203. The TEND Method: A Scripture First Approach (with Mariel Davenport)

Guest Bio: As an atheist transformed by the Word of God, Mariel Davenport knows the power of seeking God through Scripture. She is passionate about equipping ladies of all ages to tend their souls with the Word through her TEND method. As a trained Bible teacher with Precepts Ministries and Community Bible Study and a mentor for Florish Writers and Hope Writers, Mariel currently has a Bible study contract with Our Daily Bread Publishers. Married for over 25 years to her college sweetheart, and a retired homeschool mom of two grown sons, Mariel enjoys salsa from her garden as she pursues the Gardener who tends her soul.

Show Summary: What has been your experience in your personal Bible study time? Do you often follow a study or just open your Bible? Soon after she gave her life to Christ, Mariel Davenport found herself focusing on Bible studies more than the actual Word of God. As she turned her attention back to Scripture and spent time in her salsa garden, she developed a method of Bible study called the TEND method, based on her gardening habits. Join hosts Elisa Morgan and Vivian Mabuni as they learn Mariel’s testimony and the TEND method during this insightful God Hears Her conversation.

Notes and Quotes:

“I was tending to my salsa garden that summer, and I really felt like the Lord was reminding me that is how He tends to me. It's just little by little by little. It can just be slow and methodical and intentional.” —Mariel Davenport

“If we can lean in and look at just a few verses at a time and ask ‘what is this teaching about God?’ it is amazing how He [the Holy Spirit] will illuminate that to us.” —Mariel Davenport

“We serve a triune God. He Himself is community, and He created us for community.” —Mariel Davenport

“God is pursuing the heart of every single one of us if we would just come to Him. Even in my skepticism, anger, and pride, God was still willing to reveal Himself to me when I got into His Word. He saw my need and met me right there.” —Mariel Davenport

“I really think that the more we say 'I don’t know what I’m doing,’ the more He’ll say, ‘That’s exactly where you need to be.’ Because it is in our weakness that His power is made perfect.” —Mariel Davenport

“Our need of Jesus is really the whole point.” —Mariel Davenport

“Be careful that you don’t believe the lies that you can’t understand Scripture. No matter who you are, if the Holy Spirit lives in you then you can, by the power and grace of God, understand His Word. Don’t let culture and the distractions tell you otherwise, because God is faithful to His Word and He will accomplish what He set out to do with it.” —Mariel Davenport

Verses:

Ephesians 4

Mark 13 – Jesus talking about His second coming; being on guard and awake.

Deuteronomy 29:29

Related Episodes:

• GHH Ep 146 – Reading Truth with Amanda Williams: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/reading-truth/

Links:

• Mariel Davenport’s Website: https://marieldavenport.com/
• Ruth: Finding Grace in the Unexpected: https://a.co/d/64UKS7T
• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191
• Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM
• God Hears Her Survey: http://godhearsher.org/survey