Jean Stockdale...

How to Run Well and Finish Strong

This past weekend Bellevue Baptist Church hosted a Hope for Haiti 5k. Lots of moms and dads brought their little ones and took part in this worthwhile cause.

I am currently teaching a Bible study at Bellevue Baptist. This semester I am teaching the MOMS on the book of 2 Timothy about how to hand down your faith to the next generation. My Bible study is called "Run Well, Finish Strong." A group of my sweet mommas joined in the race to raise money for Haiti. Before they took off for the finish line, they gathered for a picture.

And this, my darling sweet mommas, is simply TOO CUTE. Thank you for all you are doing for the kingdom of Christ through the aggressive pursuit of personal holiness and practical righteousness. Until your little ones are old enough to rise up and call you blessed, I will. I rise up and bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. Keep running well. Stay determined to finish strong!

Until we see Jesus face-to-face, may we press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).
 

How to Run Well and Finish Strong

 Are you overtired, overwhelmed, overwrought, and just plain over it? Could you use a dose of encouragement? How 'bout some inspiration? 

Join us on-line at 10:45 CST for a rousing 45-message from the Word of God. I am teaching through the Book of 2 Timothy. I have entitled the series Run Well, Finish Strong. It is  about how to live out this faith thing in real time. The title of the message is "Practice Makes Perfect." If you want to join us click here and then click on the icon for Run Well, Finish Strong. If you cannot join us live, the message will be archived at the same location and posted in short order. We would love to have you tune in and join us. 

Purchase the workbook by clicking here. It is not necessary to join in the study but it would greatly enhance your understanding of the priceless book of 2 Timothy.

Word of God speak . . .

How to Run Well and Finish Strong

Mothering is not a sprint; it is a marathon. We are to lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and run this parenting race with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (see Heb. 12:1-2).

 

The apostle Paul led a young man named Timothy to the Lord. Timothy’s faith grew rapidly, in part due to Paul’s discipleship. Timothy served the Lord with diligence and devotion. In Paul’s final letter (2 Timothy) before he was executed for preaching the gospel, Paul attributed Timothy’s faith to the spiritual teaching he received from his grandmother and mother. Paul called the women by name and affirmed their sincere faith in Jesus Christ. Timothy was the product of their hands that praised them in the gates. (See Proverbs 31:31). Well done Lois. Well done Eunice. May your tribe increase.

 

We know little about Timothy's father. His mother was a Jewish believer but his father was a Greek(Act. 16:1). The Greeks were known for their love of knowledge and pursuit of the fine arts, but not a commitment to Christ. Timothy's father's moniker causes Bible commentators to assume he was not a Christian. I make this point because many of you are raising children with an unbelieving spouse. It is possible to raise great and godly children in that environment, although it is very difficult.

 

We know precious little about Timothy's mother or grandmother. They are only mentioned by name only one time (2 Tim.1:5). Paul described them as women with a sincere faith. Since he mentioned nothing else about them, is it possible that nothing else matters?

 

Beloved mom, becoming a women with a sincere faith is a worthy pursuit worth running after.

 

Join us for the on-line study of Run Well, Finish Strong by clicking here. You will have viewing access to the 10-series DVDs, down-loadable study notes, and interaction with other moms. To purchase the accompanying workbook (or any of my resources) click here.

Run Well, Finish Strong On-Line Bible Study

How do you hand down your faith to the next generation? All moms  (at least most moms)  wants to raise great kids, but the Christian mom wants to raise GODLY kids. How do you raise kids that love the Lord? Paul's letter to Timothy (2 Timothy) has great insight for passing the baton of faith from one generation to the next.

I am hosting an on-line Bible study on 2 Timothy called Run Well, Finish Strong. The study begins Thursday, Jan. 27th. (We have pushed it back a week). Click here and go to the Run Well, Finish Strong blog and you will get your instructions. Each week you will be able to view the 45 minute DVD, download the lecture notes, podcast the message, and interact with other moms online (at no cost).

The Run Well, Finish Strong workbook can be purchased by clicking here for $15.00. You will have a daily homework assignment to walk you through the book of 2 Timothy. I will help you take the profound truth of God's Word and make practical applications for daily living.

Leave me a note if you are going to study with us. I would love to "meet you", dear bloggy sister.

