The winner of the Why I Wear a Toe Ring giveaway from over the weekend is: Mary Hayes. Send your mailing address to kim@proverbs31.org so we can ship your gift out soon.
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For the past five summers, my friend Mary and I have done a Bible study together.
She lives in Illinois. I live in Michigan. So, we “meet” each Wednesday morning early over the phone.
She is in her home with her dog at her feet. I am out on my back deck with my plants all around.
Since neither of us tend to be in an organized study over the summer, we felt studying and meeting this way would keep us grounded in God’s word and prevent us from slacking off in our spiritual lives over the lazy hot days.
And it has.
We keep it very simple.
One of us prays before we start. Then, we just go through each day’s homework and say “What did you like, learn or get convicted by?” Then, we share any issues or situations for which we need prayer and the other person prays.
We are done in an hour.
We have done this study, and this one, and one summer this one and this summer we are tackling this one.
Will you consider grabbing a Bible and a faraway (or nearby) friend for a study this summer? If so, leave a comment telling us who will be your study partner.
I’ll randomly choose six gals from among the ones who comment. You will each be given a copy our our own Proverbs 31 Bible teacher Wendy Blight’s great ebook study on the book of Proverbs called All Things Wise and Wonderful. You can easily do this 5 week study with a friend from now until the end of the summer. Here is the description:
Wendy’s study, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God’s Wisdom in Every Day Life, is a five week study grounded in the book of Proverbs. It teaches you how to make Bible passages understandable and applicable. It will bring God’s Word alive and bring perceptible transformation in:
- Your relationships
- Your attitudes
- Your speech
- Your priorities
- Your whole heart
Ok, who will you study God’s word with this summer? Winner announced Thursday.
My girl friend April!
What a great idea. I would love to do this with my friend, Nancy. We worked together until I moved away two years ago.
My best friend who lives in North Carolina (I live in TX) really want to do Beth Moores James study together.
I really need to have this Bible study with a friend(s) this summer. I am recently divorced and harbor deep hurts. This summer is hopefully going to be a time to “nourish” myself and grow closer to God and seek His direction…….a summer of healing!
This is a great idea, Karen (and a great way to stay in touch with long distance friends!). I’m far away from some friends and family and this sounds like something I would love to try with my sister or distant friend. Thanks for the idea and encouragement!
MY STUDY PARTNER WOULD BE MY FRIEND ABOUT 4 HOURS AWAY. WE BECAME FRIENDS VIA INTERNET PRAYER GROUP 5 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE MEET IN PERSON VISIT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK ON THE PHONE. I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THESE BOOKS FOR US TO STUDY TOGETHER. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS KAY
Hi this is a great idea. I have been feeling spiritually malnurished as I am not in a summer womens study. I will ask a friend today and get back with you. Thanks for this idea.
I read this post and immediately emailed my friend in California….easily my best friend ever! We moved to Texas about 5 years ago, and I miss her a lot! I’m going to see if she’d like to do a Bible study like this via phone or skype!
What a great idea ~ our LifeGroup has taken the summer off so this would fill that void that I feel not getting together with the ladies on Monday nights. Gotta phone a friend and get started on this one! THANKS!
I have a friend in Florida…a “soul sister in Christ” that I met on a website for the Jan Karon Mitford Book Series…and learned that she was originally from NC (where I live) and also quilts…having so much in common, we’ve emailed, texted, etc. ever since. She’s made one trip to NC in the nearly 7 years we’ve been friends. We “met” in Sept 2005, after my mom passed away in June 2005. Carol’s mother passed away the next January. I believe God “introduced” us to each other so we could help each other through the difficult time of losing our mothers.
I’m wondering if it would be a good Bible study to do at home w/ my husband. Or, I could do it w/ a good friend who lives about 50 miles away. We try to get together for lunch every other month & we both love to read & we love the Bible.
I’m going to do a Bible study this summer with my mom who lives 3 blocks away from me!
And I’d like to add that my Carol takes care of her elderly father, and never takes time for herself….this Bible Study would be a great way to help her set aside a little “down” time for herself and draw closer to God and grow closer in our friendship at the same time.
This would be Great IF I had a friend available BUT All are working!(I use to work but can’t now since I’m disabled) I would Love to meet a New friend this way too so can you match me up with someone?
What study would you like to do?
I am in a summer study with some friends! We are also doing Beth Moore’s James study!
I have a group of 2 woman that we meet every Thursday (Ashes to Beauty) to pray, talk share and discuss what we are studying. We are planning to do the Beth Moore study on James in July. This is a wonderful way to stay connected with the body of Christ. I love my sisters in Christ! Blessings, Lisa
I would love to do this with my friend Lynn.
