Welcome to online bible study as we begin reading Gideon, Your Weakness God’s Strength by Priscilla Shirer. In this 6-week womens online bible study, you’ll discover one man’s struggle with his own weakness and the One True God who transformed it into triumph. You’ll also learn personal reflections applicable to your own experience and life. It’s not too late to sign-up and join us in the Gideon study.
(image: Unsplash)
Gideon Your Weakness, God’s Strength
Each week there are five daily lessons in the Gideon Bible study. And so, you will read one lesson per day for five days of the week. As you read your Bible study, you’ll experience putting God first in your life.
If we read in the morning, our focus will be on Him at the start of our day. It’s interesting when we read in the morning, we’re often reminded of our lesson throughout our busy day. A verse or a phrase will simmer in our mind and then refreshes itself sometime in the day. For me, this is one of the greatest benefits of Bible study and why I desire to share it with you as I lead the study. Some of you may prefer to read in the evenings or on your lunch hour…the important thing is to get started and create a routine.
Create a daily appointment with God, and don’t let anything pull you away from intimacy with Him. A good plan is to read each morning Monday through Friday, allowing the weekend to make up any lesson you missed during the week. Keep your study time simple and free from distractions.
You may find that keeping everything you need in one place will help you stay motivated. I have a basket with my Bible, workbook, journal, pens, highlighters, reading glasses and post it notes. If you are new to Bible study and don’t own a Bible yet, then use one of the many online versions at FREE sites or apps.
You are invited to participate in small group discussion at the Bible Cafe™. The first week our small groups will have introduction sessions, where you’ll meet your leader and co-leader, as well as the other women in your group. We’ll explain how the small groups function and help you get started in online Bible study.
Assignment For The Week
- Write a letter to God on the inside cover of your workbook. Put today’s date inside your book and tell Him where you are in your life right now, and where you hope He leads you during this study.
- Pray before you begin reading. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to wisdom.
- Begin reading Week One in your workbook
- If you are watching the Priscilla Shirer videos, watch Session One, available through Lifeway (not required for participation in the study).
- Join a small group discussion to meet your leaders and the women who who will be in your study each week
CHRISTINE ABRAHAM is a Writer Redeemed by Christ. Lifetime Bible Reader. Coffee Drinker. Beach Walker. Mother of Girls. Bible Teacher. Founder at Bible Café™ Ministries.
I’m really sorry Amy, however the Womens Bible Cafe is not affiliated with Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer or Lifeway…so we are unable to help beyond what the publisher and authors create, because it’s all protected by copyright law. My prayer is that they will created closed captioned videos for you…or a software that converts voice to text… PLEASE be sure to contact Lifeway customer service…they are very helpful!
Also, the videos are NOT required for our studies and only about 10% of the women here use them. So please join us!
Allison from Scottsdale, AZ
1. “Today is Your Birthday” by The Beatles because…well, today is my birthday!
2. While I celebrate the anniversary of the day I was born, I just received a call from my sister letting me know of my father’s passing just an hour ago giving me so much to reflect on regarding the impact he has had on my life thus far and on my life going forward.
3. “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I…” am blessed with a wonderfully supportive husband , four adult children, and a brand new grand baby, but I tend to self-sabotage situations or even sometimes relationships because of my insecurities and approval addiction.
4. *Optional: Make a one-sentence comment regarding anything in the video
devotional that resonated with you. Beth’s articulate analogy regarding taking note of the ‘fruit’ that is ripening right before us that we don’t even recognize…I share Beth’s prayer that I will have enlightened eyes for what God would like for me to see and to understand what God would want me to do with that fruit.
Now I think I have that Beatles song playin in my head…thank you Allison 🙂
Hi Debbie from FL1.: my fun songs are Celebration/Kool & the Gang/Me without you/Toby Mac/Everything Good/The Afters(where I am at) 2. I love to decorate everyday not just holidays lifts others spirits & my own! I love having theme parties all year long once a month if I can fit it in.(Retired) 3.I have a testimony been 20 years since my husband admitted what I was going thru. Thanking God for this! God’s timing is always perfect intimeontimeeverytime. Don’t ever give up God wants us to win! Ephesians 6:10 Spiritual
Warfare. When I had nowhere to go but up or down I choose God took praying trust and
eventually lead to Faith after all these years(20years)I have lots of joy to give away!
