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Hi! I'm Lindsay Ferrier. You might remember me from a blog called Suburban Turmoil. Well, a lot has changed since I started that blog in 2005. My kids grew up, I got a divorce, and I finally left the suburbs for the heart of Nashville, where I feel like I truly belong. I have no idea what the future will hold and you know what? I'm okay with that. Thrilled, actually. It was time for something totally different.
Last Call
August 26, 2011
At this point, just a few days before I launch the first online Bible Study group I’ve ever attempted, I have to admit that the nerves are setting in.
Who do you think you are, hosting a Bible Study? a mean little voice says inside my head. You’re no Sophie. You’re no Angie. You’re known for your mistakes, not for your faithfulness. You’re going to alienate your non-Christian readers over this. You’re going to make people feel uncomfortable. You’re going to say the wrong thing… write the wrong thing… do the wrong thing.
You can’t do this.
Do you know what I’m talking about? I imagine some of you who’ve signed up for this group or are feeling a little nervous, too.
How will I find the time to do all the homework? When will I watch the videos? What will my husband say? What will my friends think? Ten weeks is a long time! I can’t do this.
But stop for a moment and consider the title of the study.
Living Beyond Yourself.
It’s all about doing what you never thought you were capable of doing. Living in a way you never thought you could live. Letting go of your control issues and letting God take over.
If I try to handle this study on my own, I’m right. I will fail.
Miserably.
But if I commit simply to watching the videos, doing the homework, writing about it here, and trusting God to do the rest, I really do believe great things will happen. I believe it for me, and I believe it for you. Let’s just relax, do the work, and see what God can do if we give Him control.
It’s kind of exciting, don’t you think?
Once again, here are the final details. If you’re participating in the study, you’ll need to sign up here to access the videos and download the viewing guide and homework pages. (More information on signing up and getting started can be found in this post.)
If you can, watch the Introductory Session video by Tuesday, August 30th- That’s the day I’ll post here about that video, you can share what you thought of it in the comments, and we’ll officially get things going. From that day forward, you’ll have a week to complete the homework for Week One. Once you’ve finished your homework, watch the Week One video and check back here on Tuesday, September 6th for our Week One discussion.
I have also created a closed Facebook group so that we have a place to share things privately if we wish. If you’d like to be added, just send me an e-mail (suburban.turmoil@yahoo.com) with your Facebook name and I’ll add you to the group.
Make sense?
So! Consider this your final boarding call.
Are you in?
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I did this study a few years ago… it was really great. Beth has such a way of being intimidatingly amazing, beautiful and very human all at the same time… teaching the principles in a way that uplifts and inspires and with lots of humor. Enjoy!
I’m excited! Count me in!!
Hooray!
I’m nervous as heck considering your first two paragraphs make me tear up…
Will this Bible Study help me realize I AM worthy? and I AM a good person? because most times I feel like I should do so much more.
See, aren’t you glad you’re doing this from home? 😉
I think you’ll really like this study, given what you’ve just written. It’s designed to inspire you and make you feel closer to God, rather than give you a list of objectives to achieve. The goal is that you get rid of the barriers holding you back from God, and are able to let God (or more specifically, the Holy Spirit) work through you. So the pressure’s off! LOL
I realized after starting this study last spring that I had never really properly understood how the Holy Spirit works and this study explains it (directly through scripture that you read) in great detail. Now I feel like I FINALLY get it.
I’m in!
Great!
For those of you who’ve commented, let me know if you want me to add you to the Facebook group. If you don’t, no worries. Your level of participation is totally up to you. 🙂
I’ll tell you why that mean little voice is so chatty: because you’re stepping into the place where God has called you – and that’s exactly where you’re supposed to be. Ephesians 3:20. The end. 🙂
Thank you, Sophie. That means a lot. 🙂
Lindsay,
Sadly, I can’t do this right now because I’m about to start a new job full time for the first time in years and I have a new mom routine to get used to. Bad timing. But I just wanted to say I think it’s fantastic that you’re doing this. I wish everyone participating a joyous and educational experience!
Will there be any other way of group discussion? I don’t have a Facebook account for a variety of reasons, but I’d like to participate as much as possible.
Yes, I want most of the discussion to take place on the blog, just so that everyone can participate, even vicariously. 🙂 The group page is for anything that people might feel is too personal to share on the website, like prayer requests for example.
If you want to join the group but don’t want a Facebook account, you might consider opening an account specifically for the Bible study with an e-mail address created just for the study and a pseudonym. Once you add me as a friend on Facebook and let me know, I can add you to the group. That’s the best way I can think of to do it.
I’m in and really looking forward to it. I did Beth’s Esther study a few years ago and really enjoyed it.
Great! I’m excited, too. 🙂
I already signed up and am ready to go! Thanks for explaining how the first week goes; I was a bit confused.
P.S. Please add me to the Facebook group.
Added you as a friend- Once you’ve friended me, I can add you. 🙂
I just signed up! So excited to start.
Yay!
I would also love to be added to the facebook group so I can follow along there, too. Thanks!
Great- Once you add me as a friend, I can add you to the group. 🙂
Is the intro video available? I was going to watch it this morning but it is not in my download. Maybe I’m not looking in the correct place. Thank you Lindsay for doing this.
If you’ve signed up for the online study here then it will prompt you to sign up for a membership to access the Living Beyond Yourself website (at http://www.lifeway.com/lby). Once you’ve signed up (you just have to enter a user name and come up with a password), click on Enter Study and you’ll see video and audio options for the Intro session and Sessions 1-10. That’s where you’ll watch or listen to the video each week. You just want to watch or listen to the Intro session by this Tuesday. If you’re having trouble seeing or hearing the video, do a system check on the site and make sure you have the right players downloaded on your computer. If you’re still having trouble, there’s technical help available on the site to help you get started. 🙂
I just signed up! Hopefully I can keep up with it this fall. Looking forward to it!