Bible Study

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There is a reason why The Bachelor rarely works. The Bachelor [although I’m an overly faithful viewer] is like church camp. You go. Fall in love. Swear life is different. Go home. And your normal life creeps back in.

It’s a cycle we see on national TV, it’s a cycle we see at 13 in camp cabins and it’s a cycle that we as Christians see in ourselves every single day. Whether you are born and raised Baptist or still not too sure who this “Jesus Guy” is, seeking him daily is not something we as sinful humans do easily. We fall victim to this mindset that Jesus is Superman and when your life is in shambles on Saturday [you know a standard breakup, you want to pass a class or you need a new job] you call on him Sunday and he swoops in. And by Monday morning we are back to feeling confused as to why we either feel empty or can’t stop sinning.

Jesus is not a concept of life, he is life. We are made new again, filled with joy and our hearts are changed not through religion, but through his resurrection. An active relationship with him and understanding the gift of hope he gives us is something we have to seek.

I get a lot of e-mails from girls saying they want to know Jesus or they want to change something in their spiritual life with him. We’ve shared lots of girl talk back and forth and I’ve shared a few devotionals, but I still felt like that wasn’t the answer.

A few weeks ago at The Porch one of the ministers said, “How can you believe in a God you don’t actively talk to?”

With The Bachelor, how on earth can we believe these relationships when the contestants haven’t truly and actively seeked them. [Because let’s be honest, dates with 15 guys to a comedy club is not actively seeking.] So how can we do the same with God?

Church on Sunday and praying when we need something is like dipping our toes in Galveston Beach and saying, “I’ve seen the ocean!” To truly believe in, respect, admire, worship and love God we have to seek him in his entirety.

So we talk about clothes/makeup/decor 5 days a week. What if we cut it down to 4 and 1 day chose to seek his grace together? If you aren’t into it, that’s fine. I completely respect that and I’ll see you on Wednesdays! But Tuesdays will be our days where we have to seek.

My bible studies with friends have truly changed my life and impacted me in a way that my personal devotional time never has. I’ve shared this a lot and another e-mail I get is girls not knowing where to find a bible study or not knowing anyone who would want to join. Um, girlfriend. I do! Let’s do this together and share our hearts on a little website that is mostly used for dress up.

I wanted us to start with a book that I think has such even ground for us no matter what our relationship with God has been like. Jesus Is by Judah Smith is the book I want to start next week. The next 7 weeks we can go through it, and next week we will dive into the “Jesus Is Your Friend” section which includes chapters 1, 2 and 3. You can purchase the book on Amazon here or Barnes & Noble.

I’m no Beth Moore. I’m not perfect. I may say some things you don’t agree with or I may not know the answers to questions, but that’s why we seek him together. A bunch of imperfect people trying to change our hearts through the only one who has been perfect on this earth.

Thank you for trusting me with your time! It’s truly an honor to be your friend.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” 

Ephesians 1:18-19

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45 Comments

  1. Lindsey wrote:

    Love this, Katey!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  2. Shelbi wrote:

    So perfect!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  3. Hallie wrote:

    This is incredible, Katey!! I LOVE that you are being vocal about your faith and are letting God use you. He really is going to use the words you speak to impact the lives of so many! Can’t wait for next Tuesday!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  4. Amanda wrote:

    I absolutely love that you are using your platform and notoriety to spread the word of Jesus. We see less and less of this today and I believe this is something a lot of our generation is missing. I am so excited to follow along with your bible study and will be praying for you! This is a great idea and will be amazing to see what comes of it.

    xo
    Amanda

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  5. Morgan wrote:

    Katey, this is amazing and I am so excited to be apart of this incredible group! I have been struggling lately to find a group of girls to study with and even a church that I feel comfortable enough to call home! I am so excited to start this new journey, thank you!

    I always study with a family bible that has been passed down to me from my mom. However, I would like to purchase a bible specifically for study that I feel that I can make notes in [and such]. Do you, or any one else, have an recommendations [a link] to a good bible for study?

    Thank you so much! I can’t wait to be apart of this amazing opportunity!
    Morgan

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
    • Hannah Ives wrote:

      Hi Morgan!!

      Where do you live? I feel the same way as you! It’s hard for me to open up and go try churches by myself or go to bible study/ life group when I don’t know anyone.

      For study bibles, I have the Life Application Study Bible which is really cool because it has notes at the bottom that put the word in present day language and give you examples of how to apply it to your every day life. There isn’t really room to write notes, but my sister got the EVS Journaling Bible for Christmas and it’s beautiful! It’s leather with a strap that wraps around it and it has a side section for notes and journal. They are both from Mardel if you want to check them out!

