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summer…do you have a plan?

I don’t know about you, but so often when the fun and crazy days of summer rush in, my discipline in studying God’s Word rushes out just as quickly. I hate that. BSF ended a week ago and as we broke for the summer my leader challenged us to make sure we have a plan for the summer. Be ready for it. Know that without the accountability of Bible study it will be easy to let that discipline slip. Don’t get to the end of the summer and realize that you didn’t make any time to spend with Jesus.

So, what about you? Do you have a plan?

If you are wondering what to study this summer and are needing a little accountability…keep on reading!

My friend Julie and I were talking about what the Lord has been laying on our hearts…both of us feeling like we were not sharing the gospel outside of our homes, especially with the people living in our communities. We both live in the country and it is very easy to come and go and not connect with the people God has placed around us. We live out in the middle of nowhere for a reason, right?! It is way too easy to stay comfortably within our Christian circles. But we want our hearts to feel broken over the people we encounter each day who don’t know Jesus and we want to do something about that! So…we decided to stretch ourselves a little this summer and host a community Bible study, inviting those that live around us (the country girls!). We have no idea how many people will show up…or even who will show up. We are just praying that God would draw people from our community and that we would grow to know Him and love Him deeper together.

Do you want to join us?

Obviously you probably don’t live in our community (if you do live in the Whitewater/Elbing area, you should come!). But you can still grab a friend or group of friends…or even better, reach out to a neighbor or someone in your community. I love blogging and the on-line community but it is not a substitute for ‘real-life’ connections. We need people who see us everyday…the ugly and all…to hold us accountable. We need people who can stand by us when we can barely stand on our own. We need people who are there to rejoice with us in our victories. And we need people who can be honest with us when there is sin to be conquered in our lives. Real people.

Our desire is that we would connect and study God’s word with real people that we ‘do life’ with and then come together on-line to discuss each chapter and further encourage each other here. But if that is not an option for you…of course, feel free to join us as you study on your own. 🙂

I know this doesn’t give you much time. If God is bringing someone to mind as you are reading this or you are feeling a nudging on your heart…GO! Let’s expect God to do a changing work in our hearts and our communities this summer. Nothing you have planned for this summer is more important than reading and studying God’s Word…nothing! I need that reminder too.

So, here is our plan…

Julie and I will host the study here, beginning June 14 (that is the week we will be starting our community study as well!). The study will run for 10 weeks and we will discuss a chapter each week here on the blog. We will use the comments section of each post to discuss things we are learning or questions we might still have.

There are a few ways you can purchase this Bible study on Amazon:

The Promised One (single copy) $14.39 + shipping

The Promised One (10 pack for Bible study groups) $75.88

The Promised One (Kindle Edition) $5.99

You can find a few answers to your questions about this study here:

Q&A with Nancy Guthrie about The Promised One

If you are thinking about hosting a Bible study using this book, Nancy also has some great resources for leaders:

Leader’s Guide & Bible Study Announcement Flyer (free downloads)

The Promised One DVD (optional teaching DVDs)

At the end of the intro to The Promised One Nancy says, “I am praying, as you see Jesus in a fresh way over the coming weeks through the book of Genesis, that your love for him will go deeper and that your longing for him to come again will grow stronger.”

That is my prayer for all of us too. If you are planning on joining us for this study I would love for you to leave a comment and let us know. There might only be a few of us but I pray that we will be an encouragement to each other. Also, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I can’t wait to study Genesis together!

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  • Amanda - Ah, Jess! It’s like I was the one writing this! As another country-living lady, I know exactly what you mean by it being easy to not connect with those around me. This exact same burden has been on my heart too. Some of my friends and I have also decided to start a community Bible Study! We start Sunday night! We have a different study we are doing but I love that you and Julie are doing this! I’ll be sure to pray for you ladies as the Lord uses you to touch the community around you. Blessings, friend!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Amanda-So cool! How did your first study go? I can’t wait to hear. Thanks for praying for us!

    • Jess - Amanda-So cool! How did your first study go? I can’t wait to hear. Thanks for praying for us!ReplyCancel

  • Mindy - Jess!
    I would LOVE to be a part of this !!ReplyCancel

  • Katie - I live in Derby, so a bit out of the way to drive each week, but I would love to join y’all virtually!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Katie-Yay! So glad you are joining us online. We are excited to start!

