Upcoming Events January 2018 Overcoming Fear and Discouragement-Ezra/Nehemiah/Esther NISS Online Study
Free
Overcoming Fear and Discouragement-Ezra/Nehemiah/Esther NISS This in-depth look at Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther chronicles the lives and conflicts of ordinary men and women who faced overwhelming situations charged with fear and discouragement. Yet they come out the winners. Learn how you can do the same. 13-week Study: Ezra-5 weeks; Nehemiah-5 weeks; Esther-3 weeks. Six days of guided lessons, 20 to 30 minutes long, help and teach you how to discover God’s precepts, purposes and promises on your own. Questions for…
Find out more » 1 Corinthians – Precept Upon Precept Online Bible Study
Free
1 Corinthians – Overcoming Divisions and Difficulties in the Body of Christ – Precept Workbook (NASB) Why are there so many divisions in the church? Why does the church sometimes tolerate sin? Are you experiencing any of the same problems that the Corinthians did in your own relationships or in your church? If you have similar questions, this study is an important resource. Learn how to pray by knowing God’s mind and will on divisions. What does God say about marriage,…
Find out more » February 2018 Savvy: God’s Truth for a Life that Works Online Discussion-A Study in Proverbs
$19.99
Savvy: God’s Truth for a Life that Works–A Study in Proverbs with Pam Gillaspie Wisdom seems elusive in an unhinged world where people see themselves as ultimate authorities, but God never meant for His children to be ignorant about how to live in any circumstances. Throughout His Word, the Bible, God calls His people to a better way—His Way! In the book of Proverbs, He lays out 31 chapters of nitty-gritty, nuts-and-bolts, practical truth for life that works! In this…
Find out more » Savvy: God’s Truth for a Life that Works Online Discussion-A Study in Proverbs
$19.99
Bible Study Leader: Beverly Schlomann Contact: [email protected] Savvy: God’s Truth for a Life that Works A Study in Proverbs with Pam Gillaspie Wisdom seems elusive in an unhinged world where people see themselves as ultimate authorities, but God never meant for His children to be ignorant about how to live in any circumstances. Throughout His Word, the Bible, God calls His people to a better way—His Way! In the book of Proverbs, He lays out 31 chapters of nitty-gritty, nuts-and-bolts, practical…
Find out more » Kings & Prophets #1-A Divided Heart/A Divided Nation-Online Bible Study
Free
Kings and Prophets Series (Course #1) 1 Kings 1-15:8, 2 Chronicles 1-13 A Divided Heart…A Divided Nation What happens when your heart is divided? What lessons can we learn for our lives today from the examples of Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, and Abijam? What does God do when His people trust their own judgment and disobey Him? Helpful Info and Links: You will join in your Leader’s Online classroom for LIVE weekly discussions. These LIVE discussions will help you grasp the…
Find out more » Genesis Part 2-Precept Upon Precept – Online Bible Study
Free
Genesis Part 2 – The Fall, the Flood, and the Nations -Precept Workbook (NASB) Adam and Eve, the serpent and an apple? Noah’s Ark and a worldwide flood? The Tower of Babel? Are these real or imagined? Stories or fact? What difference does it make anyway? Genesis holds the keys to understanding the origin of sin and evil, the justice of God’s judgment, and the mercy of God’s plan for the redemption of mankind and hope for a lost and dying…
Find out more » Breaking Free From Fear-40 Minute Online Bible Study
Free
Breaking Free From Fear-40 Minute Bible Study Life is filled with all sorts of fears that can assault your mind, trouble your soul, and bring untold stress. But you don’t have to remain captive to your fears. In this six-week study you will learn how to confront your circumstances with strength and courage as you live in the fear of the Lord—the fear that conquers every other fear and sets you free to live in faith. Helpful Info and…
Find out more » Lord, I Want to Know You-Online Bible Study
Free
Lord I Want to Know You A Devotional Study on the Names of God Discover the Limitless Power of God’s Name. So much of our confusion and pain results because we don’t know God — who He really is, how He works in our lives. But with Lord, I Want to Know You, that will all change. When you know God more fully by studying His names — Creator, Healer, Protector, Provider, and many others — you’ll gain power to…
Find out more » March 2018 Leviticus – Precept Upon Precept Online Class
