Today was the last session of Jesus the One and Only. I'm always sad to come to the end of a study, even though I'm starting to look forward to the next one. (We're going to do Beth Moore's Stepping Up: Psalms of the Ascents in the spring.)
Instead of meeting in the school cafeteria as usual, we had brunch at my home. It was fun to prepare and set the table with pretty things in anticipation of everyone coming over. I kept it simple: a couple of quiches, an orange and grapefruit salad, some homemade cinnamon/raisin/walnut bread, coffee and juice.
I'm always excited to use my party plates--glass plates with matching cups that sit on the plate. My set belonged to my grandmother and they're so fun for a light brunch or dessert and coffee. My mom had them for a while and had taken them to a consignment shop when I mentioned I'd like a set. She drove to the consignment shop and took them back for me. Thanks, Mom!
Whenever I come to the end of a Bible study, I like to go back through the whole thing and note the key ideas or lessons that stood out to me from each week, and then from those to come up with one lesson that I'll take with me. I write it in the front cover of my workbook, along with the date and where I did the study.
After spending time in a study everyday for ten weeks, I don't want to put it on the stack on the shelf and just walk away. When I think back to a study, I want to be able to quickly remember what it was I learned.
So for this study, the key lesson for me has been this: Come away with me. Come away with Jesus each day--to follow him closely, to receive rest, to listen and learn and then obey, to partner with him in ministry.
One of the lessons of this last week was to remember. The angels asked the women, "Don't you remember what he told you?" when they were amazed to find an empty tomb. Jesus had clearly said he'd be handed over to sinful men, he'd be crucified, and he'd be raised from the dead. They'd just forgotten what he'd said in the midst of sorrow.
It's all too easy for us to do the same. To forget what he's told us, the lessons we've learned from him. Writing them down like this is one thing that helps me remember.
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P.S. For all you Beth Moore Bible study junkies...there are some great Bible study workbook covers over in the shop. My friend Janna made me one for my birthday last year and I get so many compliments on it. I've made one for my mom and she loves it too. You can switch to to whatever study you're doing--and go to Bible study in style!
