Bible studies on life essentials:
Clothe Yourself in Love

It’s time to dress up! Clothe Yourself in Love by Jennifer Davis Sensenig, associate pastor of Pasadena (Calif.) Mennonite Church, concludes our three-part Bible study series on life essentials: food, shelter, and clothing. A challenging yet hopeful study, Clothe Yourself in Love includes present-day stories, discussion questions, plus “Outerwear” and “Innerwear” sections: ideas for putting our beliefs into action and questions for private journaling.

For groups that prefer short devotionals, a 10-minute version of each of the 10 lessons is included in the study guide.

This Bible study guide also includes a Christmas program by Rachel Miller Jacobs, South Bend, Ind., an Easter program by Melissa Miller, Winnipeg, Man., and a litany for the installation of leaders by Elaine W. Good, Lititz, Pa.

Copies may be purchased for $7. Send checks to Mennonite Women USA, P. O. Box 347, Newton, KS  67114; (800)794-5101, ext. 227.

Bonus features available here (PDF format):
•  A printable bookmark listing the scriptures and themes for each lesson. Give one to each group member as a reminder of scriptures to read before your meeting. If you like, there's room to write in the dates of each coming meeting.
•  A printable compilation of the “Innerwear” questions for private journaling: the first version can be cut apart and distributed at each gathering, while the second version lists suggestions for all 10 lessons.
•  A printable compilation of the “Outerwear” group activities on each lesson's theme.
•  A printable copy of the lesson 11 game: Clothing in the hymnal (answers found in the Bible study booklet).
•  Clothing-related stories and poems can be found everywhere. You can listen to Rita Forman's beautiful poem, "I Wear Prayers Like Shoes," through National Public Radio. "A Comfortable Fit" by Polly Ann Brown is found at DreamSeeker magazine.  Rhoda Janzen's "Essentials of the Mennonite Wardrobe" is in Mennonite Life; another issue features an article comparing traditional Mennonite plain dress with Muslim women's clothing. This prayer from Presbyterian Women is suitable for sharing in a group session.
•  Lesson 5 talks about injustices in the garment industry.  Mennonite Mission Network worker Charletta Erb in London has been involved with The Big Dress, a campaign to raise awareness of these issues -- while creating the world's largest dress.
•  Mennonite Women USA has posted instructions for making prayer shawls. In "PeaceSigns," the e-newsletter of the Peace and Justice Support Network, Susan Mark Landis describes her own ventures into creating prayer shawls, scarves, and hats.
•  This lighthearted collection of quotations about clothing might be used to promote your Bible study (print a different quote with an announcement in your church bulletin for several weeks before your study begins, for example). Or choose a few to read each session as an opening icebreaker.  Some are just silly, but others could prompt interesting conversation!
•  Diez devocionales en español (con la portada).

Here’s a sample Bible study lesson -- plus an article about the fun one women's group had with this study.  Here's how to order.

Study contents

•    Specially Dressed—Joseph’s special coat symbolizes the favoritism, envy and dysfunction that soil the fabric of his family’s life together
•    Wisdom in Work Clothes—The Virtuous Wife of Proverbs 31 girds herself in strength and dignity
•    In Disguise—Rebekah uses Esau’s garments to trick her husband into giving his blessing to Jacob
•    Rags or Riches—The epistle of James warns the early Jerusalem church from favoring those dressed to the nines
•    No Sweat—Isaiah condemns the bejeweled women of Jerusalem who care for nothing but their own pleasure
•    Symbols and Sackcloth—Confronted by Jonah, all the inhabitants of Ninevah, animals included, repent in sackcloth
•    Show and Tell—Dorcas is remembered through the tunics she made
•    Dress Code—Colossians 3 describes proper attire for the Christian community: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, love
•    Dressed for Success—The armor of God equips us to fight evil
•    Laundry Day—Revelation calls the church to get cleaned up and dress in the white robes of holiness
•    Wardrobe of the Messiah—A closing celebration

Canadian Women in Mission and Mennonite Women USA work together to produce annual Bible study guides for Anabaptist women.  

Also available:
Secure in God's House, a study of shelter in the Bible
Bread to Strengthen the Heart, a study of banquets in the Bible
Joy for the Journey, a study of Philippians (Call Us Anew part 1)
How Then Shall We Live?, a study of the Sermon on the Mount (Call Us Anew part 2)

Special offer: Order the complete three-part set of this women’s Bible study on life essentials (food, clothing, and shelter) for just $12 U.S./Cdn. Offer good while supplies last.

To order additional copies
    U.S. residents: Order study guides by sending checks (made out to Mennonite Women USA) for $7 U.S. per copy to the MW USA office. Use our order form.
    Canadian residents: Order guides directly from the Canadian Mennonite Resource Centre; cost (which will be billed) is $7 Cdn. plus postage and GST.  E-mail your order or call toll free: (866) 888-6785.

Please specify which study guide you wish to receive.