$15.75
Leviticus – A Holy God, A Holy People – Precept Workbook (ESV) What do sacrifices, priesthoods, and feasts teach us about how we can be holy and worship God properly? This excellent study will help you understand the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. This study is recommended for those who are familiar with the Inductive Study Method. For the benefit of those less familiar, we will work through a portion of Lesson 1 together on Mar 1 and…
Find out more » Lord Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days – Online Bible Study
Free
Revelation Part 4 – Interpreting Revelation in the Light of Biblical Prophecy – Precept Workbook (NASB) Passages concerning biblical prophecy, especially from the Old Testament, are included in this final study of Revelation to complete your study of eschatology. Helpful Info and Links: You will join in your Leader’s Online classroom for LIVE weekly discussions. These LIVE discussions will help you grasp the material as you reason through the Scriptures together The only cost for a Beloved Truth online class is…
Find out more » Kings & Prophets #8-A Love That Will Not Let Me Go – Online Bible Study
Kings and Prophets Course #8 – A Love That Will Not Let Me Go – A Study of Hosea – Precept Workbook (NASB) Hosea was the last prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel before they were taken captive to Assyria. He cried out to a nation caught up in harlotry, a nation which chose to abandon God and go after pagan idols. In Hosea you can learn how God deals with those who turn away from Him and about a…
Find out more » Romans Part 3 -Online BIble Study
Free
Romans Part 3 – The Sovereignty of God and the Free Will of Man – Precept Workbook (NASB) God doesn’t go back on His promises. He can always be trusted. Romans 9-11 is an extended discussion of the subject of God’s sovereignty—election, predestination, and responsibility—focusing on His choice of Israel and His faithfulness to His covenant. We will listen to the DVD by Kay Arthur during the second hour of class. Helpful Info and Links: You will join in…
Find out more » John Part 3 – Online BIble Study
Free
John Part 3 Jesus draws His disciples aside to prepare them for what is to come. In chapters 12-21, learn about His death, burial, and resurrection, and their significance to your salvation. We will listen to the DVD by Kay Arthur during the second hour of class. Helpful Info and Links: You will join in your Leader’s Online classroom for LIVE weekly discussions. These LIVE discussions will help you grasp the material as you reason through the Scriptures…
Find out more » Galatians: Who Has Bewitched You? Why and How? – Online Bible Study
Free
Galatians – Who Has Bewitched You? Why and How?- Precept Workbook (NASB) As the gospel spread across the Roman world in the first decades after Jesus’ earthly ministry, conflict arose. Jews and Gentiles were believing the gospel, and a struggle over what it meant to be a Christian began. What does it mean to live under grace? Do you have to keep the Law to be a Christian? All of it or just part of it? Who is right? How will…
Find out more » April 2018 Daniel Part 1 – Online Bible Study
$18
Daniel Part 1 – Living Out a Biblical Worldview- Precept Workbook (NASB) Threatened with death, Daniel stuck to his guns and refused to adopt a pagan lifestyle. His worldview had God at the center and he lived it out even under extreme pressure to change. Learn to adopt a biblical worldview and adhere to it even when it’s not the norm. The first class is an orientation. The optional second hour, we will listen to the DVD teaching of Wayne Barber.…
Find out more » The Essentials of Effective Prayer – 40 Minute Online Bible Study
$7.99
The Essentials of Effective Prayer Do you sometimes wonder if God hears-let alone answers-your prayers? Do you ask yourself, “What’s the point of praying?” Do you long to experience the power of prayer in your daily life? Find the keys to an effective prayer life in this compelling study that explores both God’s expectations of you and His promises to you when it comes to prayer. Through a detailed examination of the Lord’s Prayer and other examples of prayer…
Find out more » Praising God Through Prayer and Worship – Psalms NISS -Online Study
$9.99
Praising God Through Prayer and Worship – Psalms – NISS Discover the psalmists’ heartfelt expressions – in prayer, in confession, in grief, and in praise – of their love for and devotion to God. As you learn to apply the text, your personal prayer times will grow more profound and worship experiences more fulfilling. 24-week Study. Six days of guided lessons, 20 to 30 minutes long, help and teach you how to discover God’s precepts, purposes and promises on your…
