I am Catholic! I feel like I need to shout that out because I feel like I used to know a lot of Catholics growing up, but somewhere along the way, that changed. Now I know a lot of Christians, but not a lot that are specifically Catholic. I’m not sure why, but I never learned about Bible study growing up. I was pretty heavily involved in the church (being part of the choir, teaching first communion and first reconciliation class, leading/teaching part of vacation Bible school, taking part in confirmation retreat team, and getting my DDA [#148], among many other things), but I don’t remember learning about studying the Bible. I saw it as something that other Christian faiths included, but it wasn’t Catholic. This makes absolutely no sense, but that’s what I thought.

Needless to say, I had never purchased a Bible study, or opened my Bible to study it in any way. But I kept hearing friends and acquaintances mention that they did Bible study. I’m in a group of moms that are all linked by our need to learn more about productivity, time management and goal setting. A common theme that I noticed was that many of the other moms had a Bible study habit built into their days or into their weeks. I set a goal to learn how to study my Bible in order to feel more connected to my faith, and to have a greater understanding of God’s wisdom and ways.

A Quick Backstory

When I first discovered Richie Soares, it was around the time of the Homeschool Mom Summit: Winter Refresh Edition in January 2023. I joined her Facebook group, and got the free pass to her summit. At the time, I was nursing which meant I was up half the night, and I was usually playing on my phone so I wouldn’t end up falling asleep with my little boy on the recliner. Looking back at the access page, there were 69 presentations during the summit. I binged 66 over the course of the week, mostly overnight with earbuds. I couldn’t get enough of this amazing summit that Richie had created. At that point, I decided that I would never NOT buy the VIP pass to one of her summits. She was way too good at coordinating speakers, finding topics that resonated, and making it obvious just how much helping others means to her. I also loved the resources she shared from her Homeschool and Humor site, and mentioned them in my review of our first year of homeschooling.

During the Homeschool Mom Summit: Fall Into Learning in October 2023, I had the chance to start to get to know Richie on a more personal level and discovered that she is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. She is filled with love and gratitude, and will respond like a true mama bear if she feels like her children, or her friends, are under attack. During and after the summit, there was talk of creating a Bible study group. With my desire to learn about Bible study, the timing was perfect for me. Despite my lack of experience, I decided to join the group and was welcomed with open arms by each of the ladies (shout out to Cassy, Stacie, Jen, and Richie, the original group, as well as the welcome additions!). Our first monthly Bible study was this Wisdom Bible Study that Richie created. 

About the Wisdom Bible Study

When you open the Wisdom Bible Study, there are 10 pages devoted to providing information. Richie shares what Biblical wisdom is, how the study will be structured, and ways to engage with the study, including ways to stay connected if you want to experience the study with the group. She also shares Bible study tools, including both the pages she provides to dive deeper into the topic, as well as a variety of apps that can assist you when you do this Bible study, or any other one you choose. Even more important for me as a Bible study newbie, she shares a specific method for Bible study and explains each step and why they’re helpful. She also provides tips on how to interpret scripture.

Each week includes a page overview so that you know what to expect, and each day includes a prayer, quoted scripture, a ton of information to help you understand the verse and how it relates to wisdom, and reflection and/or practical application of the verse. There are additional reflection questions for the day, and information on how you can extend your study by reading other verses and reflecting on them yourself.

Overall Thoughts on the Wisdom Bible Study

I feel that I was extremely fortunate to come across this Bible study when I did. Being in a group that all went through the study together, I learned a lot about God’s wisdom, but I also learned about Bible studies in general. I loved the study because I felt like it was a perfect study for a newbie, for someone who had never learned how to study the Bible. Although you would find extra benefits by engaging with the apps and using the Bible study tools that Richie mentioned, it was also all-inclusive. Even if I didn’t have my Bible (or phone to look at a Bible app), I would have felt like I was learning and studying the Bible due to the included text of the verses, the information and explanations, and the reflection questions. Plus, each of these aspects taught me ways to study the Bible, even if I wasn’t following a written (purchased) study.

Here’s the thing I find amazing. My Bible study group includes ladies that have been participating in and/or leading Bible study groups for years – including a preacher’s kid, so she’s probably been doing it her entire life. Yet despite our differing levels of experience in studying the Bible, they each loved the Wisdom Bible Study, too! Somehow, Richie was able to create a study that transcended experience level and provided opportunities for each of us to learn comfortably together. Oftentimes, I was unable to read all of the days before we met, but I was able to contribute to the conversation because this Bible study just worked for all of us.

Since completing the Wisdom Bible Study, our group has been meeting weekly for other Bible study opportunities. And I’ve learned that not all Bible studies are created equally. We worked on another Bible study in December, and it felt different. If I didn’t have a Bible app open, I wouldn’t have been able to follow any of it. Whereas Richie had encouraged looking at a variety of translations to better understand the text, the author of this study used a specific Bible translation and didn’t accommodate for using others.

If the December study had been my first exposure, I likely would’ve stopped, but, based on this dichotomy of experiences, I will keep moving forward. I’m looking forward to exploring others by other authors, including some by Catholics (since there ARE Catholics that do Bible study, I just hadn’t been exposed to it growing up), so I can continue learning and growing in my faith. But I definitely feel lucky that I started with the Wisdom Bible Study.

