I slowly figured out which girls were going to be in town with me for the summer as well as at school with me next year. (there's like five of us or so) I asked around to see if anyone was interested in a bible study. I got an enthusiastic yes, two sures and a maybe. Encouraged, I went to my mom, and we figured out that I could have it that week.
Unsure as to what to expect, the five of us hung out in my room talking about the book of Ruth for an hour and a half! We even went farther than I had expected. I was so excited.
Girls, (ok, this is awkward. Y'all are definitely not guys, but gals sounds weird and so does girls . . . maybe girlies? Comment and let me know what your opinion is!) Bible studies are awesome! Well, good bible studies are awesome. Bible studies geared toward the bible are awesome.
In AZ my bible study was at Starbucks. Ten or so of us, (sometimes it was four) would meet there and drink coffee, tea, or smoothie, and talk about God's word and what stuck out to us that week.
Here in Cameroon, my bible study is in my bedroom, while some of us are on my floor, bed, or a convenient couch. We laugh and giggle, and learn.
These groups are both huge blessings, even though I fill different roles. Because in those groups I know I have friends. Friends who will pray for me. Friends who will laugh with and at me! 😋😉 Friends who actually want to know what's going on in my life and are serious about God's word. Friends who want to grow and learn with me so we can all journey together. Those are friends worth having.
So, new challenge:
No matter where you are, start (or join) a bible study!
It will be so worth it! Whether its with nationals, fellow MKs, girls older than you, a year or two younger than you, all of the above, it will richly bless you. Even if it's just with your mom!
Cause in a bible study, everyone is there to learn. No one is going to goof off. The girls who are serious about God will be there, and that is where growth happens!
-Ali
P.S. I know Starbucks is great, but really, bedrooms are better!
P.S. I know Starbucks is great, but really, bedrooms are better!
Way ahead of this challenge! My sister sent me this link, and I was excited because this is a new passion of mine. I want to meet more missionary kids, even if they are not in the same mission or country as I was. So, this is really exciting to me! About the bible group though, I created a bible study with a group of friends ONLINE because they are from all around the world (USA and Mexico). There was like 4 of us to start, and we have recently hit 10 again (I know it is not much, but it is a start). I have kept this group going for about 4 years now, but I wish I knew the exact date I started the group or we had our first bible study. All I know, is I am so glad God has helped me come up with this, and keep the group going. Right now, Haley Huntting my co-leader, and I have lead a bible study every Saturday. This group you have, Ali, also excites me because we have recently (as a bible group) started creating monthly newsletters that does things just like this- we talk about how God has used us or someone else in our lives. Our ups and downs. Most of the people in our bible group (called TEAM- Teaching, Evangelism, and Ministry) are writers, so it works well. We have everyone who wants to create on article a month. This blog and my group seem so similar. If anyone here wants to join our group, we will totally welcome you. We meet on an app called Skype, so you would probably have to download the app, but we would LOVE to get to know you more! Honestly, Ali, this inspires me! I probably have not been as passionate in TEAM as I should have been or used to. Now I think I am getting back up there! (P.S. I am sorry for all the mistakes in this post.)
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool and exciting, Bethany! I'm so glad you have a group to dive into God's word with! The one I had over the summer actually disbanded, and we've all joined different small groups at the private school I'm going to now. I'm with a slightly different set of girls, but it's still really fun!
ReplyDeleteThe same invitation applies to your TEAM members. If any of them (or you) want to post on here, shoot me an email and I'll see what I can do!
I was planning to ask them if they were interested. Thank you!
Delete