 |
| one of the first groups I led |
It
was just over 20 years ago, in the winter of 1992, when I was pregnant with
Brandon that I began attending a ladies Bible study. I was immediately hooked!
We were living in Dalmeny at the time and I had to quit work earlier than
planned due to medical reasons with my pregnancy. I joined a ladies study in
Dalmeny on Thursdays as well as one at Cornerstone on Fridays. After Brandon
was born, the leader at Cornerstone was moving and she asked if I would
continue on in leading the ladies study at Cornerstone. I immediately said yes!
J
So, what I learned on Thursdays at the study in Dalmeny, I turned around and
began teaching it at the study at Cornerstone. Little did I know that I was
beginning an amazing journey studying God’s Word with many dear sisters in
Christ. Here is a photo of one of the
earlier groups that I led at Cornerstone...a blast to the past. J
 |
| having a picnic after a Friday morning study |
Hundreds of women have come across my path
through Bible studies and I’ve learned so much from each and every one of them.
I treasure all those jewels in my life and I know they treasure all the gems
that we’ve gathered from God’s Word together. But it was in 2005 that God began
a new journey in my life and he put it on my heart to go to Bolivia to visit
missionaries. It was there in March 2006 that I was introduced to the indepth
studies of Beth Moore. In 2007 about 30 of us ladies began our 1st
Beth Moore study. It changed our lives and we haven’t turned back. Indepth
studies have stretched us beyond what we have imagined. They have molded our
character and deepened our walk with our Savior. Going to Israel with Pastor
Russ in 2008 and then leading ladies groups to Israel in 2009 and 2011 have
enriched the leadership of these studies in ways that I’ve never imagined!
 |
| Friday morning study at Cornerstone Church |
Over the last couple years, more and more women from
different churches have been coming through Bible study. We’ve gone through a
variety of studies like Loved by God by Liz Curtis Higgs, Nurture by Lisa
Bevere, The Truth Project and then others by Beth Moore; Believing God,
Breaking Free, Living Beyond Yourself, Anointed Transformed Redeemed (with
Priscilla Shirer/Kay Arthur), To Live is Christ – the life of Paul and Jesus
the One and Only. In January we studied
the life of the Apostle John called the Beloved Disciple. It was filmed right
on location in Greece/Turkey and the Island of Patmos. My hope and prayer is to take a ladies tour there in Spring 2014.
This past summer was the first time we took part in a summer study. Along with
thousands of women across the globe, about a dozen of us studied the book of
Nehemiah by Kelly Minter. You are welcome to read what I’ve written about it at
this link
http://wjofisraeltour.blogspot.ca/2012/07/walls-of-jerusalem.html So much rich Jewish history we learned in
that study.
 |
| Tabernacle Replica in Ontario |
In
September 2012 we journeyed through A Woman’s Heart – God’s Dwelling Place –
which was a study on the Old Testament Tabernacle and what it meant for the
Israelites in the desert but also what it means for us today when Jesus says we
are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Incredibly powerful study and over 70 ladies,
in 3 different groups had attended. We were so blessed!! If you’d like to read about what I wrote
about that study, you are welcome to go to this link as well
http://www.wjofisraeltour.blogspot.ca/
In September, I had the joy of going to the Crossroads Centre in Ontario and
literally walking through a replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle. What an
experience!! I am so thankful for that
wonderful gift God gave me in that and to share with the ladies in the study
groups. We are all truly God’s Dwelling
Place – our hearts – our lives – God with us!
 |
Thursday morning study at the
Warman Gospel Church |
Pastor
Russ often speaks about changing the world. Serving in and being a part of
these ladies Bible studies over the years has definitely ‘changed the world’
both in my own life but also very much in the lives of these ladies who are a
part of studying God’s Word. Each study impacts our lives and families. There’s
nothing else quite like gathering together with a group of incredible women who
are hungering to know more of God’s Word and to deepen their relationship with
Him. It was such a delight to organize a bus trip to Calgary to attend a Beth
Moore Conference this past June...such a reward for us that have journeyed
through so many of her Bible studies.
 |
| Tuesday night study in my home |
We’ve already begun another study called
Stepping Up - a study on the Psalms of
Ascent. We have learned so much already and in March, after completing this
study, a group of us will be returning to Israel, Lord willing. We are all on a
pilgrimage in our walk with God and it is particularly meaningful to be going
through these Psalms of Ascent before returning to the Holy Land once again. In
4 different groups, there are about 110 women taking this study and about 30 of
those who attend Cornerstone Church.
It’s definitely been an outreach ministry and some of those women have
begun attending Cornerstone as a result. What a joy and privilege it is to walk with
these women!
It’s been extremely rewarding to lead these studies and to
see the growth in the women. I love seeing who God is going to bring to each
study that He’s led us to do and to see what He’s going to do in their lives!
It brings me, and Him, much joy. J
He handpicks each one. It’s an honor to lead these women, an honor to serve my
church through this, and an honor to serve God through my life. Oh how I love
Him and I love my church!!
