One of the things I included in the last week's homework for the Bible study I taught at church was a question or two encouraging everyone to think about what they would study next. Just because group Bible study at church (or in someone's home) is over until Fall (or whenever it starts up again) doesn't mean we stop studying!
My friend Debby gifted me with The Satisfied Heart at the end of our study together at church. It's one she loves and gives often. And I always love reading books that my friends have said they love that much!
I waited until I finished up the last day's homework from our Psalm 23 study before opening this book. Just from the introduction in which Ruth shares her story, I knew I was going to love the book too.
As I read her story of experiencing God's love and of him being her first love, my thought was, I want that!
I'm only on day 3, but my copy is already marked up, which to me is the sign of a good book! I can tell that this will be a book I'll read again and again. When I come to the end of day 31, I'll just flip back to day 1 and start again.
One of the things I like is that she lists Scriptures to read at the end of each day and suggests picking out a word or phrase that stands out to you. I've just picked one Scripture to read (and will do the others as I go through it again and again) and have liked just picking a phrase to focus on for the day. (Seems like memorizing just a short phrase rather than a whole verse is a very do-able daily thing. I'm thinking that they may need to be verse cards rather than post its. Or a spiral just for this book. But we'll see.)
For now I've recorded the phrases in a little notebook that I keep with the book, and have written them on post-its stuck to my computer as well. It's all too easy to forget what the phrase was when I get up and go about my day. I need things written down where I will see them repeatedly for them to stick!
Today's phrase? "Your love is better than life" from Psalm 63:3.
If you're on a group Bible study break, what are you doing to stay in the Word? Are you reading a great devotional, doing a study on your own? Have a book to recommend? Leave a comment and tell the rest of us!
I just did this study w/ Deby Falconer. SOOO good! God has so many things in this book that has done so much for me! Great Treasure!
Posted by: Kim Robinson | May 08, 2010 at 08:01 AM
I'm reading two great books right now. One is "The Misunderstood God" and the other is "The Good and Beautiful God: falling in love with the God Jesus knows." I'm reading them s-l-o-w-l-y. I highly recommend them both!
Posted by: Angie Platten | May 08, 2010 at 09:26 AM
I'm in the middle of too many things to list, but Ruth's books are always in my rotation! I love The Satisfied Heart along with her 31 Days of Praise and 31 Days of Prayer... my copies are worn and marked up after years of rereading, but isn't it just like God to constantly bring something new to mind with each reading~ my favorite thing about God's Word! one thing I'm trying is to do more chapter study in my Bible as opposed to having another book to guide me, i tend to rely heavily on books and am really praying that God helps me find my own voice in His, if that makes sense. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Mandy | May 08, 2010 at 07:00 PM
I'm just getting ready to do a mini-study of 4 sessions with a summer group. Sort of a summer refresher. :)
And ... I'll be hosting your session at the One Marriage conference this week. Just want you to know I'll be praying for you as you prepare and then share.
Blessings,
Julie
Posted by: Julie@comehaveapeace | May 09, 2010 at 03:02 PM
I am doing Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only by Beth Moore. That should put me right on track for a fall study. Oh, and I love Ruth's books too. I give 31 Days of Praise as a gift on a regular basis. Happy Reading!
Posted by: Fonda | May 10, 2010 at 01:44 PM