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- What is Unexpected Love Bible Study and Devotional all about?
“An unexpected love surged through me the moment I saw my baby for the very first time.” Julie Johnson.
Unexpected Love is a 53 daily or weekly devotional containing breathtaking images and heartfelt letters from parent to child grounded in the Word of God. Each devotional contains a scripture reference, video and questions for further study. Ideal for families, youth groups, small groups, women’s bible studies, mentorship programs and more.
Designed to encourage believers to think and seekers to believe.
Julie Johnson and Stacey Weeks combine their unique gifts and talents to celebrate the unexpected love we experience for our children while touching on the trials and tribulations that come with being raised in a sinful, self-centered, pleasure seeking world.
Unexpected Love will encourage you, comfort you and perhaps give voice to those things you want to say but cannot find the words to express. More importantly, it will, Lord willing, deepen your understanding of God’s unconditional love for you and confirm in your heart that unlike parental love, God’s love is flawless.
Only God loves perfectly all the time, not because we are loveable, but because that is who He is. Perfect love.
Subscribe to the blog for easy access to the 53 stand alone devotionals, videos, questions, leaders copy, discussion group, prayer wall, testimony page and more. Join the discussion, ask questions or help others by answering questions, sharing experiences, posting links to helpful God centred videos, articles, podcasts, sermons and more.
- How do I use the Unexpected Love Bible Study and Devotional?
You can use Unexpected Love in various ways. You can do the devotional, video and questions, by yourself, as a family, with a friend or in a group setting.
There are 53 devotionals with videos. One for each week of the year, plus one. We suggest setting aside a minimum of 30 minutes per devotional. Some will require more time, depending on the content and the questions and conversations that will occur from the video.
We suggest downloading the leaders copy and printing it out, so that you have the script from the book, video and questions available, with space to write out your answers and thoughts.
Subscribe to the blog for easy access to the 53 stand alone devotionals, videos, questions, leaders copy, discussion group, prayer wall, testimony page and more. Join the discussion, ask questions or help others by answering questions, sharing experiences, posting links to helpful God centred videos, articles, podcasts, sermons and more.
- How would I use the Unexpected Love Bible Study and Devotional as a group study?
Set up an area where people can gather around a TV or computer to watch the devotional video, read the devotional page and review the questions.
We suggest getting the leaders copy and printing it out, so that you have the script from the book, video and questions available, with space to write out your answers and thoughts.
- What age group is Unexpected Love intended for?
For all age groups, although we recommend reviewing video content before presenting it to younger audiences.
- Should I review the video’s before showing my children?
Yes, we strongly recommend you review the content before viewing with younger audiences. Some videos maybe for older children and don’t necessary apply to younger children.
Questions will arise from the video’s and we suggest you are prepared for your children’s possible questions.
- How long should each devotional and questions take?
We recommend setting aside a minimum of half an hour per devotional, video and questions. The devotionals are one page, with scripture at the end of each page. The videos are on average two and half to three minutes long. There are normally at least three questions at the end of each video, which are designed to stir up conversations and questions.
- Can I cancel at anytime?
Yes, although we will be sorry to see you go.
- I can’t see the video.
Try refreshing the page. Try clearing your cache on your computer. You can google how to do that for your computer. Try viewing the video on a different computer or device.
- Is my information confidential?
Yes, we at Unexpected Love will keep all personal information submitted private. Any information posted by you will be seen by the other members. We suggest using discernment when posting names of people and details.
- Who will pray for me?
The team at Unexpected Love will commit to pray for each prayer request posted but more so, we covert the prayers of the members. We strive to have a community of people all praying for each other as we move through this life together, in Christ.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 – ESV
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16 – ESV
- Do I have to contribute to the blog conversations?
No, you don’t need to contribute but we would love it if everyone would contribute and help build each other up in Christ.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 – ESV
- Why should I subscribe to the blog?
You will gain access to the pages of the book, videos, questions, leaders copy, discussion group, prayer wall and testimony page, all in one easy to use area.
The discussion group will not only deal with discussions on the topic of the page, with other members but will also feature, links to articles, websites and other helpful information to navigate the questions you or your group may have.
The leaders copy will give you a printable copy of the script from the book and the videos, including the questions.
The prayer wall will give you access to like minded people, who are struggling with the similar situations, that will lift you up in prayer.
The testimony page will give you encouragement to the goodness of Christ’s work in our lives and help you to pursue and run the race for Christ.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 – ESV
- Do I need a copy of the hard cover book?
No, you don’t need a copy of the hard cover book to do the bible study and devotional.
- How can I get a copy of the hard cover book?
You can purchase a copy from Amazon or your local Christian book store, providing they carry it.
- Do I need a copy of the digital book and the hard cover book?
No, you don’t need both. Either version will work for the bible study and devotional.
- I have a hard cover book, how do I gain access to the videos?
Email us at [email protected] with your proof of purchase.
- How do I subscribe to the blog?
Click on the scribe link on the blog site. It will take you to an information about you page and payment screen.
- How much is the monthly subscription?
US$10 per month
- How much is the yearly subscription?
US$52 per year
- How do I contact Unexpected Love team?
You can contact us via email at [email protected]
- Who is Julie Johnson?
Julie Johnson is an award-winning Canadian-born, professional photographer living in Burlington, Ontario. She is a mother of three adult children, a son-in-law and just became a grandmother in June of 2018 to a beautiful girl named Winsley (see photos below).
She has a host of successful publications featuring her captivating photography including Prayers for My Baby Girl and Prayers for My Baby Boy, Welcome to Our Table, A Friendship to Bark About, You’re the Cat’s Meow and others.
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- Who is Stacey Weeks?
Stacey is a writer, pastor’s wife and mother of three children. She resides in Brantford, Ontario.
HER TESTIMONY: When Christ called me as His own, I surrendered my life to Him and began, for the first time, to live with true hope. Because of Christ, God cleanses me when I need forgiveness. Christ’s selflessness and holiness atones for my sin and selfishness. His perfect provision is limitless and contrasts with my limited ability and power to accomplish anything of value on my own. In light of who He is, His continuing work in me, and His love for me, I stand in awe before Him, offering myself and all I do for His glory—be it writing, homeschooling our three children, or serving in ministry alongside my husband.
Stacey’s credits include her debut novel, The Builder’s Reluctant Bride (Pelican Book Group, 2016), a contributor to From the Front Row: Encouragement from Ministry Wives (Harvest Bible Fellowship 2015), articles in Canadian Family, Just Between Us, and the MB Herald. Stacey has written for Gospel Light Publishing House, Standard Publishing, Promise Keepers, the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, and the St. Catharines Standard.
Rules:
No judging
No bullying
No rudeness
No obscene language or posts
A community of believers, who don’t know each other, yet are bonded together in Christ.
