Tag Archives: Sue Edwards
Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times {1 Peter Study}: Week 4
It’s Week 4 in the Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times study I’m participating in.
{Miss Week 1? Miss Week 2? Miss Week 3?}
About the Book
It’s easy for Christians to be strong in their faith when they are comfortable–in their church, in a small-group, in their family. But what happens if they are faced with prison, poverty, and pain? Life is more demanding than ever before. Finances are tight, relationships are stressed, and disappointments are common. Why is it so hard to stand up for God during these troubling times?
The letter of 1 Peter was heard by women who knew times like these. This newest addition to the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series digs into 1 Peter and takes a look at the stories of real women–past and present–to teach today’s woman how to stand faithful to God regardless of her trials, however severe.
About the Author: Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women’s ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women’s Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.
This Mom’s Review: Week 4
This week’s study was hard to swallow. I am at fault for teaching vengeance to my children. They’ve seen me get mad and say how I’m going to get back at someone, more than once.
So, why am I shocked, when I see my children acting out the same scenario, just with a different offender? I never acted out my vengenance, I was just blowing off steam. Yet, that doesn’t matter. My children learn from my example! Ouch! I will be reading this week’s Scripture {1 Peter 2:11-25}, so that they can see God’s way of doing things!
Slowing down to really look at this Scripture, God’s way actually makes sense. Looking at all the time I’ve wanted to get revenge – and maybe did – the outcome wasn’t good. Either the retaliation kept escalating as it went back and forth or I just let bitterness linger within so long that I became unhappy and hateful all the way around.
We can actually shock people when we are nice and choose not to retaliate. Sometimes the shock can even lead to someone wanting to know why our response was so different, and that’s when we have the prime opportunity to lead that person to Jesus Christ! I want these opportunities! I wonder how many I’ve lost over the years, because I chose to be selfish and vengeful.
One thought the permeates my heart is this: If Jesus chose to withstand physical suffering {torture}, then why can’t I withstand the mild sufferings and trials that have come my way?
I am looking forward to Week 5!
I received a copy of the above study book from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.
Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times {1 Peter Study}: Week 3
It’s Week 3 in the Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times study I’m participating in. {Miss Week 1? Miss Week 2?}
About the Book
It’s easy for Christians to be strong in their faith when they are comfortable–in their church, in a small-group, in their family. But what happens if they are faced with prison, poverty, and pain? Life is more demanding than ever before. Finances are tight, relationships are stressed, and disappointments are common. Why is it so hard to stand up for God during these troubling times?
The letter of 1 Peter was heard by women who knew times like these. This newest addition to the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series digs into 1 Peter and takes a look at the stories of real women–past and present–to teach today’s woman how to stand faithful to God regardless of her trials, however severe.
About the Author: Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women’s ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women’s Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.
This Mom’s Review: Week 3
I feel excluded or out of place sometimes. Looking at this selection of Scripture (1 Peter 2:4-10), I am reminded that many rejected Jesus, too. Knowing that Jesus faced this same challenge, I am encouraged to continue on in my fight to be a wife and mom that glorifies God and minister to my family in the way the God is calling me to. By ministering, I don’t mean preaching at them; I mean serving and loving as Jesus did in his ministry on earth, as well as sharing the message of salvation with others.
While the author uses the word priest through this week’s study, I like to replace her word with minister, as described above.
In verse 9, we are called four things: chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, and a peculiar people. As I look up the definitions of some of these words, I need to ask myself if I am truly living up to these four things. Am I behaving like God’s chosen? Am I ministering to others? Am I living a holy life? Am I living a life that draws attention toward Christ and not away from Him?
I think the biggest distraction I have is thinking I’m not good enough to share God’s message with others. The funny thing is, it’s true. I’m not good enough. Yet, his message is! I don’t need to pad His message or put on an pre-show. I just need to share God’s message first by how I’m living and second by sharing Scripture with others!
I thank God for showing me in His word that He loves me and has a great work for me – despite me and my mistakes and weaknesses.
I am looking forward to Week 4!
I received a copy of the above study book from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.
Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times {1 Peter Study}: Week 2
It’s Week 2 in the Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times study I’m participating in. {Miss Week 1?}
About the Book
It’s easy for Christians to be strong in their faith when they are comfortable–in their church, in a small-group, in their family. But what happens if they are faced with prison, poverty, and pain? Life is more demanding than ever before. Finances are tight, relationships are stressed, and disappointments are common. Why is it so hard to stand up for God during these troubling times?
The letter of 1 Peter was heard by women who knew times like these. This newest addition to the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series digs into 1 Peter and takes a look at the stories of real women–past and present–to teach today’s woman how to stand faithful to God regardless of her trials, however severe.
About the Author: Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women’s ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women’s Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.
This Mom’s Review: Week 2
After doing Week 1, I was afraid I would lose interest in this study. However, Week 2 dug into some issues that concern me! {Sounds like I’m being selfish wanting things to be all about me, doesn’t it?!?}
Week 2 discusses the mind, love and cravings. The Lord really convicted me during this study. I have lost my way over the past year. Being mad at others in church and in general life has caused me to become bitter and my spiritual growth has went in reverse.
I really miss the one-on-one time with God. I miss being able to lean on Him, which was my own fault. This week’s study reminded me of the need to get close to God through daily interaction (Bible and prayer).
I was also reminded of the fact that I need to love others the way God loves me! A big challenge, but we have someone else’s strength to carry us through, right!
I am looking forward to Week 3!
I received a copy of the above study book from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.
Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times {1 Peter Study}: Week 1
I’ve been invited to participate in a 9 week Bible study and you’re invited to join me each week as I share what I’ve learned. First, let me share the book with you.
About the Book
It’s easy for Christians to be strong in their faith when they are comfortable–in their church, in a small-group, in their family. But what happens if they are faced with prison, poverty, and pain? Life is more demanding than ever before. Finances are tight, relationships are stressed, and disappointments are common. Why is it so hard to stand up for God during these troubling times?
The letter of 1 Peter was heard by women who knew times like these. This newest addition to the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series digs into 1 Peter and takes a look at the stories of real women–past and present–to teach today’s woman how to stand faithful to God regardless of her trials, however severe.
About the Author: Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women’s ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women’s Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.
This Mom’s Review: Week 1
The first week-long lesson is based around 1 Peter 1:1-12.
While some of the subject matter was familiar to me and I could answer the study questions with no hesitation, other parts of it caused me to have to read the Scripture over a few times. The author doesn’t spill a lot of her opinion or commentary. She allowed me to use my own noggin – I even had to leave a few questions blank because I didn’t quite understand what was being asked.
I’m hoping to return to the Scripture in a few days and see if I can answer the questions. I’ll admit that my head has been clouded lately, so it just may be the fact that I’m not giving God my full attention.
What I did learn is that this is not my home and that I will face struggles and trials while here on earth. How I respond to those struggles and trials is my choice. God is an active resource in our lives, waiting for our cue for Him to guide, strengthen and even bless us. I learned what the blessings and benefits of belong to Christ are. Do you know what they are?
