Tag Archive for bible study

16 Jan 2012
Bible Study • Printables • Quiet Reflections

Some ideas to help with Bible Study and reading-Free Printables

Packed²

photo credit: Chapendra

Thinking back to my days in college, some of the things that always came in handy while reading an assignment and even now with general reading, was keeping a highlighter,pen and index cards or notepad handy for notes that I may jot down while reading.

I remember reading about an author, who talked about having a file cabinet filled with notebooks that he jotted down quotes, personal thoughts and reflections about books he had read and even a list of the books that he read and how it served as both a time capsule and inspiration down the road.

While studying and reading the bible, I keep beside me, some of the same things that I would use for any type of note taking:

  • A Bic, 4 color pen
  • Notepad of course
  • Life Journal (Find out more about the Life Journal from the New Hope church in Oahu, Hawaiithat is the beginning of using this new way of reflecting on scripture and using the S.O.A.P. method. It was through New Hope, that I first learn about S.O.A.P. back in 2008)
  • Sharpie pencil (actually erases but looks like ink and from what I have seen and read, will have permanence after a few days)
  • Although I like the “dry” highlighters that are market out there, I’ve found that the Crayola® twistables are just as useful and effective.
Why Crayola® Twistables?

First of all, I like the variety of colors you can get and they are inexpensive.
Second, if you are doing the inductive bible study (Kay Arthur has written a book about inductive bible study, there’s a bible called the, “Inductive Bible Study” and you can find out more about what is the inductive bible study via this link,”Inductive Bible Study“)
If you go to the bottom of the post, I’ve included several printables you can download, that I hope and pray, can help you start out, making the most of your bible study/reading time.

Without going into a large expose’ on using Crayola® Twistables, for those


who do mark in their bibles, you’ll find this a bible friendly (meaning no worries the ink will bleed through onion tissue thin paper or just bleed through the

paper as is) alternative to highlighters and cheaper to use than the dry highlighters that are out there.

Some people prefer color pencils as well and that’s another great alternative to look into.
“Wisdom”, it helps to keep consistent and also a color coded key in your bible to help you use as a quick reference to what means what.What colors you assign for highlighting the bible, really is personal preference and one major reminder, is if you assign a color to say……

Something I came up with that might be of help, is a printable bookmark with some basic subjects that are usually highlighted in the bible as a well as an editable bookmark (please let me know though if you have any issues using the editable bookmark. You should be able to just fill it in and print on cardstock, and/or laminate to extend the life of the biblemark), in case you prefer to add your own themes to highlight, along with corresponding color, in the bible.

There is a bookmark with the themes and a box available to color in, the twistable or color pencil or even highlighter used, a pretty floral bookmark and of course the editable bookmark, that is available.

Bookmarks to download:

Click on image to download floral bookmark

Click on image to download plain bookmark

Of course, if you need a bookmark to remind you about using the, S.O.A.P. method, here’s this to download:

Click on the image to download the S.O.A.P. bookmark

Editable Bookmark for customizing with your own topics or keywords

Open editable bookmark to enter your own topics or keywords you will be highlighting for your bible study/reading.

This bookmark is great if you are doing a specific bible study or specific topic in the bible.

AND, one last free printable, a book study form to use when you are working on your favorite bible study topic, be it in a group or personal use.

This form has space for scripture that is being covered, and you can print out several copies or fill in the name of the “Book Study” that you are doing, i.e., say you are working on “Breaking Free” by Beth Moore. Type in “Breaking Free” and then print several copies, hole punch and keep in an 8.5 x 5.5 binder or dayplanner and you’ll have a record of what you have been reading/working on.

Download Book Study with area for Scripture here

Biggest thing is find the time, study and method that works for you…not based just on what your church is doing, what’s happening online, or your friends or family are doing, but what works for you and your schedule. There isn’t really a cookie cutter method that is out there and take the time to see what is out there and if anything, tweaking it so that it works successfully for you!

Hope you enjoy the downloads and if you use them, drop me a line and let me know how they have worked out!

