Bible Study for Busy Moms
CBN.com Most moms would agree that busyness is a problem. Often our best intentions fall short in the areas of housekeeping, organizing, me-time, and most importantly spending time with God. The hurry that engulfs our lives is overwhelming. What we need more than slowing down, more than a housekeeper and personal chef, is time. We need time at the knees of the one whom created us and loves us beyond measure.
The best place to begin drawing near to God is by dusting off that personal Bible or purchasing a good study Bible or Bible software (Lisa Whelchel recommends Logos). Next, pick up a copy of Lisa Whelchel’s new book, The Busy Mom’s Guide to Bible Study, to help develop your personal study habits. Appropriately named, it is a guide to going deeper with God in the limited time available.
Lisa’s motto is not “more is more” which led her to feeling frustrated and guilty when she could not carve out long periods of study. She realized that spending less time and going deeper was more fruitful during this period of her life and she wanted to pass on some ideas that she borrowed, learned, or made up herself to help other moms on their journey to knowing God. The former Facts of Life star realizes that carving 10 – 15 minutes to seek God is attainable which makes this assessable to any mom.
The book is set up in three month increments of twenty days each. In the first month, each day introduces a new study tool like color coding, topical studies, summarizing for the big picture, and personal application. After the skill is set forth and explained, the reader gets a chance to try it out and then Lisa shares her insights on the topic at hand and explains the process from her point of view. Down to earth and personable, this mom of three is open and honest about her own experiences. Readers get a glimpse into Lisa’s quiet times while feeling free to change things according to their personality and style.
Having already unwrapped twenty tips for deeper study, month two, which parallels the first, gives the studier a chance to hone what was learned. Daily the methods already presented are practiced, one each day in the same order. This time Lisa reminds you the basics of the tool and gives you a fresh scripture to unfold, you can always go back and read up on the details from the month prior as needed.
During the last month a scripture is offered each day and three tools from which to choose. You could pick one, two, or all three depending entirely on your time and bent that day. Slowly, you are adding skills to your Bible discovery portfolio from which you can draw as you head out on your own when month three comes to a close.
Having had the opportunity to chat with Lisa, the author noticed that her desire for God is foremost in her thoughts and conversation as one would imagine after reading The Busy Mom’s Guide to Bible Study. Perusing her Web site www.lisawhelchel.com and signing up for her emails www.lisawhelchel.com/eletter.htm, offer another look into her heartbeat.
In the latest edition of her e-letter, she stated that God was moving her more into “being instead of doing”. Upon asking her to expound, she shared that God was doing a new thing in her life. He was calling her to clear valuable and worthwhile things from her plate and instead of filling that space with more activities; to spend time with God, friends, and family. This paradigm swing has taken her from being the strong, self-disciplined women to a complete shifting of gears and allowing herself to be weak before her Savior.
Lisa quoted Lori Salerno, "Your strength is God’s rival, your weakness is God’s strength." In other words, productivity is not her goal now, learning intimacy with God, family, and friends is; making a priority out of time with God and others. What a great reminder that intimacy with God is why we study His word.
The Busy Mom’s Guide to Bible Study can help in this quest to know God. This is the type of book that can be used alone to move your quiet time along, with a small group to hold each other accountable, or to purchase for birthdays and holidays. By the way, do not let the word Mom in the title dissuade you from giving this treasure to other women or even men. Anyone can grow and learn from what Lisa has discovered.
The guilt and feelings of failure that moms often encounter can actually be a good thing, Lisa muses. It is a good place to be because when we come face to face with our shortcomings that is when God can do amazing supernatural things; often accomplished by talking to God in prayer and spending time in studying His very words. May you draw near to God as you practice the tools presented.
Purchase your copy of The Busy Mom’s Guide to Bible Study
Read more book excerpts and author interviews on CBN.com.
Amy and her husband David currently serve with MMS Aviation, a mission whose goal is to prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service. An avid reader, Amy has taught reading and writing and has several lesson plans published online. Email her at FlyinPeru@yahoo.com.
