Hi Dolls,
Hello and welcome to my Deeper Faith 2021 Challenge!
Some time in October God placed a burden on my heart to share more of the Gospel. To share more of what I read and what the Holy Spirit deposits in me when I pray, read and study. Why? Because I have noticed a shift in the truth of God's word being shared across all social media and it has really saddened my spirit. This is not to say that I have it all together or that I know it all, but as a part of this online faith community, I feel we all should participate in spreading the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, including myself.
After a couple of weeks of praying and fasting over this "burden", I had a lightbulb moment. The kind that you know you can't take credit for. I decided I would incorporate my December Daily FileDex idea into a Faith project for 2021. All I needed was the foundation and structure for the challenge. Which led me back, into prayer.
I kept brainstorming topics to focus on each month; "Gospel", "God", "Fruit", etc., but to be very honest, coming up with a study from square one on any of these subjects would take months, even years to develop. It was very discouraging and intimidating to think that I would have to be the subject matter expert here. I mean, yes, I have known the gospel all my life and have attended bible study since before I could walk, but I was not prepared to create a new bible study. I just don't think that's my calling right now, or at all. I do love sharing the gospel, and do I love reading the word and sharing how it spoke to me, but to build something from the ground up is where I remained stuck for a while; at least a month.
I prayed for weeks about this. For guidance. For an answer on how to get around this stumbling block. I knew in my heart that I wanted to establish a fun and crafty faith challenge based on sound doctrine, but I wanted it to be truth based, not Damaris based. I knew that I wanted a deeper dive in general, and as much as I knew that we all could use a little refresher or a better understanding of these topics, I just didn't have it in me to create an entirely new study from scratch. Something of this magnitude would take me a lifetime to complete. I felt discouraged. I deliberated with God. I felt like quitting before I even got started.
I prayed for help. I needed inspiration and I needed confirmation, because at this point I doubted everything. I even doubted that God placed this burden on my heart.. maybe it was heartburn? LOL As great and as fun as this idea and concept was, I didn't want to do it unless He was the center, and backing me up. I didn't want to do it if it wasn't the right time, or if it would fail before it even got announced.
Fast forward to the end of November, I found myself researching theology books - feeling the need (again) - to go deeper (for myself), and in my search I came across an interesting find. It happened by accident if I'm being honest. I read the reviews and made the purchase and when it arrived, after looking it over a few minutes, it dawned on me that this was the exact format, approach, structure and content I needed for my faith challenge. My "Deeper Faith" challenge. Because "Deeper" was already determined as my One Little Word for 2021, and incorporating it into this challenge seemed logical, special and almost perfect.
So what does this challenge entail exactly?
Well, if you join me, we will be reading and learning from a supposed 8 week study, in 40 weeks. I want to slow it down for us, and marinate in this study and read entire chapters as opposed to quick verses. As you, I'm sure I'll have other crafty and home projects I'll be working on throughout the year so I knew I didn't want to overwhelm myself; causing me to give up midway. I want this to be an easy-to-navigate, slow-paced project that everyone with every type of schedule can keep up with.
We sometimes get so wrapped up in creating wonderful goals with the greatest intentions for ourselves, but fail to remember that things happen. We find ourselves wanting to dabble in many and other creative outlets, which spreads us thin. This challenge is meant to make space for God, for a Deeper understanding of Him, while still maintaining the rest of our lives and keeping things in order. I believe this slow-paced schedule will allow us to dwell and sit in the moment and really grasp what the Holy Spirit is trying to convey.
Each Week We Will Complete SOAP in a Mini File Folder:
S: Scripture - Write the 3 scripture verses on 4x6 index cards and add to your mini file folder. Read the full chapters associated with the scripture verses to gain the full understanding.
O: Observation - What is the chapter / verse talking about? What is it teaching?
A: Application - What can we apply to our prayer life or life in general from what we have observed?
P: Prayer - Ask God to help us understand the lesson and teach us how to accept it as 100% truth and apply it to our lives.
