Wolfe Stew

It is hot and dry. I am so ready for rain! April promises showers, and this year, I certainly am praying that it delivers them. How are things going for you? Are you hot, dry, and ready for rain too?  We're heading into testing season. Which means our schedules look different, and we're in encouragement mode. I bet you're in the same boat. Whatever your outlook on testing is, we hope you are looking to the rainbow at the end: after it's over, you get one more month to enjoy your learners this year. We hope you make the most of every moment. Know we're looking for the rainbow too! Resources to Support You in Your April Journey: April 2026 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational)  April 2026 Growth for Today Calendar  (personal growth, Bible study) April 2026 Ideas for EVERY Day View the  current month's calendar   at the Learning Lab Tab. Or download your  April 2026 calendar  through  OneDrive . View...

These notes follow our  7-step rhythm  for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the  English Standard Version (ESV)  translation. The Journey to Bethlehem (From  Luke 2:4-7 ) Annotation Notes ,  Summary ,  N/W/L Statements ,  Key Verse ,  God's Character ,  Prayer ,  Action   Brothers Walking  by jatocreate at Pixabay 1. Annotation Notes ?  Denotes a question, *   a personal thought,  x  a cross reference,  !  a connection, and  italics  a referenced source . ? Why is this the first mention of Joseph? Is his story not as important to Luke? (Luke 2:4) ? How long was the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem? (Luke 2:4) Four or five days to travel 65 miles. ( From " Mary & Joseph Go to Bethlehem " at  TheBibleJourney.org) The KJV says "taxed" instead of "registered." The NIV Cultural Background Study Bible's footnotes concur. Typically, a tax would be c...

These notes follow our  7-step rhythm  for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the  English Standard Version (ESV)  translation. Notes on Caesar Augustus and the Census (From Luke 2:1-3 ) Annotation Notes ,  Summary ,  N/W/L Statements ,  Key Verse ,  God's Character ,  Prayer ,  Action   Winter Card by addesia at Pixabay 1. Annotation Notes ?  Denotes a question, *   a personal thought,  x  a cross reference,  !  a connection, and  italics  a referenced source . ? Which Caesar is Caesar Augustus? What is his story? (Luke 2:1) The first emperor of Rome after Julius Caesar's assassination. Also known as Octavian.  Died shortly after Jesus' birth. (" What influence did Julius Caesar have on biblical history? " at GotQuestions . org .) ! A census is taken like when David ordered one so God could punish Israel. (Luke 2:1) x Again the anger of the LORD was kindled a...

These notes follow our  7-step rhythm  for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the  EasyEnglish Bible  translation. Notes on God's Promises (from verses throughout Luke 1 and  67-75 ) Annotation Notes ,  Summary ,  N/W/L Statements ,  Key Verse ,  God's Character ,  Prayer ,  Action   Winter Hope by jplenio at Pixabay 1. Annotation Notes ?  Denotes a question, *   a personal thought,  x  a cross reference,  !  a connection, and  italics  a referenced source . ?  What does Yahweh mean? Yahweh means " I am who I am ".  Exodus 3:14 God has many names, but this one is the name He gives Himself when Moses asks for it. In your Bible, you'll often see it as LORD in all capitals. It reminds us He is always present, accessible, ready to save, forgive, and guide . (" What are the different names of God, and what do they mean ?" at  GotQuestions.org ) *Go...

These notes follow our  7-step rhythm  for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the  EasyEnglish Bible  translation. Notes on John the Baptist's Birth (from  Luke 1:14-17 , 65-66 , and 76-80 ) Annotation Notes ,  Summary ,  N/W/L Statements ,  Key Verse ,  God's Character ,  Prayer ,  Action   Mountain Sunset from  Pixabay 1. Annotation Notes ?  Denotes a question, *   a personal thought,  x  a cross reference,  !  a connection, and  italics  a referenced source . ?  What does the name John mean? "Yahweh is gracious"  (" John " at  Behind the Name ) * I wonder if John saw this in his life. Surely, his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth did. But I wonder how John personally experienced Yahweh's grace . To me, John's life seems more motivated by zeal. ! The directives surrounding John's pre-birth treatment remind me of Samson . (Luke 1:15) x The L...

Wow! How March is hitting me like a wrecking ball. I'm running and feel like I can't catch up. Is this you, too? Let's take a breath and together remember that we can press on. We have a race to run and a Savior who holds our hand through it. Let's let Him be our strength; the race can only end in victory when we do. Keep Marching. Resources to Support You in Your March Journey: March 2026 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational)  March 2026 Growth for Today Calendar  (personal growth, Bible study) March 2026 Ideas for EVERY Day View the  current month's calendar   at the Learning Lab Tab. Or download your  March 2026 calendar  through  OneDrive . View  archived calendars  on our JOY for Today page. Add " Would you rather... " questions into your daily holiday festivities this February to welcome even more JOY. Or get it (for free!) at  our  TPT  store . Also, consider sampling o...

These notes follow our  7-step rhythm  for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the  EasyEnglish Bible  translation. Notes on Mary (from  Luke 1:26-56 ) Annotation Notes ,  Summary ,  N/W/L Statements ,  Key Verse ,  God's Character ,  Prayer ,  Action     ​ Snow Orchid ​ by ​ susannp4 ​ at ​ Pixabay ​ 1. Annotation Notes ?  Denotes a question, *   a personal thought,  x  a cross reference,  !  a connection, and  italics  a referenced source . ?  What does the name Mary mean? Loved or Beloved  (" Mary " at  Behind the Name ) * That Love was birthed by someone whose name means love seems purposefully poetic to me. * The Egyptian origin of the name connects with a major purpose of Jesus ministry: to help us realize that God's love is available to everyone , not just the Israelites. Especially because Egypt consistently represents Israel's oppo...

These notes follow our  7-step rhythm  for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the  EasyEnglish Bible  translation. Notes on Elizabeth (from Luke 1:5-6 , 13 ,  23-25 ,   39-45 , and 57-61 ) Annotation Notes ,  Summary ,  N/W/L Statements ,  Key Verse ,  God's Character ,  Prayer ,  Action   Winter Home by aalmeidah at Pixabay 1. Annotation Notes ?  Denotes a question, *   a personal thought,  x  a cross reference,  !  a connection, and  italics  a referenced source . ?  What does the name Elizabeth mean? God is my oath  (" Elizabeth " at  Behind the Name ) *Elizabeth shows that God is indeed her oath when she names her son John. She believes Gabriel's message to her husband, she believes Gabriel is sent by God, and she does what Zechariah was told to do. ! Elizabeth was from Aaron's lineage. Aaron, the original priest. (Luke 1:5) x  [To...