History 8 - Barbara Lynn Seibel

April 10, 2022April 10, 2022

LETTING GO

When have you struggled with letting go?

What triggered your struggle with letting go?

Was it a person, place, or thing that you were letting go?

Recently I assisted my parents in their second process of downsizing.

The first downsizing occurred only four years prior from a ranch house that had been my childhood home. They had lived there at least fifty years.

This time they were downsizing from a duplex to a handicapped apartment.

Letting go of space, paper, furniture, timing, control, and so on, were the operative words for everyone involved.

Stress and tension were present due to fond memories of things that were forced into the category of letting go.

How does this relate to Bible Study?

April 3, 2022March 27, 2022

MATERNAL INSTINCTS

What do you think is happening in the picture above?

Is the dog simply curious about the kitten?

Or is the dog a threat to the kitten?

How do you know?

What if instead of a dog and cat, the picture was of two half-brothers?

One is your child. The other is the child of your husband with another woman who was your maidservant.

How do you interpret the photo now?

What does this have to do with Bible study?

March 27, 2022March 27, 2022

CELEBRATION TIME

What life transitions have you hosted a feast in celebration?

Perhaps a significant birthday?

A wedding or an anniversary?

Graduation from high school or college perhaps?

Did you ever host a celebration for weaning your child?

ESV Genesis 21:8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

I personally have never been invited to or heard of someone hosting a celebration at the life transition of their child being weaned except in the verse above.

Why does scripture tell us Abraham celebrated this life transition?

March 20, 2022March 20, 2022

Babies and Old Age Part Two Bible Study

Our Bible study, Babies and Old Age Part One, focused on the age of Abraham as mentioned in the following verse:

^ESVGenesis 21:5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

Although Sarah’s age is absent in the verse above, reading cross references and commentaries for this verse takes one to verses that mention Sarah’s age.

It is one thing for a man to father a child in his old age.

But for a woman to give birth in her old age? This is most unusual!

February 27, 2022February 27, 2022

BABIES AND OLD AGE PART ONE

How old were your parents when they had you?

If you have parented children, what age where you when they entered your life?

What is considered “old” for a man to become a parent today?

How about for a woman?

What is the significance of Genesis 21:5?

February 20, 2022February 20, 2022

RESPONDING WITH OBEDIENCE

My husband and I have raised five dogs thus far.

Most were usually quick to respond with obedience.

Our current dog, Meghan, in general is obedient except when told no.

Not that she is disobedient when told no.

Rather, she comes towards us with the question “why?” on her face.

When asked to do something do you respond with obedience?

Does your desire to respond with obedience depend on who is asking?

Are there times you respond with obedience but in a begrudging manner?

What determines your desire to respond with obedience?

February 13, 2022February 13, 2022

HE LAUGHS

Consider the following synonyms for the word laugh:

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

How many of these synonyms describe your laughing tendencies?

What triggers your laughter?

Have you ever responded with laughter when God speaks to you?

February 6, 2022February 6, 2022

STILL WAITING

Did you get the pay raise or promotion when you were promised or are you still waiting?

How about promises made by friends or other family members?

What about promises you made to yourself?

Is there any value in being in a state of “still waiting”?

January 30, 2022January 30, 2022

WHEN GOD SAYS NO

For as long as I can remember, something inside of me wants to immediately prove people wrong when I they tell me no.

Especially if it is about something I deeply want or believe I can accomplish.

I have observed that a no response challenges most people.

Humans are not alone in this response.

Our eldest cat is quite brazen that no is an unacceptable response for her desires. Hissing, growling, meowing, and pouting in addition to repeated attempts to get what she wants are the normal response from her when told no. Giggling.

And our current dog comes toward us with a bewildered “why not?” expression on her face when told no. We realize it is not because she is stubborn or brazen like the cat though. She genuinely does not understand why usually. Giggling again.

But what about when God says no?

January 17, 2022January 17, 2022

SNOW DAY!

I enjoyed a snow day on Sunday, January 16th.

Living in South Carolina snow is a rare treat for this Midwesterner.

Because snow days are so rare in this area our city shuts down except for emergency workers and those dealing with any power outages that occur.

Thankfully, my household never lost power. We were able to enjoy watching the snow fall from the safety of our warm home.

I chose to not work on a post yesterday because I wanted to cherish the snow day.

Today, as the winter storm has finished dusting the earth with this fascinating white frozen water and the sun is starting to melt it away, I decided to share with you some favorite references to snow from scripture.