Saturday, March 31, 2018

The ART of Studying the Bible

The ART of Studying the Bible

The word of God inspires people in so many ways. Some preach about it, some join Bible studiesπŸ˜‰, other compose amazing music or write incredible stories. We were inspired to create a lasting, colorful, heartfelt legacy for ourselves and for our families through what we call ”The Art of Bible Study.”

Just search Pinterest with the words "Bible Journal" and some of the most incredible pieces of art will appear on your screen. We aren't that fancy, but we do like to pick out a verse, sometimes the "Verse of the Day" and highlight it with a doodle or some kind of decorative illustration around it in the margins of our Bibles. Here's an example of Laura's Bible. It's simple, meaningful, and gives her study bible a bit of pop!


Now, we didn't start out with an arsenal of gel gliders, washi tape, and a plethora of scrapbook stickers. All of that can quickly add up, something we personally try to minimize (the cost that is).
It all began with a pen and a box of colored pencils. Both items we already had in our homes so we chalked that up to $0!


As we studied and read more of God's word we were struck with inspiration and began adding our own touches to our color pencil creations with scrapbook stickers and washi tape. We are Mama’s on a budget and deal catcher divas, so we NEVER pay full price for our Bible bling. πŸ™ŒπŸ»πŸ˜„
Michael’s and Hobby Lobby typically have these items on sale every other week at 40-60% off. With that said, scrapbook stickers can range in price. We like the .99 - &1.99 price point. Washi tape is a different story. It also ranged in price from $4.99 - $14.99. Of course, with a 60% off sale that's not so bad. πŸ˜‰
   

These though are a MUST have! *We promise we are not affiliated with this company and we receive no royalties for pushing these, they really are just that fabulous!!
ACCU-Gel Bible Hi-Gliders are AMA-ZING!! πŸŽ‰
They glide across the pages of your Bible with ease, are NOT greasy AND do NOT bleed through the pages!! You can purchase them at Wal-mart, Hobby-Lobby, and amazon.com.
The 6-pack sells for $9.99 on Amazon (that's what we use).
It is also handy to have some highlighters on hand as well but be careful they DO bleed through Bible pages.


Another aspect of Bible Study that is original to us is our W.O.R.D. Guide.
We created this together, to help ourselves and others to soak in the meaning of the scripture.
Here's how it works:

- Word of God (Write down your favorite verse(s) from todays scripture.)
- Observation (What did you observe while reading God’s word)
- Reflect (Apply what God said to you today to your daily life.)
- Devotion (What do you feel compelled to tell God in prayer.)

There is no wrong way to study the Bible, however, we have found that using the W.O.R.D. method of study has deepened our understanding of God's word as well as help us to keep our studies organized.




Lastly, we LOVE Bookmarks! Not only are they a great tool to keep your place while studying but they are also another way to express your understanding and love of God's word. We create all of our Bookmarks ourselves - each one unique and able to be colored!

Here's the link to our store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Balanced-Living-Bible-Study

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Week 3: The Book of Nehemiah

Our summer studies have come to a close and we are grateful that each of you has joined us. We hope your cup runneth over after being filled with the word of God. 
This week is a short week, we only have 3 chapters (11-13) left in the Book of Nehemiah.

Weekly Reading Plan:
Monday - Chapter 11
Tuesday - Chapter 12
Wednesday - Chapter 13

Monday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: Somebody Has To Do It.
Jerusalem is not the safest place to reside, yet the leaders of the Israelites are willing to cast lots to determine who will willingly stay.

What do you willingly do, because somebody has to do it?

What good comes of this (deed, task, etc) because of your sacrifice?


Tuesday:
#VerseOfTheDay


Reflection Question for the day: Purify Yourself.
How do you purify your mind? 
How do you purify you Body?
How do you purify your Soul?


