Get to Know the Speakers for The Names of God Bible Study Taping

1. Which of God’s names are you writing on? How has that impacted you? 

I’m writing Sessions Two and Eight and will be focusing on the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” in Exodus 3 and the “the Alpha and the Omega” in Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13. I love that the living is so close and immanent, affiliating Himself with the patriarchs of Israel in Exodus and is also so vast, grand, and transcendent in Revelation. He is both “up there” and “right here” all at once always. He guides us as the transcendent God and shepherds us as the immanent God. He’s up there, out there, right here—everywhere! 🙂

2. What was your childhood nickname and why? 

My parents called me Kristi Belle. My friends called me “Belle.” I did have one uncle who called me “hushpuppy.” I never knew why, but I loved that he had a personal nickname for me. And, to be clear, I LOVE hushpuppies!

3. What are you most looking forward to about taping a Bible study live?  

The Scriptures are living and active and so are we. The Bible is best experienced in community, in togetherness. Bible study at its best is a “we” thing. Being able to film this study live, with many beautiful saints in the room and sharing in the moment makes it such a multiplied work. No one is a spectator. We are all participants. They will be praying us through as we teach. They are an active and vital part of the work of delivering these teachings. 

1. Which of God’s names are you writing on? How has that impacted you? 

I’m primarily focusing on Elohim (a category name rather than a character name—it’s the first name used for God in the Bible), El Elyon (God Most High), El Roi (The God Who Sees), and El Shaddai (God Almighty). I’ve been really struck by the unfolding nature of it all. Sometimes we think of God’s names as a list, but I think they’re more like layers. His names reveal His character, so each time we see a new name, we get to lean in with excited curiosity: What is God about to show me about Himself?

2. What was your childhood nickname and why?

Growing up, we spent tons of time with another family whose two girls were my closest friends. Their dad, Mr. Michael, had nicknames for everyone, and he called me Caro-looney, or variations on it, like “Looney” or “The Loon.” I don’t know if this is rooted in his silliness or mine, but when I reflect on the weird games my friends and I would play—my guess is both.

3. What are you most looking forward to about taping a Bible study live?  

The togetherness! When I’ve studied something in God’s Word and feel excited about it, I always find it really satisfying to share that with others. Better yet, since this is a group study, I get to be part of the audience when the other women are teaching, and I’m thrilled about that, too! It’ll be wonderful to lean in and learn from them.

1. Which of God’s names are you writing on? How has that impacted you? 

I am writing on 

God the Father (of the Israelites)

Jehovah Rapha (the Lord who heals)

Jehovah Mekaddishkem (The Lord who sanctifies)

and God our Abba (the church).

2. What was your childhood nickname and why? 

One nickname I had growing up was “Miss Behavin’,”—due to my mischievousness. When I was three, my family would take me into Meijer and give me the spiel: “Blair, you stay right next to me.” Not two minutes later, I was out of their sight, booking it to the toy aisle. You can also ask me about the time I ran away twice when I was three years old. 😬

3. What are you most looking forward to about taping a Bible study live?  

The opportunity we have to dwell upon the names of God—who He is, and how His name impacts our day-to-day lives—is the reason we are alive. I am excited to join women in contemplating the most important use of our time, reflecting on who our glorious God is, and asking God to help us put off our apathetic tendencies so that we hold Him in the highest place.

1. Which of God’s names are you writing on? How has that impacted you? 

I am writing on The Lord of Hosts and The God of Peace. And it thrills me because I am hanging out in the Old Testament with the minor prophets! Love me some minor prophets! The thing I love is how these two names complement and complete each other.  God has taught me how my security is in the supremacy of His name and that the Lord of Hosts fights for me, and that is just one reason I can have peace. 

2. What was your childhood nickname and why? 

My dad used to call me Jenna Bug. Not sure why he called me that but it stuck, and often, it was reduced to “bug”!  I hope that wasn’t because I was a pest?! Ha!

3. What are you most looking forward to about taping a Bible study live?  

I love learning from the other stellar Bible teachers! Seriously, I feel like I gain so much from sitting under their teaching and I know it will help me know and love God even more. 

1. Which of God’s names are you writing on? How has that impacted you? 

I am writing about several of the names/titles given to Jesus. Two of my favorites are lesser-known, or at least in my experience not talked about as often. They are “Son of David” and “Son of Abraham.” Matthew begins his Gospel with these two names, essentially giving us Jesus’s credentials as the Messiah. We know from Old Testament prophecies that the coming Messiah would have to be one descending from David’s royal line (2 Sam 7). Jesus fits this description, as One whose genealogy can be traced back to Israel’s most famous king and warrior. 

“Son of Abraham” on the other hand is also deeply significant but for different reasons. Abraham was not a celebrated king or military hero; rather he was the founding father of God’s chosen people. It was with Abraham that God made a covenant promising to make him into a great nation (Israel) that would ultimately bless all the nations of the world. So while “Son of David” is distinctly Jewish in tone, “Son of Abraham” gives us that hint that Jesus has come not only for the Jews but for anyone who would put their hope in Him.  

This impacts me personally because it reminds me that Jesus did not merely pop onto the scene out of nowhere. The Christian faith is not a recent development having sprung up without roots. All of Israel’s history was in expectation of Jesus’s arrival. God’s plan has been in motion since before the foundations of the world. I suppose the older I get, the more I take comfort in the ancient-ness of our faith.

2. What was your childhood nickname and why?  

Occasionally my mom would call me Kelbelle. While she may have only meant it as Kelbel, I am choosing to add the additional “le,” imagining she meant it as “belle of the ball.” When I played high school basketball, my coaches would not unsurprisingly refer to me simply as “Minter.”

3. What are you most looking forward to about taping a Bible study live?   

I’m looking forward to being with my co-writers and co-teachers who have turned into friends. They are all so uniquely gifted, love the Lord, and our also hilarious. They are some of the funnest and funniest people I get to be around.  

1. Which of God’s names are you writing on? How has that impacted you? 

I am writing about God the Holy Spirit (Comforter, Advocate, Teacher, Helper). The process of studying and writing about the Holy Spirit has made me reflect deeply on what it means to live a life surrendered to God and the power we’ve been given to do so. The life we are called to live as believers is impossible without the Holy Spirit, so it’s been encouraging to be reminded of that truth and a fun challenge to imagine what our lives would look like if we leaned into it more. 

2. What was your childhood nickname and why?

“W”—one of my friends started calling me by the first letter of my last name, and it just stuck! 

3. What are you most looking forward to about taping a Bible study live?  

The audience! It’s always so much fun to interact with the folks who come to the taping.