Being an Obedient Bible Study Girl

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,

correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant

of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

– 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The New Year is a time when many people commit to reading a new daily devotional, spending more time digging in to God’s Word, or joining a new Bible study group. Been there, done that!

Week 1 ... so excited, anxious to dig in to our new study.

Week 2 ... read my assignment and looking forward to class tonight.

Week 3 ... it’s been a hard day at work (should I just go home tonight instead of going to Bible study?) I’ll miss the others in my class ... I guess I’ll go.

Week 4 ... I’m embarrassed because I haven’t finished my reading for this week (maybe I should just go home and get caught up before next week’s class).

Week 5 ... have a million errands to run after work (should I go to class late or just skip this week?)

Week 6 ... I missed class last week (maybe I’ll just join the next Bible study when they start up again next session).

Have you ever had any of the conversations above with yourself?


I have to admit ... more than one of those thoughts have swirled around in my head. Things happen, life get’s in the way, priorities change. Unfortunately, there have been times when I was unable to honor a commitment I made (even though at the time, it was with the best of intentions).

And so another new year and once again I am making a commitment, but starting a reading plan or a Bible study is only the beginning. The most important step is seeing our plan through to completion, and that takes obedience and self-discipline. I guess this will be one of the first challenges of digging deeper into my word for this year ... which is SELF-DISCIPLINE.

As Christians, the Bible is the foundation of our faith which means we not only need to read God’s word, but understand how to apply it to our daily life. I also realize that Bible study is an essential part of our Christian walk and good “intentions” won’t empower us, but obedience will. So it makes sense that if I follow through with my commitment, my relationship with God will grow deeper and deeper.

Easier said than done.

Seeking peace in all areas of my life is a constant challenge. One area has really been troubling me lately, so I have made a commitment to participate in a six-week Bible study which will begin this Sunday. I am praying that my commitment this time will be different. Two scriptures verses came to mind as I considered the challenge ahead of me:

“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched

by your completion of it, according to your means” - 2 Corinthians 8:11

“Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed”

- Proverbs 16:3

I ask that you pray for me as I will for you - that God will give us obedience and discipline in our willingness to learn, listen and live out His will in all areas of our life. And that He will help us not to take our commitments lightly, so we can be all that He is calling us to be.

It’s Friday, Let’s “Sparkle” ... action required ... Accountability is key when making a commitment to change any area of our lives. The demands of everyday life can become temptations and work against us, but Satan tries to create even more ... and he knows our every weakness. Accountability becomes crucial in our battle to remain obedient.

This weekend why not pray about finding an accountability partner. The Bible tells us, “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble” (Ecclesiastes 4:10).

When was the last time you had a friend call you just to check up on you, to see how you were doing? Or, when was the last time you called a friend to do the same? Every Christian needs an accountability partner ... to pray together, talk with, and share words of encouragement.

Don’t be surprised if God puts someone on your heart that just happens to need a friend, mentor, or someone to walk with on their spiritual journey. After all we have been called to be in community with other believers ... it’s all part of His amazing plan!

Be sure to check back as I will be sharing some updates about my journey over the next six weeks.

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

Find out how knowledgeable you are relating to

the Biblical truths and obedience to God -

click here to take an OBEDIENCE QUIZ ...

http://www.christianet.com/bible/obedience.htm

Kidz Topic: OBEDIENCE

This is a new mid-week segment of my blog where I will be sharing a variety of thoughts, scripture verses, and “sparkle” ideas just for kids. Feel free to pass them on to your children, grandchildren, or any other young people that God has put in your life.

KIDZ ☮ PEACE ...Whether you are at home, school or at church, playing sports, or hanging out with friends, there are rules that need to be followed. We need to obey our parents, teachers, coaches, police, employers, and many other responsible adults.

Rules have not been created just to make things hard for us. They have not been set because someone wants to control our lives, or be mean to us. Rules have been put in place because someone cares about us, and is looking out for us.

1. Why do we need to be obedient?

• When we are obedient we show respect for others
• Obeying rules keeps us safe
• Helps us work together as a team or group
• We learn to set boundaries

2. What does God’s Word tell us?

There are rules that God wants us to follow every day. Have you ever heard of the 10 Commandments? They are a list of 10 laws God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai and are just as important today as they were in Bible times. God’s commandments give us rules to follow so we can live a life that is Christ-like.

Learning the 10 Commandments and being able to say them by heart not only helps us to live each day as a Christian, but if we memorize them we can share with others who may be struggling in their daily walk. You can find the 10 Commandments in your Bible… just turn to Exodus 20:1-17. Why not study one commandment a day. Read it over and over again until you can recite it by memory and in just 10 days you will know all of the 10 Commandments.

Here are some other Bible verses about obedience... check out Colossians 3:20, John 15:10-12, Leviticus 25:18, 1 John 2:5

3. What happens when we do not obey?

When we do not obey the rules and boundaries that have been set, we may get punished by our parents, have detention at school, get kicked off of a team, or even get arrested... someone could get hurt... but worst of all our disobedience makes God unhappy.

Kidz Thought for the Week:  “When in doubt, don't”  -  Benjamin Franklin

Keeping you in my prayers. 'til next week, when you are tempted to break the rules just ask God to help you be obedient!

God's Peace, Donna