Wednesday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: Keep the Sabbath Holy.
Nehemiah shuts down the merchants, who are selling goods on the Sabbath. He will have nothing of it. In our modern world the notion of missing a day of commercial exchange is unheard of…or is it? There are many businesses, mostly small, but some commercial retailers, who are closed on Sunday.

How do you keep the Sabbath Holy? 

CONGRATULATIONS!! πŸŽ‰ You Did It!! You've completed the Book of Nehemiah!


Get the complete study guide for just $1.99 at:

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Monday, July 25, 2016

Week 2: The Book of Nehemiah

This week we will be reading chapters 6-10 in the Book of Nehemiah. 

Here's your Weekly Reading Plan for Week 2 in our study of the Book of Nehemiah. 

Monday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: God Had Not Sent Him.
It is inevitable, that you won’t like everyone you meet, for a plethora of reasons, each of us will have different reasons as to why someone “rubs us the wrong way”. Regardless of our feelings we should be polite, unless the situation requires a different response. So…how do we know? I believe it is important to set boundaries with people. To be true to yourself, to your morals, to your faith, boundaries allow us a way to keep our hearts preserved in God. 

What boundaries have you set, in your life, with other people? 
What boundaries do you need to set now?


Tuesday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: God Direct My Thoughts.
God had directed Nehemiah to take a census of the province. In the process Nehemiah has gotten know everyone in the province, as well as when they first returned. His actions will be put to work, to do God’s will.

What actions or thoughts does God put in your mind? What “good will” does He want you to do?


Wednesday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: Daily Devotion.
You are like Ezra, just in joining our Bible study you are making time daily to participate in the reading of God’s word, you have made this a priority – and that is no small task. 

What else are you doing, to understand the word of God? 
What else could you do?


Thursday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: Mercy.
In chapter 9, Ezra gives us a history lesson, retelling the events of the Books of Genesis and Exodus, pointing out the sins of the people as well as the many mercies of the Lord toward them.

What mercy has God granted you? 
What mercy to you grant those who have transgressed against you?


Friday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: A Firm pact.
The Israelites have signed, sealed and delivered a firm pact with God to follow His commandments, to tithe, to keep the Sabbath and other Holy Days, etc. 

What firm pact do you have with God?

It's not to late to join our #biblestudy!!
Get the complete study guide for just $1.99 at:

Want to join a Facebook Study Group?
Need some daily spiritual inspiration? 
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Friday, July 15, 2016

Week 1 - The Book of Nehemiah

Greetings from Balanced Living!

We are so glad you found us! Whether you are a veteran or newbie to studying the word of God, we want to first start out by saying that there is no wrong way to go about this! For us the W.O.R.D. Method of study has been the most successful, so we decided to share it with others! Join us as we read the Book of Nehemiah one chapter a day starting JULY 18TH!!

Here’s how we study God’s Word:

Step 1: Dust off your Bible or purchase a new one! 

Step 2: Each day (Mon. – Fri.) read one chapter of the Bible. This Bible Study Guide was created for the Book of Nehemiah.

While we read God’s word, we soak in the scripture using the W.O.R.D. Method:

W - Word of God (Write down your favorite verse(s) from todays scripture.)
O - Observation (What did you observe while reading God’s word)
- Reflect (Apply what God said to you today to your daily life.)
- Devotion (What do you feel compelled to tell God in prayer.)

Step 3: In addition to the W.O.R.D. Method, we have selected a “Verse of the Day” to consider as you read, of course you are welcome to write down more than one or choose your own! We also have come up with a “Daily Reflection Question” to ponder while you read, to deepen your understanding of God’s message through the scripture as well as apply what you’ve learned to your daily life. 
* The “Verse of the Day” & “Daily Reflection Questions” are located before each W.O.R.D. guide.

We hope you find our Catholic Bible Study resources easy to use.  Please, feel free to share us with others

God Bless, L.

Here are your virtual resources for Week 1 in the Book of Nehemiah.