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10 Jan 2012
Quiet Reflections

Setting aside Time for Quiet Reflections

photo credit: jonpurdy

Maybe you enjoy journaling and haven’t found the time or you’re wanting to find time to spend more reading the bible…the biggest thing it seems, has always been about finding the time and even just the place to do so.

bible with eye glasses

photo credit: MomMaven

In today’s world with busy schedules, it seems getting up early before everyone else is impossible, and if you work in or outside the home, even harder with the phones (including the cell phones) ringing off the hook and projects and deadlines looming in the horizon.

One great idea can be found over at, Marsha Musings, where via a free pdf download, she shares ways, you can create 5 minute retreats around your home and maybe glean ideas to create while you’re at work.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4 KJV) “

The past month, I stumbled on two other great sources that is worth checking out. One of them is ,”Savoring Living Water” that can be found at Do Not Depart (@DoNotDepart)  and is available via the Kindle, Nook and even in print, and then there is,”Maximize Your Mornings” , both blog posts and available as a free e-book, by Inspired to Action ( @inspired2action)  if you are trying to find ways, as a mom, to make the most of your mornings, instead of letting your mornings make the most of you.

Taking a cue from high school and even going to college, creating an effective study or reading time,  helps in keeping handy reference books, materials and supplies nearby that are needed, close by, to cut down rummaging around for whatever it is that you may need to sit down to read or study your bible (or bible study).

Vintage Patchwork Tablecloth Tote

photo credit: georgiapeachez

It can be as simple as a basket or tote bag to keep all your reading and study materials in.

Though for many in this busy world, there are many apps out there for the Ipads-tablets-smartphones-ipod-iphone users out there who find themselves always on the go or just dealing with busy schedules.

No matter what you use, remember, its about finding the time, place and way that will fit your schedule.

Sometimes the most effective time spent reading the bible or even studying the bible or committing to a bible study, is having the right materials on hand to help out.

What are ways have you found, has helped you create a more focus bible study/reading time?

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09 Jan 2012
Bible • Bible Study • Quiet Reflections

A Look at some Bible Studies

Bible study and reading; In today’s busy world, it seems difficult to find time for anything, even breathing it seems, but if you’re looking at starting small, there are some really great bible studies that are starting up that I wanted to highlight for you to consider.

For myself, I’m actually starting two on two separate days, due to the fact that they are perfect for the everyday busy woman.

Maybe you homeschool, volunteer, work at home, work outside the home, and find it hard to make time in your busy schedule to sit down, but if you have an e-reader, a smart phone, an iphone or ipod, it’s easy to find that five or ten minute time in your day to sit down and work on some of the following studies that will be going on and are focused directly in His word and the ones I will be doing are within the five and ten minute time frames.

First of all, for those of you who know about the, “Becoming You” bible study that I worked through in December, Stephanie Shott @stephanieshott , is going to start an online bible study, for this particular study, starting January 23, 2012. From personal experience, “Becoming You” is a great ten minute bible study that will still have you digging in deep and sharing principles that will help you change your way of responding to life.

If you haven’t had a chance to try her bible study, it is a free download that you can get simply by signing up to her blog and she will send you a copy and now with an online bible study to go with it, so worth taking the time (hey it’s only ten minutes out of the day) to work through this study.

Second, there is Kathy Howard‘s ( @KathyHHoward) , “Growing Up Together-A Study in Ephesians” that she will be hosting, starting January 18, 2012. It’s said to not be time intensive, but will be posted every Wednesday and the focus will be working through Ephesians, of course, to grow and develop spiritual encouragement.

Finally, another one to consider is, “Do Not Depart” and (@DoNotDepart)  the study, “Run to Him” , that will dig into selections from Psalms and starting January 13, 2012, and will be posted every Friday.

There’s already a study guide with a printable bookmark for easy access to the study schedule that is already available and can be downloaded.

With that said, I will be posting a few posts this week about, getting into the “Bible Study and Reading Mode” leading up to the start of these and no doubt other wonderful bible studies that are happening online and even offline for many of you.

If you are incorporating scripture memorization, with your many goals this year, and could use a little encouragement as you strive on memorizing passages from the bible, would love to have you join my January 2012-Scripture Memorization that I have going on.

Just drop on by and link up and every Saturday on the Sunflower Faith fan page, drop by and share how you are doing, tips and resources you are using for memorization (be surprised how this can cover memorization in other areas of your life as well) and just be encouraged in your goal to memorize scripture for the month of 2012.

