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The Discover Bible Study Method

Central Women

One of our missions at Central Women is to encourage every woman to regularly read their Bible. It’s a simple goal that feel overwhelming to so many. One of the most frequent questions we get is, how? How do I study my Bibl. Because we believe life is better together and studying your Bible with a friend is an amazing way to hold yourself accountable, we would like to introduce you to the Discovery Bible Study Method! This is perfect for women in all stages in their faith journey, especially if you have never even opened a Bible! How cool is that! Grab a friend, grab your Bible and let’s get started: 1. Acknowledge one praise from your week. 2. Acknowledge one thing that is stressing you out or you need prayer for the week. 3. Read a selected passage from your Bible twice from different versions. (sample verse below). 4. Ask the question: What does this tell me about God? about His character? 5. Ask the question: What does this tell me about man or humans? 6. How is this going to change how you do things this week and who are you going to share this passage with this week? 7. End in Prayer Mark 4:35 - 41 CSB On that day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” So they left the crowd and took him along since he was in the boat. And other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?” He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” And they were terrified[a] and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” Mark 4:35 - 41 CSB That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Let us know what you think of this method!

Holy Week

Central Women

Today marks the start of Holy Week. Our hope is that you spend some time everyday preparing you heart for the significance of why we celebrate Easter. To help you we have put together a reading plan to follow along on Jesus’ journey to the cross. Sunday, April 10: Palm Sunday Luke 19:28 - 40 Monday April 11: Cleanses the Temple; Curses the Fig Tree Matthew 21: 12 - 22 Tuesday, April 12: Teaches on Faith; Judas Bargains Mark 11: 20 -25; Matthew 26:14 – 16 Holy Wednesday, April 13: Preparations Preparations are made for the Passover. Not much else is recorded Some believe Jesus took time to rest. Take some time today to rest and reflect on what is to come. Maundy Thursday, April 14: Last Super; Gethsemane Matthew 26:26 – 29; Matthew 26:36 – 46 Good Friday, April 15 06:00 AM Jesus stands 3rd trial 07:00 AM Jesus is sentenced to death 08:00 AM Jesus is led away to death 09:00 AM Jesus is crucified on cross 10:00 AM Jesus is insulted and mocked 11:00 AM Jesus on the cross 12:00 PM Darkness covers the land 01:00 PM Jesus on the cross 03:00 PM Jesus dies Holy Saturday, April 17: The Burial of Jesus John 19:38 -42 To learn more about how to prepare your heart for Easter listen to The Central Women Podcast here. How are you preparing your heart for Easter?

Hospitality for One Another

Central Women

Meals are messy. Legitimately messy. Recently I had dinner planned in my home with friends, where children outnumbered the adults. As we made our way into the dining room to a table lit with candles and dishes strategically set with matching plate chargers, I heard a voice from the other room… “Are you sure you want the children eating spaghetti sauce on your carpet?” And just like that, the candles were blown out and we made our way to “normal” and very un-fancy kitchen table, with remnants of chunky peanut butter from breakfast, crusted on the table. This is not how I imagined the meal going. Messy. Maybe you’ve experienced it. The collateral damage left from opening your home to friends and strangers alike. Cilantro smeared on the floor, Kool-Aid spilled on the carpet, a grease stain on your favorite blouse. Can I get an Amen? And I grumble about it. Shocking, I know. But then I realized something… All of this is overshadowed by the community and nourishment which comes from being around a table together. When you open your home, you are inviting people to come, messiness and all. They bring the messiness of life, relationships, financial struggles, and more. They are bringing it to you, friend. What an honor you have to sit in the mess with others. Jesus shared a table with hundreds of people during His ministry: disciples, tax collectors and more. One messy dinner occurred when Jesus set a table for Peter after the Resurrection. If you recall, Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Jesus three times, (see Matthew 26: 31-35). Peter does in fact deny Him, (Luke 22: 60-62). Jesus is about to appear to Peter. But first, Jesus prepares a table for Peter, at the beach no less, (that’s how I want to enjoy dinner with my Savoir!) Fish roasting on the fire, fresh baked bread, burning coals to keep them warm. And Jesus speaks. “Come and have breakfast.” This is the first time Peter and Jesus have a conversation since Peter’s denial. How fitting that they would sit together and share a meal as they resolve what happened. During this meal, Jesus actually launches Peter into ministry during this meal. It’s pretty incredible. Read John 21:15-25. Around 30 years after this messy meal, Peter is now teaching us what he witnessed firsthand from Jesus. The early church met together and ate. And it’s messy. It’s work, but it is never in vain. Paul commands us to sit together and wait for one another. “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.” 1 Corinthians 11:33. When you sit around the table with others, you offer them (and yourself) a moment of rest. Don’t rush, honor one another by waiting until everyone has gathered. The purpose of gathering around a table together is not just for the physical satisfaction of a meal. When you share your story of messiness, you set the tone for others to share their stories too. You can share how God works in your messiness and what sin and grace look like. Suddenly, messy meals don’t look quite so messy. It looks beautiful. Sharing a meal together is more than the perfectly baked cake, a clean home and fancy dishes or centerpieces. It is providing a space for the Spirit of God to move in people. Every table setting, cooked meal and washed dish helps others feel loved and welcome, and God’s Spirit begins to move. Have you ever used excuses to justify not entertaining others in your home? If so, write them down. When is the last time you opened your home to others? What two or three things can you do this week, initiate sharing a meal with others? Let's pray: Father in Heaven, help us be women known for serving one another and others, for being women who open their homes and share meals together. And women who recognize the nourishment, reconciliation and rest that comes from waiting for others so that we may share a meal together. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Women's History Month!

