What are you waiting for? We are all waiting for something. How are you waiting? What are you doing in the times of waiting? I recently had the opportunity to review a Bible Study, In the Waiting by Jazmin Frank.

About In the Waiting

Jazmin describes the book this way:

We’re all waiting for something—change, healing, freedom, connection, community, deliverance. We get to decide how we handle that waiting. Do we focus on the thing we want, or do we learn how to encounter the God who is with us in the waiting?

In the Waiting is a 40-day journey through Scripture as we come alongside others who waited. Through their stories, we’ll learn how to wait well, what not to do while we wait, and most importantly, how to draw near to God in seasons of wanting.

How the Study is Set Up

As mentioned this is a 40-day study. Each day looks at an individual or event and how that person waited. There is a passage to read. The title page has space for you to write your own thoughts, questions, and comments from reading the passage. I like that idea of just giving you space to think before looking at the study.

The study is basically arranged chronologically through the Bible. There is a bit of narrative on the situation and then some reflection questions for you to answer. I found the lessons took me 10-15 minutes.

I did the study as an e-book, but I highly recommend that you purchase the book. It is just easier to have a place to write.

My Thoughts on the Study

I like Bible studies that go deep and make you think. This study intrigued me by the thought of going through Scripture and looking at various individuals.

I am going to just highlight a few of the individuals and the type of waiting along with some of my thoughts.

Rebekah – Don’t Manipulate Your Wait. Prior to giving birth Rebekah was told that the younger would serve the older. Rebekah didn’t do a very good job waiting for God to work out the details. She took things into her own hands and manipulated. She twisted God’ promise instead of waiting. This gave me something to ponder. I don’t know if I would have thought of Rebekah this way but after the study, I can see how she manipulated things instead of waiting. It can be a warning to each of us as to how we need to wait.

Caleb – When the Waiting Isn’t Your Fault. I don’t think I ever thought about the fact that Caleb was waiting and it wasn’t his fault. In fact, everything he did had been done correctly, obediently yet he had to wait. This was a good reminder to me as I think about waiting. It does challenge me to have the correct attitude during the waiting.

Jonah – Check Your Attitude. Remember in chapter 4 of Jonah how he is sitting outside the city waiting for God to destroy Ninevah. His waiting was for the wrong thing. Check the heart. Are you waiting for the right thing?

I loved the way the study revealed various types of waiting both good and bad.

Martha and Mary – Sit with Jesus. I thought here the author brought out a point that made me think. Martha is busy and working hard to get things ready for the company that came. Mary is ignoring all of that for the opportunity to set and Jesus’ feet and listen to him. The point that was made was that Jesus called out Martha for her worries.

I could share more but I really think more than just reading my thoughts and reflections, you should just get a copy and go through the study.

It is designed to be done individually or in a group. At the end of the book, there are leader’s notes.

I am thankful that in my time of waiting I was able to review this study. It encouraged and challenged me.