I’ll be doing Kelly Minter’s Nehemiah with my aunt. She lives close to me, but we don’t get to spend much time together, so it’ll be good to get together once a week to talk!
Loved James, Mercy Triumphs!
Actually a couple of months back my sister and I started to do a “phone” bible study together. She lives 1 1/2 hrs away from me. We have wished to do a study together for a long time, but since we don’t live close we never thought it was possible. Then a couple of months back while talking we realized we could do one over the phone. So each Monday evening at 7:00pm we do a bible study together. We both make hot cups of tea and dive in together. Our first study is over the book of Revelations. It has been very good! We have both learned a lot and are enjoying our studies together. We plan to continue this tradition for years to come!
What an awesome way to spend time with an old distant friend. My friend Judy and I have been friends since third grade we are approaching our 53rd birthdays. We’ve been through thick and thin together most often from a distance but have held oneanother up in prayer and encouragement. I forwarded your email this morning and am anxiously waiting for her response. Your word leaped off the pages this morning. I haven’t talked to her in awhile probably avoiding sharing some of the yuck that’s going on here at my home. Well I saw a picture of her sweet daughter on FB the other day. Looks like we need each other more than ever. I’m going to call her today. I was never very good at hiding. You have been ablesding to me today! May the blessing return to you tenfold.
Like others above, once I finished reading your post, I immediately emailed my two sisters and a dear friend who are in California. I moved to Texas a couple years ago and haven’t been able to go back to visit yet. What a wonderful way to stay connected and encourage each other!
I’ve been in several Beth Moore groups and a couple Experiencing God studies. They impacted my life both through the material and through the dear sisters/brothers who studied with me. I also recommend The Search for Significance by Robert McGee and Renee Swope’s A Confident Heart.
Blessings,
Becca
Would be nice to win this study and then find a friend to do it with.
I would love to do a bible study with my dear friend, Kristie, who has been living abroad for 7 years. We speak by phone weekly and the addition of a long-distance bible study would be wonderful!
I would choose Jenny. My sister lost her battle with cancer in January. Jenny was her best friend. It has been a transition time for both of us. We are leaning on each other, but would also serve as a way for us to continue to develop our friendship.
Sadly, there is no one for me to choose from. I have been so busy with family and extended family over the past 15 years that I don’t have anyone that I can call a friend who I am close enough to. I have tried repeatedly to initiate some interest in the ladies from church but everyone is so busy. I don’t do well on my own in completing organized studies……….it really makes me sad sometimes. I figure that when the time is right, God will place someone in my path that I can share these things with. I hope that if I were to win………the friend to share with would come as the greater prize.
Would you be interested in doing something online… for accountability? I’ve been participating in a couple of online groups and it is good for me to check in with others. It’s hard to stay disciplined sometimes!
What a FABULOUS idea!
I would pick my blogger friend Gina (she’s in Washington & I’m in California).
nicolepipkin{AT}gmail{DOT}com
My friend Donna and I tried this before, but durning the school year and on Wednesday night. Since we go to different churches, the meeting day didn’t work and we fell away from it. This is a great idea for connecting with a friend during the summer! Have a blessed day.
I will study with my mom : )
I am studying James with my husband this summer.
I am also praying. We are in a new area and it is a region known for lack of community. But for years God has been telling me to pray for a Bible study in our house, so we have, but nothing happened. Last week He told me to start praying for 2 families. SO we are. I don’t know when or how, but I do know that sometime in the future there will be a Bible study with two other families in our house. And this would be balm to my soul. It is hard to feel so isolated even when we try so hard.
What a great idea! I’m praying about who to ask . ..
I’d love to do this with Julie! Great idea.
I am studying with 2 friends this summer — Sara and Amanda! We will be meeting live some weeks and by email other weeks! Can’t wait to get started!
What a great idea! My sister and I have been talking about doing a Bible study together (she lives in CA, I live in WI) and finding time together is difficult, but we figure emails/texts/fb is a great way to stay connected, motivated and accountable. Thanks for the chance to win the study!
It would be my mom. We live four states apart. She hasn’t attended church for years due to her job, but is still a faithful believer and just like me can always use a good bible study. Plus it gives us an excuse to be on the telephone
I really enjoy Proverbs, and this sounds like a good study! I would love to do this with one of my daughters, Mareena, Autumn, or Heather, or my friend Teena. It would depend on who could do it with me. Two have new babies, but need this so much, one is single and goes to school plus works, but needs God’s Word, my friend is a Grandma, enough said! Any would need it as much as I. Thanks for doing this and God bless who ever is Blessed to win!