Interview with Richie Soares

Hi Richie! Can you share a little about yourself and your business for my readers?

Absolutely! Picture someone who adores the blend of creativity, faith, and a good spreadsheet – that’s me in a nutshell! I’m a single mom homeschool mom of 3 kids: a kindergartener, a sassy 12 year old, and a teenage boy… so I’m pretty much touching all the grade level ranges and kid hormones and antics there. We homeschool year round because we love the flexibility of being lazy when we want to and then jumping deep into topics when we want to for a long period of time.

I run a platform dedicated to supporting and uplifting the homeschooling community. It’s a vibrant space where education meets inspiration, and where every day feels like a new adventure in learning and growing – both for me and the amazing families I work with. Homeschool and Humor is all about providing resources, encouragement, and a touch of humor to make the homeschooling journey a joyous and fulfilling experience.

How do you experience your faith in your life and in your homeschool?

My faith is like my trusty GPS – always guiding, occasionally recalculating when I take a wrong turn, and constantly offering the scenic route. As a single mom, my faith is not just a guide; it’s my co-pilot. Jesus is my bridegroom. He gives me strength on those days when the coffee isn’t strong enough, and wisdom when I’m navigating the unique challenges of solo parenting.

My faith is woven into our homeschooling tapestry through daily devotions, how we approach challenges, and in the way we see the world. Faith is our family’s anchor, keeping us grounded and reminding us that we’re part of something bigger. It’s about finding God in the little things – whether it’s marveling at the intricacies of a leaf during a nature walk, or spotting life lessons in math problems (because let’s face it, patience and long division go hand in hand).

In our home, faith is more than a subject – it’s the heartbeat of our day-to-day life. It’s the lens through which we view the world, giving us a perspective that’s both hopeful and grounded. As a single mom AND a homeschool mom with online businesses, leaning on my faith doesn’t just enrich our homeschool experience, it fills our home with love, resilience, and a sense of wonder at the journey we’re on together.

I love your Wisdom Bible Study and how it just worked for both me, a Bible study newbie, and for other, more experienced ladies. What inspired you to create this Bible study?

Thank you so much! The inspiration struck like a ‘eureka’ moment over a cup of coffee – as all great ideas do! I realized that we all crave depth and simplicity in our spiritual journey. So, I envisioned a Bible study that’s akin to a cozy chat with friends, where wisdom flows as freely as the coffee. I wanted something that felt inviting to newcomers and enriching for the seasoned souls. The aim was to create a space where everyone could dig into God’s Word, share insights, and come away feeling uplifted and a bit more ‘wise’ every time.

In addition to that, I personally felt the need to reprogram my thinking to align more with God’s wisdom. I found I was making far too many decisions relying on my own ‘wisdom’ and discounting God’s input. But you know where all that leads when you do that, especially over and over again. I wanted to work my own way back to God’s Wisdom, to rely on it, and to identify when He’s gifting me with it. I also wanted to remind myself that God knows all the outcomes, and even though it would be nice for Him to enlighten me with some of them, I don’t have to know “what will happen next” and to blindly have faith in Him. I know I can do this – blindly have faith in Him – because in so many circumstances, I only had His faith to lean on and He never failed me. He always took care of me, my worries, my fears, no matter what they were. 

So this Wisdom Bible Study was a way for me and for others to learn to let go of our own understandings (or misunderstandings is likely more appropriate), and to lean more into God’s still small voice. To seek Him out before making decisions. To stop and listen for His instruction.

Can you share a little about your upcoming Summit?

Oh, the upcoming Homeschool Mom Summit: Spring Collection is like the homeschool equivalent of a homeschool mom planning superpower teamup! It’s a gathering of minds, hearts, and a whole lot of practical wisdom for how to plan, schedule, and organize your homeschool as well as your home as a mama. 

We’ve got speakers lined up who are the Jedi Masters of homeschooling, ready to share their planning knowledge, from conquering curriculum to weaving in wonder and joy into your homeschool day. It’s going to be an event packed with insights, encouragement, and probably a few laughs because we all need those!

Registration opens March 4, 2024, and this 3-day virtual summit will be March 19-21, 2024, right inside our homeschool mama community platform I mentioned earlier! You can get on our waitlist right here though!

And I’m super stoked you’re a speaker and a sponsor of the Spring Summit, Kristen! I can’t wait for moms to hear all about how you manage your homeschool or home because I know what you do on a day-to-day basis and I admire how you manage it all! Your workshop will be one of the first must-watch workshops, for sure.

Where can my readers find you online?

You can find me in the usual online haunts – my website, which is a treasure trove of resources and musings, and of course, on social media, where I share snippets of our homeschool life, inspirational tidbits, and the occasional funny meme. Think of it as your virtual coffee shop where you can pop in, feel inspired, and leave with a smile. Just look up Homeschool & Humor and the community that’s off Facebook is our Homeschool & Humor Tribe community. For my socials, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and our Facebook group. But, you know, I am loving that TikTok! And I’m ramping up more videos for the Homeschool & Humor YouTube channel, so come subscribe to both places! Can’t wait to welcome you to our community! 

Thank you so much for your time! And thanks for joining us In Our Homeschool!