This week will will be reading in the Book of Nehemiah, chapters 1-5.

Weekly Reading Plan:


Monday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: Lord Hear Our Prayer.
How do you pray? How often do you pray? For whom do you pray? Are your thoughts clear and directed or do you struggle to keep the conversation flowing? Although you do not hear God out loud, he is listening. Your faith and focus will allow you to “hear” him.


Write down the prayers you hold in your heart, so you have a focused, concise outline, then pray. We hope you feel the difference.


Tuesday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: God Granted My Request.

What requests have you made, that God has granted?


Wednesday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: Work with a Will.
Although they [the Israelites] are being ridiculed for rebuilding Judah; the Jews gather, side by side, and work TOGETHER to rebuild their city anyway!


What are you personally working on, in your life, to rebuild? How are you calling on God to help you?


Thursday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: Armed in Faith.
Fearing attack, that they know is coming, the Israelites have armed themselves, while they continue to rebuild. They are determined in mind and in faith to complete this task.


What armor do you “wear” to ward off evil? What work(s) do you continue, in faith, that you are determined to complete?

Friday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Reflection Question for the day: Actions Speak Louder Than Words.
Nehemiah will not accept the governor allowance, nor land; he does his part in rebuilding, since he knows the labor lay heavy on his people. He is a Team Player. He does not set himself apart or above the other Israelites, he is with them.


Reflect for a moment on what kind of Christian are you? Do you practice what you preach? Do you judge others? Do you gossip? Do you do the “right things” even when no one else is looking? Are you living God’s commandments?


Get the complete study guide πŸ“ for just $1.99 at:

Our FREE resources are always available on our blog home page. πŸ˜„

Want to join a Facebook Study Group?
Need some daily spiritual inspiration? 
"Like" us on Facebook !!

Friday, July 8, 2016

Introducing our next #BibleStudy in the Book of Nehemiah!!

Greetings from Balanced Living!!

We are so excited to announce that our next #BibleStudy will be...in the Book of Nehemiah!! πŸŽ‰πŸ˜„
Whether you are a veteran or newbie to studying God's WORD, we are thrilled you found us and our incredible
Community of Christcentered women. πŸ‘­πŸ‘­πŸ‘­
We want to first start out by saying that there is no wrong way to go about this! For us the W.O.R.D. Method of study has been the most successful, so we decided to share it with others! Join us as we read the Book of Nehemiah one chapter a day starting JULY 18th!!

Here’s how we study God’s Word:

Step 1: Dust off your Bible or purchase a new one! 

Step 2: Each day (Mon. – Fri.) read one chapter of the Bible. This Bible Study Guide was created for the Book of Nehemiah.

While we read God’s word, we soak in the scripture using the W.O.R.D. Method:

W - Word of God (Write down your favorite verse(s) from todays scripture.)
O - Observation (What did you observe while reading God’s word)
- Reflect (Apply what God said to you today to your daily life.)
- Devotion (What do you feel compelled to tell God in prayer.)

Step 3: In addition to the W.O.R.D. Method, we have selected a “Verse of the Day” to consider as you read, of course you are welcome to write down more than one or choose your own! We also have come up with a “Daily Reflection Question” to ponder while you read, to deepen your understanding of God’s message through the scripture as well as apply what you’ve learned to your daily life. 
* The “Verse of the Day” & “Daily Reflection Questions” are located before each W.O.R.D. guide.

We hope you find our Catholic Bible Study resources easy to use.  Please, feel free to share us with others!

God Bless, L.

Here are your πŸ’» virtual resources πŸ“š for the Book of Nehemiah.

Get the complete study guide for just $1.99 at:

Want to join a Facebook Study Group?
Need some daily spiritual inspiration? 
"Like" us on Facebook !!


Monday, June 27, 2016

Week 2: The Book of Ezra

Can you believe this week concludes our study in the Book of Ezra!! Congratulations, on completing another Nook of the Bible!! 
Here are your virtual resources for Week 2 in the Book of Ezra.

