My dear “The Well” Bible Students,

Congratulations. You did it. You persevered for 10 weeks…10 glorious weeks of being at Jesus’ feet just like Mary. Who did you choose this week to study? What person in the Bible spoke to you that you needed to learn more about?  Were you surprised at what you learned? We hope you grew closer to God and realized how much He loves you and enjoys hearing from you. Our prayer is that you continue meeting with God in your special place and meditate on scripture.  We want you to continue to dig deeper in your studies of the scripture and we hope this study has helped you do that on your journey.

God’s word is alive and transforms us.  Do you live for God’s word? Are you seeing that God speaks to us through the power of His word.  He wants to remind us who we are-we are Sons and Daughters of the King.

Are you stepping out on faith? How have you met Jesus at ‘The Well?’ Please share with us your incredible journeys. We’d love to hear your comments on this page.

Our next study from Dr. Sherry is a six-week study beginning in January on Psalm 23 using Philip Keller’s book (A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23) as supplementary reading material. But until then, go to ‘The Well’ every day.  Even go back to Lesson One and now with your new understanding of God’s grace we hope you will see Him in a new fresh way. So as we have a small break, dig deeper.  Drink the water that Jesus provides-a water that allows you to never be thirsty again. Come and drink.

Thank you for staying with us.

God Bless You.

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Hello “Well” Journey’ers,

Are you meeting Jesus every day? We hope that you are and will continue to when this study is over. We will be back in January and we are thinking about six week series’…so stay tuned for more information to come. If you have some ideas about what we should study next, feel free to email Dr. Sherry at sherrymort@wacc.net. She would love to hear your thoughts on what the next six week series should be. You can also reach Sherry Mortenson on Facebook.

Now on to our lesson….Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

Do you struggle with how God answers prayer? When we don’t understand God’s timing it can lead to feeling like God doesn’t love you. It’s so easy to feel that if God really loved you, he would fix your issues. But, one of the key truths through this passage is that God loves us. He loved this family. He loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. But, God’s timing is different than ours. He uses the circumstances and timing of situations for His glory so others can see His power and grace.

As we stand in the midst of the pain, weight and worry, it is hard to wait and watch how God is working. Are you missing what Jesus is doing? He speaks from a spiritual prospective and not an earthly one. His timing is perfect. Are you like Martha and will you still believe in Jesus after the fourth day – when it feels like there’s no earthly hope.  In the midst of sorrow, disappointment and pain, Martha still knew that he was the Messiah, the Lord and the Son of the God.

If you have completed the lesson materials for Session 9, then please watch the video below.  After viewing this lesson, download the next set of materials. Again, we are providing two options. You can download a version of Lesson 10 in its regular version (multiple pages with spaces for answers), by clicking here lesson-10. If you would like a shortened, condensed version that lists the questions only (in this version you will need to write them on another sheet of paper.) The condensed version is available by clicking here:  lesson-10_cond.

Here’s the video for this week – so sit back and learn new insights about Mary, Martha and Jesus’ weeping.

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Next week will our final lesson and we will post that teaching on Tuesday, November 18 by Noon PT.

Dear Sweet Marthas,

We hope that you were able to recognize yourself in this lesson about Mary and Martha. We’re sure that you most likely found yourself in Martha’s shoes-always carrying the load while others watch.  There is so much to say about these two women. You may think that the passage is about two women, sisters at that, but it is much more – it is about discipleship.

From these specific passages and from watching Sherry’s video lesson below, you’ll learn how Martha took her focus off of the right subject.  She was focused on pleasing her house guests and therefore, was not focused on the one thing she needed to be focused on – the Lord.

How many times do you find yourself distracted with things. Cleaning your house? Your to do list? Taxes? The economy? And as you fret and worry about these issues do you immediately put your focus on the Lord as Mary did? There’s a tremendous lesson for us all in Sherry’s teaching.

In this powerful lesson, Sherry talks straight to each woman for she knows that often a woman’s worth is tied into measuring (comparing) themselves to other women.  This comparison is a distraction and one that too causes us to have the wrong focus.  She asks us how often we ask ourselves if what we are doing is what Jesus needs.

So sit back with a notepad and be ready to take copious notes. You’re going to learn about Mary being a radical Christian. You’ll learn how to correctly handle the times when you are feeling resentful. You’ll learn what to do when you feel burned out from serving too much. But, more importantly, you’ll learn how to recognize when you’re being distracted from the one thing that is needed – kneeling at the feet of Jesus.

If you have completed the lesson materials for Session 8, then please watch the video below.  After viewing this lesson, download the next set of materials. Again, we are providing two options. You can download a version of Lesson 9 in its regular version (multiple pages with spaces for answers), by clicking here lesson-9. If you would like a shortened, condensed version that lists the questions only (in this version you will need to write them on another sheet of paper.) The condensed version is available by clicking here: lesson-9_cond1

Here’s the video for this week.

