author of Well-Worn Paths, a new women's bible study on joy
CATHERINE L HILL
What is joy?
Why should I be interested in “treading paths of joy”?
Well-worn paths of joy are evidence of the delightful habit of consistently walking with Jesus. However, the turmoil of the current world and the struggles of daily life often pose threats to the formation of these paths. In Well-Worn Paths: Treading Paths of Joy Through a Study of Philippians, Catherine L Hill introduces a fresh perspective of joy and charts four paths revealed in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. As you tread each path of joy, you will discover practical, biblical steps for rejoicing in what matters most, regardless of circumstances. So, join Catherine in this 7-week study as you remove rocks of doubt and fear from your path and trample the tall grasses of worry and pain. Pull on your boots and link arms with her as you begin treading well-worn paths that result in a joyful, stronger, deeper relationship with Christ.
Uplifting music for a joyful journey!
Sign up to get a specially curated, free YouTube or Spotify playlist delivered to your inbox. It’s the perfect accompaniment as you begin treading well-worn paths of joy!
Catherine L Hill
Author | Speaker
Catherine's paths
Dr. Catherine L Hill has been a curriculum designer, a math teacher, a Spanish teacher, and a stay-at-home mom. Though always an avid student of the Bible, she finds God’s calling to write rather unexpected. Nevertheless, her background in education provides her with a unique ability to find relevant connections that allow the study of Scripture to feel fresh with discovery. In addition, Catherine has always enjoyed telling stories and making concepts meaningful.
When not writing or preparing to teach a Bible Fellowship Group at her local church, Catherine will likely be walking her dog, enjoying lunch with her daughter, or spending time with her husband of 36 years. You may also find her somewhere on I-45 between Dallas and Houston slightly speeding to her son and daughter-in-law’s house. She might be in a hurry to hear her two sweet grandsons excitedly call, “My Nana!”
Want to know more about
Well-Worn Paths?
Each week consists of five individual lessons. The Scripture-based lessons are full of opportunities to make connections, discover truth, apply what you learn, and rejoice in your Savior. Below is a brief overview of the content of each week.
Week 1
A discussion of joy is problematic when different understandings of the term exist. We don’t want confusion. We want joy! Therefore, you get to explore the following questions in Week 1:
- What is joy?
- Why frame the learning process as treading paths of joy?
- Why tread paths of joy?
- With all the references to joy in the Bible, why focus on Philippians?
Week 2
In Week 2, you will spend a few delightful days in Acts getting to know Saul/Paul and looking closely at the Philippian church. We don’t want to just know about Paul and the Philippians; we want to feel like we know them! The connections you make and the contextual understanding you gain this week will give you “the lay of the land” of the book of Philippians and prepare you to study Paul’s uplifting letter to this beloved church.
Weeks 3-6
Here, the joyful path-treading begins in earnest. Each week of Weeks 3-6, you will take an in-depth look at individual chapters in Philippians. Scripture will be used to identify a vision for the path of joy in that chapter and to determine a task that will bring that vision to reality. In addition, stories of ladies who have walked those paths offer inspiration and hope. Finally, each week concludes with a page of practical, “boots on the ground” action steps that support the task.
Week 7
This may be the last week, but the treading of joyful paths has only begun! As you complete this study of joy, you will take some time to revisit key information to keep you moving forward. In addition, you will learn how to guard the joy you have worked so hard to develop. On the final day, you will make a few discoveries that tie concepts together and set the stage for you to continue joyfully treading well-worn paths with your Savior!
Well-Worn Paths also includes weekly group sessions with discussion and activities (although it could also be completed individually). While the activities are a contrast to the videos many Bible studies include, the differentiation is intentional. The design of the activities in this study gives ladies the opportunity to communicate and connect. They provide leaders the opportunity to group ladies differently in safe activities as they laugh, share, and learn together. I pray they are joyful opportunities for ladies to engage with their leader and with each other as they build a supportive community of faith.
Leaders can request access to the leader notes with sample discussion questions and activity information by clicking on the button below.