Find out more » Praising God Through Prayer and Worship – Psalms NISS – Online Class
$9.99
Praising God Through Prayer and Worship – Psalms – NISS Discover the psalmists’ heartfelt expressions – in prayer, in confession, in grief, and in praise – of their love for and devotion to God. As you learn to apply the text, your personal prayer times will grow more profound and worship experiences more fulfilling. This course will be studied over the course of a year. Each lesson will be studied for 2 weeks with holiday breaks during the year. …
Find out more » 2018 Spring Women’s Conference Webcast
$30.00
Moving Forward- The joy, peace and power of doing LIFE God’s Way Schedule: Friday Night, April 13, 2018 6:45 PM EST – 9:30 PM EST Saturday Night, April 14, 2018 6:45 PM EST – 9:30 PM EST *The recording of this event will be available for viewing until May 31, 2018. Pricing: Your $30.00 ticket price includes 4+ hours of teaching from Kay Arthur plus two additional speakers from the comfort of your own home.
Find out more » Kings & Prophets #9-Understanding the Anger of God – Online Class
$13.50
Kings & Prophets #9: Understanding the Anger of God- Precept Workbook (NASB) These were the last prophets to the Southern Kingdom of Judah before Judah was taken captive to Babylon. Each prophet cried out to a nation which needed to heed the Word of the Lord about judgment. Any nation, Assyria or Judah, which chose to worship idols rather than God, would be judged by God unless they turned to Him in repentance, but God would warn them first. These…
Find out more » Genesis Part 3-Precept Upon Precept -Online Study
$13.50
Genesis Part 3 – Becoming a Friend of the Faithful God – A Study on Abraham-Precept Workbook (NASB) Abraham was called “the friend of God.” What can you learn from him that will ground your faith, challenge your walk, and give you hope for the future? This class will not have an orientation. Helpful Info and Links: You will join in your Leader’s Online classroom for LIVE weekly discussions. These LIVE discussions will help you grasp the material as you…
Find out more » Genesis Part 3- Precept Upon Precept Online Study
$13.50
Genesis Part 3 – Becoming a Friend of the Faithful God – A Study on Abraham-Precept Workbook (NASB) Abraham was called “the friend of God.” What can you learn from him that will ground your faith, challenge your walk, and give you hope for the future? We will not have a separate Orientation class meeting. We will begin with Lesson 1 on April 25, 2018. Helpful Info and Links: You will join in your Leader’s Online classroom for LIVE weekly…
Find out more » Job-Trusting God in Times of Adversity-NISS-Online Bible Study
$9.99
Trusting God in Times of Adversity – Job (NISS) Do you ever ask, “Why is this happening to me? Where is God?” Discover new meaning in the difficulties of your life as you follow Job’s amazing journey from prosperity to pain and back again. Learn how to wait in complete dependence for God to come through in your life. 13-week Study. Six days of guided lessons, 20 to 30 minutes long, help and teach you how to discover God’s precepts,…
Find out more » May 2018 Hosea-Kings & Prophets #8-A Love that Will Not Let Me Go-PUP Online Bible Study
$9
Kings and Prophets Course #8 Precept Upon Precept Inductive Studies . . . A Love That Will Not Let Me Go – A Study of Hosea – Precept Workbook (NASB) Hosea was the last prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel before they were taken captive to Assyria. He cried out to a nation caught up in harlotry, a nation which chose to abandon God and go after pagan idols. In Hosea you can learn how God deals with those…
Find out more » Covenant-Knowing God’s Covenant- Precept Upon Precept-Online Study
$24.75
Covenant- Knowing God’s Covenant – Precept Workbook (NASB) See this incredible thread running from Genesis through Revelation. God enters into a binding agreement with His people and always keeps His promises. Trusting Him as a covenant partner frees us from the bondage of worry and anxiety. This study will transform the way you read the Scriptures! We will listen to the DVD of Kay Arthur during the second hour of this study. The second hour is optional. Helpful Info and Links:…
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“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.”
