Feeling Skiddish?

Hi sweet ones!
I was thinking.....since this is a new forum for a bible study and we all might be feeling a bit hesitant to dig into our hearts right off, that I would like to offer you some encouragement.

I was contacted by a sweet lady named Shelly. She had some questions for me about this whole new animal we have here. They were such good questions, that I'm thinking she is probably not the only one wanting the answers. :) Mom always told me "If you have a question, just ask.. someone else is probably wondering the same thing and you could be helping them too!" Always one to lend a hand ;o) I will post the questions and my answers here. I hope it puts your heart at ease (if you need it that is!)
Thanks Shelly for permitting me to share!
Love you ladies!

Shelly: "I am so excited to see an online study...Ive done a few studies and they fizzle out on the end and no one shows...so i thought wouldn't it be great if there was one on line? i don't understand the whole blog thing...you mentioned it being more public? how come some people have a picture and some don't?? who will see it? sometimes bible studies can get personal......does the q/a just stay with who joined the blog? or group?"

Me: "The blog is a bit like an email that can be read by anyone who finds the website. I will post questions and comments and you guys will post your answers and your own comments. The questions and your answers will be accessible, honestly, by anyone who finds the site. That leads to the reason some folks have pictures and some don't. One of the ways you can keep some anonymity and thereby some privacy is to not post a picture of yourself or by choosing not to make your whole name public. Also, if the Lord leads you to a place where there are things or feelings that you would really rather discuss privately you can always reach me by email and I would be happy to pray with you and walk with you through it. I would also encourage you to get connected(if you haven't already) with a life group at Cross Timbers or at your own local church so that you will have additional support.
Thank you again for these great questions which I hope I have answered for you. If not, let me know!"

Shelly: "I am feeling brave to do the study...it is a little different doing it on line with people you have never met...although, i thought maybe we could meet at the end.. that might be kinda fun.
I am just having a hard time with the blog. I'm just not sure i would jump in as much or at all.i don't know why...??
my studies in the past have been at someones home, or around a table with women and it gets pretty intimate knowing these ladies and sometimes they open up about what they are going through .. just not sure about availability of the site. am i allowed to follow the study and not really blog ? i know that its not for that purpose for people not to comment, or maybe those are more comfortable can email back and forth questions? or is that just too hard to keep up with???

Me: You are absolutely allowed to follow along without posting! You do what you feel comfortable with. Come join us and feel free to "kick the tires" if you will, check us out... see how you feel about it. If you like it you can jump in. in whatever way you like. I do hope if you stay that you will 'follow' the blog so we can know you have decided to stay ! :) If it's not for you don't worry at all about it. You can try some of the other studies that are available. Today is actually the kick off day for G.R.O.W. so there are some other options for you if you find online is just not a good fit for you. Either way it has been wonderful chatting with you and if you need anything or if I can be of any help to you please let me know! If you are ever here on the Argyle campus during the week come say hello! My desk is in the Argyle West lobby. :) Be blessed today, daughter of the King :)"

Like I said .. those were GREAT questions huh?? Mom's always right! :)Thanks again Shelly for allowing others to be blessed by you!

I hope that you are encouraged by these and that if you have any other concerns that you will let me know. I am here to help and I love every minute of it!
Blessings,
KP