I am so excited to welcome you to our first week of Becoming Heart Sisters, by Natalie Chambers Snapp!  I have been anticipating the start of this study for weeks, and it is finally here!

I want to extend the warmest welcome to all of our new members as well as our veterans. We are so happy you have joined us! I am praying fervently for all of you and for this study. I pray that God blesses you and minsters to the deepest needs of your hearts. May God bless our relationships and help us develop true heart sisters in our lives!

As women, we were created for relationship. One way God designed for us to find fulfillment is to develop relationships within the body of Christ. Some of us may feel that our husbands, children, parents, siblings, or other relatives are enough, but a part of our hearts were specifically fashioned by God to connect with other women. It is part of our make-up, and we cannot experience God’s best for our lives if we continually keep to ourselves.

Unfortunately, many of us have been too busy with children or careers to devote to friendships, and we wake up one day wondering how we became so lonely. Others have been betrayed or hurt, and walls have been built up to protect our hearts from being wounded again. On the other hand, insecurities or lack of confidence have also robbed many of us from building healthy, fulfilling friendships because we are afraid to risk rejection.

This is the perfect place to begin to overcome these obstacles that have blocked us from having satisfying relationships in our lives. We are here to support each other in this quest!

Or, perhaps you are not struggling with one of those particular roadblocks, but you are just looking for a place to develop friendships with other Christian women so you can grow more deeply in your faith. Or, maybe you just want pointers to be a better friend with the friends you already have. Either way, this study will be such a blessing to your Christian walk!

Let’s get started!

We begin this week by reading WEEK 1 in the study book. Our small groups this week will be introductory and will cover preliminary topics to prepare us for this study. You do NOT have to have anything completed before coming to the first group meeting.  NEXT WEEK, beginning May 8^th, we will discuss WEEK 1 in our small groups, but you will be studying WEEK 2 from your book. We will always be studying a week ahead of what we are discussing in small groups.

You can find the schedule for small groups pinned to the top of our Facebook group page, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, and the reading schedule will be posted in the comments underneath. If you are on a mobile device, you will need to click on “pinned posts” to see the schedule. Small groups are not required, but they sure are powerful! It is amazing how the Holy Spirit can do His work even in cyber-space!

All groups are open attendance, and there is no registration. You are welcome to attend any and as many groups as you would like. Just go to the Heart to Heart group page at the day and time listed on the schedule, and look for the group photo with the day and time posted on it. Small group sessions take place in the comments section underneath the photo.

Introduction Week Discussion Questions

Here is a sneak peek at the questions we will discuss in our small groups this week:

QUESTION 1: In general, men typically feel most successful when they enjoy their occupations and are providing well for their families. On the other hand, women tend to feel most successful when their relationships are healthy and there is peace among the people in their lives.

Do you find this statement to be true or false? Why? When do you feel most successful?

QUESTION 2: Why do you think it is important for women to have friendships with other women?

QUESTION 3: What are some of the difficulties or hindrances for us to develop healthy friendships?

QUESTION 4: What are some characteristics of healthy, authentic relationships?

QUESTION 5: Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” What do we learn about friendships from this verse? Have you ever experienced a relationship that demonstrated this verse?

(BONUS if time)

QUESTION 6: What is something you can do this week to nurture a friendship in your life?

Assignments for the Week:

• Pray for wisdom and direction as you begin this study. Ask God for what you need to receive through this study. Give Him thanks for providing.
• Read Week 1 from the member book
• Attend a small group.
• Participate in daily activities in the Heart to Heart Facebook group.
• Watch video 1 from Natalie Chambers Snapp, free of charge. http://www.abingdonwomen.com/shop/becoming-heart-sisters-women-s-bible-study

How This Works

• Register by leaving a comment below. Tell us where you are from and what you hope to glean from this study.
• Subscribe to this site to receive future updates by email. Enter your email address in the field to the right, and then click the subscribe button.
• Join our closed Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, for weekly interaction, activities, videos, and small group sessions. Closed means that no one will be able to see our posts unless they are members of the group. This is for your safety and privacy.
• Small Groups: There will be a schedule for small groups pinned to the top of the Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, as we get closer to the time. All you need to do is show up at the scheduled day and time, and the discussion will take place underneath the group photo.
• Follow my ministry page on Facebook, Shari Lewis Ministries, to stay up-to-date on ministry events and for daily prayers, nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for your life, photos that you are welcome to share, and faith building blog posts to strengthen you in your walk with Christ.
• Purchase the study books.
  • Becoming Heart Sisters: Paperback, from Amazon
  • Becoming Heart Sisters: Kindle, from Amazon
  • Becoming Heart Sisters: Paperback and eBook, from Abingdon Press

Reading Schedule

• May 1-7, Study Week 1: Why Do We Need Girlfriends and Where Do We find Them?
  • Small groups: Introduction. No need to ready anything ahead of time.
• May 8-14, Study Week 2: Getting Right with God
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 1
• May 15-21, Study Week 3: Clash of the Titans
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 2
• May 22-28, Study Week 4: The Forgiveness Business
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 3
• May 29-June 4, Study Week 5: Blurred Lines
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 4
• June 5-11, Study Week 6: Heart Sisters Do’s and Don’ts
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 5
• June 12-18
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 6

Be sure to register today, and I hope this is a tremendous blessing to you! I look forward to seeing you in small groups this week!

God bless!