Tampa, Florida Nov 14, 2020 (Issuewire.com) - Anxiety and Adversity: Boy don’t we have Trouble!
If you have been feeling a little anxious lately, you are not alone. From COVID-19 to elections worries, we have a lot on our minds and our hearts. Vickie Sargent-Kler, a pastor’s wife and blogger has been helping the ladies in her congregation fight their anxiety with an online Bible study. For the past six years, she has been the women’s ministry leader at First Congregational Church in Zephyrhills, Florida. Most recently, they just finished a study on stress, so, this new lesson on adversity couldn’t come at a better time.
We asked Mrs. Kler has your ladies’ group always met online? “No, my GALS (Growing and Loving Servants) have been meeting in our fellowship hall on the first Monday of every month for years, but because of COVID-19 we needed to make some changes. We stopped gathering together when the virus first started, but the longer it went on I heard from my ladies that they really missed group fellowship.”
Just like most of the world had to change to using the computer for work and school, Vickie thought that might work for them too. Vickie explained to us how she moved her group to an online study. “Because most of our parishioners are in the age group that needs to be extra careful with their social distancing, and they aren’t very computer savvy, I decided on a written study instead of a live video class. I already have a website where I blog https://www.confessionsfromapastorswife.com about topical situations in my life and my favorite scripture verses. It just seemed like a great forum for my group to share a Bible study.”
How did you select the study you are working on now? “I could see how concerned the ladies were about the virus and everything that was going on in the world and I felt like ‘Advancing Through Adversity by Charles Stanley’ would be just what the Doctor ordered. Mr. Stanley wanted his readers to find peace as they learned about God’s faithfulness to us through tough times.”
This is a message that would be good for all women. Is your class open for women who do not attend your church? “Yes, I would love to have ladies all over the country join our lessons. I think it would fun if women from other countries would too!”
We asked Vickie do they need the study guide to join your class? “It is an exceptional book, and it would help for reader clarification, and my thoughts are linked with what Mr. Stanley is teaching, but my portion can work as a standalone class.”
Where would ladies get a copy of Charles Stanley’s book? “To make things as easy as I could for my ladies, I put a link on my site that will take them right to an online store, were the book is ready for purchase and will ship right to their home.”
Do you get a portion of the proceeds on the books people buy, or can they get a copy anywhere? “I don’t get any money from the sales, I just wanted to help my ladies keep out of stores during the virus. But they can get a copy of the book anywhere it’s available.”
We added a link to your website in this article but when women go there where will they find your class? “They can find the lessons under the heading of Bible study, the first lesson starts in August, and goes through November so far. This study will run till July 2021.
We saw that each lesson is in four parts, why did you decide to share them this way? “Time is something that can keep women from participating in a devotional class. Each part will take about 5 minutes give or take, depending on how long each person spends reading the Bible verses and doing some of the extra activities that go along with the classes. By keeping the lessons in short sections and having them post in days of each other, they should fit conveniently in a busy schedule.”
You said the study started in August, that means at this publication you are on lesson four, can new ladies start, or is it too late? “Oh no, they can start anytime, I will leave all of the lessons on my site.
When I have a new lesson that starts next August this one on adversity will still be there. Depending on how quickly someone new goes through each lesson that is already posted, they could be caught up with us and ready for the fifth lesson in December. But it doesn’t matter if they do their lessons in the same month they are posted, but that they get enjoyment and find relief from their worries from joining us in this study.”
Vickie, do you have anything more you would like to share with our readers? “I feel that this study on adversity is not only timely but necessary for reminding all of us that God has a plan for our lives, and we can depend on Him to have our best interest at heart, and no matter what trials and troubles that come our way. I hope that your readers will stop by my site and check it out.
Media Contact
Vickie L. Sargent-Kler vickie@confessionsfromapastorswife.com Tampa FL http://confessionsfromapastorswife.com
