-Read Chapter Two: You Are Beautiful -Look up the Scripture references -Complete the questions at the end of the chapter
There could never be a more beautiful you, because there’s only ONE YOU from now until the end of time. You are the only YOU there has ever been in human history, and you have one life to live it to its fullest.
Don’t waste that precious version of you in comparison which will only rob your joy—because confidence never comes from the outside. Confidence won’t come when your hair is perfect and your body is the shape culture says it must be. Confidence won’t come when you put down others in order to raise yourself.
Confidence comes in knowing who you are, and to Whom you belong to.
You were created to house glory, to be a holy dwelling place for the Spirit of God. You weren’t a mistake—you were made with purpose and beauty and intention. Your life is more than being a fashion trend…it’s about laying the foundations for a legacy that sees the bigger picture, the vision to see what truly matters years down the road.
When people see you, let them see that you’ve been with Yeshua. Let them see your soul reflected on your beautiful face. Let them see your inner beauty change the physical world around you.
Fight every battle with gratitude and praise.
-Take a photo of where you put your sticky note of Psalm 139:14 (question 12, p. 33) and post it to your IG account (or stories), and in the caption include your favorite Scripture references from this chapter! (Don’t forget to tag @withlovefromvictoriablog and use #dearyousummerstudy2019) –BONUS QUESTIONS (include in your IG caption or comment below): What things cause your focus to shift off of the Kingdom and God’s goodness, and onto your flesh and discontentment? Who is someone you admire and look up to for the beauty and love of Yeshua that they shine wherever they go?
-Read Chapter One: You Are Forgiven -Look up the Scripture references -Complete the questions at the end of the chapter
This chapter may seem back-to-the-basics, but here’s the reality of the basic bedrock of faith:
Do I believe what God says? Do I believe what Yeshua did?
Do you truly believe your potential has the worth and price of Yeshua’s blood on it? He believed it, He lived it. He did everything He could—still does everything He can—to show you this great love that covers sin.
Yet somehow we put our own thoughts higher than God’s, and believe the lies we think instead:
“I’m too far gone. Not worthy. Broken beyond repair.”
They’re all lies, friend. The truth is that you have been forgiven, and the jail cell door swings open. It’s right there in front of you…but it’s your choice to walk in freedom.
Don’t keep carrying what should have been left behind. In Yeshua, past sin and brokenness does not define you…because His banner over you? It reads “love”.
–Take a photo of the mosaic you made (question 7, p. 16) and post it to your IG account (or stories), and in the caption include your favorite Scripture references from this chapter! (Don’t forget to tag @withlovefromvictoriablog and use #dearyousummerstudy2019) –BONUS QUESTION (include in your IG caption, or comment below): Why do you think it’s so easy to believe lies over truth? How do you combat this?
-Read the Preface and Introduction -Look up the Scripture references in this chapter’s footnotes
I share in the preface of Dear You how letters make me feel— important, loved (p. xi).
They make me feel seen. Known. Worth investing in.
That’s my prayer for you, too, as you read this book. That you truly know your worth, the worth that Yeshua paid for you. The car analogy I shared in the Introduction (p. 3) gets me every time— you wouldn’t pay $50,000 for a $5,000 car.
Stop thinking that the Son of God would pay the high price of His life for someone He didn’t see as worthy. Stop allowing trashy lies into your mind, believing them to be the truth.
Dig deep into Scripture, deep into the true identity and worth you have as a daughter of the King. Dig deep into the identity that was paid for you through the Son of God’s veins.
Take this book as a journey— a journey to discovering your own foundation of Yeshua’s love, your own unique wild adventure through the fields of grace. Don’t take someone else’s faith and call it your own…whether it’s your parents’ faith or grandparents’ faith or that of your best friend.
This is your faith, friend. Let the journey begin.
-Take an artsy photo of you reading “Dear You” and post it to your IG account (or IG stories), and in the caption include your favorite Scripture references from this chapter! (Don’t forget to tag @withlovefromvictoriablog and use #dearyousummerstudy2019) -BONUS QUESTIONS (include in your caption, or comment below): How does receiving a letter make you feel? What are you currently allowing to fill your mind, and how can you practically replace lies with truth?
Summertime sings of freedom, laughter, and picnics in the park. We look forward to it all year long, and once it’s here, we don’t want to waste a moment! However, in the unspoken hustle that summer brings, it takes intentionality to stay connected with Adonai through having your regular quiet time. Summer can rush on by, leaving you feeling spiritually dry. But what if you did something different this summer, and invited your friends to join in on the fun? We’re talking about hosting a summer study!
Dear You is the perfect summer study book to do with friends. Not only will it take you deep into Scripture, building up your faith, but it will also take your friendships to deeper levels as you share the things you’re learning. We knew we wanted it to be used as a study book—that’s why there’s even an appendix at the end of the book called Hosting a StudyGroup. It’s full of tips and ideas, from themed snacks and activities, to setting the right atmosphere for people to share during your study.
