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Closer: Discovering God’s Personal, Purposeful, Praiseworthy Character

Overview

This introductory session invites women to journey through “Closer,” an expanded Bible study that traces God’s personal, purposeful, and praiseworthy work in Scripture and in our own lives. The speaker highlights new lessons from Acts and testimonies from women in the church, shares how she catalogued 46 Holy-Spirit encounters, and encourages participants to recognize their own “God stories.” The study is meant to be experienced in community, drawing one another nearer to God as He continually draws near to us.

Themes

God’s Character on Display

• The study will spotlight God’s personal involvement, intentional purposes, and praiseworthy deeds revealed in biblical narratives.
• Because “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” His character seen in Scripture remains active in believers’ lives today.

Remembering Personal Holy-Spirit Moments

• The speaker typed out 46 unmistakable times the Holy Spirit met, guided, convicted, or comforted her.
• Writing the list became a strong encouragement; she urges listeners to do the same to heighten awareness of God’s continual presence.

• Practical prompt: Note both dramatic and ordinary moments—many pass unnoticed until we intentionally reflect.

Everyday Whispers over the Dramatic

• While miracles are celebrated, the Holy Spirit is often found in “everyday whispers.”
• Cultivating attentiveness trains the heart to recognize God’s subtle leading as readily as His obvious interventions.

The Gift of Community

• Scripture calls believers to “encourage and build one another up,” so walking through “Closer” in a life group is strongly recommended.
• Small-group discussion deepens insight, accountability, and shared celebration of God’s work.

Key Truths

• God’s personal, purposeful, praiseworthy nature is consistent across Scripture and our lives.
• Deliberately recalling Holy-Spirit encounters strengthens faith and gratitude.
• Many divine interactions come as quiet prompts rather than spectacular miracles.
• Spiritual growth is multiplied in community that encourages and builds up one another.

Response

• Set aside time this week to list personal Holy-Spirit encounters—aim for as many as come to mind.
• Ask God daily to heighten your awareness of His presence in ordinary moments.
• Join or form a life group to go through the “Closer” study together.
• Share at least one recent “God story” with a sister in Christ to encourage mutual faith.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for being such a good, faithful God throughout our lives, and we want to draw near to You. We know You draw close to us, Father, and no matter how close we can get, we know there is still a deeper level of closeness that we seek. Father, would You help us to grow in our awareness of Your presence in our lives, so we will know You more closely and glorify You in every single way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Resources

• “Closer” Bible study (updated and expanded from last year’s “Draw Near”).