Psalm 103:11-12
Learning in Lent
The season of Lent is a perfect time for children to take on the challenge of learning a prayer by heart, or memorizing a Bible verse. Here are some suggestions.
Prayers
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer p.832 , written by William Temple
A Prayer for Lent
God of all mercy, you love all that you have made. You forgive the sins of all who are truly sorry. Create and make in us clean hearts, that we, humbly confessing our sins and knowing our brokenness, may receive your forgiveness and blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Written by Anne E. Kitch
Bible Verses
In times of temptation
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
Courage and strength
I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NRSV)
Forgiveness of sins
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.
Psalm 103:11-12 (BCP Psalter)
Trust in God
I can do all things through him who strengthens me!
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
Christian witness
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NRSV)
A Word of Encouragement
Remember that the primary locus for Christian faith formation is the home. Children learn by watching, participating, and following their parents’ lead. For a fuller discussion see Powell and Griffin at StickyFaith. YOU can be a minister and evangelist in your own home! God bless you, and the strength of Christ be with you during this season of Lent.
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prayers for study groups
We’ve found the following suggestions helpful for leading prayers for study groups. Does your Bible study have a special prayer tradition or use an opening or closing prayer that you especially like? Let us know if you’d like to share it here with other Catholic study groups.
Turning to God’s Word takes advantage of a number of avenues to provide high-quality Bible study materials to individuals and parish groups. Our free online resources include a daily Scripture reflection and inspirational quote about Scripture on our home page, how to start individual or group Bible study, online study directories with access to videos and other resources, and our weekly e-column, Lost in Translation. Our printed full-length Catholic Bible studies can be purchased from our website shop, and we also offer occasional short seasonal Bible studies free online, as well as other helpful Bible study resources.
how to compose prayers based on Scripture
Here are four simple steps to aid in composing a prayer related to a section of the Bible that you’ve been reading and about which you’ve been meditating. The process may be used for group or private prayer based on biblical reflection:
1. Address God by one of his many titles, preferably one that relates to the Scripture passage you’ve been studying.
2. Tell God something about himself related to the Scripture passage.
3. Present a personal petition related to your meditation of the same Scripture passage.
4. Close your prayer through Jesus Christ.
Here’s a sample prayer based on the seventh chapter of the Gospel According to John.
Heavenly Father and all-seeing God,
you sent your Son as a light to shine in our darkness. Help us to listen to what Jesus is saying to us, and to act on your Word so that rivers of living waters might flow from our hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
opening prayer suggestions
Lord Jesus, You promised to send your Holy Spirit to teach us all things.
As we read and study your word today, allow it truly to touch our hearts and to change our lives. Amen.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father, send forth your Spirit to enlighten our minds
and dispose our hearts to accept your truth. Help us to listen to one another with openness and honesty, eager to learn from the talents and intuitions that you have given each of us. Never let differences of opinion diminish our mutual esteem and love. May we leave this meeting with more knowledge and love for you and your Son. In the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
intercessory prayer
Participants in the Bible study place their written prayer intentions in a prayer box. Paper and pens are kept by the box. Before closing, the group says the following prayer, and afterward one member takes the prayers and puts them by the altar in the chapel with other prayers that people attending daily Mass pray over each morning.
Lord, we ask that you hear the prayers unspoken in our hearts
and those written and placed in our prayer box. We pray especially for peace and reconciliation in the hearts of those in conflict . . . Lord, hear our prayer. For healing and strength for those who are in need of your mercy . . . Lord, hear our prayer. For the repose of the souls of our loved ones . . . Lord, hear our prayer. For courage and guidance . . . Lord, hear our prayer. Surround our family and friends with your love and help them to grow closer to you. . . . Lord, hear our prayer. And for all those who have no one to prayer for them . . . Lord, hear our prayer. We thank you for answered prayers and for graces received. Fill us with your presence and help us to be faithful bearers of your light. We ask this through the compassion of Jesus your Son, our Lord and Teacher. Amen.
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