We’re excited to begin another summer of FREE study at the Bible Cafe™. We’re expecting more than 2,000 participants for the free Revelation Bible study. As a reminder, you will want the book Revelation: The Smart Guide to the Bible by Daymond Duck. Our Introduction week begins the week of July 11, 2022, where you’ll meet your leaders and make small group friends. Grab a book and show up for a free virtual small group at the Bible Cafe™- everyone is welcome!
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With so many women participating in the 2022 summer Bible study, we know you’ll have many questions. So here’s a summary of the most common questions we receive before starting an online Bible study:
2022 Summer Bible Study with Virtual Small Groups
What if my book has not arrived yet?
You can download the book in Kindle format and get instant access. No waiting for a delivery truck.
What should I be reading in the book?
Each week you’ll read three easy chapters.
What Bible translation should I use?
If you look at the first inside page of your study book, with copyright information, you’ll see that the author is using the New King James Version (NKJV) for this study. Use any Bible you prefer. We recommend using an online Bible app, such as Biblegateway.com or YouVersion.com if you’d like to use the same translation as the book author, or examine a passage in multiple translations (NIV, ESV, NLT, for example).
Do we need to answer the questions each week? Where do I find them?
We have prepared ten discussion questions for each small group conversation. Christine Abraham will send you these questions by email when you REGISTER for updates.
When and where do the small groups meet?
To see the schedule of small groups, register for this study. We will send you the discussion schedule by email. FREE groups are meeting on Facebook- in a private group.
Who is my small group leader?
She will introduce herself to the group as soon as all the women have joined the study. You will have a leader and a co-leader, both are there to facilitate the discussion and pray for you.
Can I attend more than one small group?
Yes, you can attend as many small groups as you like. For example, if you miss your regular group on Tuesday, feel free to attend another group during the week so you will not fall behind.
2022 Summer Bible Study
What time and where do we meet?
We meet many times during the week- mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
Can my friends see what I post in the Facebook group?
The settings for the Facebook group are private. The comments will appear in your timeline and only you will see them. Remember though, if you have a friend in the same Facebook group, she will see what you
Do I need to participate in the group discussions?
It is beneficial to your study and spiritual growth when you participate. The enemy of God will convince you that your words don’t matter. We know from leading several online Bible studies that women who participate in group discussions are more likely to finish their studies. And so, the women who do not participate in the small groups are most likely to drop out and not complete the study.
Do I need the book to participate?
Yes, it is recommended for this study. Our discussions are based on the weekly reading assignment from Revelation: The Smart Guide to the Bible
What if I need to go on vacation during this study?
Bring your book and Bible with you.
What if I fall behind in my reading?
Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you get back on track. Don’t quit just because you are behind or feel disappointed in yourself. Reach out to your small group for support and encouragement. They will cheer you on, all the way to the finish line!
What if I have spiritual warfare while trying to do this Bible study?
You will have spiritual warfare, it’s almost guaranteed. As you draw closer to the LORD, Satan will do his best to put a wedge between you and your study. We know that Scripture is armor against the enemy…so he will distract, discourage and deceive you during this study. We encourage you to pray with your small groups and ask others to intercede. Post a prayer request in our group. We have a designated team of women who will be praying for you.
Welcome to our final week of the Gideon Bible study by Priscilla Shirer. Throughout this study we’ve learned how God is able to turn weakness into strength. By now you realize there is more to Gideon than wet fleece! Our final chapter this week unveils the obstacles Gideon faced- his own self interests and idolatry.
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We had the opportunity to complete “The Interview” and then reflect on own situations from a Biblical perspective. Did you claim your own idols after the lesson on page 150? It’s easy to read the pages of scripture and judge Gideon, and as we learned this week, much harder to judge ourselves. Yet for a Bible study to be effective and have lasting impact, we need to apply scripture to our individual lives. We need to live it…not just read it!
What impacted you most during the Gideon Bible study? Which lesson or statement from Priscilla Shirer took root inside your heart? It would so so wonderful to gather together at the Table and hear your personal stories. In the meantime, we have s all group experience where you can gather and share your thoughts with each other. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook look for the hashtag #LessonsfromGideon and see what others are posting about this Bible study.
In the final chapter this week, I personally discovered how something inherently good became an idol in my life. I’ve know that I struggle with emotional eating, and food which is good has power over me when I use it to fill an emotional need. I was reminded this week that only God fills those empty spaces in my life, and the solution is to turn to Him in prayer and not food.
Chocolate is my cure-all for any mood…and something I need to limit inside my home. I use chocolate to celebrate something or to comfort a feeling I might be having. How about you? Is your idol a Facebook game, a television show, an addictive habit…what are you a bit obsessed over? For some women, even Bible study can become an idol when it becomes a badge on the wall and replaces a relationship with God. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.
Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Cor 13:5 NIV
Pause from your busy day or your heavy burdens and examine your own heart. Make sure you are in alignment with His will, in relationship with Him and detached from potential idols. This needs to be a daily habit as you center your life inside His Presence.
My prayer for you is that by finishing this Bible study, you now recognize your own strengths and weakness from a spiritual perspective. With this knowledge, you are then in a position of authority in spiritual warfare. Walk in victory…beside Jesus.