In the meantime, keep an eye here, this week, for future posts about ideas and tips for setting time aside for bible study/reading, just general quiet time for devotional and prayer and building a basis for growing as a Christian.

If you’re not subscribed to my blog, yet, I invite you to fan, “Sunflower Faith” or sign up to my RSS or email to keep up to date with this and other latest posts from Sunflower Faith!

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21 Nov 2011
Becoming You by Stephanie Shott • Bible Study

“Becoming You” Bible Study-Addicted to Christ

Recently I started working through a bible study by Stephanie Shott  1 called, “Becoming You” and this really stood out to me in the study….

Stephanie shares,

“If we’re going to place our feet in the imprint of God’s plan for our lives we must first tilt our hearts upward so we can hear His still small voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21). He delights in leading our hearts every surrendered step of the way. 2“

The title of today’s short bible study was titled, “Addicted to Christ” and this seemed like a theme that was repeated as I started reading another book regarding bible study later in the day.

How much time do we really spend,just soaking in God’s word…reading…studying…learning the meaning of the words, what He is seeking to sharing?

In the NKJV, it says in Isaiah:

21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

“ This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.
(Isaiah 30:21, New King James Version)

No matter what version I looked up, Isaiah, I find the same thing.

ESV:

21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is  the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 ESV)

And in the CEB 3:

21 If you stray to the right or the left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: “ This is the way; walk in it. ” (Isaiah 30:21 Common English Bible)

We live 24 hours day, but do you feel like myself, sometimes, there’s just not enough time in the day?

Jen Hatmaker, whose written a series of books for Navpress, made an interesting observation in one of her books,  that goes well with today’s bible study:

“We’ve committed untold hours to the temporary and stamped ourselves “busy,” yet we find it taxing to be in the Word for more than a few minutes.” 4

I stopped and contemplated what Shott shared in today’s bible study, “Addicted to Christ”. How much do we really tilt our heads toward our Father in Heaven when worries, fears, the things that keeps us from moving forward, is in front of us or do we hang our heads down, in our hands, instead, overwhelm with worry?

Who do we turn to in our greatest time of worry or do we praise Him with one hand, but then in times of fear, worry, “fill in the blank the circumstances”, we drop our hands in praise and instead go, “I’m worry”, “I don’t know”, “I fear”.

Although this bible study is roughly just twenty pages, I found myself, taking a deep breath and going, I want, I need, I should be more committed to Christ, then just saying words but actions saying the other.

After all:

 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, King James Version)

What are things that you feel are holding you back from having a deeper, committed, just addicted to Christ, relationship and bible time with God?

 

Notes:

  1. stephanieshott.com/ ↩
  2. Becoming You Stephanie Shott, page 4. ↩
  3. commonenglishbible.com/Explore/PassageLookup/tabid/210/Default.aspx ↩
  4. Jen Hatmaker.A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study.  Colorado. Navpress. 2006. ↩
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17 Nov 2011
Bible Study • Book Study • Printables

Book or Bible Study Printables

It’s fun engaging in a bible study, and just as much in a book study, but one of the things I often find, is not only keeping track of what I’m participating in, but also finding a way to keep track of notes I keep, during a book/bible study.

For awhile I kept a notebook to keep track of the bible/book studies I was participating in, but recently I found my dayplanner and had been thinking of putting it back to use, but the trouble I had was in finding a book study form that would fit in my dayplanner.

So as a pet project, I put together some forms that I hope would be as much a benefit to you as it has been to me.

The first book study form, has an area, set aside for scripture and can be used for either studying the bible itself or for topical bible studies.

The other form is geared for general book studies.

Below, “Book Study”, there should be an interactive area, where you can type in the name of the book you are currently studying, and to save time reprinting, just print multiple copies of the form from there.

One idea is printing enough of the forms that you can create a small booklet for your current book/bible study and to save for future reference.

If you download and use one or both of the forms, please let me know via the comments, how it work for you.

Just click on the image of the book study form.

Book study form with area for referencing scripture mention in the chapter:

Book study form for general book studies:

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21 Oct 2009
"Christian Life"

Balancing bible study groups with kids

How can we organise things so that husbands and wives with kids can be actively involved in Bible study together?”

This question was asked in an article titled, “Can we crack the Bible Study problem?” and something that we hear come up, here and there at our church was,”We have kids and don’t know anyone or have anyone who can babysit”.

