If you know me, then you know I’m all about making every day a good day. A big part of that is in my morning routine, but I’ll save that for another post. Today I want to share about a specific part of my morning routine – Bible study.
I grew up in church. My grandfather was a preacher. Sundays are a huge part of the Christian walk, but I didn’t learn until much later how important having daily time with God is. Fostering and growing your relationship with Jesus requires daily time together, just like any other relationship. It goes by many names: quiet time, Bible study, or devotional time. No matter what you call it, your time with God is precious. Whether it’s 5 minutes or 50, it goes a long way in helping to start the day off well.
Part of my daily quiet time is Bible study. You’d think after all of these years in church I would be able to crack open the Bible and pull together my own introspective study of a verse or a book. As much as I would love to do that, I haven’t mastered that skill yet. I use actual Bible studies, written by women and men with a way better understanding than me, to guide me in learning more about Jesus and Scripture.
One of my favorite Bible study leaders is Priscilla Shirer. She comes from a family of Jesus-followers that I am envious of. Her love and knowledge of Scripture are contagious. I am currently in the last week of her new six-week study, Elijah: Faith & Fire. Elijah was an Old Testament prophet who, like many prophets, brought a warning to the Israelites after they wandered away from God to worship false gods. This study in particular is about the message of drought Elijah brought to King Ahab, followed by his time of preparation, and ending with the amazing miracle God does on Mt. Carmel that proves he is the one true God.
Priscilla’s study on Elijah focuses on how we all want to see God move mightily in our lives and to use us in his plan, but questions whether we are actually willing to do the necessary hard work to reach that magnificent outcome. Specifically, she asks, “Are we willing to do what Elijah did to get what Elijah got?”.
What exactly did Elijah do?
- He was separated from his community for a long period of time where God provided for him by having ravens bring him food. Crazy, huh? But it was in this separation that God showed Elijah he was faithful to provide and trustworthy, and also prepared him for what was coming next.
- After his separation time in Cherith, God sent him to Zarephath where God allowed Elijah to be unsettled, be refined, and grow in prayer.
- As the time approached for Elijah to go to Mt. Carmel and set up for God’s miracle, Elijah learned about choosing God and God alone instead of wavering; he came to understand the difference between what he thought he wanted and what God knew he actually needed; and, he got a firsthand experience in standing boldly for God when surrounded by unbelievers.
- Finally, he got to prepare the altar for God’s fire to fall and consume everything, proving God alone is the one true God and shattering the belief of so many Baal worshippers.
Even with a few days remaining in my study, I already have huge takeaways about who God is and how my life can better reflect my worship of him:
- God was fully aware of all of Elijah’s shortcomings, fears, limitations, and weaknesses. Those did not disqualify him from serving God. God used them to bring about His plan.
- Elijah’s commitment to God was so strong he was willing to go wherever and do whatever, praying God’s will above his own, even if it made him uncomfortable.
- Isolation or separation isn’t punishment. It’s God’s way of preparing our lives for maximum usefulness, for shaping our priorities and passions, and allowing us to get to know Him in new ways.
- Impossibility is God’s starting point!
- We know what we want, but God knows what we actually need.
- God must be God alone or He is not our God at all.
- If I bring the faith, God will bring the fire.
- God will and can do immeasurably more than we can even think (like consuming the water and the water-soaked wood from the altar)!
Elijah was a pretty cool guy. Fun fact: he is one of two people in the Bible who we learn never actually died physically. He was just taken up into heaven. That’s quite a way to go!
This study has really made me look with more introspection on my walk with Christ. I speak loudly that I want God to use my life to do amazing things….but, as Priscilla asked throughout the study, am I willing to do what it takes to have that type of God experience in my life?
If you’re interested in the Elijah study, I did it online through Lifeway Women, however, you can get the study in various places (Amazon | Going Beyond Ministries). For an extra $10 I could access the videos that accompany the study. I find them extra helpful in going deeper into the material, and I always love the nuggets Priscilla shares. But you can absolutely still do the study and get so much out of it without the videos.
When I finish this study, I’m starting Kim Dolan Leto’s Strong. Confident. His. devotional. Working on my overall health is one of my top three goals this year and I’m excited to bring it into alignment with my faith. It spans 40 days and each day will probably take you 30 minutes or less to complete. She also does free accompanying podcasts and videos for the study. You don’t even have to have the book to follow along with those. If you’d like to join me in this study, I’d love it! Two are always better than one! You can comment below or email me at juliewrites5@gmail.com. I’m starting on Monday, March 29.
Looking for other Bible study options? Here are a few of my favorites that I’ve done multiple times:
- Breaking Free – Beth Moore (this is the OG of all Bible studies if you ask me)
- Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl – Lysa TerKeurst (great for ways to live out Christ beyond a Bible study)
- Discerning the Voice of God – Priscilla Shirer (Because who doesn’t need help hearing God’s voice?)
- Jesus and Women – Kristi McLelland (Jesus loves and respect women, y’all)
- Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy – Beth Moore (Daniel is the ultimate in “even if God doesn’t/says no, I still worship Him” and Ms. Beth brings it)
Darla BarbeE says
Hi Julie! It’s Darla, (who you met at Morritt’s , in GC!)
This is my first time going to your blog. I absolutely love it! Thank you for the Bible Study suggestions. I attend a women’s Bible study at my church every Tuesday. We are currently studying the book of Ephesians. I’d love to dive into the study you are doing next with you! 🙂
Julie says
Hi Darla!! It’s so great to hear from you. I’m glad you visited the blog and enjoyed it. Having you join me on the next study would be awesome. I’ll email you the links to the book, podcast and YouTube videos. 🤩