My summer is a bit scattered, as well. But my Bible study partner is a young 21-year-old single mom who asked me to mentor her. (I am 49 and a mother of three). She asked me to “teach” her how to be a wife and mom! What a humbling request….and a fun time to share the ups and downs of my 26 years of marriage! I can’t wait!!!!
I am going to ask my good friend Kay who lives in Illinois to do a study with me. I live in Pennsylvania. We will skype the study… Sounds fun. thanks for the idea.
Jude
My friend Kelly Hatch and I have such a hard time finding time to do Bible Study together. She works and I don’t. But we had tried meet every Friday on her lunch. We sometimes can’t due to her work schedule. We were doing Created To Be His Help Meet. BUT, God is so good. Her son had to go to summer school, which we both viewed as a “bad” thing. BUT since he has to be at school at 8 and she starts work at 8:30, her and I are meeting for prayer for that 1/2 an hour each day. This has gone on now for 2 weeks and I believe he has 2 more weeks of summer school. Don’t you just love how God uses something and everything for GOOD!!! We plan to continue, somehow to meet and would love to do the book you mentioned.
The school, her work, and my home are all within less than 1 mile of each other. Another one of God’s blessings!
I am meeting with Denise, Lisa, Gail, Bonnie, Pam and Tracy. We are pouring over the Book of James. What an amazing way to study God’s word. A verse at a time. No study. Just us and our Bible and our Strongs App!
My friend Julie and I would be blessed to do this study together we have been looking for something this sounds like a WINNER thanks!!
I would love to do this with my sister Karen, who I don’t get to spend enough time with…..
Neat! I recently moved to a new city and have yet to find a study/accountability partner. Now I see it’s possible to do a study long distance! So I would choose my previous accountability partner that I miss greatly!
This is a great idea : )
I actually preferred studies in the summer since our schedule wasn’t so crazy. With my kids sleeping a little later it allowed me to have more time to spend in God’s word!
Thanks for reminding me that summer is such a great time to share with a friend and God’s word!!
Karen, what an awesome way to keep in His word and keep in-touch with a faraway friend. My friend Tricia is getting ready to move from my “hometown” of Va. Beach to Richmond to take a new job. I’m going to invite her to do this with me. In her transition, it may help to keep her from feeling lonely in a new place as well. Thank you for the idea.
I would love to do this with my step daughter – what a blessing it would be. Thanks for the oppurtunity!
Oh this would be wonderful. I already have a faraway friend whom I skype with every Wednesday morning. It would be fantastic to have this study as a focus for our discussions.
I would love to do this study with one of my two best friends – both live in WI, and I’m in VA. What a great idea!
God recently proved his love for me, when I was going through some hard times, in my marriage, and a close friend of mine, came back to town, we were prayer partners in the past, (over 9 yrs ago), I missed her dearly and didn’t realize how much, I needed her friendship, until she returned, now she and I talk one time per week and encourage each other and talk about scriptures and whatever we may be going through at that time.
Love this idea. I would love to do this with the gals from my lifegroup or with my friend Lisa.
What a great idea. I am going to grab a friend and we can pick a study together. I do my own study in the morning but I think doing one with a friend would be a blessing.
My best friend Denise—she is my prayer partner, my job partner/office mate—she is my sister by heart
We have been wanting to do a structure study together. I can’t wait!!
I think I’d have to do this Bible Study with my sister in law who is going through some really tough stuff right now.
I’d love to do this study with both of my daughters, one at home and one in Nashville. Great idea!
Great idea…I don’t have anyone.
I would love to do this study with my friend, Beckie…..who now lives about 2 hours away, since I moved in 2004. However, I noticed it’s a ebook (is that right?) and I don’t have a e-reader. Am I behind in the times? At any rate, if it’s a print book, I would cherish the time that I could spend in God’s word with my sweet friend. Thank you!
Sometimes, depending on the publisher, you can access ebooks through your computer. For example, you can go to amazon and dounload the Kindle application software to your PC and read your ebooks there.
Thanks Lauren!
I thank you dear sister for another beautiful blog. My friend Jill and I are busy moms and had been thinking about doing a Bible study over the phone since last month. Actually, it was her idea.
Now that our busy weeks are over (due to VBS), we just have to schedule when to do it.
This study would be a blessing! I would love to do this study with a friend or my daughter this summer.
