Marydean Draws

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September 15, 2023 books that shape me•kids

A resource for teaching the Bible to kids, the Tower of Babel, + an update on my Bible study project

I recently started teaching Sunday School again and the lesson last month was on the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. After all I’ve been learning about faithful Bible reading, I knew better than to assume that I understood why the Biblical authors and compilers included that story! I found helpful information in this book by Old Testament scholar, John Walton: “The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible” (I got the Kindle version...
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August 24, 2023 all good things•reading

August Good Reads

Purely for pleasure, I have been reading through Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache murder mystery series. I just finished The Beautiful Mystery (#8 in the series). I love the way the characters in the books develop over the series. The focus of her books is not so much on the murder as the motivations and emotions of the characters involved. The Beautiful Mystery is set in an aging monastery hidden deep in the Québec woods, where a group of monks...

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July 28, 2023 Jesus speaks to women•Uncategorized

The Jesus Speaks to Women Project: Mary Magdalene and Patterns of Naming in the New Testament

Artwork: Christ and His Disciple on the Road to Emmaus by Henry Ossawa Tanner (in the public domain) If you’re following me here, you’ll know I’m expanding my series on “Jesus Speaks to Women” to a Bible study (or maybe a few Bible studies). I’m in the process of researching for the studies now, so I’ll be sharing some of the questions I’m exploring with you here on the blog. I have been researching Mary Magdalene in the Gospels....

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June 29, 2023 Jesus•Jesus speaks to women

Jesus Speaks to Women: Mary at the Empty Tomb

I am wrapping up my series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women with this final poem! This poem is based on the account of Jesus’ words spoken to Mary at his empty tomb, found in John 20:1-18.

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June 16, 2023 Jesus speaks to women

Jesus Speaks to Women: Mary (the mother) at the Cross

I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the account of Jesus’ words spoken to his mother, Mary, when he was on the cross found in John 19:25-27. This is the artwork I created for this poem: You can hear me read this poem here: my heart has beenfull of him and the yes I gavethe God I could not see be to me accordingto your word letting go since...

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June 9, 2023 Jesus speaks to women•Uncategorized

Jesus Speaks to Women: Opening Reception Recap and Thoughts

Last Friday evening was really special. It was the opening of my "Jesus Speaks to Women: Poems and Portraits" show through the Arts Incarnate program in the beautiful gallery space at The Church of the Incarnation in Harrisonburg, VA.

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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.

let’s talk about . . .

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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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