Why should you consider this study?
Reviews
Will enlighten any reader’s path to experiencing the true joy of Jesus in their life
I have known Cathy Hill since we were babies in the nursery at First Baptist Church in tiny Springlake, Texas. Her roots in God’s Word run deep, as evidenced by her faithful & committed life.
Well-Worn Paths is a Bible study born of the Holy Spirit & manifested from Cathy’s own walk along those paths of joy. Her stories of ranch life serve as a perfect backdrop and analogy for the study of Philippians.
In 15 years of leading Ladies’ Bible Study at that same little country church in Springlake, I have never taught a study as eloquently organized as Well-Worn Paths by Catherine Hill. There is a fresh consistency to her writing which allows the reader to truly grasp the lessons being taught. Throughout the study, her callback to previous teachings aids to cement each concept, while glimpses of the lessons ahead build anticipation for leaders and participants alike. She truly leads a journey down these well-worn paths by allowing the reader to discover God’s truth on their own, while always being available to guide them in the right direction. The maps Cathy provides through her charted visions & tasks for each chapter of Philippians provide clear and concise information for each week. This is an exceptional learning tool I have not seen utilized to this extent, with joyful results.
The content of this study leads to a deeper revelation of God and His Word. Cathy expertly informs study participants with knowledge of the culture and time through stories which paint a picture of life in Bible times. This study digs deep into Scripture not only in the book of Philippians, but also gleans instruction from other passages in God’s Word. She directs to deepen personal relationships with God as she challenges to continually apply the lessons learned through her “boots on the ground” sections in the book.
Well-Worn Paths by Catherine Hill is an excellent study of the book of Philippians that will enlighten any reader’s path to experiencing the true joy of Jesus in their life. —- Kelley F.
A study you will refer to repeatedly and want to share...
“Well-Worn Paths” is more than another study on Philippians. Cathy has a unique ability to take God’s word and present a clear and precise picture of God’s purpose for us and the steps needed to tread a path of Joy no matter our circumstances. It’s a study you will refer to repeatedly and want to share with others needing the hope & love of Jesus. ~ Jonna E.
Practical, powerful, and life-changing
I have been a Christian since elementary school and have had the opportunity to be involved in many wonderful Bible studies through the years. Without a doubt, Well-Worn Paths has been the most practical, powerful and life-changing study I have ever experienced. I only wish I had this study when I was younger so I could practice the truths I learned longer. ~ Carol M.
Truly a transformative study
Well-Worn Paths is truly a transformative study. Dr. Hill has written this study with context that is deep, yet understandable. Every concept that she broaches in the study is steeped in scripture. I never felt as though I was reading one person’s opinion; it was clear that scripture and the Holy Spirit had driven each thought in the study. Well-Worn Paths also effectively uses repetition which helped me truly “digest” the concepts and scripture in the study in life changing ways, in my daily thought and prayer life and beyond. I grew closer to those who participated in the study and more importantly, my intimacy with my Heavenly Father intensified. I am so grateful for this study! ~ Michelle B.
Unique approach
Dr. Hill’s unique approach to acquiring and maintaining true biblical joy is life changing. Like Paul, I have learned how to have biblical joy no matter my circumstances. ~ Bobbie G.
Amazing Bible study
I have never known a lady who has such ease, comfort, and knowledge of the Bible. Cathy has sought God’s guidance every step of the way in creating this amazing Bible Study! She is gifted in her presentation of God’s word. Thankful to call her a friend. ~ Jeri S.
"As you are treading, your Savior walks beside you. And together, you form a two-track road…well-worn paths that lead toward heaven on the horizon while producing a joyful, stronger, deeper relationship with Christ now."
~ Catherine L Hill
"Information is gained or lost easily. We want revelation! We want God-revealed truths we can hold to and apply in our lives. We want heart-understanding, not head-knowledge. We want deep-down-in-our-soul comprehension the world cannot cloud, and Satan cannot steal."
~ Catherine L Hill
Catherine L Hill
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:9, ESV)
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