Bible studies on life essentials:
Bread to Strengthen the Heart

In Bread to Strengthen the Heart, a study of biblical banquets, 10 lessons take you through the steps of a banquet, from invitation to cleanup, and conclude with a joyful feast.

Author Heidi Regier Krieder, pastor of Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, Kan., begins each lesson with a story of a present-day meal from settings around the world.  Sessions end with focused discussion, sharing, and prayer around the table. “Food for Thought” sections offer guidance for private journaling between gatherings.

Life is short: start with dessert in this sample lesson (PDF).

Links and extra resources: Here are some suggested menus for the closing celebration service, plus a link to a helpful article about ministering to women with eating disorders.  And don't miss the great food stories that came out of the Mennonite World Conference assembly in summer 2003: "Children See God's Hand in Full Plates of Food" and "Feeding the 7,000."

Abbreviated Bible study lessons have been translated into Spanish, available in two easily printable .pdf files (you will need Adobe Acrobat).  Print the pages back-to-back and fold into a booklet.  Here is the cover and the inside pages. On-line Spanish language devotionals on Philippians are also available.

Here’s how to order Bread to Strengthen the Heart.  

Study contents

•    The Invitation—Receive God’s Grace (Come to the God’s great banquet!)
•    Waiting for the Day to Come—Do Justice (Hunger, the anti-feast, as experienced by Hagar and the widow of Zarephath)
•    Preparation and Welcome—Practice Hospitality (Sarah and Abraham entertain angels, Martha and Mary prepare a meal for Jesus)
•    The Appetizer—Live in Hope, Work for Peace (Abigail averts warfare through a gift of food)
•    Table Grace—Give Thanks (The risen Christ blesses bread)
•    The Main Course—Trust in God (God provides manna in the wilderness)
•    Dessert—Celebrate! (The best is saved for last at a Cana wedding; read this sample lesson)
•    Lingering at the Table—Be Reconciled (Joseph reconciles with his brothers, and Jesus makes breakfast for Peter, who denied him)
•    Farewell—Remember (The Lord’s supper: the most important feast of all)
•    Clean Up—Find Grace in the Everyday (Leftovers are collected after the feeding of the thousands)
•    A Feast for Body and Soul

To order additional copies
    U.S. residents: Order study guides by sending checks (made out to Mennonite Women USA) for $5 U.S. per copy to the MW USA office.  Use this order form.
    Canadian residents: Order guides directly from the Canadian Mennonite Resource Centre; cost (which will be billed) is $6 Cdn. plus postage and GST.  E-mail your order or call toll free: (866) 888-6785.

Canadian Women in Mission and Mennonite Women USA work together to produce annual Bible study guides for Anabaptist women.  Return to the Bible study guide home page.