We thank God for the Gospel of John!
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| Top Tabitha Bible study leaders |
In October our 250 Tabitha Bible studies completed a three-year study of the Gospel of
John. As the top twenty leaders met
for a retreat, one evening was devoted to thanking God for what we
had learned through the study of John.
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| Sarah having a quiet time at the Retreat |
Sarah: Jesus wept with the mourners in John 11. I know
he enters into my troubles, too. When I
cry, He cries with me. It means so much to me that Jesus Christ is
concerned for me.
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| The drama of Doubting Thomas - Standing: Sarah B, Esther, Jane, Janet |
Sarah B.: When Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38
years, “What do you want me to do for you?”
I knew I wanted him to remove the bitterness from my heart. When Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus
in chapter 12, I knew I could give him my whole life, even though I don’t have
something of material value to give him. The study of John has also shown me how to
lead people to Christ.
Esther: Bible study is giving me confidence to study and to teach, and I am now teaching the catechism class in my church.
Jane: My favorite passage was John 15 and I taught
it using the chalkboard at my church. The children can still tell the story.
Janet: I came today in the rain but didn’t even notice, I
was so happy to be free to come to the retreat.
John 7:37 says, "He who is thirsty, come to me." I have no need for
gossiping or drinking or anything else.
Jesus is my Living Water. In John 21 Jesus asked the disciples, “Do you have something to eat?” Jesus
cares about our needs. The Bible study
has made me brave to testify before others.
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| Monica and Angeline being prayed for by Beatrice |
Angeline – As I work as an evangelist I now have so many
stories and verses from the Gospel of John to share with people. The Bible verses have become a part of my
life. The idea of being one with Christ
as Christ is with God is amazing. I want
to be united with Christ in this way. I
am so thankful for Jesus’ prayer in John 17, praying for us, and that is why we
are in His family.
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| Gladys telling a Bible story during Retreat |
Gladys: Now I understand why John wrote his gospel – so we
can KNOW Jesus Christ, and that is what I want.
The feeding of the 5000 shows us that Jesus will always be able to take
care of our needs. I also learned we
need to humble ourselves like Jesus and love the unlovable.
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| The worship together was wonderful! Mercy is playing the drum. |
Mercy: I learned in John 10 that Jesus is my Shepherd and knows my name. Then in John 21, he asked Peter three times, "Peter,
do you love me?" He also addresses me by
name three times and asks me the same thing. Jesus really knows me.
The Bible study is equipping us to be teachers and
pastors. It is giving us value, and
courage to teach in front of many people.
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| Marta and Beatrice praying for each other at the Retreat |
Marta: I liked the story about Martha, being troubled about many things. That was me, too, and I gave my troubles to
Jesus. John 3:30 says, "He must become greater; I must become less." The Bible study is
preparing us to teach, and to work for the Lord, not in order to be a big
person, but just to follow Christ. Just
as the women ministered to Jesus, and he chose to reveal himself to them after
his resurrection, He has chosen us women to take the Word of God to others now
in this day.
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| Alice and Picody sharing prayer requests |
Alice: My favorite chapter is John 17. It taught me about
praying for unbelievers. So I started for the first time, praying for my
unsaved neighbor, who was one of the biggest brewers in our area. Praise the Lord, she came to Christ and is part of our church now. Also, when Jesus talked about having
accomplished the work He had been given in John 17:4, I searched my attitude
towards leading the Bible studies. How
could I not attend the meetings? It was
the work God has given me to do.
Picody: The lesson from John 15 touched me and made her
wonder about my own fruitfulness. The
John study has helped me discern good from bad, and I want to do good.
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| Cecelia, Hannah, Peris and Beatrice at chai time |
Hannah: I learned from the lesson on Lazarus – wait for God to answer
prayers in His timing. Our leaders have seen God answer prayers in tremendous ways and I have personally, too. I love John 21 where we learned that Jesus
see us from afar and cares about our troubles.
Peris: Jesus asked Peter in John 21, "Do you love me?... Feed my lambs... Take care of my sheep... Feed my sheep." Caring for our “flock” of leaders and
members, some are younger, some are older.
They all have needs for food from the Word, and care. This is my calling.
Linda: We studied Jesus’ arrest and trials right before I
was diagnosed with cancer. Peter
responded to potential suffering with fear.
Jesus responded with courage and humility. I wanted to respond like
Jesus, and by his grace, I was able to have courage throughout my diagnosis,
treatment and healing of my cancer this year.
Betty: I was moved by the story of the adulterous woman – “Go and sin no more.” No looking back.
Winnie: I always thought Christians should stay away from sinners. John 4 showed me I need to associate with sinners, as Jesus did. I am thankful that I have been able to share these lessons from John with my local church.
Thanks be to God, whose Word never returns unto Him void. These top leaders have taught other leaders,
who have taught other leaders, who have taught 250 local Bible studies with a total of
over 2000 women. We trust that each of the women at the local level have met Jesus in these
studies, as these leaders have, and have grown in knowing Him and in making Him known.
