NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–They’ve never met each other, but thousands of women who have joined LifeWay Christian Resources’ online Bible study with Beth Moore share a common purpose.
Through laughter, tears, encouragement and sympathy, all are seeking the strength and courage to believe God’s promises for their lives, and they’re chatting about it online.
“There are all sorts of people who have the same struggles you do,” Moore, author and Bible teacher, said during her sixth videotaped session of “Believing God.” “These needs are very real.”
Believing God is an Internet-driven study that combines streaming video/audio, weekly homework, online study guides and community-based discussion forums.
In a unique merging of faith and technology, about 26,000 women in all 50 states and 52 foreign countries are studying the Bible together on the Web.
With passion difficult to mute even online, Moore challenges women to have faith that “God is who he says he is, and he can do what he says he can do.”
In video messages offered exclusively on the Internet, Moore told two stories about women who had shared with others in the forum. One was a 32-year old mother of two who is going through chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“I just wanted to share with all of you that I have my eyes fixed on God through Believing God,” the woman wrote in the community forum. “God has blessed me so richly through all of this.”
The second story Moore told was of a woman who was ready to leave her husband before she began the Believing God study.
“Before I signed up for this Bible study, I was separated from my husband,” she wrote. “I was ready to move out and had paperwork drawn up. I have torn up the paperwork, unpacked my bags and moved out of my daughter’s bedroom. I realized that if God can move the mountains, part the seas and raise the dead, then saving this marriage is a walk in the park as far as he is concerned.”
About 250 women are posting to the forum daily. Here are other comments being shared in the Believing God community forum:
— “I just wanted you to know that I believe God led me to begin this Bible study at this time. Little did I know that two weeks into the study I would be diagnosed with stage three breast cancer…. This study speaks to me in such a mighty way right now. Only God could have orchestrated that for me.”
— “In April 2002, I gave birth to my first son who was born with a rare heart defect. Two weeks following open-heart surgery, our baby died. I couldn’t believe God had done this to me. I have been so angry at God and am now finally starting to see a change because of him. I started the Bible study in hopes of helping me deal with my grief for my son and to strengthen my relationship with the Father who watches over me and is holding my son in his arms now. I have grown so much already and am so thankful for this study.”
Moore is a best-selling author who speaks to more than 65,000 women a year through live Bible study conferences across the country. More than 3 million copies of her seven Bible studies for women have been sold. LifeWay released her latest Bible study in December, “Beloved Disciple.”
Those who join the 10-week online course for about $14 have no books or resources to buy, said Bill Seaver, project coordinator for the study sponsored by the Southern Baptist entity. “This course offers value and convenience — two key elements in reaching women who are stretched for time and budget-conscious.”
The Bible study was taped at Moore’s home church, First Baptist in Houston, Texas, and then placed on the Internet. More than 3,000 women in Houston attend the live taping, Seaver said.
“Women can join the Internet study at any time because it will remain online indefinitely,” he said.
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To find out more about the Bible study or to enroll, visit www.lifeway.com/believinggod.
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