Online Bible Studies

WEEK #1 Online Bible Studies 2011

Visit the official Online Bible Studies Facebook page. Feel free to post, comment, ask questions, and seek prayer & support from your group members here.

Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight

It’s not too late to sign up and get a book to do this study. Even if you don’t have your book by our start date, May 29th, that’s ok! We are only covering one chapter per week and all assignments, discussions, and Bible Study info will be accessible to everyone at all times. If you are reading this, maybe you should consider joining this study!

May 29-August 6, 2011
Where is God when I am suffering? Will I ever feel normal again? Why do doubt, fear, anxiety, and accusations replay in my head? How can I learn to capture these thoughts and replace them with assurance, wisdom, encouragement, hope, and truth? These are questions that author, Wendy Blight had after she was raped. These are questions I had after being sexually abused as a child, then living my life trying to fix all the hurt myself through wrong or temporary choices. Get ready for joy, freedom, hope, and victory girls.

Your story is your own, it’s like no one else’s. You too can come to know, as Wendy has, that “no circumstance is too difficult, no choice too reprehensible, and no pain too deep for God to redeem.”

Sign up for this online study in the right side bar of this blog. Just type in your name and email address and you will receive all the details you need to get ready for this life transforming study. (After you sign up, you will receive an email from me. Make sure you click the link at the very bottom of that email to confirm your sign up! Otherwise you will not receive the information.)

You can order the book almost anywhere books are sold. If you choose to order through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you will receive a 10% discount and your book will be autographed by author, Wendy Blight. Call the P31 Office, 877-731-4663 or visit our website http://www.Proverbs31.org to order. If you order online from Proverbs 31, make sure you enter the code HJ10 in the coupon code blank to receive your 10% discount.

This study takes place right here on this blog! Beginning May 29th, I will post suggested reading and Bible study assignments each Sunday that we will discuss during the week. Comment on my blog, Facebook, or Twitter to interact with others going through the study.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melissa.r.taylor
Facebook Online Bible Studies Page: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaTaylorsOnlineBibleStudies
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MelissaRTaylor

Conference Call Series

Here are the details of each call:

Call #1 June 13, 2011, 8 pm EST
Message: Why God Why?
Special Guests: Melissa Taylor and Stephanie Clayton
On this first call, the tables are turned as 106.9 The Light Radio Host, Carol Davis interviews Online Bible Study Leader Melissa Taylor. Following Melissa’s interview, she will move back to the seat she’s more comfortable in to interview Stephanie Clayton. Meet Melissa and Stephanie:

Melissa Taylor
Melissa has been speaking and writing for Proverbs 31 Ministries for eight years. She is a contributing author to God’s Purpose for Every Woman and The Reason We Speak. _ Her writing is also featured in the _P31 Woman magazine and the ministry’s online devotions,Encouragement for Today. Melissa joined the staff of Proverbs 31 Ministries as Administrative Assistant in 2007, where the highlight of her job is praying for and helping those who call the office feeling desperate, hopeless, and alone. As a sexual abuse survivor, she understands what is feels like to suffer and feel too scarred for a good life. Today, her greatest joy in life is sharing Jesus with others because she has learned first hand what He and only He can do, proving that healing is possible.

In 2011, Melissa began Online Bible Studies on her blog because she wanted to provide a venue of study for women who aren’t in a Bible study group for whatever reason. In her first 5 months of leading the Bible studies, over 5,600 have signed up. Women are hungry for the Word of God and it is her goal to teach them how to live it and apply it.

Melissa lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, Jeff, four children, Blake, Hayden, Dylan, and Hayley Grace, and her sweet dogs Princess and Maggie.Melissa and her family attend Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC.

Melissa is on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melissa.r.taylor
Facebook Online Bible Studies Page:http://www.facebook.com/MelissaTaylorsOnlineBibleStudies
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MelissaRTaylor

Stephanie Clayton
Stephanie Clayton is going to be our Go To Girl
for her expertise, advice, and care. She will be interviewed on the first two calls and will be present on all four calls to answer any questions you may have for her.