Passing the Baton of Faith

My next Bible study is on the book of 2 Timothy entitled, Run Well, Finish Strong. The book of 2 Timothy is Paul's final book before he was martyred for the faith. Paul ran his race, finished his course, and kept the faith. In this letter, he was essentially passing the baton to his true child in the faith, Timothy. His poignant words to run well the race God has given him are deeply meaningful to Christan moms who desire to see their children come to faith and walk with the Lord. This study is designed to give moms practical ways to hand down a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to their children.

Sanctified humor and healthy doses of practical illustrations are incorporated with Biblical truth in this study. Any mom who desires to pass her faith along to the next generation would benefit from this study! The study begin at Bellevue Baptist Church in the Memphis area on Jan. 14th. Click here for more details.

The on-line study begins on Jan. 21st. You can view the 45 minute DVD, download the lecture note, and interact with other moms online. The workbook costs $15.00 plus shipping and handling. Click here to order the book (which is not required to do the online study but will greatly enhance your understanding.) Details for the online study will be forthcoming but I encourage you to purchase your workbook asap.

Interested in beginning a MOMS ministry in your home or church? My study is designed to be done by an individual, in a small accountability group or in a church setting with the accompanying DVDs. Book (218 pages) $15.00 plus shipping and handling. Contact our Standing Near the Cross ministry office at 877-409-5564 for information or click here www.jeanstockdale.com.

Works For Me Wednesday

This week we get to ask a question of our readers. I write and teach Bible studies to a group of moms. Here is my question.

What is your greatest challenge as a mom?

If you don't mind, tell me how many children you have the  the ages of your children. Thanks.

Would you be interested in studying 2 Timothy with us on-line? Beginning Jan. 21 we are doing "Run Well. Finish Strong" to learn how to hand down the faith to your children. Click here for details.

Linked to We Are That Family.

Gratituesday

God has been so good to me. It is hard to pick one thing to be grateful for, but it is also important to take time to recognize my blessings.

I am grateful that my children are building their own households of faith.

 

"I have no greater joy than this,  to hear of my children walking in the truth." 

(3 John 1:4)

 

Join me in the study "Run Well. Finish Strong" on 2 Timothy to find out how to hand down a living faith to your children. For more details click here. Blessings.

Linked to Gratituesday.

How to Hand Down Your Faith to Your Children

Join us for a 10-week Bible studyon 2 Timothy called "Run Well. Finish Strong" at Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN beginning January 14 at 9:30 a.m. Details here.

Can't make it to Bellevue, then join us online for "Run Well. Finish Strong." The online Bible study begins Jan. 21. You will be able to view the 45 minute DVD, download a podcast, and download the lecture notes at no cost. If you chose to order the accompanying workbook, the cost is $15.00 plus shipping and handling. Click here for more information.

An Update as 2010 Begins

I DID NOT develop a ripping case of bronchitus right here at the end of the holidays.

I DID NOT spend all day Sunday in my jammies, propped up on the couch, eating popsicles.

I DID NOT eat fudge for breakfast in a bout of feeling very sorry for myself.

I DID NOT sleep away large portions of the day.

I DID NOT feel terribly guilty, so much so that  just might eat another popsicle and chase it with a piece of fudge!

Oh, that's right. I DID!

As the New Year begins, I am about to  start teaching the book of 2 Timothy. I wrote a study called "Run Well. Finish Strong." You love the Lord but how do you hand down your faith to your children? Study along with us at Bellevue Baptist Church (begins Jan. 14) or online (begins Jan. 21). Details forthcoming.

Now Let's Get Back to Work

 Now that we have tackled the tinsel and packed away the ornaments, it is time to get back to work and get back to the Word! Study God's Word with us. On Jan. 21 we will launch a 10-week on-line Bible study on 2 Timothy called "Run Well. Finish Strong." We will learn how to hand down a living faith to the next generation.

You will be able to watch a 45 minute video/or download a podcast of the message, download lecture notes, and interact with other MOMS from all over the USA and hopefully the world. The messages are practical, humorous, pertinent, and Biblically based. You will be blessed, encouraged, and inspired! It is not required but you will want to order the 200-page workbook from www.jeanstockdale.com. for $15.00 plus shipping and handling. More details will be posted on this site.

Run Well and Finish Strong

Moms, we will be striking up the MOMS ministry at Bellevue Baptist Church on January 14th. I will be teaching my 10-week Bible study "Run Well. Finish Strong" on the book of 2 Timothy. The cost is $15.00 which includes your workbook. We offer free nursery (by registration only) and a program for home-schooled children. You can register on-line by clicking here.

