Welcome Back, EVERYONE!!! 2013 is almost here and we are READY to get started in a BIG way. We just completed our very first online Bible study of “A Daughter’s Worth” by Ava Sturgeon. We had approximately 30 girls and lots of women participating in our ministry in 2012. As our study came to a close, we were looking forward to Christmas and then the New Year. We had time off from school for winter break in the United States and summer break in South Africa. Is that not a wild concept??? Christmas is still Christmas, but it’s winter on one side of the world and summer on the other! We have gone from a brand new online ministry to a ministry that is being read and has participants in over 100 countries across the globe. God is SOOOOO good!
Do you think that when Jesus told the disciples to “Go and Tell the World” he would know that we would have the internet and Facebook and friends all over the world that are as close as our keyboards and phones? The original disciples and followers of Jesus walked from city to city. They floated a boat from coast to coast. It wasn’t as easy to tell the world about Jesus as it is today, BUT THEY DID IT!!! You know how I know they did it? Because if they hadn’t, you and I would not know the name JESUS. We would not be here, in this place, in this time if the followers of Jesus had not GONE and TOLD about the Savior of the World.
Over the next few weeks, the month of January, we are going to get to know each other. We are going to see just how much we have in common, no matter where we live. The central, most important thing we have in common is JESUS. I want to “hear” you guys talking and getting to know one another. I have had the chance to “meet” some wonderful friends here at Girlfriends Coffee Hour and my teen friends here at GCH:decaf are THE BEST! I have even gotten to meet some of the girls and ladies face-to-face. That has been so much fun. Megan, Tina and I are going to start meeting with girls in our area to help the friendships grow. I want you guys to form your own groups and send us pictures, videos and stories of how you are sharing GCH:decaf and Jesus with your friends and your community. Jesus said, “Go and Tell the Good News”. Let’s DO IT!!!
We are going to be studying the teen book “not a fan” by Kyle Idleman and working through the teen edition Follower’s Journal. You will need both books to keep up and get the most out of our study. We are going to look at our relationship with Jesus and see what our relationship status is. The book starts out telling us that believers fall into TWO (2) categories:
1. The “I Like Jesus on Facebook” group, and
2. The “Why does Facebook even ask about religion?” group.
I liked this book from the start. No nonsense, no church-y words, just real life. We are going to learn a new term: D.T.R. (Define The Relationship). Every girl knows that when you have a crush you want to know if that special someone likes you too. It doesn’t take very long before you want to define the relationship (know where you stand). We are going to do that with our relationship with Jesus, too. He already knows how HE feels about us. He loved us so much that he came to earth as a baby (Christmas) and died (Easter) for our sins so that we can live with Him forever. While He was here, he taught average, normal, lost people about himself and His Father in Heaven. Then He told them to spread the word. The story of Jesus started with 12 disciples who followed Him and has grown to believers that cover the globe.
As we finished the study of “A Daughter’s Worth” by Ava Sturgeon, we hope that you have a better understanding of who you are to God and why Jesus came to save you. Some of you shared how your lives were being changed and we are very thankful for that feedback and for the difference Jesus makes in your life. The leaders were definitely changed and grew closer to the Lord and each other through this study. We ask you to go a little deeper and define your relationship with Jesus. Find out just how deep your crush on Him goes.
In addition, we are going to have TWO (2) age groups in GCH: decaf. The older group will have ladies from 18-24 years old and we call them VENTI. The younger group is for young ladies 12-18 years old and is called GRANDE. We want you all to feel comfortable talking about relevant life issues in an age appropriate way. The fellowship group is open to all ages, so we will get to “see” all our friends and chat and giggle with each other. Tell all your friends. There will be a contest coming in January and the student with the most referrals gets cool prizes. The leaders are already recruiting and want to compete too (SMH, smh).
I cannot tell you all just how excited we are to be offering “not a fan” beginning Monday, February 4th, 2013!!!!! My relationship with JESUS is the most important one in my life. I hope you D.T.R. and see that it is the most important in yours as well. Get your books. Begin READING the RED book and we will begin the Follower’s Journal on February 4th. Same great bloggers, same great schedule.
Let the NEW YEAR begin………………………………………….
Much LOVE to you ALL,
Mama T
>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<
If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.
so vital to d.t.r. 'cause our relationship with Jesus IS the most important one in our lives! it's true, mama teresa, Jesus did clearly d.HIS r. with us- and, i think, He still does! sometimes in my relationship with Him, the focus switches. at times it is 'my Lord,' other times it is 'my Friend.' while other times, He is 'my Mediator' 'my Master' 'my Brother' 'my Protector'…. of course, it is not that He changes…it is simply the focus of our relationship at various times that changes. He is 'my All in all!' <3
I love that Coleen…He does not change just the focus of our relatioinship. so so true! He is exactly what we need exactly when we need it:)