Central Women

Did you know that March is Women’s History Month!? To celebrate we want to recognize the ladies from the book of Acts. Spend some time to get to know who they are, read about them in scripture, and spend some time today reflecting on their contribution as disciples in Christ. Meet Lydia: (Acts 16:11-15) Lydia was from the city of Thyatira, located in the Roman province of Lydia in Asia Minor. However, she was living in Philippi when we encounter her in the book of Acts. Lydia was a businesswoman, a dealer of purple cloth. The cloth was an expensive item, made purple from dye from a shellfish and the root of a madder plant. Only royalty and the wealthiest in the community wore such fine linens. Lydia was gathering with a group of women, outside the city at the river’s edge. While they were meeting and praying, Paul arrived. Through the words of Paul, Lydia became a believer and was baptized right there in the river! She then invited Paul and the others to stay with her in her home. What’s more… her entire household heard, believed, and were baptized. Lydia’s conversion is the first historical record of a woman converting to Christianity in Europe. Meet Mary, Mother of John Mark Acts 12:12 Mary was the mother of the disciple John Mark (who wrote the Gospel of Mark). We know she was a woman of means, as she had a large home in which she housed many people and several servants. Her generosity shaped the early church and provided meeting places when the church gathered. In fact, when Peter was arrested (Acts 12), the apostles and many others were gathered at Mary’s home and were praying. When Peter was rescued from prison, the first place he went was to Mary’s house. Meet Priscilla Acts 18: 24-28 Priscilla and her husband Aquila met Paul in Corinth. They made a living as tent makers, which is also how Paul made his living. At first strangers, they immediately had something in common. Together they travelled to Ephesus. Having been mentored and trained by Paul, Priscilla began a life of ministry. She taught alongside her husband and their style was evangelistic. They explained “the way” in common, practical terms. Rather than teaching in public spaces, her style was more private. We run into Priscilla again in Romans 16, when they return to Rome and continue to their style of evangelistic teaching and hospitality. *The Way: Today churches have lots of names. If the early, first century church had a name, it would be “The Way.” Followers of “The Way” were some of the most fiercely persecuted during that time. Meet Tabitha Acts 9:36-43 Tabitha was a part of the church in Joppa, (near modern-day Tel Aviv). We know she was a beloved part of the early church, and a committed follower of Jesus. Luke calls her a “disciple” in Acts 9:36. Her heart was to serve the church and she was known for her acts of charity. Eventually Tabitha became sick and died. Peter and other disciples were nearby and urged to come to the room where Tabitha’s body was. The widows of the village were weeping, and they held out the items of clothing that Tabitha had made and given them which was a tribute to her love, care, and charity for the community. Peter knelt, prayed, and then said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she did! The story of Peter raising Tabitha became a story that spread far and wide. The name Tabitha means gorgeous in Greek and graceful in Aramaic. Throughout this month think about and answer these questions: What struck you most about the women we learned about today? What women in your life do you know who have made and/or are contributing as a disciple of Christ? How can we encourage and support women as disciples in Christ?

Introducing the Central Women Blog

Central Women

Welcome to Central Women! Central Women is a ministry of women, just like you! We exist for all women, in all stages of life looking to find community, and grow deeper in their faith through discipleship. We do this in a variety of ways including offering Bible studies, women’s events, conferences, worship nights, getaways, and now, a Central Women blog!

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