Today was a wonderful day – women from all over Charleston gathered together for fellowship, worship, prayer and teaching as we began a study of Ruth and Esther. Today was just an introduction and next week we’ll dive into an overview of Ruth – it’s never too late to join!

In fact, there are 3 ways to hear the teaching each week — at our Live Teaching & Worship in Charleston, via a Community Group (in Charleston or starting one wherever you are!) or by streaming on your own.

Each week, I’ll be sharing some of my notes from my teaching here on the blog, so be sure to check in to follow along. You can also sign up to receive the blog via email by subscribing in the box at the top right of this page.

Our theme today was “the bigger story.” Do you ever give thought to how your story (your life) is part of a bigger story? What I mean by this is:

• Our life counts for something bigger than just our life
• Our life in Christ becomes part of the bigger story of the story of salvation
• Our life is significant and plays a role in the unfolding of the world’s destiny

Wow – that’s pretty powerful, isn’t it? We can be so insulated or isolated or self-focused that we are not aware that our life is part of a bigger picture.

As we look at how our lives are part of the bigger picture this semester, we’ll be looking at the stories of Ruth and Esther. Both of these books are seen as God’s faithfulness through His covenant. This is key in our understanding of these books – that God is faithful, sovereign and the promise keeper.

The fun and transforming experience is just getting started as we dive into these books together – I encourage you to join us each week via one of the ways mentioned above.