Bible Study Review: “Before I Go”

Each morning I try to start my day with Jesus. I don’t say that from a place of piousness or bragging. I need to. My career as a mental health therapist is intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually taxing. When I don’t orient, tether, and focus my morning on Jesus, I feel like I’m floating and lost for the remainder of the day.

I have come to know that full well based off of the days that I have chosen a few too many snoozes or allowed the to-do list to take precedence.

My morning routine starts with Bible reading, some bible study or devotional, and then prayer journaling over all of it.

The choice of bible study or devotional usually takes place based off of what I am currently struggling with or a topic I am interested and perplexed with. They are items that I have prayed over and feel God-led to focus on and delve into.

I’ve come to realize I need to ask for God’s guidance with these extra items because I have issues with over-committing to things and there are so many devotionals to choose from that it can be overwhelming.

I don’t always understand from the start why God leads me to specific studies and devotionals. Some are more obvious, like helping me find Lysa TerKuerst’s Made to Crave book and devotional when I was struggling with emotional eating. However, some don’t seem to fit with where I am in life, like when I felt a nudging to read God in the Dark by Sarah Van Diest. It turned out that devotional was a powerful resource for me to pass along to others who were in the midst of darkness.

“Before I Go” was one of those instances where I felt God-led to read and help launch.

Before I Go: Overview

The Before I Go Bible study focuses on John 14-17 where Jesus is talking, teaching and praying over the disciples during the last supper. These four chapters are so rich in information that breaking them into a three-week study is a beautiful way to slow down and truly ingest what Jesus was telling the disciples and us.

These passages in scripture help us to learn more about who God is through Jesus as well as be introduced to who the Holy Spirit is and His importance. I’m not sure that there is another section in scripture that focuses on and illuminates the three-in-one aspects of God so beautifully. And it shouldn’t be a surprise to us that the teaching is coming directly from Jesus.

My difficulty with helping to launch the study is that I had access to all of the days at one time! I had to with purpose limit myself to only reading through a couple of days at a time because I wanted to keep going. However, I knew going too quickly through the study would hinder my ability to think and ponder after Sarah’s nuggets of truth.

My copy of the study is highlighted everywhere and has numerous notes on my thoughts and reflections, but two statements continually stayed with me:

Jesus Christ’s life teaches us that God is worth believing in. We can put our faith in Him without fear of disappointment.

and

Because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is able to take up residence in all believers.

~Sarah Koontz

“Before I Go” Bible Study

My head knowledge is I know it’s all about Jesus. He is our only way to salvation. And yet, on a day-to-day basis, I’m not sure I focus on Him enough. I pray every morning and am often seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance throughout my therapy sessions, but I don’t know that I focus enough on Jesus as my daily model.

[ctt template=”9″ link=”Yx_b9″ via=”no” ]Jesus Christ is our ultimate role model. He was separated from God in death so we could be dedicated to God in life. #JesusBeforeIGo – A Free Online Bible Study with @SarahEKoontz – Join us at LivingbyDesign.org/Jesus[/ctt]

Before I Go: Structure

Before I Go is a free three-week Bible Study by Sarah Koontz through her site LivingbyDesign.org/Jesus.

Throughout the study, you will receive daily e-mails including a brief Scripture reading and devotional along with shareable quote graphics. For this study, Sarah has also included an audio version of the daily devotionals in each Before I Go e-mail—making it easier than ever to learn on the go! 

The daily emails only take about 10-15 minutes to complete the study but I found myself often rereading the Bible passages after reading through Sarah’s information to allow the insights to seep in and take root. 

As you go through this three-week study, you will notice every day is titled with an action verb. They are actions you can do right now! And every single one of them is a reaction to what Jesus Christ has done for you.

When we get to know who Jesus Christ really is—understand why He came to earth and humbled himself to the point of death upon the cross—we are completely transformed.

Before I Go: About the Author

Sarah Koontz invites Christians of all ages to explore the beauty of God’s design through her writing at LivingbyDesign.org. She is a passionate storyteller who enjoys using illustrations to communicate deep spiritual truths. Before I Go is Sarah’s fifth free online Bible study, and she hopes to write many more in the years to come. 

I have helped Sarah launch two of her other Bible studies and am about ready to start working through her Bible study on Sabbath rest. (An area I’m not so great at and have felt God nudge me towards for a while!)

Sarah lives on 13-acres in South Dakota with her husband, two daughters and a rowdy flock of chickens. She revels in their simple, uncluttered life.

You can also find Sarah on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Read Sarah’s full bio here.

Final Thoughts

So did I figure out why God led me to this Bible study? I think so.

I tend to live a life a bit disjointed. I’m good at compartmentalizing which is necessary to stay sane and emotionally healthy as a therapist. The downside, however, can be that I do that in other aspects of my own life, too. Focusing more on Jesus, His message, and His actions is a reminder to stay connected both intellectually and emotionally. Both relationally and dutifully. While I’ll never be able to be all of those things at once, Jesus was and is. Jesus is the answer to all things.

I needed that reminder. I think we all need that reminder.

[ctt template=”9″ link=”KDy8d” via=”yes” ]Jesus Christ’s actions motivate our reactions. #JesusBeforeIGo – A Free Online Bible Study with @SarahEKoontz – Join us at LivingbyDesign.org/Jesus[/ctt]

Giveaway!

We are celebrating the release of this powerful new study with weekly giveaways at LivingbyDesign.org and other collaborating blogs. Each handcrafted giveaway item is inspired by the beautiful truths in John 14-17 and we are so grateful for our talented creative partners who have donated these items to support our study.

This week’s giveaway bundle is worth more than $110. It features handcrafted items from Amy Kirk, All for Him Art, Coffey Design Co, and Shamara’s Pretty Things. Enter below for your chance to win!

 

In addition to this fantastic giveaway, everyone who pre-registers for the study by October 14 will be entered to win a custom handpainted Bible from Wheat and Honey Co.

 

For more of my book reviews check-out posts in the book review tab.

God bless!

Melissa

p.s. Check out all of the beautiful sites I link up with!