This is a topic that we found ourselves dealing with, while looking for a church and bible study group, that we could participate in as a family, not just the individual ministries that they had geared seperately for men, women and children, and seem to fall short for the longest time in the family department.

We found ourselves finally convicted, to start a bible study group, within our church, that was family oriented, where families came, as a family, and didn’t need sitters unless they just wanted to or had families and/or friends who could watch the kids.

Aside from just matters of economics, there are most families who can’t afford these days to get babysitters or maybe they are still new in town that they don’t know anyone, that they trust enough, to watch their kids or drop the kids off at, it seem to mystify us, the difficulty of finding a bible study group, where we could go as a family, as a whole.

We wanted our family to experience and to grow together spirtually, as a family, and felt that seperating ourselves out, just didn’t seem….right.

Yes, we had our individual bible studies that we go to, one for my husband, one for me and the kids are in childcare provided by the church, but how about as a family, and not just as a family on Sunday morning (even then the kids still aren’t with us), but away from church as well.

The article made a point that seem to strike at the heart,”it is easy for one member of the marriage to just withdraw from Bible study while the other continues. In our minds we think “this is just while the kids are young”, but I have seen that once removed from regular small group meeting, it is very hard to get re-involved later on. “

There are times when kids get sick and that is a legitimate reason not to make it to bible study, but what if the family can’t afford a sitter that week or every week, what if they have infants, what if they want to go together as a family and not have Jane or John stay at home or at a sitter’s house, while just the parents learn about our Father in Heaven.

That should never be a reason to justify why they can’t make it to bible study then. If anything, not just a church, but rather, the church community, should not forget this group that sometimes seem to fall in the groups.

For smaller churches and even communities, concessions are made; Maybe childcare provided at the church itself so the parents can attend together and know the kids are still able to participate with them in family based activites or single church members volunteer to watch kids so the parents can attend without concerns of:

1. Who is watching the kids,

2. Having the monetary means to have a sitter

3. The kids are right there and not at someone else’s house.

For many families, this is a chance for them to meet and be with other families with similiar age children, in an otherwise hectic week.

Then there are  families who are new to Christ or maybe economically affected by tight budgets, who still need to be minister and that seems to be a field that, at least for us, that  seems to be overlook or taken for granted that they “have a sitter on call”.

From personal experiences, we experience where some groups took kids who were maybe, nine or older, but infants couldn’t come. Not really friendly or helpful for couples with kids of different ages; Another group that seem interesting, but only accepted couples with teen-aged children….not helpful for those with young young kids.

And unfortunately for the groups that accepted the whole family ,either all the bible study groups were filled up that they weren’t taking anyone, or there was only one opening…Should we force families to have to “compete” for slots so they could study and grow in His word?

We laughed one night as we talked about it. It’s ironic that we go to church as a family to grow together as a family,with God being the center, and yet, as a family, for the longest time, we couldn’t go to bible study, because we had no babysitters, didn’t know anyone and couldn’t find a group that took our “age group”.

We didn’t mind studying on our own, but missed the fellowship of being with others to talk and discuss being a Christian, of talking and discussing of growing and experiencing, being a family.

If we felt that way, more than likely, we thought….so did others.

We live in a chaotic and world that is growing colder and colder to the Christian faith. There are families who need strength and support from us as fellow brethrens and not just on Sunday, but everyday and creating lifelines help and not just because we meet a certain age or family age group.

We couldn’t understand then, why the difficulty in finding a bible study group that serves the needs of the families and not just couples or individuals.

If we want our children to grow in our footsteps and as Christians, shouldn’t they be included or an avenue for families who want to grow as a family and not just dad and mom going to bible study without the kids be created.

There are many times when we can “do things without the kids” but growing in Christ shouldn’t be one of them…Kids and particularly families in a broken world, need Christ more than ever.

Sometimes, just being able to make it to bible study, is the closest that some families are able to make it, together as a family, to hearing His word, particularly if dad or mom has to work on Sunday to make ends meet or even probrably the first step toward making a commitment.

If there isn’t an opportunity for families who otherwise couldn’t or wouldn’t go to church isn’t welcome, what message does that send to them?

In a world where economically and spiritually and morally, times are getting hard, getting together for bible study shouldn’t be made difficult too.

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