When family or others see the change in your life they want to change their life & look to
God knowing Jesus(God) is our joy,peace& strength thru it all. People families are changed thru forgiveness(seen this just recently) in our family always praying God’s will be done ! Love the Video thanks Beth cute & inspirational ! Love the hit by a Banana
LOL name Sara on the banana’s cool idea! LiveLoveLaughDance(ifnotinachair)LOLSingPray
You would need to ask the publisher at Lifeway.com we are unable to violate their copyright
I joined this morning’s small group but we didn’t do #4. Finally got to finish Beth Moore’s video. this struck with me. not only do we need to see and recognise the fruit, we need to also do something about the fruit – we need to gather it, save it, use it!
My favorite song and title to a song is “What a Friend I Have In Jesus”,
This season for me is very challenging and trying to find where I fit in life I have jst finished my Masters deree and now I need direction.
I wish my sister in Christ knew that I feel lonely alot.
“Set me Free why don’t ya Babe” This is a unique season because I have discovered what have been holding me back from things in my life.
I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I was once a loving a giving person because the dead of two babies and a divorce have let me feeling empty for many years. My spirit is repress. I found it funny that figs was used in her annote. I was in line at the grocery today and the customer ahead of me spend a good bit of money on figs. I was thinking how as a child we picked figs and it was a time of happiness and joy. I found that usage of figs quite refreshing and enlighten. LOL
Hi I am Eileen and I live outside Vancouver British Columbia in Canada
1. The song that probably best describes my season right now is “need you now” by plumb.
2. This particular season I am finally finding me and reconnecting to God and who I am as His child
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am a Christian but I am also gay and I can be both and I am not going to hell
4. Listening to Beth talk about “fruit” that is ripening right before our eyes and I pray as she did that God will open my eyes to what it is he wishes me to harvest and use to glorify Him and not let evil devour it
I have not been in a bible study for 6 years. I miss it very much. I look forward to growing spirtually with my sisters in Christ. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I yearn to have the Fire in Christ that I once had.
Welcome back then! 🙂
oops another song that came to my mind is Whom shall I Fear? by Chris Tomlin words are
I know who goes before I knows who stands behind the God of angels armies are always by my side.
verses that we can use for this bible study(Gideon) are Philippians 4:13 I can do all things
thru Christ who Strengthens me cannot do it by ourself I (we)will fall down everytime.been there done that oops
11 Corinthians 12:9 God will give you strength & power. 11 Timothy 1:7 God did not give us the spirit of fear but the power of Faith.
God Bless you all as we study the book of Gideon! Enjoy! LiveLoveLaughDance(ifnotinachair)LOLSingPray
Kelleen from WA.
1)Song that discribes me in this season. Oh How I Love Jesus.
2)I am resently unemployed and seeking God’s will wether to return to work or use this as a growing season.
3) I wish my sisters in Christ knew how conflicted I am.
Sondra from VA
1~ “I will Celebrate” by Maranatha Praise Band
2~ Resting, waiting & praying after getting BA and seeking where God is leading me in the job market.
3~ I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I had a sense of humor.
Hi! Im Christina. I am excited about doing the Gideon study and seeing what God is going to teach me through it.
Diane from VA…
1.Song- took some thought although I keep singing the “Friendship” song from I Love Lucy to my 6 year old son … you know.. “when you’re ever in a jam here I am, when you’re ever in a mess S.O.S.” But I think I will choose “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” since I am craving more of God in my life!
2. Seeking, no, I mean LONGING for a deeper walk with God and very excited about it!
3. I am very playful and caring even though I am reserved.
The song that would reflect my life right now is called Makin’ It from the movie called Meatballs. Since my divorce I have been given the chance to go back to school,something I look forward to doing that with great excitment. I wish my sisters in Christ to know at the age of 53, I completed high school.
