2009 Theme Bible Study: The Intentional Woman

(Authors Joan C. Webb and Carol Travilla share their heart for writing The Intentional Woman: The Guide to Experiencing the Power of Your Story.)

"Many women just let life happen to them. They have not had the opportunity to explore their identity and purpose. They've received a mistaken message that it's selfish to spend time nurturing their God-given gifts, passions, and ideas. Women often focus on helping (or over-helping) others and miss the plan God has for them-leading to burnout.

"We share a deep desire to help women (ourselves included) be set free from what holds us back so that we can become who God designed us to be. Our purpose in writing the five-step process called The Intentional Woman is to empower women to be intentional about glorifying God with their lives (1 Corinthians 10:31). This ministry tool helps women of all ages clarify who God has created them to be, and experience the power of their own story. This helps them develop a current life focus, become intentional about personal and spiritual growth, and love God more.

"The Intentional Woman process-with the reusable exercises, tools, activities, questions, prayer-starters and biblical guidance-helps each woman personalize her journey according to her current life season, temperament tendencies, and God-given gifts.

"The practical, personal approach includes the stories of twenty-eight God-loving women-including ours. The "hands-on" workbook/Bible study/curriculum helps women grow spiritually and personally, and is designed to be reused for:

• Individual study
• Small groups (6 or 12 weeks)
• Mentoring/life coaching
• Outreaches (neighborhood, prisons, campuses, work settings, recovery groups)
• Weekend retreats
• One-day seminars/workshops
• Leadership team-building

The Intentional Woman five-step process:

1. Come As You Are

2. Celebrate Your Yesterdays

3. Commit It All to God

4. Consider Your Choices

5. Clarify Your Next Steps

"As she works through the five steps, a woman will gain focus and direction, develop self-respect, live out God's idea for her instead of someone else's, avoid burnout, and get free enough to make reasonable "yes" and "no" decisions in a world of over-choice. This brings peace, clarity, and a sense of purpose.

"The impact on a church will be an atmosphere of freedom and creativity. Leaders will respect the differences in women, and women will choose to serve out of their giftedness rather than guilt from someone else's agenda. Family life will improve when women have greater self-esteem, pay attention to their numerous roles, and appreciate their uniqueness in Christ."

Order from www.women.ag.org, Item #38GU2250.

Visit www.IntentionalWoman.org for more information and ideas.

Eat Right. Live Well. Love God.

Listening to the Right Voice.

Voices come at us from many different directions asking us to listen. These voices can be confusing, and can easily take us off track. But then there is the inner voice of God. How in the world can we discern that still, small voice amidst the noise of our lives? With concentrated effort and a determined will, we can listen and we will hear.

That is our focus for this week: to listen for God's voice. Ask yourself these three questions: Am I eating right? Am I living well? Am I loving God? After you ask yourself these questions, be still and listen, and write down specific answers.

From Your Whole Life: The 3D Plan for Eating Right, Living Well, and Loving God, featured in "Ministering to Women in 2009" magalog. For more information, visit www.3DYourWholeLife.com.