Marydean Draws

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Projects, a dream, and a lesson from Samson
May 27, 2015 illustration

Projects, a dream, and a lesson from Samson

I’ve been able to work on some fun projects over the last few months, so I thought I’d share a few, and also an exciting one in the works!

I did this custom print for an adoptive family. The quote is by Fleur Conkling Heyliger.

Our church’s women’s retreat this year was about being “fearfully and wonderfully made.” I created this image for our materials and promotions.
 
 
Friends of my sisters in Emerald Isle, NC are starting a cheesecake business. They loved the faithfully fed print that hangs in one of their bedrooms, and decided to use the phrase for the name of their cheesecake company! They asked if I’d work my bird drawing into a logo. I have only done a few logos and am still learning, but it was really fun to see their brand come together. We created both a round and a long version of their logo, and two secondary “ff” marks. They wanted something hand-drawn that reflects their homemade values. 
 
I love how it turned out, and hope it creates a solid piece of the foundation of their business. And I hear their cheesecakes are amazing, so make sure to check them out if you’re in the area!
 
 
And this is what’s in the works. 
 
 
With this set of printables, I am trying to choose Scriptures that span the Gospel story from Genesis to Revelation, and from Creation to Fall to Redemption to Restoration. There will be a card and a coloring page for each Scripture. 

I have a dream of putting fun, visual tools into the hands of all kinds of teachers out there–mamas, Bible study leaders, mentors, missionaries, Sunday school teachers–tools that will help you communicate who God is and all that He has done for us.  But please pray God will guide me and use my art however He wants. 
 
I don’t want to take any steps without His strength, friends. My husband and I recently taught the story of Samson (we use the Gospel Story Curriculum) in Sunday school. For the first time I saw this story as one of a man blinded to his own pride. God had greatly gifted him with strength, but Sampson had forgotten its true source. In the end, he became so accustomed to functioning in (what he thought was) his own strength, that the Bible says God left Sampson and he didn’t even notice (Judges 16:20). That was a pretty sobering thought for me. Would you notice if God withdrew Himself from you? 

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Previous Printable Scripture Coloring Page: John 1:12
Next Grace for the Growing

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Welcome to the blog!

I’m Mary and I’m glad you’re here! Since 2014, I’ve been sharing encouraging words, fun Bible printables, and accessible art activities.

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In today’s Friday Chat, I’m joined by my frien In today’s Friday Chat, I’m joined by my friend Katie to talk about my Bible study pet peeves and best practices for leading Bible studies. We have both led and been part of small group Bible studies for many years, and we talk about how our ideas about the purpose of Bible study have changed over the years.

We discuss the importance of letting the Bible be complex, keeping Jesus at the center, dealing with the fear of the discussions going off the rails, and Katie’s hot take on the importance of actually praying in our small groups. You’ll also get to hear Katie’s answer to the question, “Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat?”

It’s a wide-ranging discussion that I found really helpful and challenging. You might agree or disagree with us, but that’s okay, because that’s the point we’re making. Hope you enjoy the discussion!

Mentioned in this episode:

Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering https://www.priyaparker.com/

Lectio style Bible study https://renovare.org/articles/lectio-divina-1 (for example)

Inductive study method https://www.precept.org/2023/02/what-is-inductive-bible-study/ (for example)

Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55

Orthodoxy vs Orthopraxy https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/nobody-turn-you-around/ (for example)

Moms in Prayer https://momsinprayer.org/

In case you missed it, I published the next Luke study on John the Baptist and the first part of Luke 3 this week. You can read it here:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-d53

🖤

You can find The Pictured Word podcast on Substack, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. You can also find me at www.marydeandraws.com or by searching for “Substack Marydean Draws.” 

All my Bible studies are available for anyone to read on Substack, but you can support my work by becoming a paid subscribers. Paid subscribers can download the printable study guides and coloring pages. 

You can also find my hymn art prints, cards, postcards, stickers, and Bible printables on my website. On my website or on Substack, you can sign up for my mailing list and get everything in your inbox, including new Bible studies each month and weekly newsletters.
The study in Luke is up on Substack! Here's a prev The study in Luke is up on Substack! Here's a preview of what's covered:
🖤 maps, I love maps!
🖤 Luke establishes the timeline
🖤 so many Old Testament connections
🖤 why does John have wings in this Syrian icon??

Read it all on Substack!
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-d53
These colors 😍. These colors 😍.
Part of my heart is always drawn to abstraction an Part of my heart is always drawn to abstraction and pure color play. 💕
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