History - Barbara Lynn Seibel

May 3, 2026May 2, 2026

The Strength Needed to Bear Our Burdens

Have you ever had to build a wall from a pile of rubble?

I certainly haven’t.

Do you feel you have the strength to do that type of work?

I would need to secure help from others to do this type of work.

How would you go about the process if you oversaw that the work was done?

Do you find hope in the picture above or discouragement?

I see both.

The piles of stones reveal to me that someone labored to stack them, but that something has turned the structure into rubble.

I also see that to rebuild will take hard and exhausting labor, which can lead to discouragement.

But the eagle overseeing the site and the rays of sunshine signal evidence of strength and encouragement, i.e. hope for me.

What does this have to do with the study of Nehemiah 4:6-15?

April 26, 2026April 25, 2026

Are We Truly Listening to God?

Truly listening to another person involves much more than just hearing their words.

It involves understanding their words.

When we do not listen for understanding, we are easily prone to making wrong conclusions.

Worse, we can spend more time focusing on what we want to say or our own desires than truly being aware of the other person.

How do you know when someone has truly listened to you?

Now imagine how God, the creator of all that exists, responds to us when we truly listen to Him?

Our study today reveals how important it is to truly listen to God.

April 19, 2026April 18, 2026

A Believer’s Response to Success

What comes to your mind when you hear or read the word success?

Is success simply a favorable or desired outcome to you?

Or is it tied more to attaining wealth, favor, or eminence?

I found these definitions of the word success on Merriam-Webster.com.

How might these definitions change when we add the qualifier found in the title above, “A Believer”?

In 2 Chronicles 20:1-19, we learn that King Jehoshaphat learned three people groups were advancing to attack Jerusalem. His immediate response to this threat was to call the tribe of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to fast and pray to the Lord.

The Lord responded through a prophecy by Jahaziel with encouragement and assurance that He would handle the threat.

Yet they were still told to show up for the battle the next day.

We join the narrative at this point.

April 12, 2026April 11, 2026

A Believer’s Response to Threats

What leaps to your mind when you think of threats?

Merriam-Webster.com defines a threat as an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury or damage.

How does this definition of a threat change your response to the first question?

When you describe someone as a believer, what do you mean by it?

Merriam-Webster.com defines a believer as one who professes a religious faith.

A response is something that constitutes a reply or a reaction.

Today’s study looks closely at a believer’s response to threats from multiple people groups.

March 29, 2026March 28, 2026

Why God Asks for Prayer and Humility in Worship

Why God ask for Prayer and Humility in Worship

A Study of 2 Chronicles 7:11-22

What is the first thing that leaps to mind when you think about worship?

Praise songs or hymns.
Sermons.
Testimonies.
Fellowship with other believers.
Other.

If prayer and humility weren’t listed in the title above, would you have included both as a part of worship?

Before proceeding with the study below, take a moment to journal your thoughts on why God, the creator of heaven and earth, considers prayer and humility as important components of worship.

March 22, 2026March 21, 2026

Responding to Fire from Heaven

At first glance, the title above probably sounds scary.

Fire is a powerful energy that is often used for cooking and warmth.

It is also something that can destroy everything in its path when not properly contained.

Biblically, the passage we’re studying together today is talking about a different fire.

It is a fire that represents and reveals the Lord to us.

As we study together, keep in mind how we should respond to the Lord today, considering the Israelites’ way of responding to fire from heaven.

March 8, 2026March 7, 2026

Learning Who God Is in Evil Times

No matter where you live in the world, there are bound to be moments, seasons, or even years when evil appears to have the upper hand.

Wars and other atrocities have peppered the globe and will continue to do so.

Knowing this sobering reality, how can we learn who God is in these evil times?

Join me in a study of the life of Manasseh, a king of Judah from the Old Testament, with the biblical reputation of being the evilest king ever.

February 15, 2026February 14, 2026

Who’s Really in Charge?

Consider for a moment the stories that get the most attention in our local, national, and international news outlets or social media.

How often are the headlines positive versus negative?

Why do you think this is the case?

Do you know who’s really in charge, regardless of the story garnering the headlines of our day?

Now consider how your family or friends talk about the situations they are experiencing in their personal lives.

How do they portray their situations? Positively? Negatively?

What helps you know whether they are aware of who’s really in charge of their situation?

February 8, 2026February 3, 2026

The Best Response to Trouble

A Study of 2 Kings 19:1-19

How do you respond to trouble when it arrives on your doorstep?

Are you quick to crumble or stand firm?

Does it depend on the type of trouble?

Why do you think you are prone either way?

Today we will study King Hezekiah’s response to the psychological warfare he and the residents of Jerusalem experienced from the King of Assyria.

I believe King Hezekiah’s response is the best response to trouble.

February 1, 2026January 31, 2026

Have You Experienced Psychological Warfare?

Merriam-Webster.com defines psychological warfare as things that are done to make some (such as an enemy or opponent) become less confident or to feel hopeless, afraid, etc.

This type of behavior can be overt or subtle.

Have you ever experienced psychological warfare?

How did you respond to it?

Have you ever practiced psychological warfare on another person?

How did they respond to you?

Today we will study a passage that provides an example of psychological warfare as practiced by the military officers of the King of Assyria against King Hezekiah of Jerusalem, even though Hezekiah had already paid him a financial tribute.