraging me and it's interesting that you included a verse about simplicity b/c that's the series we are just about finished with---living a more simple life! God is good, and I will brainstorm different ideas how to stay with my Bible STudy group.
bdmiddendorp@frontiernet.net
I currently host a Bible Study in my home on Tuesday evenings. The Lord gave me this vision at the 1st of the year as a way to join the ladies in my community and cross denominational lines. I'd love to win this giveaway for our next study!! servingwhilesaving at gmail dot com
I just happened to see this on Facebook and it is a God thing, I love when He shows up and shows out!! A friend and I were just talking about starting a small group Bible study at her home. I already have 5 ladies and we are going to start in Oct. after football season for one of the moms. I can't wait to see what God shows us thru our time together. I know it will make us stronger in our Faith. Thank you for the chance to win this. Have a Blessed Day!
As someone who has struggled with weight and really just being confident in being who He made me to be...and has found victory!, I would love to share this bible study with some sweet sister friends of mine.
I am currently fascilitating the Made to Crave bible study in my home. We are in week 1. I have no doubt at the conclusion it will branch out and some of the current participants will host it - if I win the giveaway I would give the bundle to the first one that tells me they will be starting it. Our study is set to end 10/31 and I fully expect January will be a great opportunity for other studies to begin! I just know there will be fabulous testimonies (God stories) to be seen and heard as a result of craving God over food. Bev web_bev@hotmail.com
I would say it's ironic that I stumbled on this at this very time, but I am sure it's God. I have recently left a job that I love because I felt God asking me to. Since then, I have struggled with my purpose and with what to do with the extra time.
I work with the teens in my church on Wednesday evenings, during the time others are in small groups. I have really been missing the small groups and the adult Bible study time, and felt a longing to have one, either in my home or at our church on a different night. I wanted to be sure it was God's leading, though, and not just me trying to put myself somewhere. But the desire to do the group is growing the more I have prayed about it.
I'm a little nervous about starting a group, but moreso excited to see what God will do with it.
Thanks!
Jennifer Chapman
jchapman0427@gmail.com
304-417-2758
Jennifer Chapman
I am always looking for new studies. I work with HS and college gals and lead a small group in my home. I came to your site without knowing what this study was even about. Now learning what it is about, I am confident it would be a great study for me and whomever the Lord places in the group. My contact is mdodd10162@aol.com I would love to have a chance to go thru this. Thanks for the opportunity.
I started keeping a prayer journal on Sept 1st. On Sept 7th, my 3:36 pm entry was "Lord, I ask for sisters that I can pray with, pray for, and who will pray for me as I seek you and your will for my life." I truly believe this is the answer to my prayer.
Gratefully,
Kisha Wesley
Kishawesley@bellsouth.net
Hi Sharon, I am already leading a Bible Study in my home on Wednesday mornings.We just started this past Wednesday. We are studying the book of James and how to be godly women and trust in God no matter our situation. I am always looking for good, God teaching, God fearing material for women only to grow and mature individually and corporatly. If you wish to enter me into this, thank you and if not please keep us in your prayers. We don't have a "name" but they are all new daughters of the King and have such a desire to learn how to be godly daughters. Enjoy your day. I will check out your material. We won't start a new study until Jan. 2012. It will take us this long to finish what we are doing. In Christ's loving example, Sharon Schank.
Wow. I came across this from Proverbs 31 on facebook, and didn't even know what this book was about. I feel like God is definitely speaking to me right now, and I am in awe of His awesomeness. My husband and I have been fighting the weight battle for over 10 years now, and we've reached a crucial point. We HAVE to lose weight if we want to continue raising our girls, become grandparents, and carry out the plan God has for our lives. In the last 2 years, my husband has lost 120 pounds. He still has over 100 pounds to go, and I have over 100 to lose, too. I'm having a harder time getting focused, and have lost only 20 pounds in the last couple years. Now, I am facing health problems and the guilt of not being all God wants me to be. At the same time, my husband and I have been wanting to lead a Bible study, and have even TRIED, but couldn't figure out a guideline or how to really get it going. Thank you for this giveaway opportunity, because it has led me to this book. Even if we don't win the package, I am convinced that God wants us to read this book and find a way to use it to help others who may be struggling as well. God bless you, and thank You for being His hands and feet!! <><
My prayer request would be for God's strength, confidence, and direction in our fight to lose this weight. Everything about life is difficult, both physically and emotionally. It even stops me at times from doing something that I feel God is leading me to do, simply because I am too embarrassed. We definitely can NOT do this on our own. Thank you so much!
