Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Tag: small group

  • My First Knit Crochet Bible Study Groups

    My First Knit Crochet Bible Study Groups
    I thought I’d use this month to share how I started my first groups. You could call it ‘the foundation row’. (for the story of how the Knit and Crochet Bible Studies started check out the about page on my website CLICK HERE)

    After compiling several ‘lessons’ I approached the Women’s Director of my church. She read the stories and really liked the idea. The church leaders agreed to try a semester to see if and how it would go over.
    We met in our church coffee shop where the ladies were allowed to sit in comfy chairs and on sofas instead of at a table like most other classes. This allowed for a very relaxed atmosphere.
    At our first meeting there were about 6 ladies and myself.  I gave a brief description of what the next few weeks would be like then launched into a knitting lesson. (The ladies had all been instructed to bring in a skein of yarn and set of needles.)  By the end of the evening, everyone had cast on and was working on the knit stitch. Over time, the purl stitch, increase, decrease, casting off and more were added as well as some crochet techniques.

    The routine after the first session was to have everyone working on their projects while I read the short lesson and then led a discussion.  During the first weeks there was a not a lot of discussion as many find it hard to knit/crochet and talk at the same time while in the early stages of learning. However, it wasn’t long before everyone could move their hands to the stitch and add their thoughts to the conversation without losing their place. Yes, we did learn to frog (rip it) during these episodes as well 🙂 
    By the next semester, getting started was a bit less hectic in my teaching of the craft as I now had some experienced knitters and crocheters. Instead of standing in the midst of several and trying to teach everyone, I could stand in the middle, demonstrate, and each new person would be alongside an experienced person who would help them one-on-one with what I was saying.

    Not all participants wanted to knit or crochet. We had one join our group who brought along a rug she was hooking and others brought in embroidery work.
    As in all groups, some excelled quickly into the craft; some had difficulty and lagged behind. The same applies to Bible Study and our individual relationship with Jesus Christ. We are all at various levels, no matter how long we have been involved.

    Have you hosted a Knit Crochet Bible Study?  What techniques worked for you? What didn’t?  I’d love to hear your stories.

  • Where Two or More Are Gathered

    Wherever two or more are gathered….there will be conflict.

    It is fun to gather with others, spend time with our yarn projects and share our lives. Even when these gatherings are in an effort to share in Bible Study or just meet in a God honoring fashion, conflicts and difficulties arise. 
    caryn_holding_hands_with_friend_lg_clrI have received emails from people asking how to deal with various situations that have risen in their gatherings.  Unfortunately, where people gather, conflict will be present.  So how do you handle the conflicts?

    I would like to share with you some ideas for learning to deal with others that I have used to help me. Please note, I have no affiliation with any of these.  At the time I posted each link they led to a valid, instructional item.  As you should with all links, use your judgment when clicking through.

    This video series from FaithGateway are very informative and demonstrate various encounters, then discuss ways to deal with them.   CLICK HERE

    Sometimes, we just say the wrong thing.  With women together there are often comments between married and single individuals. This article helps to understand not all comments meant to be encouraging are encouraging.  CLICK HERE

    What conflicts occur with your groups?  How are they handled? Share your thoughts and comments below.

  • Take Off the Grave Clothes

    The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John 11:44

    The story of Jesus calling Lazarus from the tomb after laying dead in it 4 days is a story often told. As excellent a bible story as it is, I bet you are wondering what this has to do with knitting/crochet.

    My pastor did an excellent sermon this week using the story and pointed out something I had not seen in previous readings.  At the end of the verse (John 11:44) Jesus told the family and friends with him to “take off the grave clothes.”.  He was telling them to take these off Lazarus. The point of this? We need others in our lives.

    One of the benefits of group bible studies is sharing with each other. We can talk about daily happenings and encourage one another.  You can study by yourself, but God did not create us to take life on alone. He wants to be part of our lives and he wants us to spend time with others of faith.

    The Knit and Crochet Bible Study is created to be used in a group setting. Often these groups are multi-generational. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from each other, young and old. The short story I tell in each lesson is created to be a conversation starter. Read each piece, then discuss amongst yourselves how the verse affected you; how you relate to my story; tell your own story. 

    We are in the process of making single copy studies available via Kindle and Nook. This is not to take you away from the group setting, but to allow you to each have your own copy instead of the church version where paper copies must be made for everyone.

    Many people have been hurt at one time or another by someone in the church. They have chosen this as a reason to stay away. God doesn’t want us to stay away. He wants us to help each other grow. As in all gardens there are weeds that need to be plucked, but the flowers still need to stand out and grow together, making a beautiful picture.

    Join the group, take off the death clothes, and let’s grow together.