Starting the study

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

I hope you all take the time to read this as we have several who are new to the study and are not familiar with how we study and post. There have been some changes so I thought I'd just go ahead and explain everything in one email.

I'm so glad you all decided to join us for this 12-week study. I pray that the next 12 weeks will be exciting and life-changing! I have set up a new blog called The Mind of Christ or http://earthenvessels4christ.blogspot.com/ We have quite a large group because I've combined the Family group and the original Women's Group. I think this would be an easier way to share our thoughts and keep track of all the messages without cluttering up our emails. To use this, please post under the appropriate topic and press "Comment". A window will pop-up where you will be able to write in your post and then to submit, scroll to the bottom, hit "Other" and then put in your Name (website not necessary). I've eliminated the need for a password to simplify this process and to make it accessible to everyone.

A few steps to help us start our study:

First, I'd like you all to (re-)introduce yourselves on the blog under Introduction. You may write a brief greeting: How we know each other, what you do all day (occupation, school), and other interesting information to familiarize ourselves with each other. All of you are dear to me in one way or another and it's exciting to get you all together in cyberspace!

Second, consider that the study will take a good 30-40 minutes each day 5 days a week for the study as well as time for prayer and reflection. This means that in our busy schedule you can't just wing it! "If you spend this kind of time in the Word of God, I assure you, He will change your life." And that is what we all want from the Word. Not mere academics but a change in our attitudes, our thinking, our hearts, our actions, our words, our life! I would like you all to consider WHEN you will be spending this quiet time and write that in your email as well. Emailing each other with this will keep us accountable - I'm not trying to be snoopy! Also, I would suggest a back-up plan as well, in case your original quiet time doesn't work out that day.

A few of you requested another week to purchase books and there has been some serious illness so I thought it wise to postpone the start of the study for one more week. That doesn't mean you can't start though! This is a good chance to get ahead! Here's the study schedule - I've got it written in my workbook so it's easily available.

Week Date
1 1/22-1/28
2 1/29-2/4
3 2/5-2/11
4 2/12-2/18
5 2/19-2/25
6 2/26-3/4
7 3/5-3/11
8 3/12-3/18
9 3/19-3/25
10 3/26-4/1
11 4/2-4/8
12 4/9-4/15

We study Monday through Friday and post on the weekend. I encourage you to answer these 3 questions in order to share with others your findings as well as remind yourself of what the Word has taught you that week. This review is really vital to this study as it helps to solidify the lesson at the end of the week.

I've shortened the questions we reflect on:

1. What BLESSED you most this lesson?

2. What CHALLENGED you most and how do you intend to apply it (with prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit)?

3. Prayer requests and other comments.

Please don't miss this important step as it will encourage all of us and keep you connected to the study! Even if you are behind, you can easily post whenever you're done. I just pray that your spiritual life will be enriched by the study of His precious Word and that you will grow in your knowledge and appreciation of Christ.

If you have any other questions, just email me. I would just bookmark the blog site as a "favorite" so that you can check regularly. It's only interesting when we all participate! Looking forward to what God will transform in us through this study.

In light of eternity,
Jules