In His Name,
Karen Evans
karen.evans@selu.edu
I just discovered your page via Facebook. On a solitary retreat last week, God revealed to me that my number one goal is to be a fully devoted follower of His and secondly, to love and encourage women in His Word. This blog just solidifies and confirms that God has me right where He wants me. I would love to lead alongside your ministry with this study. Thanks for the opportunity. God bless.
Christy Kirtlan
God is laying it on my heart to host a Bible study in my home for my friends and family, especially to invite those that are unsaved. I feel so desperate to reach the unsaved before it is too late for them. This would be the perfect opportunity to get started with all the materials and instruction I would need. Please consider me for your Crave giveaway!
Sincerely,
Kelly Methey
artnkel@aol.com
A few months ago I felt God leading me to stop working and dedicate my time to my son. I did and my husband has supported me since. However, a month ago my son begin preschool and I have a little more time to myself. Since I quit work the desire to hold a bible study at home has always been in my heart, but how awesome that just yesterday I begin to really consider it more and was even "practicing" hosting a bible study, all by myself in my living room. A have a few friends I pray they would return to God bc they have the longing n know this could help restore their relationship with our Great Big God :)
I have started opening my home on Tuesday nights to ladies who want to dig in the Word and fellowship together over a light meal. There are 11 of us right now. We would LOVE to study Made to Crave - it is on our list of "Studies We Want to Study". Awesome!
Thanks for your encouragement!!
Anonymous on quitting my job n practicing to host a bible study comment is from me, Danitza Avila, forgot to sign name lol!
God works in mysterious ways. Last Monday a group of women from my church (1st Baptist, Bucker MO) were discussing the need for someone to lead a bible study. I said I've been reading Made to Crave & it has a study that I'd like to do.
Several of the women said they'd heard about the book on Christian radio & wanted to know more about it. I said I'd be willing to lead it at our church, except that I have 15 month old twins & I'd need someone to watch them so I could.
Since we couldn't figure it out, we decided to pray about a sitter & let God work it out for us.
We also discussed finding the money somewhere to buy the Made to Crave study. We are praying about that too. Then here all of a sudden is an opportunity to win what we want (& in my case b/c I'm broken in the area of food) for ourselves & our church.
Thanks so much for this chance.
Sincerely, Devon Amaro
kamaro4@embarqmail.com
I truly feel that God has brought me here to your post! This summer God spoke to me through a speaker, urging me to go forth and bring women together for prayer and bible study. God has changes my life dramatically in the past few years, I have a blog www.soberjulie.com where I share about Journeying with Him.
I would live to study with women in my home and share it on my blog!
Thank you for this kind offer!
Julie
Soberjulie@gmail.com
Im in pensacola beach fl and ive been really wanting to lead a womens Bible study or host one . God really moves in these get togethers. He can and does move mountains. I battled eating disorders in college and ahe saved me from myself. Praise His name. In Him kim
I would love to lead a study group! I have been talking to friends about my true calling. I really do feel that God is calling me to speak His Word, give encouragement to those who feel they are unworthy of themselves and to others do to different areas in life. I have a weight issue as well and would love to support and stand with others in finding themselves. God wants us to be the person He made us to be, the one He molded from His hands!
This would be an awesome way for me to share what God has done for me!!
shellbean27407@yahoo.com
I would love to lead this. I did the online study at it just hit home. God has given me a passion and a heart for women. Particularly those who are hurting. Sometimes all it takes is knowing that someone cares and is willing to invest in you. This study would afford me that opportunity and it would provide them with the knowledge of the one who cares for them far above all others. Jill kjseanderson@mcloudteleco.com
I placed my prayer on facebook: I ask God for the wisdom and knowledge to reach others that face some things I have been through. I pray that God will complete me of feeling ashamed of what I did to His temple, now is my time to take back and give to others.
AHA !This is a good next step for me and a few girlfriends. We are in the process of praying for deliverance from smoking, some of us have already quit and gained weight (and are now struggling with THAT too) and others are still struggling with the smoking. This study would support all of us in our walk and deliverance from strongholds and equip us with the wisdom to stand in the midst of attack and recognize God's way out when faced with temptation. Thank you for the opportunity to offer this study in my home for us all :) Lisa (ohbabytrex@hotmail.com)
As I have been doing bible studies online with Melissa I have found myself sharing all of the studie with lots of women. Some of them have ask me to start a bible studie at my home cause they want to come and studie with me. I know better then to say NO cause I know how God works I told them that I would pray about it and talk with my husband about it them I would let them know Look here is my answer from God I see this on Melissa face book page even if I dont win will you still be willing to help me start a bible studie?? ooo My name is sharon I live in Clinton NY my email is stephensharonbecker@gmail.com God Bless
I would love to lead this Bible Study. I have never lead a group before and want to jump out. I have read the book and feel that it really needs to be shared. I have not seen any study related to food issues in quite some time. My email is stephanini@comcast.net
Would love to have this to share with friends. Feel that I'm being called to do something like this anyway, so this would be a great way to start.