Thank you for joining us in this Bible study! It has been a pleasure to spend this time with you. Thank you to our 20 volunteers who lead the small groups and pray for you by name. God is good, always!
Final Assignment
Write a book review for Priscilla Shirer
Tell someone how much you enjoyed the Gideon study!
What an amazing week of online Bible study at the Womens Bible Cafe™ We’ve just finished reading week five of the Gideon Bible study written by Priscilla Shirer. We saw a major turn of events as our Biblical hero goes from a God-centered life back into a self-centered life. Yes…BACK into his self interests.
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Equipped by God to overcome his own insecurity, Gideon the hero becomes Gideon the disrespected in a very short time. His demise was listening to the flesh rather than listening to the Lord. Has this ever happened to you?
It’s easy to be deceived by the enemy of lies. When we stop seeking wisdom from God through prayer, Bible study and fellowship…we open the door to spiritual warfare. Today in my local Bible study our leader suggested memorizing Galatians 5:19-21 NIV so we recognize the works of the flesh inside us.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NIV )
I wonder if Gideon would have experienced a different outcome if he knew and prayed these things! What about you? Do you recognize that when you are acting in anger, discord, or jealousy…you are acting against the Fruit of the Spirit. Perhaps each of us is a bit like Gideon in someway or at sometime in our lives.
When God uses our weakness for His strength….we need to stay in relationship with Him so that strength is not misused by the flesh. For Gideon, insecurity became courage and then courage became sin. Make sure you don’t cross the line with the gifts the Lord give to you. A wise woman knows when to yield to the Spirit and capture all thoughts through a Christ-centered heart.
I hope you’ll be joining the small groups this week to discuss week five. Did you know that next week is our last week of the Gideon online Bible study? This study has really gone by fast!
Assignment For the Next Week
Read Week Six in the workbook
Listen to Audio Session sixand seven or Video Session six and seven at Lifeway.com (optional due to cost)
Our womens online Bible study continues this week as we discuss our fourth week from Gideon by Priscilla Shirer. We expanded our understanding of God’s patience, unlike human patience.
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The term “long-suffering” is used to describe this supernatural patience God has for His children. Using a keyword search in the King James Version I was surprised to see just three scripture verses with the term. I found Psalm 86:15 interesting, as the word long-suffering is translated to loving kindness (Amplified) and unfailing love (NLT).
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. KJV
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness and truth. Amplified
But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. NLT
But you, O God, are both tender and kind,not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. Message
Rarely do we see these adjectives applied to any human! Read the verses slowly and let them seep into your heart. God is
loving-kindness
unfailing love
immense in love
Our lesson this week also explored spiritual gifts and Priscilla presented 4 Steps in Giving Our Gifts to God. Four pages in a Bible study workbook are not orchestrated to help you Discover your gifts, so take some time and explore this further. Your local church might have information on spiritual gifts, you can find the information online or even read a book about it. Don’t ignore your spiritual gifts. Seek wisdom and discernment.
You’ll find a Lifeway Spiritual Assessment Tool online when you click here.
Finally, we explored Gideon’s famous “fleece test.” Hopefully you looked at times in your own life and discovered when and how God confirmed His message to you. It’s important to know the difference between seeking confirmation and sitting in unbelief, as Priscilla described so well this week in Bible study.
This week was filled with some great self-discovery questions, so I hope you took time to pray and complete the workbook answers.
Assignment For the Next Week
Read Week Five in the workbook
Listen to Audio Session five or Video Session five at Lifeway.com (optional due to cost)
We’re still reading Gideon by Priscilla Shirer and just finished our third week of womens online Bible study. I found this lesson so uplifting, I have to confess that several times in my workbook I wrote the words “Yes!, Whaoo! and Wow!” Did you find this week’s lessons equally exciting? The entire week is based on my One Word for 2013: Simplicity.
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We learned the simplicity of turning a small portion of bread and fish into food for thousands. We saw how five small stones in the hands of David brought down his Goliath. We read the testimony of Gideon as he battled his army and his fears not by his own strength, but by the strength of God. Wow!
I’d love to sit beside you in small group and see what you wrote for humility and pride on page 76 in your Gideon workbook. In my own workbook I wrote down two strategies I can use to maintain humility: 1) keep memorizing scripture and Truth, and 2) continue to praise and thank God with gratitude for His many gifts. What did you write down?
We also learned this week about fighting fear and staying alert as members of God’s army here on earth. What does this mean to you personally? How will you apply the concept to your own battles in life. Do you seek strength from the Holy Spirit, or are you depending on self to carry you through?
Pray and ask for more discernment about this as you finish the remainder of this week. Look for ways that your feelings might not be in alignment with God’s Truth, and celebrate those that are inside His will. Finally, seek opportunities to apply this great wisdom from Priscilla Shirer “The secret is not in obtaining but in releasing.” Who or what do you need to release in order to be inside the will of God? What is God calling you to fast from?
Move with the Spirit, in the same direction. Walk closely with Him across the narrow path. He will lead you across the high road and not cause you to stumble…if you allow Him room beside you.
Assignment For the Next Week
Read Week Four in the workbook
Listen to Audio Session four or Video Session four at Lifeway.com (optional due to cost)