    • Jess - Katie-Yay! So glad you are joining us online. We are excited to start!ReplyCancel

  • Kristen - This is exactly what I need. So busy with my girls I neglect the most important sometimes. Need to dust off that Bible! Is the study available for kindle?ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Kristen-Yes, the study is available for kindle. Glad you are joining us! It is so easy to neglect what is important…for all of us!

    • Jess - Kristen-Yes, the study is available for kindle. Glad you are joining us! It is so easy to neglect what is important…for all of us!ReplyCancel

  • Deb - I am so excited! This is exactly what I need this summer. (I already have the book… along with so many other books from Nancy.) Thanks so much for hosting. I’m looking forward to spending “time” together in God’s Word.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Deb-Yay! So glad you are joining us. Sarah is doing it too so we can have our own little “Respite Retreat Club”. 🙂 Hope you are having a good summer!

    • Jess - Deb-Yay! So glad you are joining us. Sarah is doing it too so we can have our own little “Respite Retreat Club”. 🙂 Hope you are having a good summer!ReplyCancel

  • Mindy - So do we just order the study and wait for u ,Jess ?ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Mindy-Hopefully you read my Q&A post but just in case…yes, you order your own study. I will be posting more soon.

    • Jess - Mindy-Hopefully you read my Q&A post but just in case…yes, you order your own study. I will be posting more soon.ReplyCancel

  • Jenny - I’m in!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Jenny-Yay! Thanks for joining us!

  • Mary Ann - Jess: You are one amazing lady. I appreciate what you are doing and why. Keeping Jesus right out in front of us and reading and studying about Him will bring us closer to Him and closer to who we want to become. Even though I cannot come to your home (since I live in Utah but wish I was a country girl with fields around me, horses, and fresh air), I will do my best to be there in “spirit” and feel the love you and your friends have for our Savior.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Mary Ann-Thank you. Hope you will join us in doing the study together online!

    • Jess - Mary Ann-Thank you. Hope you will join us in doing the study together online!ReplyCancel

  • Faye - Thank you! Count me inReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Faye-Yay! Glad you are joining us!

  • Nicole - I would love to join! Thanks for doing thisReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Nichole-So glad you are joining us!

  • Danielle F. - Just ordered my copy. Looking forward to it! 🙂 Happy summer!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Danielle-Hi girl! So glad you are joining us. Happy summer to you too. Enjoy your time with your sweet kiddos! 🙂

    • Jess - Danielle-Hi girl! So glad you are joining us. Happy summer to you too. Enjoy your time with your sweet kiddos! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Olivia - I’m in, too! I am excited to do a Nancy Guthrie study after reading how much you admire her work. It’s been a while since I’ve read Genesis, too, so this will be great.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Olivia-I studied Genesis in BSF this year and my eyes were opened to so many new things. I’m excited to do Nancy’s study too. Glad you are joining us!

    • Jess - Olivia-I studied Genesis in BSF this year and my eyes were opened to so many new things. I’m excited to do Nancy’s study too. Glad you are joining us!ReplyCancel

  • Sarah D. - Great idea– I’m looking so forward to it! We take a Bible study break in the summer, which is good for me since I usually teach, but bad for me because I have a hard time motivating myself to stay in the Word. Plus, as an honorary member of Nancy’s fan club, how can I say no? 🙂ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Sarah-I am so glad you are joining us! Wish we lived closer so you could come! Nancy fans forever! 🙂

    • Jess - Sarah-I am so glad you are joining us! Wish we lived closer so you could come! Nancy fans forever! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Jody - Bought my copy today so I’m in. I just re-read Genesis a couple weeks ago in my attempt to read the bible all the way through.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Jody-Yay! So glad you are joining us. And you have a head start since you already read through Genesis!

    • Jess - Jody-Yay! So glad you are joining us. And you have a head start since you already read through Genesis!ReplyCancel

  • the promised one…are you ready? » The Macs - […] still time to get your book. You can find it on Amazon here. You can find all the Bible study info here and here. The first week is mainly reading and discussion questions. We will dive into studying […]ReplyCancel

  • the promised one :: lesson two » The Macs - […] can find all the study information here and […]ReplyCancel

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  • the promised one :: thoughts from Nancy Guthrie » The Macs - […] more post on The Promised One. This is a good one (I can say that because I didn’t write it!) and you will want to keep […]ReplyCancel