      Hope this helps! -Hannah

      Published 02 Jun 15Reply
      • Morgan wrote:

        Hi Hannah!

        I am in VA. Thank you so much for your recommendations! I will check them both out!

        I hope you have a great day!
        Morgan

        Published 04 Jun 15Reply
    • Brynn wrote:

      Hi Morgan! If you’re in the market for a new study bible I like the New Oxford Annotated and I’m am loving The Voice. My parents gave me The Voice for Christmas this year and I love that it is written in more of a conversational format. It really puts some of the passages in a new context and gives notes about cultural customs of the day, which helps make even some of the Old Testament stories more relatable 🙂

      Published 02 Jun 15Reply
      • Morgan wrote:

        Thank you Brynn! I will check out both of your recommendations as well! I definitely think that the cultural notes will be very helpful for me!

        Thank you so much!
        Morgan

        Published 04 Jun 15Reply
  6. Sheri wrote:

    Thank you, Katey, for doing this. As a mom of two boys, it is so fun to do the girly thing on your site. I am so excited you are using this to help others pursue Jesus. Without Him, life is meaningless. I am all in. Ordering the book today. Thank you.

    Sheri

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  7. Rachel wrote:

    LOVE this! I’ve been so disheartened by the direction that blogs are going (way too much superficial talk, spending, perfect image, etc) that I’ve almost decided to stop reading them all together. But this is amazing! Finally a REAL connection where we can all put the perfect images aside and be open and honest about real life. I truly hope this is successful and will become a platform for women to connect and form lasting friendships rooted in Christ. I find it very hard to find those friends that I can truly put the perfect aside and be myself without the judgement/condemnation of a “holier than thou” attitude (this happens way too much in bible study settings unfortunately). What a wonderful idea you have!!!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  8. Lindsay wrote:

    Thank you for this Katey! You are an inspiration and I’m so excited to be apart of this group. I’ll be coming back every Tuesday to seek Him. 🙂

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  9. Elizabeth Wilson wrote:

    Hi Katey!

    It is so great that you decided to do this weekly since just yesterday I was literally looking for a bible study to join and ended up buying the One Year Bible. My boyfriend and I started that last night, but going through a book like Jesus Is with everyone on this site is just what I needed. Purchasing the book today. Thank you SO MUCH!

    Elizabeth

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  10. lourdes alonso wrote:

    I am a 52 year old mother of a 16 and 22 year old…I just want to say that I’ve been following you for awhile now and you have impressed me every step of the way! I’m buying the book for my daughter and I and” we are in”…take care and keep doing what you’re doing!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  11. Erin wrote:

    Love this! You are such a sweet person!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  12. I’m in! I’m so excited to study our sweet Lord with other girls who share an excitement to know Him too! Thank you for taking time to do this! XO

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  13. Allie wrote:

    Thank you thank you thank you! I’m reading Life Is right now but will order Jesus is! I moved to Fort Worth around this time last year and have found it difficult to get involved in a church let a lone a bible study and I can tell my relationship with Jesus has suffered without the fellowship and learning about Him with others! I so appreciate you using your platform to share the word!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  14. Kayla wrote:

    I love this!! I just finished “Life Is” and have been wanting to dive into “Jesus Is.” This is seriously so perfect!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  15. LOVED this post, Katey!

    Madison Martine
    http://www.madisonmartine.com

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  16. Holly wrote:

    Love this!!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  17. Christine wrote:

    Katey!,
    I read your blog every day and love it! I have literally been struggling and praying about finding a bible study and when I read your blogpost this morning it brought tears to my eyes because I felt so much relief and excitement about this virtual bible study/book discussion! Thank you for being a sister of christ and for sharing your faith with everyone (I know that isn’t always easy). I admire that you are using your position to share the word of God. I am buying this book on my kindle today.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Much love,
    Christine

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  18. Carri wrote:

    Just purchased the book – I can’t wait!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  19. Ana wrote:

    Loooove this post Katey! Cannot wait to start this bible study!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  20. MIchelle wrote:

    Katey,

    I love love love this idea! My daily life is insanely busy. I get home, I’m exhausted, and I just don’t grab my Bible. Other things get in the way. It’s no excuse really. Accountability with things like this really helps me to commit and succeed. I want to be able to just do it of my own motivation, but I admit that I need some help and encouragement. Ordering on Amazon today 🙂

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  21. Lina wrote:

    I’m so looking forward to this bible study. It’s my first one. I’m very excited. I live in Canada so I’m hoping to have the study book in time for next week. Have a blessed day everyone.