While we highly suggest using the appendix as a reference (be sure to read it on page 209 of Dear You), here’s a few more ideas for a fresh and fun study group!
I. Have Various Themes
Having themes creates an element of fun and camaraderie with those attending. Create a Pinterest board with different ideas, and as you’re putting things together, think of ways how your friends can join in and participate by bringing something to contribute. Maybe you decide to have different themes for decor to set a fun atmosphere where you’re having your study at—like a summer garden theme (ask everyone bring one stem of their favorite flower to contribute to the floral arrangements!), day at the beach theme (go do your study at the lake!), or a night in Paris (baguettes and charcuterie boards, anyone?). Speaking of baguettes, having themes for food is always a hit—like an ice cream bar, pancake bar, or hot chocolate bar where everyone can bring something to contribute. Another fun theme is dressing up— such as 50’s dress, wearing hats, or who can do the craziest hairstyle. Keep things fresh and fun, but also without pressure—you don’t have to have a theme every week! Do whatever works best for you and your friends.
II. Connect Beyond the Study
Connecting beyond the study shows that you genuinely care for those in your group and that you want to be involved in their lives. Doing life together is the greatest way to build community—and it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate! Plan a picnic, take a scenic hike, go on a thrifting expedition, or just go out for coffee together! Have a group chat or texting thread going so that you can always drop a message saying, “I’m available Sunday—would anyone be interested in doing ___________ with me at 2pm? It would be so fun to do it together!”
III. Assign Prayer Partners
If your group takes prayer requests, consider assigning prayer partners. Pair up everyone two-by-two, and ask them to specifically pray over their partner’s prayer request. If it’s okay with everyone in your group, have all your attendees share their phone numbers so that each person can contact their prayer partner throughout the week by dropping them a text or giving them an encouraging call. It gives everyone the opportunity to build friendships with each other, and you’ll notice the camaraderie and unity that comes from it as you gather each week!
IV. Have FUN!
We have the joy of Adonai within us, which means we should be SO EXCITED to embrace who He has created us to be! Your study should be fresh and fun, not heavy or monotonous. Encourage laughter, share testimonies and triumphs, always point everyone back to Yeshua’s love…and use confetti cannons if need be! That doesn’t mean things will always be easy, and some women attending your group may be going through some really hard things right now. Be gentle, gracious, and understanding. Pray over your group and all the women attending! It’s okay to feel the weight of situations or emotions…but don’t let it drag you down to despair. We have HOPE, and that is reason to celebrate!
Many people feel intimated by the thought of putting together a study group, when really, it can be the easiest thing to do! Your group will be unique as you tailor it to meet the needs of those attending, and no two groups will ever look the same. Mix and match the different ideas in this post to create a schedule that works best for you! Pray and let the Holy Spirit direct you to the women you should invite. Once you know who you will be inviting, you can start planning out how your group will look like!
I. Small and Personal Group— Once or Twice a Month
A study group doesn’t have to be big—it can just be a few people. Smaller settings make things personal, and those attending your group will be able to build deep relationships with each other as you share together. With smaller groups, it can be harder to coordinate schedules—because if one girl can’t come, there may only be one or two others attending! Don’t get too caught up trying to work everyone’s timeframe perfectly. While you all can continue to do one chapter a week on your own, instead of meeting every week you could try to meet every other week, or once a month, to share what you’re learning. Perhaps your small study group will only include family (mother, sisters, aunts, nieces), or a few of your best friends…but I encourage you to stretch yourself and also invite one or two others whom you don’t know very well, but you’d like to get to know better!
II. Large and Dynamic Group— Every Week
The more, the merrier! Consider facilitating a study group for the women your congregation. You really don’t need to fear awkward silence—in a big group, there’s always someone who is willing to talk or share, and likewise, it’s easier to meet every week since there’s always someone who will show up! A group like this is a beautiful and meaningful way to create community and connection within your congregation as well. Often people feel overlooked or left out, so this is a perfect opportunity to take the time to invest in these women who you otherwise might just pass by each week with nothing more than a nod on your way out the door. You all have so much to offer, and you’ll grow so much together!
III. Via Correspondance Group— Throughout the Week
If you have no local community—no friends or family nearby—that doesn’t mean you can’t have a study group! Some of my fondest memories are doing summer Bible studies with my childhood friend Christina, who moved two hours away from me. We picked a study book, and every week we would send letters and emails back and forth with our thoughts, sharing what we were learning. It was a beautiful way to stay in contact and continue to cultivate our relationship over the many miles between us! I would highly encourage you to do the same, especially if you feel like you have no local community and your friends are scattered far away. You can use video calls, group texts, or social media to facilitate your group—or do it the old fashioned way like Christina and I did, through letters and email! At the beginning of the week, send out a message to remind everyone what chapter you’re on, and then invite others to share through the week as they read. You’ll have encouraging texts and messages come through your phone all week long!
With Love from Victoria 