Here are just a few testimonies from previous attendees
of the Living In A Zoo? Bible Study
Lately, I have been struggling with my role as a wife and mother. The first day of the Bible study I knew God had a plan for me and He was going to show me how important being a wife and mom is.
Kelly, High Point, NC
This class has truly been a blessing! Just being around other women with the common interest of wanting to be perfected as a Christian woman, wife, and mother. It is not easy, being all three at the same time. And this class has made me more conscious of the areas that I need to work on.
Donna, Greensboro, NC
God has really shown me through this study the areas of my life that need my strict attention and I must say that as I have been putting these things into practice daily [my husband] and I both seem happier and our home is a peaceful one.
Leigh, Jamestown, NC
Beloved Brenda, what God is doing in my life is tremendous. God brought you from the “Other America” to confirm what He has planned for me. He has shown me He loves me through you. I am very grateful to God for your existence and for your willingness to bless others lives in speaking God’s Word.
Katia, Campinas Brazil
Our group has really grown! One has found Christ and all of us are seeing changes in our homes. I really needed the mothering part. Thanks for going national!
Candi, Vandalia, Ohio
Prior to this Bible study, I was feeling pretty bad and was seriously considering that my marriage was doomed. But thanks to God for directing me to the place I needed to be so that we could work on reviving my marriage and my attitude. Great strides have been made - this doesn’t mean that everything is perfect but it does mean that I have dedicated to my marriage for the long haul.
Beth, Summerfield, NC
I hadn’t realized just how much in our hurried, angry world that something like a simple title could make one stop, step back and think for a second, “Hey, that’s me!” I never knew you could find so much in the Bible just for women and that we are all important to God.
Faye, North Carolina
Since I graduated from high school I have dreamed of becoming a competent career woman. In order to make my dream come true, I thought marriage and children, cooking; cleaning would be an obstacle in doing my career. In my country and family custom, man is head of family and all family members are to obey family head. However, I could not accept that kind of authority because I thought we are humans which are to be equally treated in any positions. Finally I became a registered nurse and stood firm economically independent. However, I was always feeling empty in my heart like missing something even if working as a nurse made my life meaningful. Now I am thinking that my Lord was waiting for his time for me to fill up my emptiness. I studied Bible in my country but did not understand. After coming to this country I started going to Korean church. My heart was slowly moved to the Lord. Since being in US I become unable to control my temper, making loud voice. Communication was often unsuccessful due to language barrier and difference in morals between my country and US and made me confused and upset. Then I attended this Bible study and started prayer and reading the Bible. For the first time I look forward to marriage and relationship is missing. It opened my eyes. What a blessing it is! When I feel like losing my emotion, I ask the Lord for help. He help me follow His way.
Kim, Korea, Now living in the U.S.
I learned my attitude could make or break my home.
Dottie, High Point, NC
The following are excerpts taken from essays written by graduates of Zoo classes from all over. Graduates are asked to write from their heart and are instructed NOT to sign their essays for privacy reasons.
The very first lesson spoke to my heart. It seemed to hit just where I needed it. At this time of my life I am a wife, mom to a 15 month old and a 3 year old, and I also work outside the home. This lesson helped me see that if my devotions are just a minute here and a minute there at this stage of my life, just being in God’s Word some during the day and meditating on it is more important than how long I spend. God knows where I am in my life because He put me here, so He will honor my time in His Word, not matter how it comes to be. But it did convict me to spend some time with Him.
This class has simply been a blessing of great joy and growth to me. I was placed upon the earth to serve the Lord, be a wife and mother. (And that is an honorable thing). I don’t have to have a career outside the home to be valuable to society. I have enjoyed this study in so many different ways, practical advice about being a mother, biblical references and funny antidotes.
I was living in a zoo and close to being consumed. I have been blessed with tools that I know were available but I was not using. Through this class I have been revived every single class gave me a new insight to God’s plan for me as a woman.
This class has helped me to be a more rounded person spiritually, physically, & mentally. Overall the class has helped me to think about myself and what is going on in my life. This class has taught me to stop and think about what God wants in my life and to do with my life and also how to lead my life.
Well, to begin with, this study was not what I thought it would be. After about 3 weeks I thought it was nothing in it for me! I was wrong! Although I do not have any small children anymore, I began to realize there was a lot in this study for me. I have 2 grandchildren. We live close and I have a close relationship with them. What I have learned here will help me bridge the gap when teenage hood kicks in.
Being a new mother, I never realized how much time and energy it takes to be a good mother. The lessons on being a protective (Exodus 2:1), disciplined (Titus 2:4) and loving mother (Titus 2:4) spoke to my heart the most, I am trying to be more disciplined with my time. I can relate to the Garden Bridge mother in the lesson Crusty Kids and Crumbling Moms. I have tried to be more organized with my time.
The most important information that was helpful to me at this time of my life was about motherhood being a very precious assignment, a position of monumental importance. The Titus 2 scripture really helped me to change my attitude and behavior when dealing with my son. Before understanding this, I was very upset, angry and rude to my child because of his illness. I would often ask Why is my child different than other kids? Because of coming to this class, I have realized to accept my child as an individual and to love him as he is. God has created him and I will love him dearly….I am not getting upset or angry with him anymore. I am more relaxed and at peace with my child now.
The most important thing I had to learn came from Me Jane, You Tarzan. On the second day of that week we were to do the “Pie for Papa Bear”. Boy was I surprised! It was a total shock for me to see how much time I had allowed myself to dwell on his faults instead of his attributes. I could go week by week and tell you how God has used this study to teach me and grow me.
I had never thought about what line upon line, precept upon precept meant. I guess I thought that after you tell your child something they would know it. What I learned from this study is that you keep teaching the same thing to them over and over. Looking at Jesus response to Nicodemus was a revelation. I saw how he questioned Jesus again and again but our Savior never got tired or frustrated at answering and teaching him. He is our best guide and teacher on parenting.The “Pie for Papa Bear” literally changed my life and my husbands.
In reviewing all the lessons, the one topic that shined a spotlight on an area I need to revisit was achieving emotional balance. I didn’t realize why I was so frustrated, irritated and ultimately angry until I saw myself on the emotional roller coaster. This lesson and a subsequent conversation with Brenda helped me to see where and why I had lost my focus. I have enjoyed this study immensely. The changes I am making in my attitude, and my attitude toward my duties as a wife is making my husband and I happier people, and much happier and easier to live with.
Where do I start? I have learned so much through this study. God has used this study to change my heart in so many ways….I have also noticed how much I set the tone in the house. A couple of times I even tested it. Boy was I surprised! When I was down, they were down. Up and they were up and so on..thanks for showing me God’s truths for me as a wife and mother. I know now that all I do is not in vain.
This class has helped me be a more well rounded person spiritually, physically and mentally. Sometimes after marriage and a child you forget your self-worth. These weeks just made me think about why I keep doing what I do and it is a reminder of why I enjoy what I do. I have learned to turn my thoughts and feelings into positives. This is making me and my household a lot happier. I am getting a lot more done and I am a lot happier doing it.