This week will will be reading Ezra, chapters 6-10.

Weekly Reading Plan:


Monday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Monday
Reflection Question for the day: They will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God’s house is finally finished, just as commanded it to be. 
What good works have you accomplished for God? 

How do you know he is pleased?


Tuesday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Tuesday
Reflection Question for the day: The WORD of the Lord
What set your heart on the study of God’s law? 

How are you practicing what you learn in the Bible, in your daily life?


Wednesday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Wednesday 
Reflection Question for the day: Seek God.
In what ways do you seek God?
How does He let you know you have found Him?

How can you share God’s favor with those around you? With those who have forsaken him?


Thursday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Thursday 
Reflection Question for the day: God Will Forgive You.
We all sin, sometimes our sin(s) cause us to be ashamed, but so long as we repent, God will forgive the confession of sins. 
When was the last time you confessed? 

What sin(s) do you need to seek forgiveness for?


Friday:
#VerseOfTheDay

Friday
Reflection Question for the day: Community of Faith
Do you have a community of faith? Maybe you’ve got more than one.
How does your community of Faith build your faith?
In return, how do you build up the faith of those in your community of faith?


Saturday, June 11, 2016

Introduction to the Book of Ezra

We are excited for our upcoming study in the Book of Ezra! πŸ“– This Bible study begins Monday, June 20th. All are welcome to join!! πŸ‘­πŸ‘­πŸ‘­

Here's the excerpt from the New American Bible, Catholic Bible: Personal Study Edition; Oxford University Press, Inc.,1995, pgs 476-477. 
We thought you might find it helpful as we embark on our journey through Ezra. 

"The last four books of the Hebrew canon are Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Chronicles, in that order. The combined work Ezra-Nehemiah is our most important literary source for the formation of the Jewish religion community after the Babylonian exile. This is known as the period of the Restoration, and the two men most responsible for the recognition of Jewish life at this time were Ezra & Nehemiah. 
Ezra is held in high esteem, in Jewish tradition, for all his religious and cultivate reform. 
Ezra is sometimes accused of having been a mere legalist who gave excessive attention to the letter of the law. His work, however, should be seen and judged within a specific historical context. He gave to his people a cohesion and spiritual unity which prevented the disintegration of the small Jewish community. Had it not been for the intransigence of Ezra and of those who adopted his ideals, it is doubtful that Judaism would have so effectively resisted Hellenism, then or I later centuries. Ezra set the tone for the postexillic community, and it was characterized by fidelity to the Torah, Judaism's authentic way of life. 

The Book of Ezra is divided as follows:
I. The Return from Exile (1, 1-6, 22)
Ii. The Deeds of Ezra (7, 1-10, 44)

The following list of the kings of Persia, with the dates of their reigns, will be useful for dating the events mentioned in Ezra (and Nehemiah):
Cyrus 538-529 BC
Cambyses 529-521 BC
Daruis I 521-485 BC
Xerxes 485-464 BC
Artaxerxes 464-423 BC
Darius II 423-404 BC
Artaxerxes 404-358 BC
Artaxerxes 358-337 BC
End of the Persian Empire (Defeat of Darius III) 331 BC"

πŸ“Œ The Book of Ezra will be a two week study, all are welcome to join!!

Here are the links for your virtual πŸ’» #biblestudy resources:

Our Complete Study Guide contains the verse of the day, daily reflection questions and the WORD Guide. Get yours for just $1.99 at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Book-of-Ezra-Study-Guide-2485725
Here's a preview of the complete study guide. Each day you'll have the selected #verseoftheday, the Reflection Question for the day (with plenty of space to write) and the WORD guide for each day as well. 


As always our basic WORD Guide is FREE! Get it at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ezra-WORD-Guide-2484068



Want to join a Facebook Study Group?
Need some daily spiritual inspiration? 
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