Beauty by The Book

Okay, so as promised I am beginning a little blog series on a Bible study that I had the pleasure of going through this past "semester". I will start off by saying that I do not pretend or even think that I am a teacher nor do I pretend to know it all. I just wanted to take the opportunity to share with those of you that read regularly and anyone else who may stumble upon my blog what I have learned through this study. When I heard the name of this study I was not sure what it was all about but after the first day I was hooked. I want you to know that I was convicted about something EVERY week of this study. God is so amazing and he spoke to me through this very clearly, probably the most clear I've ever heard Him. I hope you enjoy and if you ever get the chance to do the actual study....DO IT!!!!

Introduction:

Have you ever thought about beauty from a biblical standpoint? Most of think of beauty in the physical sense and that tends to lead to vanity. I never really had read all of Proverbs but through this study Proverbs spoke to me. I've never been very good at understanding what most of the scriptures in the Bible mean. I don't like to admit it but that is one thing that keeps me from reading my Bible daily and often is the reason I don't "complete" a whole Bible study. Well, these scriptures in Proverbs leave little room for misunderstanding and I give praise to God that these words were so clear to me.

Please bare with me and my "wordiness" I will do my best not to ramble but this intro is a little long....

The author of this study is Laurie Cole. She's as "Texan" as they come. She is a very wise teacher and one that speaks boldly and speaks the truth no matter what. In the introductory paragraphs she talks a little about how if you would have asked her if she ever thought she'd do a study on beauty...."How shallow", "Wrong"! However God changed her mind and showed her that God wants ALL of his daughters to be beautiful-biblically beautiful, that is.

She gives a warning that this Bible study contains material that may be deemed offensive by women (even you), but she's writing it anyway....Study at your own risk!

She also warns that God's Word is powerful. It has the power to reprove and correct, to judge and offend, and to pierce us to the very quick of our hearts (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12). Also, In today's world God's Word seems ("seems" not "is") old-fashioned and out-dated. So, adopting God's definition on beauty will require us to swim against some very strong cultural currents....Now we begin

Physical Beauty vs. Biblical Beauty

Physical Beauty...

1. Is God- Given. Ezekiel 16:4-13
2. Is attention - getting. Ezekiel 16:14
3. Is pride - inducing. Ezekiel 16:15
4. Is spiritually corrupting Ezekiel 16:15-18

Biblical Beauty:

1. Is God - Given. 1 Peter 3: 3-4
2. Is gentle and quiet. 1 Peter 3: 3-4
3. Is precious in God's sight. 1 Peter 3: 3-4
4. Is unfading and eternal. 1 Peter 3: 3-4

Question: How do you become a biblically beautiful woman of God?

Answer: By beholding God and upholding the standard of HIS Word.

Things to think about as you read over these scriptures and start your journey to become a biblically beautiful woman...

When God looks at us He thinks we are beautiful!

Physical beauty is not a bad thing but it can be DANGEROUS!!!!

This study takes you through 5 days of studying and then we'd have a video lesson during our group time. I will do my best to blog each day as if you were doing the actual lessons and then on day 6 I will blog about the video session. Please forgive me in advance if I don't always get these things out on time....So on "day one" we'll discuss the 5 Beauty Dos and Don'ts.

As with each day before you being studying in this Laurie always reminds us to begin with prayer and ask for wisdom....we'll learn about "her" tomorrow as well.

Until then I hope I've gotten you intrigued enough to want to "tune" in daily. Pass the word on to your other blogging friends, who knows what God will do with all of this. I can't wait to see!!!!

Prayers and Blessings,
Tracie