Every Sunday for 40 weeks starting January 24th, I will post a scripture writing prompt on my instagram based on the lesson. Buying the book is optional, but it is affordable and a great investment in your spiritual walk. The book will also teach you more than I will on my IG feed.
And who knows, maybe I'll go live once or twice a year to discuss what I've learned or share something deep on my "Deeper Faith" journey. We all have a story and a testimony to share that may help even 1 person. I'm on a mission to build the courage to share more of my faith and my life story.
This challenge is helping us spend more quality time with God, and I'm praying two things will happen when we do this. 1 - We will gain a better understanding of the context of the verses we are studying, in turn receiving the fullness of the Gospel. and 2 - The Holy Spirit will speak to us with clearer insight on our belief system.
Remember, this is not a bible time check list, this is a relationship we're building with our heavenly Father. I'm serious about this Faith walk and I'm willing to sacrifice fun, shopping and even sleep just to grow a deeper understanding of exactly who this God is that I serve.
So what do you say? Will you join me? If you will, I've got some fun news to share!
For anyone participating (on Instagram) in this challenge, I'll be choosing 1 random winner each month to win some cool swag.
WhipperSnapperCreates is sponsoring this challenge by making and shipping 1 FileDex box (in your color preference) each month. If you can't wait to grab one, go ahead and visit her ETSY SHOP and let her know I sent you by using my 10% discount code towards your entire purchase. [DAMARIS10]
I will also be shipping out some crafty/planner goodies, including tape runners that TomBow has generously donated as well. Which means each month 1 person will receive 2 giveaways in their mailbox. You are easily entered by following these 3 accounts on Instagram (linked below), and using the #DeeperFaith21 hashtag when posting about your studies, verses, filedex, file folder, bible, or whatever you're learning. It's super simple.
I will soon film and post on IG, another video tutorial on how to build the mini file folders.
In the meantime, please check out a list of direct links to the supplies you may need. If you already have these in your stash, feel free to use that. As you know, I am not charging for this challenge or selling anything for profit, but if you use my Amazon affiliate links, I gain a few pennies for each purchase you make, and I extremely appreciate the support.
Also, tell your friends and feel free to share this on your own social media accounts. Don't be afraid to invite some people from your church, family or community that are NOT crafty, because this very easy challenge will not only be fun, but meaningful!
Don't want to use the FileDex system, but still want to join? Everyone of every crafty level and financial budget is always welcome! You can set aside a notebook, a planner or build your study in a memorydex box, also sold by WhipperSnapperCreates. Remember to use my 10% discount code "DAMARIS10".
Don't shy away from this because you don't have the supplies you need. You simply need the book and a notebook to get started!
NECESSARY
IF YOU WANT TO BUILD THE MINI FILE FOLDERS
FileDex Box (or any box that's 6.25" wide)
IF YOU NEED PRECUT WRITING CARDS
4x6 Grid Cards - Small boxes // 50 count
or
4x6 Grid Cards - Regular boxes // 200 count (cheaper)
or
4x6 Blank Cards - 100 count (cheapest)
or
4x6 Lined Cards - 500 count (cheaper)
or
Project Life 4x6 Grid Cards - 100 count // rounded corners
IF YOU WANT TO ADD MULTIPLE CARDS TO EACH FOLDER
Officemate 2-Hole Punch (30 sheet capacity // cheapest)
or
Office Make Heavy Duty 2-Hole Punch (50 sheet capacity)
or
Swingline 2-Hole Punch (28 sheet capacity)
File Folder Clips - WITHOUT adhesive (cheapest)
or
File Folder Clips - WITH adhesive
IF YOU NEED A PAPER TRIMMER
Fiskars Portable 12" Paper Trimmer - (cheapest)
or
Fiskars Rotary 12" Paper Trimmer - (I use and love this one)
ALTERNATIVE WAY TO MAKE FILE FOLDERS
We R Memory Keepers Tab Punch - WITHOUT clear label covers (cheapest)
or
We R Memory Keepers Tab Punch - WITH clear label covers
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