Travel Light Connections: 3.2

As I read the story of the paralyzed man, I thought of his friends. I wonder if they panicked for a moment when Jesus forgave the man. I wonder if they thought, "Wait a minute! We brought him here to be healed!"
And then I thought of the prayers I pray for my friends, and how the Lord often answers in a different way than I expect.

Travel Light Connections: 3.1

Today a short phrase jumped out at me.

But the Lord is still there. Zechariah 3:5

In a land full of wickedness, the Lord was still present, still calling his people to return to him.

I stand amazed in his presence, marveling that he loves me.

Travel Light Connections: 3.0

Welcome to a Minor Prophet! Let me tell you a secret about the Minor Prophets. Everyone seems to think they are scary. They are rather full of doom and gloom. Yet hidden inside each book, if you will take the time to read it, is a call to repent. God is calling his people to come back to him before the judgment comes. He longs for them to return to him. He loves them deeply, no matter how they have sinned.

As I taught the worksheet for this lesson, I used just a few notes from my ESV study Bible to introduce Zephaniah. I wanted the women in class to know that with just one or two resources, they could dive into any book of the Bible. (Even a Minor Prophet!) So instead of putting together a detailed outline and sharing lots of information about Zephaniah, I kept it simple. I wanted the focus to be on God's word and the fact that you can read it. As class went on, I kept this simple habit. I made a few personal comments and applications on the worksheet each week, but I really tried to use the resources in class. Sometimes I would have a friend read a few verses, and then I would read the notes on those verses, so that the lesson became a simple conversation between the Bible and a resource. The Life Application Study Bible is especially good for this.

Don't miss the Appendix today! On page 93 the notes on the Travel Guides begin. It is so important that everyone knows these notes are here. Some of the resource books (travel guides) are heavy, and overwhelming if you don't realize that you will only read a few pages in them this week.


I am blogging through my Travel Light book. This Bible study is available to you and your Bible study group.The book is a map through the Scriptures to help you find your pace in God's Word. 
These little blogposts are not part of the book--they are just my way of connecting with anyone studying the book.

Travel Light Connections: 2.4

If you are studying Travel Light with a group, don't miss the assignment at the top of page 26. You will need that prayer verse in class.

Don't miss the Viewpoint section on page 27. I hope you are writing your own viewpoint each week. This is your chance to think back over everything you read in Chapter Two, and capture whatever truth impressed you. It might be one verse, or one action of Jesus, or something from the Attribute we studied. And after you write your viewpoint, talk to God about it. Respond to his word and thank him for his truth.

Travel Light Connections: 2.3

Today you read one of my favorite passages in Mark:

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” (Mark 1:35-38)

I remember reading these verses one afternoon when my girls were younger. I put them all down for their naps, brought my Bible to the kitchen table, scooted the dirty lunch dishes out of the way (because I could wash dishes when the girls were awake, but nap time was precious quiet time). My reading times had been very interrupted that week, and when I read that Jesus' prayer times were interrupted, it made my day! These verses reminded me that my Savior understands the challenges in my life.

Travel Light Connections: 2.2

Today I noticed the word "light."

First in Psalm 4:6:
Lift up the light of Your face on us.

and then in 2 Corinthians 4:6:
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Lord, as I study Your word, show me Your light. Illumine Your truth and guide my steps.


I hope you have time to spend a few moments with the attribute scriptures on page 23. There are some exploration ideas listed for you. These are only ideas. Use one or two of them if they are helpful to you, or explore in your own way.


I am blogging through my Travel Light book. This Bible study is available to you and your Bible study group.The book is a map through the Scriptures to help you find your pace in God's Word. 
These little blogposts are not part of the book--they are just my way of connecting with anyone studying the book.

Travel Light Connections: 2.1

Don't miss the daily Psalms this week.  Psalms are such a beautiful illustration of prayer.  Praying as you begin your study time is a small but very important detail.

When I read the passage from Mark 1 today, I noticed that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tested. This is interesting and encouraging.  In a time of testing or trial, we can be assured that God allowed this situation to come our direction, and He will strengthen us to endure. Don't be overwhelmed by the enemy--cling to your Savior.

Travel Light Connections: 2.0 Class Discussion

If you are working through this at home, it's pretty self-explanatory today. Just follow the worksheet.

If you are leading a group through this material, don't miss the prayer verses. At the top of page 18, I refer you to the previous day's assignment. At the top of page 17, every person should have a verse from Psalm 139 written down. When I have my groups do this, I ask them to each read their verse, with no comments in between. This is our prayer time. Reading these verses aloud is our way of praying the scriptures back to the Lord. I ask the ladies to be aware of each other, to notice if the person next to them is shaking her head gently (to say, "Oops! I didn't get a verse ready this week!") and just move on through the group. We don't stop in the middle to ask what version someone is using, or to say, "Hey! That was my verse too!" It takes a couple weeks to get this habit established, but once it is begun, we love it. We treasure this prayer time--just our voices and God's word.

Now, moving on through the worksheet:

The story of Josiah was interesting to me. He followed God's way for several years before God's Word was found. This tells me that he was trying to follow God by depending on the advice of others. He hadn't yet read or heard the Word for himself.  And when he did hear it, he realized he had some adjustments to make. He wisely sought a professional to further interpret the Scriptures.

These actions are my goal for you. I pray that you will read the Word for yourself,  and find God's message to you. And next week you will try out a resource book from a professional, to further open God's word to you.

Don't miss the Online Resources on page 97.

Posts in progress..

More details...more corrections...coming soon. I had a few moments to post on my phone,  but I found I don't have all the options I have on my laptop.