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  22. Sheridan S wrote:

    I love that you are doing this! You are such a blessing to read and a beautiful person inside and out. I just love that you are being open and honest about your faith! I can’t wait to join this bible study. I have been in search of a good one for a while and this is perfect and no excuses not to go because it’s all online!

    Lots of love
    Sheridan S

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  23. Kaitlyn wrote:

    God is truly using you as a resource for His word. Thank you for being a light in this world and helping us all live a life that is for Him. I am ordering the book today and am so excited to follow along!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  24. Kaleigh wrote:

    I’m so glad you are doing this study, and I’m purchasing my copy now! Thank you for being open to talking about your faith and encouraging us to seek God. This is just what I needed!

    XOXO

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  25. Sara wrote:

    This is EXACTLY what my friend and I are reading and talked about doing. We LOVE fashion blogs and talk about them all the time but just read Judah’s books. We cant wait for your book study on them!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  26. Brianna wrote:

    LOVE this!!! I’m excited to do this 🙂 you are doing great things!!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  27. Jayna wrote:

    Thank you so much for doing this Katey! I am super excited, and I know that this will get the Word of God out to many who are seeking it! God called you and you did it! Good job!

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  28. Codi wrote:

    Looking forward to this 🙂

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  29. Thank you for this opportunity! ♡

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  30. Alyssa Glass wrote:

    I’ve been thinking about intentionality a lot lately and how I need to make a conscious effort to be more intentional in my relationship with the Lord. I have been involved in many bible study groups in the past and just moved to Fort Worth. Like many others, I feel like it can be intimidating to find a new church family on your own.

    I look forward to jumping into this bible study and learning new perspectives from you and your readers! What a great idea! 🙂

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  31. Margo wrote:

    Yay Katey!!! This is definitely an added bonus to your blog!!! Grabbing the book this weekend!!! 🙂

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  32. Shayna wrote:

    Bought the book today! I’m excited to dive in…Really like your instagram and it inspires me to care a bit more about what I”m putting on (even though I’m a mom of a toddler and…well, it’s crazy) but I was really touched that your wanted to put major focus on JC. Impressed and look forward to talking about it.

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
    • Shayna wrote:

      Excuse my typos…I need sleep.

      Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  33. Kathleen wrote:

    Beautiful!
    <3
    katsfashionfix.blogspot.com

    Published 02 Jun 15Reply
  34. Laurient wrote:

    I’m so glad you’re doing this and can’t wait to be a part of it. Picking up the book tonight. I’ve been wanting delve deeper into my relationship with Jesus lately, but have struggled with where to begin – so this coming at a perfect time!

    Published 03 Jun 15Reply
  35. Chelsea wrote:

    I SO needed this today. Going through a really rough time in terms of jobs and recently being laid off. Of course this is when I feel most compelled to call upon Jesus but I forget to talk to him when my life is going great too. I go to church every Sunday but the rest of the week I’m more focused on my earthly relationships. I am so excited that you are doing this Bible study with us!

    Published 04 Jun 15Reply
  36. Danielle wrote:

    Thank you for being open and raw about your faith and your walk with the Lord. It is beyond refreshing and a good reminder that while clothes and fashion are fun, there is so much more to life! Having girlfriends to keep us accountable and walk this journey with us is amazing!

    Published 05 Jun 15Reply
  37. Katey, my dear! I absolutely love this idea. Through Him all things are possible which is why this new series will be just another way to share in His glory and all that He provides for us. I personally have been struggling with the timing of life what He has in store and I want you to know that even your IG posts pertaining to this matter are a great source of comfort and perspective, so thank you! I just bought the bible study and I am looking forward to following along!

    xoxo, Sara

    Published 05 Jun 15Reply
  38. Deana wrote:

    This is truly amazing. I can’t not wait to start. I just recently started a new career and it has been kicking my butt lol which I actually kind of love being that I was without a job for almost 6 months while chasing God with everything in me to completely change my life. So in my prayer time this week, I literally was just asking God to send something like this my way. A good bible study with amazing girlfriends, and even though I may not know you personally, since I first started following your blog, I have felt as if we were real life friends. Thank you for this, I am so excited to start. Ordering my book today!!! XOXO

    Published 06 Jun 15Reply
  39. Jenny Nino Anewalt wrote:

    Love this! I am buying the book for myself & 2 girlfriends to start this week! Thank you for sharing with us:)

    Published 08 Jun 15Reply
  40. Hi Katey! I know I’m a little late to the party, but hey, never too late to catch up! 😉

    I just got the book and can’t wait to partake in this journey! I’ve always been, for lack of a better word, confused, with my relationship with God and can’t wait to see what I can learn. Thanks so much for facilitating such a real and honest community here on COF!

    Published 10 Jul 15Reply