This story begins in a familiar way. Last spring, a group of Executive Assistants began meeting for a BBT Bible study. As travel ramped up, and job responsibilities changed, the group decided to pause their meetings and resume in the fall.

When Fall rolled around, the group was unable to meet on its first scheduled meeting date, and they began to feel discouraged.  Many groups have started quickly, like this one, but also faded quickly in the face of scheduling priorities.

Thankfully, the story for this group hasn't ended.  They recognized that presence matters.

• Gathering together
• Working together
• Leading together

The members valued the community provided by their BBT group study so much that they doubled down.  To preserve their BBT time for Bible study and prayer, they agreed to meet a second time each week to focus solely on professionally supporting one another.  Also, to offer further support for one other and the group, each person committed to leading BBT in a weekly rotation.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

How will you gather together in a supportive community?

The Christmas season is already upon us, whether we are ready or not.  It seems its commercialized presence can be seen earlier and earlier every year—in stores, on front lawns, and inside homes.

The preparations for the holidays are usually filled with stressful hustle and bustle. But think back to that first Christmas. The preparations were vastly different as Mary accepted God’s will, humbled herself before Him, and surrendered to His plan.

Let us remember the original story and how the main characters anticipated the season. Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna all

• Experienced holy wonder
• Believed and obeyed
• Told others

To help you embrace a new approach and anticipate the season differently, consider studying BBT's four-part Christmas volume, A Savior for All People.

How will you prepare to receive joy and blessing?