In this conversation, Kristi McLelland shares her background growing up in rural Mississippi and her journey of faith. She talks about her passion for teaching the Bible and the importance of experiencing it in community. Kristi also discusses the impact of losing her father and the significance of finding and nurturing a supportive community. She shares the story of how Mandisa, a dear friend, played a pivotal role in getting her Bible study, Jesus and Women, published. Kristi and Shannon discuss the importance of finding sacred rhythms in life, making decisions based on the grace of God, and getting in the flow of the river of God's work. They emphasize the need to pay attention to the seasons and eras of life and to be generous with saying no to opportunities that are not aligned with God's leading. They also talk about the beauty of the kingdom of God and the renewal and beauty that God is constantly bringing. 

Keywords
faith, Bible teaching, community, loss, father, Mandisa, Jesus and Women, sacred rhythms, grace of God, seasons of life, saying no, kingdom of God, renewal, beauty, Israel

Takeaways

• Growing up in rural Mississippi, Kristi McLelland had a hunger for the Word of God but had no outlet for teaching it as a woman in her church.
• Kristi emphasizes the importance of experiencing the Bible in community, just as Jesus did in the synagogues, and the richness that comes from feasting on the Word together.
• Kristi's community of friends, whom she met through church and serving together, has been a source of support and love throughout her life.
• When making decisions, it is important to consider whether the grace to do something has lifted, indicating a transition or a new season.
• Being generous with saying no to opportunities that are not aligned with God's leading can help us stay focused and avoid spreading ourselves too thin.
• The kingdom of God is constantly moving and growing, and we are called to get in the flow of God's work.
• There is beauty and renewal happening in the world, and when we ask to see it, we can experience it in a deeper way.

Sound Bites

• "The Bible moved from something to know as a way to experience someone."
• "The Word of God is like a table set for us."
• "We got to know each other through serving together."
• "It has become my most sacred spiritual rhythm."
• "God, has the grace to do this lifted?"
• "Transition is just as much a part of the spiritual journey as the Genesis and the journey itself."

Chapters

00:00 | Welcome to the Everything Made Beautiful Podcast

12:27 | Feasting on the Scriptures and Finding Community

20:43 | The Impact of Loss and the Legacy of Loved Ones

27:34 | The Power of True Friendship and Support

31:19 | Honoring Mandisa: A Catalyst for 'Jesus and Women'

34:37 | The Joy and Companionship of Chester

35:30 | Finding Sacred Rhythms and Spiritual Practices

41:30 | Discerning the Grace to Do Something

45:08 | Embracing Transitions and Seasons

57:19 | Getting in the River of God's Movement

01:06:41 | EMB Close

Links:
Kristi's website: https://www.newlensbiblicalstudies.com/
Kristi's books & Bible studies: https://shorturl.at/BtmXK
Kristi's podcast: https://www.accessmore.com/pd/Pearls-with-Kristi-McLelland
Kristi's online courses: https://www.newlensbiblicalstudies.com/onlinecourses/
Kristi's upcoming Israel trip: https://www.inspirationtravel.com/event/experience-israel-kristi-mclelland