For the women who attend the Ladies Wednesday Night Bible Study, it’s a wonderful opportunity to gather and share in faith and fellowship with each other.
“We share our questions, our doubts, our praises, our happiness, and our family stories,” says Laurie Kennedy. “We come together to support one another, to listen to each other, learn from one another and share how God has worked in our lives.”
The weekly gatherings are for any woman who wants to learn more about the faith — relationship to God, Jesus, the Bible, how to grow closer to God, and how to deepen in prayer life. It is open to women of all ages.
“We want everyone to be comfortable enough to share anything that is on your heart, knowing that it is a safe place and we keep everything confidential,” Laurie says. “You can also choose to just listen to what people have to share and are not required to speak up if you don’t want to.”
The group follows studies from many different resources. These have included various video studies from FORMED, or a video series from Dr. Edward Sri, for example. The members have also read and studied the book of Ruth.
“My favorite studies are about women in the Bible,” Laurie says. “We can learn so much from them — how they lived, how they raised their family, how they got along with their extended family, and the hardships they went through. No matter how incredibly hard their circumstances were, they always kept praying to God and asking for continued faith and guidance from Him.”
Meeting with other like-minded women provides the opportunity to talk with God and read His Word. The group encourages one another to grow spiritually and personally.
“When you keep reading His Word, study His Word, and know His Word, you will then know Him,” Laurie says. “And life is much better, calmer, and peaceful when you know that God is leading your life.”
The ladies meet during the school year on most Wednesday nights from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Martha Jane Room.
“Sometimes we have five women and sometimes we have 15,” Laurie says. “We know people are busy and have other obligations, so people come when they can. During the summer we try to meet and go out to dinner a couple of times to connect, share what is going on and just laugh together.”
If you are interested in joining the fall session, contact Laurie Kennedy at 217-779-6552 or lakennedy589@yahoo.com.