Sharron Kay, Possum Kingdom Lake, Tx, solo: 1)”Don’t Worry, Be Happy”/”His Eye Is on the Sparrow” 2) semi-retired, relocated, new lifestyle & friendships, new church worship & fellowship, but still seeking accountability/friendship with Christian sisters 3)I’ve always been a type A personality/control freak but God is humbling me to learn submissiveness and servant hood. 4)There will always be “Summer fruit” ripening in my life that needs plucking, preparing, storing, and sharing with others for the glory of God.
1. “I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder
2. Dealing with a season of weariness because of pull on teenage daughter from “the world”; many friends whose families are “Christians/church goers” but walk with Jesus is different from our family.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that procrastination affects my resilience (which is what everyone else “sees”).
4. Exciting Word from Beth about summer and fruit ! Summer is a season for something to ripen !!
Susan Duncan, Wichita, Ks./small group, #1 The song that best describes me this week is “Itsy Bitsy Tennie Weenie yellow polka-dot Bikini. Not that I am itsy bitsy or tennie weenie; but one of the youth pushed me in the lake at the church baptism and I came up out of the water with my top around my waist. As a pastor’s wife I have faced many trials, but this is more transparent than I ever dreamed of.
1) Imagine me by Kirk Fraklin.
2) Presently finished with my students in Year 11 and can’t wait to see their results.
3) I wish my sisters in Christ will know that I do not get too close to people.
~QUESTION 1~
THE SONG THAT BEST CAPTURES ME RIGHT NOW IS:
“I GET JOY” ~BY~ MARY~MARY
~QUESTION 2~
THE DISTINCTLY UNIQUE PORTION OF MY LIFE IN THIS PRESENT SEASON IS, THE FACT, THAT I AM STRONGER THAN I’VE EVER BEEN WITHIN MY Christian JOURNEY, MY PERSONAL LIFE, HOME PARENTING SKILLS, & LEVEL OF ASSOCIATION WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS, AS WELL AS, OBVIOUS FRIENEMIES!!! Amen. {GBS~GREAT BIG SMILE ~ THANK You Lord Christ Jesus FOR Your BLESSING ME WITH DECERNMENT, EMPOWERMENT, & EVER ENDURING MERCY ON MY SOUL!} Amen.
~QUESTION 3~
I WISH MY SISTERS IN Christ KNEW THAT I Am A WOMAN THAT HAS HAD A DARK PAST THAT ENDURED MUCH PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, & VERBAL ABUSE, AT THE BOTTOM OF A MOUTAIN, THAT GAVE ME MORE THAN MY SHARE OF PAIN; BUT, God OVERSHADOWED MY PAST WITH BLESSED SWEET RELIEF, RELEASE, & RESTORATION IN THE Holy BRIGHT Light OF ~&~ IS Christ Jesus!!! Amen.
(Week 2, day1) Priscilla shares that if we are constantly anticpating a grandiose event to accompany the times when we encounter God and hear His voice, we will miss out on many intimate moments in our relationship with God. The Lord reminded me of that scripture in 1Kings 19:11-12 God’s Revelation to Elijah-
The Lord said to Elijah “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces; but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire was a small still voice of the Lord.
Sometimes God speaks through earthquakes, wind, and fire. We remember those times and expect Him to always speak in those ways. But most generally, when God speaks to us, I believe He speaks in a small still voice. If we are spiritually sensitive our hearts will be tuned to hear the small still voice of God.
Week 2 Day 1- Priscilla shares that we must become aware of and honor God’s presence in order to get on with the purposes of God. Opened eyes precede your calling being realized.
I think about how often I am like Jacob when he said “surely God was in this place and I knew it not”. I believe our lives would change so much if we would learn to have a constant awareness of God in our lives. Lord open our spiritual eyes that we might see you more clearly. Lord many of us need a second touch from you on our eyes that we might see clearly. Touch us as you did the blind man, that we might see you more clearly than ever before.