Great idea!!! Summer are so busy and this would be a great way for me to spend time with my dear friend–Laura. She lost both of her parents within 2 months time this year. If not Laura, then my friend Desmarie or my daughter.
This is such an excellent idea, and I knew immediately which girlfriend I would ask to study with me: my sweet sister in Christ, Sharon. We are worship leaders together at our church, and have grown to be very close friends, enduring our trials of life together. I would love to win Wendy’s study.
Dear Karen,
I just wanted to thank you for two such wonderful ideas to stay grounded as wives, mothers, and women, but most importantly daughters of our King Jesus.
My friend Mythyl and I were already planning to do a bible study for the summer utilizing all of our great technology. We are very busy moms. We live in a small town with lots of older women but find it hard to spend time together because we are both used by God in many endeavors but we thrive in God and his blessings especially when we get to share them
We both see your posting about studying on-line with a friend as confirmation God wants us to do this.
We thought this would give us a way to utlize our telephone conversations for God’s glory.
In Christ Jesus,
Jill Schultz
My best friend Pat. We are both looking for a study. We live a little over an hour away
from each other. She is my accountability partner for sure! You need someone to keep you in
check. You can do the same for them. Thank you for allowing the LORD to use you to
help so many.
What a great way to do a bible study.. I’m going to grab my niece lisa and we are going to study.. We are in a bible study together but they don’t meet during the Summer.. Here we go…..
Gidget
Hi Karen,
I get together with a group of women for breakfast every Tuesday morning. At first we just chatted and checked in on how we were all doing and taking prayer requests. Well, over lent we started one study and then kept going. We are now doing one on sress and how the bible tells us how to deal with it (letting it go really) Its a great start to my day. We also tend to ‘spill over’ onto some of the other patrons. We sure do laugh a lot too! It started with two of us and it’s up to eight now.
Thank you for the nudge. I have loved the fall, winter, and spring Women’s Bible studies I attend at church, but God is a God for everyday and ALL seasons. I’ve had a few Bible study books around, so will choose one, or the one on Proverbs
I love this idea. I need to call up my college roomie and see if she is up for the challenge!
On a light note, my friend and I used to meet to pray and study the word whenever we could on her porch in tennessee. One day we were seated there facing each other and holding hands and praying. A lady popped her head over the railing and asked if she could have her palm read by us some time – mistakedly thinking that was what we were doing. A good chance to witness to her., and a good laugh for us.
I’d love to do this study with a friend or my daughters.
Two of my girlfriends and I are beginning a summer bible study. We are doing “A Woman Who Reflects The Heart of Jesus” by Elizabeth George. I’m excited to hear of others who like to keep going over the summer.
My best friend in MN while I’m in IL!
This summer my Mom, another friend, and I are doing the Proverbs 31 Woman study through Good Morning Girls. We “meet” everyday over email sharing the things we have learned though the verses for the day. It has been great to see the perspective of others through this study.
my girlfriend and co-small group leader, Carrie.
I would like to connect with my sister-in-law in PA who has battled cancer and now cares for her elderly mother. She is always so upbeat and encourages me when we talk. A Bible study would be another way for us to stay connected this summer.
I just completed Wendy Blight’s “In a Dark Corner” with my Monday night ladies church group under the direction of our wonderful leader Heather Bleier! Such beautiful and spiritual ladies. Now we are doing a 30 day challenge to abide in the Lord independently. I would really love to have a mini bible study with my sister, Monica Gallet. She and I have been through so much in our lives ( the good, bad, and ugly) and this would warm my heart so much to spend time with her in such a special way! Wendy Blight is a wonderful author and spiritual teacher, so are you, it is a blessing to read your blogs on proverbs 31.
I am studying with several girlfriends. The book is called Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney.
My sister and I pray every Tuesday. I think a bible study would be perfect for us!
I used to be in a home fellowship with a friend and her husband and the church we are both in now does not have them. I would want to do this with both of them. They have been dear friends for so long and we need to do something like this. This does sound like such a nice study. Thank you
I would Love to do a Bible study with my new found friend, Amy. We meet this year through our childrens school and this gal has a heart to read, especially anything to do with God’s word. I know a Bible study would enrich our walk with the Lord & our friendship. Thanks. -Colleen G.
This is great! My friend, Laura, and I just started last week meeting every Monday night for a bible study time. We are going through an older book and its a great time. We each have small children so its a blessing to sneak out late at night for some coffee and good conversation focused on the Word of God.