If you cannot join us at Bellevue, consider our on-line study of "Run Well. Finish Strong." It will begin January 21st and you can watch the 45 minute DVD or download a podcast, download the lecture notes, and interact with other moms and a small group leader (this is no cost for this program). The URL address for the blog spot will be available soon and you can link from my blog. The workbook "Run Well. Finish Strong" is available for $15.00 plus shipping and handling  by clicking here. The workbook is not required to participate in the on-line study but it will make the study more meaningful.

So, are you planning on join us? Please let me know so I can start praying for you!! Blessings.

Run Well and Finish Strong

MOMS. In January I will begin teaching the Book of 2 Timothy to my sweet group of MOMS. I wrote the Bible study "Run Well. Finish Strong" on 2 Timothy to help moms understand how to pass a living faith to their children. The Book of 2 Timothy is Paul's last letter to his beloved "true child in the faith" Timothy. Paul was facing execution for the cause of Christ.

Paul wrote, The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:6-7). Paul passed the mantle to his spiritual son Timothy. A living faith. A vital personal relationship with Christ. Not religion. Not rules. Not ritual - but faith. A living vital growing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We cannot make our children believe or receive Jesus Christ. Each one must come to the place of repentance and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. But there is much we can do to give them an appetite for the things of the Lord. Looking at the example of the apostle Paul we will develop a spiritual strategy to pass our faith along.

Hebrews 12:2 says, Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. I would like to invite you to join me in a Bible study of the Book of 2 Timothy entitled "Run Well. Finish Strong." We will tackle the practical side of mothering (conquering the anger monster, watching our words, living this thing of faith out) through the profound truths of God's Word.

If you live in the Memphis area, join us January 14-March 25, 2010 at Bellevue Baptist Church at 9:30 a.m. You can able register on-line by clicking here. We can register for free nursery and a program for home-schooled children. The cost of the workbook is $15.00.

If you cannot join as at Bellevue, we will be offering the study on-line beginning January 21, 2010. You will be able to watch the weekly (10 week) Bible study DVD, download the lecture notes (or download a podcast), and interact with other moms in a discussion led by a MOMS leader. I will post the blog address when we get all set up and ready for ya'. There is no charge to participate in our on-line Bible study. (We have just finished the study of the Book of Ephesians called "High Stepping in Heavenly Places."  If you would like to see how it works just click here to visit that blog.)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER THE ACCOMPANYING "Run Well. Finish Strong" WORKBOOK CLICK HERE for $15.00 plus shipping and handling. The workbook is not required for the on-line Bible study but it will greatly increase your understanding of the Book of 2 Timothy. Tell your husband you would like it for Christmas! 

MOMS, I hope you will consider joining us "one way or the other." Blessings . . . from one MOM to another.

God's Wisdom

I am currently teaching a study on the Book of Proverbs, God's condensed book on wisdom. All of God's Word is "inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (see II Timothy 3:17) Reading and studying any part of it is beneficial. However, the Book of Proverbs contains nuggets of wisdom for daily living. It is written in the form of a series of essays on living, given to a young man coming of age by his father. It is a road map for godly living.

The problem with most of us, is that we do not know God's Word. We have come to rely on godly preachers and teachers to give us bite-sized pieces of the Word, but we have failed to learn to feed ourselves with the Bread of Life. Consequently, the lives and homes of many believers are imploding upon themselves. The foundation of Jesus Christ is in place, but the evidence of a life built of wood, hay, and stubble is revealed with the storms of live come. We must become students of the Word of God. We must saturate our souls with the Word of God and surrender our wills to the Spirit of God.

Many Christians know the parameters of the Christian life, rather than the power. Parameters of our faith can be learned by listening to godly preachers and teachers, but the power of God is reserved for those who also become obedient students of God's Word. The occupation of every child of God should be the active aggressive pursuit of personal holiness and practical righteousness. That comes one way, but studying the Word and obeying the Spirit.

If you have God's Word, you have truth. If you read God's Word you have knowledge. If you study God's Word you have understanding. If you obey God's Word you have WISDOM. Proverbs 1:1-4 says that Proverbs was written that we might know wisdom and understanding, that we might be able to discern the sayings of understanding and receive instructions in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity. Study to show yourself approved so that you do not have to be ashamed before God or man. (see II Timothy 2:15). Become a student of God's Word. Gain His wisdom and it will guide you through the minefields of this life and see you safely into the next. Hallelujah! What a Savior!