Carol
cblake23@comcast.net
I am amazed at this study and what it is centered around. I have felt God pulling on me for 7 months now to lead a womens group in a study and have not known the direction I am to take. I have struggled most of my life with my weight and being th big girl among all my friends. I would love to lead them and learn the ways with them. May God bless you.
In the last 10 years God has repeatedly placed upon my heart the call to teach and to lead young women to grow and be like Him by mentoring and loving them where they are. I have dabbled in this over the last few years but because I was the primary caregiver for my mom, who passed away last year,I always pulled back. In the year since she's been gone, I have felt this call to the point of an ache and have shared with a couple of close friends the feeling that there is more God wants me to do for Him. I have received confirmation from a spiritual friend that I trust and I am now searching for the right place to begin and plug in. I think this study would be a great place to start. We are looking at calling our group "Grace by the Book" and having it be a safe place for young women to come to find out how to live a true Godly life. I would be honored to receive this gift and to launch my group with this study.
A group of somen in my church have recently shown interest in beginning a new Bible study. I have started your book and love it! We all have stuggles we have to deal with every day, whether it is food, alcohol, honesty or whatever else the devil tries to put in our path. Your book shows how we can use those struggles to our advantage and use our best qualities and gifts to honor God. Thank you so much for your book and thank you for putting this opportunity out there!
Josie
josieannk@gmail.com
I host and lead a Bible study each week for women in our church and our friends and neighbors. We finish John in a few weeks and this would make a great study for our winter session.
I love Lysa's books! I've recently felt a "tug" to start a Made to Crave bible study...if I win I will know it is God's will for me to do so!!
I have met with a group of women for faith sharing for the past 15 years. We used to share the leading duties, but over the years I have become the official leader. I enjoy the research and learning that goes into finding each new book we study. Others have their own gifts they bring to the group. I would love to present Made to Crave to my Godly friends.
At the beginning of the year my church challenged the congregation to "outlive your life"...to leave a lasting impression on this world for Christ that stands long after we are gone. To help reach this grow we were instructed to "grow, go, and give". As part of "growing" I have felt the Lord speak to me in the area of self-control. Lysa came and spoke to our church and I purchased Made to Crave along with a couple of others. I put it aside to read 2nd...cause who really wants to deal with that fruit??!! Over the past couple of weeks I have had a couple of ladies mention their struggle in this area and I referred them to Lysa's book. Now there are several of us wanting to dig in deeper! I have also felt God calling me to lead a small group...which is way our of my comfort zone. I have always worked with the preschool and teaching/leading adults has seemed to be intimidating. But now I have a peace about it. I am looking forward to "growing" in obedience and helping others along the way. Please consider me for your giveaway!
Crystal Porter
Pinelake Baptist Church
Brandon, MS
601-946-8767
crystalporter@magnoliaclips.com
I would be honored and blessed to win this pack because as I am doing the study of A Confident Heart, I feel the Lord calling me to get involved in his ministry as a leader... This is a weird thought for me as I have only been a Christian for 2 years... As a natural leader in my career as a nurse, I felt that was my calling. Now that my son is ill and I do not "work" as a nurse anymore, I feel that I may have other callings as well? I did start the Made to Crave workbook a year ago, but like everything, I failed to complete it. But now, w Melissa's book and my new found desire to really SERVE God, I feel that God is helping me to commit myself in a way that will help show myself how to battle the enemy.... And now I'm rambling... LOL.
Hi, I am actually at this point setting up a bible study at my home (we're just deciding on the book, we want to do.....). I feel that the Lord has prompted me to lead this one with 2 or maybe more of my friends, as I have tried to join a small group at my church for a year or so, and due to my restraints, that I am not available on evenings - I am a single mom - I haven't been easy to place. So last year my girlfriend and I did the bible study that was done at my church.....and now one more friend would like to join....
Through reading Hidden Joy and other books and doing the online study with Melissa Taylor, I feel that God truly desires for me to go ahead and fill the need of the two friends I share about my faith.... - maybe there will be more ladies joining, who knows. I'd be delighted to get this give away and then I could use this in our new bible study group.
Blessings,
Youschka
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