Having just had my second baby last October I had to drop out of the study I was currently participating in- just too hard to bring the little one. So I just asked my friends Danielle, Irma and Allie to join me on Thursday mornings for a short summer study. Excited to get started this week!
i would love to do this study with my friend, Brittany. thanks Karen!
I would love to do this with my best friend, Jennifer. You see, I live in Oregon and she lives in Idaho and our lives often get busy and we don’t have a lot of time to talk. I believe this would be a perfect way for us to reconnect and more importantly to spend time with God together like we used to do before she moved.
woow…would love to do this with my fiancee who is away on work business.
Next Tuesday, I am starting “Full of Grace” at my church. This is the first time I have done one at my church and am looking forward to meeting some of the women and spending time in God’s Word.
That is a great idea! I grew up about an hour from where I live now and keep up with some high school friends on Facebook – gotta pray about who to study with! Love your insights and ideas!
this is an interesting idea! my sister (who i love deeply) just got moved from Ohio – where i am – to California (where i’m not) for 2 years. perhaps this would be an idea to keep us joined together in Christ!
my study partner is Sherry Huggins
With my daughter
I will do this with my friend of 41 years Carla Thomas-Bennett who lives in Orlando. I live in Jamaica.
I would like to grab a friend and study Proverbs. I am wanting to live wiser!
This is such a great idea! I did a Bible Study after my daughter was born to ensure I stayed accountable, I never thought about doing it with a friend over the phone! I have an old co-worker who I would love to do this with. She and I have talked about doing a Bible study but never seem to find the time to meet- this would be perfect!
I would love to do this study with two of my friends Robynn or Ashley both are extremely busy so finding time that would be consecutive.
I would love to do this study with my mom, Vicki. She accepted Christ on Christmas Eve this past year. (she is 66) She just completed a “New Believers” bible study at Calvary chapel Philly and has decided to be baptized on June 30th. I think this study would be a great new step for her to participate in and a great way for us to spend time together in God’s word.
I have a close friend who recently moved from California to Oklahoma…even though we talk frequently and pray over the phone, a study together is such a great idea! We are talking about it now ( via email). Thank you for blessing us with this!
Myself and three friends have done several Beth Moore studies over the past two years. We really enjoy getting together to do the bible studies and discuss each other’s prayer concerns. We have taken a break this Spring, but plan to get started on another study once we are not so busy with our kid’s ball games (hopefully next month). Can’t wait!
One of my sister-in-laws and I are currently discussing doing just this, only online. Haven’t decided what study guide to use, though.
I don’t know what I will study – but THANKS for this idea. I have a friend I don’t see often and I would love to do a study with her. Have to call her tonight and set it up.
Years ago my friend Terri and I did a one year women’s devotional together over the phone. I’m in PA and she’s in MD. We have done other Bible study/Book study and yet it’s been awhile since life got busy. This would be a perfect opportunity for us to pick up where we left off over the summer. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
My friend Gloria and I began meeting weekly last month. She lives about 45 mintues away – so it never worked out for us. But a month ago my boss asked me to work out of our other office once a week and guess where the office is? Same town as Gloria lives in and the day I work there is her day off! Perfect.
This is great! I would get some ladies from Sunday School and some of my Mommas from the MOPS(Mothers Of Preschoolers) program that I am apart of! It would be a great time for us to come together and learn God’s word while also building stronger relationships with one another.
One or more of my 6 lovely sis-in-laws. Finished a Bible study w/the ladies at my church about a month ago, and would love to have another challenge.
I have two accountability partners and we would love to do this study together
thanks!!
Always wanted to do this, never had the courage to ask someone. Now that I live in another state from my closest circle of friends, I’m thinking this would be wonderful to do with them.
My friend Kristin! Or my friend Amanda…
I’m not sure who I would pick since we recently moved into the area, and I am still growing in friendships in our new place. I would find someone though!
My study partner would be my best friend from back home. We only see eachother once every two years because of the distance.
I am currently doing a Proverbs 31 study and just purchased a Proverbs homeschool curriculum to study with my children. I think God might be telling me something…..?
good idea!!
I would love to do a bible study with someone. However, the only person I have that I could really do it with would be my sister and she is very busy. I do not have very many friends at all because about a year ago I moved to Arizona. Would anyone like to do a bible study with me? If you would, feel free to email me at kristen_lee_68@yahoo.com. I have just recently started my walk with God and I would be love to do a study with someone and make a new friend. Thank you and God bless!
I would love to do this if I had a friend that was fully committed but unfortunately that get on the band wagon, and after a few short weeks they are off again.