Lesson 9’s video will be posted next Tuesday, November 11 by Noon PT.

Dear Well Partakers,

Dr. Sherry Mortenson returned this week to talk about one of her favorite characters in the Bible, Peter. Peter was a failure who was loved by Christ. Sherry loves the story of Peter because she sees God’s grace in his life. He was one of the inner three: James, John and Peter. Jesus invested most of his life in him. God saw what most of us would never see – a man of God who would forward his Kingdom message.

Did you notice that Peter was arrogant? His life is a great example for us for we need to keep in check that our arrogance and confidence are not in ourselves but in God. You know the statement pride cometh before the fall.  Are you worshiping your own will? Sherry has some great points concerning this area in the video presentation below.

Another main point of this week’s study is “temptation.” Sherry talked about the fact that temptation is a process of steps.  Like Peter, he denied Christ three times.  If you continue to allow temptation to move you and not stop it it at the thought, it will cause weeping, anguish and pain.  Do you wonder how close you can get and not cross the line of sin as a follower of Jesus? Are you strong enough to turn your will around?

So sit back and enjoy this wonderful teaching about the life of Peter, Jesus’ investment. You, too, are God’s investment and we hope you feel that way. You are sons and daughters of the King!

LESSON 7

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If you have completed the Lesson materials for Session 7, then please watch the video below.  After viewing this lesson, download the next set of materials. This week we are providing two options. You can download a version of Lesson 8 in its regular version (multiple pages with spaces for answers), by clicking here lesson-8:. If you would like a shortened, condensed version that lists the questions only (in this version you will need to write them on another sheet of paper.) The condensed version is available by clicking here: lesson-8_cond

Lesson 8’s video will be posted next Tuesday, November 4 – ELECTION DAY. The video will be posted by Noon PST.

Peter teaches us key Christian principles. We hope that this study will whet your appetite to study Peter on a further basis.

Next week – Mary and Martha.

Hello Everyone,

In Week 6, Sharon McAleese is stepping in to teach us about Peter and his journey with Jesus Christ. As you dive into this study the message intersects with 1 Cor. 5:7-”For we live by faith and not by sight.”

Through Peter we can learn how Jesus calls us, comes alongside us, changes us and commissions us. That’s what you learned in Lesson 6 by coming alongside Peter.

Did you see how patient Jesus was with Peter, well, He’s also that way with us too.

We sincerely hope that you are able to spend more time with Jesus and that you long to be with Him. As we reach this half-way point in the study, we hope that you may have established your routine. Do you have your special place where you daily meditate and pray?  We hope you’re feeling changes in your walk and that you are learning more and more about Jesus. Are you feeling His abundance?

Thank you for staying the course with us, your obedience will continue to bless you, God and those around you.  If you’ve finished Lesson Six, then you are ready to watch the video below. After that,  you can start on next week’s continuation following Peter and Jesus. Here’s the next study materials: lesson-7

Enjoy Sharon’s entertaining teaching this week.  Dr. Sherry Mortenson will return next week.

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Again, after you have finished watching the video above, you can begin the material for next week’s study. To download the material click on lesson-7.

The next lesson will be broadcast live on Tuesday, October 28 at 9:30 AM PST. See you then.

And thanks for watching!

Hello “The Well” Bible Students,

In today’s video which you will watch in a few moments, Dr. Sherry emphasizes the importance of meditating and praying over the scripture presented in the lesson. This is an integral part of the study for with each meditation something new will pop out to you – a new perspective or thought about the situation in the scripture.  She also references Rev. Billy Graham who reminds us that we need to come into prayer with a sense of “awe.” We should come into “Awe” toward the person whom we are petitioning and the power that He possesses. Last week we learned that He raised the dead and stopped a woman’s bleeding after 12 years. He is an amazing God.

The stories of Jarius and the bleeding woman are intertwined for a reason. These were two people who were in desperate need and Jesus was their only hope.  Sherry wants to encourage us to pray with that sense of boldness that God can take care of your every need – that He too is your only hope.

At times, Jesus is our only hope and we encourage you to enter into prayer with that attitude –that our only help is in Him. It will change your prayer life. Pray with faith, awe and hopelessness.

By continuing to step in faith we see amazing things.  Do you trust that in your life? The “unclean” woman who bled for years had that belief and Jesus gave this woman of faith the gift of peace. And peace means “Shalom.”  He healed her physically and socially. He gave her wholeness, well-being and even prosperity. He also redeemed her, restored her friendships and gave her salvation.

So you can see how important it is to stop and hover over words that stand out to you when studying. For with this one word (peace), Jesus restored her life, made her whole, gave her friendships and more importantly, eternal life.

If you have finished Lesson 5, then please watch the video below.