Stephanie holds a Masters Degree in Counseling and currently leads a survivors of sexual abuse group. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults concerning issues such as substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and sexual abuse. Stephanie is a survivor of sexual assault, and has struggled herself with depression and anxiety. This has led and fueled her passion and desire for every individual to find freedom through Christ. She is a gifted writer, which you can see for yourself! She blogs over atwww.myloveletter2god.blogspot.com. You can also find Stephanie on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1098096604
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/stephandkev

Call #2 June 27, 2011, 8 pm EST
Message: It’s Time to Go: The Faith to Move Forward
Special Guests: Dr. Kris Colangelo and Stephanie Clayton

Dr. Kris Colangelo

Kris Colangelo owned her own family chiropractic practice for eight years before returning to school to receive more education in order to merge a love of education, writing, and science. She currently teaches Anatomy & Physiology for the online campus of Herzing University. Her ultimate career goal includes writing and teaching science to the public to help kids and adults make healthy choices in life.

Kris’s faith became active through regular church attendance in college. Over the years, she longed more to have a relationship with God versus simply going through the motions of being religious. She was born again several years ago after listening to a Joyce Meyer teaching on Religion vs. Relationship, and she’s been passionate about growing her faith and learning the Bible since that time. She is active in her church and her local women’s small group. Even with many blessings in her life, Kris is no stranger to pain and fear. She has been a victim of relationship abuse; she has endured a lot of stress in her marriage, and she has endured the loss of two babies in utero. And yet, through it all, her faith has endured.

Stephanie Clayton

See bio under call #1

Call #3 July 11, 2011 8 pm EST
Message: How Can I Forgive: myself & others
Joining us for this call is truly the one who made this study a reality, author of Hidden Joy, Wendy Blight.

Wendy Blight
Wendy Blight has been blessed with the passion and giftedness to bring God’s Word alive. Her messages and lessons share the specific Scriptures and prayers that have transformed her heart and home. She loves to teach Bible study and write corresponding curriculum because, “I know that in the process a woman will connect directly to the heart of God.”

She has led thousands in study, in person and through internet, video, writing, and other media. She has appeared as a featured guest onOprah Radio, The 700 Club, Family Life Today with Dr. Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine, Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and more. Wendy has authored a book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner, and several Bible studies. Just days after her college graduation, she was attacked by a masked man hiding in her apartment. While she physically survived, she lived the next decade in a prison of fear, despair, and hopelessness. God and God alone healed her. Her story is now an amazing testimony of God’s strength in weakness, His hope in hopelessness, and His healing in brokenness. Hidden Joy recounts her journey of transformation from a prison of fear to freedom in Christ and offers a step-by-step walk through God’s Word to find physical, spiritual, and emotional healing.

She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband Monty and two children Lauren (17) and Bo (13). In addition to being a wife and mother, she serves on the staff and Speaker Team of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Before moving to Charlotte, she practiced law in Dallas, Texas. You can read more from Wendy on her blog,www.WendyBlight.com .

Wendy is on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1406645857
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/wendy_blight

Call #4 August 1, 2011, 8 pm EST
Message: Connect
Special Guests: “Allison” and Lynn Cowell

“Allison” (keeping her identity anonymous)
Allison is the mother of a child sex abuse survivor. From the moment she learned of the abuse, she knew that whatever came next, God would sustain them. Eighteen months later, at the age of 11, Allison’s daughter testified against her abuser. The mental and emotional effects of the abuse and subsequent trial led this young victim to suicidal ideation and an actual suicide attempt. Through it all, Allison and her daughter see God’s hand in her continued healing and growth into the strong survivor for whom He has such wonderful plans.

Lynn Cowell
Lynn is the author of His Revolutionary Love: Jesus’ Radical Pursuit of You and part of the Proverbs 31 Ministries’ speaking team. She helps teens through one-on-one mentoring, leading small groups, and teaching at conferences.

Lynn’s desire is for every person she encounters to get that Jesus wants you – He is that into you! Jesus’ passion for His own is completely life altering and Lynn’s heart is to lead others to this depth of relationship. You can visit Lynn on her blog,www.LynnCowell.com

Lynn is on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1477913667
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LynnCowell

The cost is $15 total. For $15 total you will be invited to participate in 4 calls.

**To sign up for the conference call series, Call the P31 Office, 877-731-4663 or visit our website www.Proverbs31.org to order. Click “Shop P31″, then click “Conference Calls”. Or you can send $15 by check or money order payable to Proverbs 31 Ministries. Send to:
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Hidden Joy Conf. Call
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Rd.
Matthews, NC 28105**

I hope you will consider joining these calls. They are designed specifically for you. I can’t wait to “talk” to you during this series! If you have any questions, email me or Angie (our Online Bible Studies lovely assistant) at: MelissaTaylorQuestions@gmail.com .

I’m praying for each of you.
Love and Blessings, Melissa

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