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You’re now ready to tackle Lesson 6, if you have finished the lesson 5 materials and watched the video above.  Click here for those materials to start to learn about Peter. lesson-6.

We will post next week’s video before Noon PST on Tuesday, October 21.

We hope you feel his peace this week. May you go in peace and be free from suffering. Jesus sets us free when we encounter Him.  May you be encountering him more than you ever have.

Shalom.

Hello Fellow “Well” Adventurers,

How was your week? How did God speak to you? We hope you are having a fruitful dialogue with your Father, you sons and daughters of the King. He wants to meet you every minute of the day…He’s there for you and we hope that at this point in your “The Well” journey that the two of you are spending more and more time together. His water is the living water and it will take your thirst and hurts away.

This lesson was powerful and we hope that you are slow-cooking this study and stopping when God prompts you. You need to rest in His word, just as Jesus needed to rest.

This particular passage of scripture is meaningful to us especially now with our current economy and country’s financial volatility. We can’t put our trust in Dow Jones – but in our one true Savior who calms the storms in life and chases evil demons away.

Sherry’s message this week centers on two major themes -  the state of our faith and what areas of our life are out of control.

For no matter what is out of control in your life – Jesus will come to you.  For there is nothing in this world that can stop God’s radical transformation that He has for you.

We are praying for you constantly and hope that God will speak to you through today’s video.  It’s now time for you to rest and watch and listen. So grab a cup of tea and/or some of your favorite cookies and sit back and take in some of his refreshing water.  After you have watched this video, then you are ready for Lesson 5.  Click here for those materials lesson-5.

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God bless you everyone. Come to Him this week with all your fears. Don’t be like the crowd and shoo him away. Let Him radically change you.

Until next week…..

Dear Friends,

How are you doing? Is your thirst being quenched? Are you tasting the living water? It is our hopes and prayers that you are for Jesus wants to meet you every day.  He is frantically trying to get you to look at Him to see how much He loves you.  Are you missing seeing Him?

We don’t want you to miss seeing the wonder and beauty He is creating just for you.  Stop and go to THE WELL. If you are having difficulty connecting with Him, try and spend five minutes a day talking to Him. Try turning off the car’s radio or your TV for a few minutes for God will meet you in expected and unexpected ways. He will do anything to meet you so you can have a personal relationship with Him.  He is the Messiah and wants to spend time with you. Jesus is waiting for you because He loves you and wants to change your life through the power of his word and spirit.

We’re so glad that you are participating in this study with us.  By now, you may be experiencing some changes in your life. We would love to hear how you are doing or what you are experiencing. If you would like to share some of your experiences with us, we’d love for you to comment on our weblog.

If you have completed the Lesson materials for Session Three, then please watch the video below.  After viewing this lesson, then download the next set of materials by clicking here:lesson-4-the-well

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We pray that God will meet you this week and transform your life. Until next week…

How are you doing with your study?  How are you doing meeting Jesus on a regular basis? Have you found your perfect spot?  If you’re still wobbling through all this don’t worry…we’re sending you grace. It will come. There was a lot of information for you to take in with last week’s lesson and we’re pulling for you.  Growth is hard and not easy. So if you’re feeling the ground moving a bit under you, that’s good. You’re being transformed.  For have you ever seen a home being re-modeled without something being torn down?

Well, it’s time to move along now from Lesson 2 to Lesson 3. If you haven’t watched the second video, please do so now.  After you have watched Lesson 2, then your next step is to download the materials for Lesson 3.  The video teaching for Lesson 3 is included in the post above. available on Tuesday, Sept. 30 by Noon Pacific Time.

Here’s the link to click to download the materials for Lesson 3.

lesson-3

Also, feel free to leave a comment at anytime. We’d love to hear how the bible study is impacting you.

God Bless.

Welcome to “The Well” Bible Study, an original new 10-week curriculum authored and taught by Dr. Sherry Mortenson, Lead Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Whittier Area Community Church.

We are so excited that you are taking this journey with us — meeting Jesus at the well (John 4) and growing deeper in your relationship with God and others these next 10 weeks.

It’s very simple to follow this study for we have provided you with everything you need right here on this weblog.  You can download each week’s materials and view that week’s respective teaching. The only thing that we can’t provide you with is a bible and prayer time. If you do not have a bible, there are many online bibles you can view. Two examples are www.biblegateway.com and www.blueletterbible.org.

So let’s get started.  First, download the materials by clicking Study Notes.  After that, sit back in a comfy chair or setting with a nice cup of your favorite tea or sparkling soda. You’re in for an adventure so hold on tight. You’re going to encounter Jesus in a way you never have before.

Here’s Lesson 1

Study Notes

And we would love to hear your comments so feel free to share your views with others who are also taking the study at the same time.  We welcome your feedback and thoughts.