Wow...the comments for week 1 are great. Isn't it an eye opening experience to realize that we have idols in our lives even though we don't know who or what they are. Let's keep up the great commenting and feel free to visit back to read others comments and reply to them. We can keep some type of discussion and encouragement going.
Following are our discussion points for week 2. Feel free to throw in some other things that were important to you throughout the week.
1. Turn to p.39 of your workbook. Kelly had us read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and reminded us that we were meant to be peculiar people. Reread her words.
Let's see if we can do an acrostic of the word "peculiar" based on various ways Christ has set us apart. In other words, come up with one word that begins with a "p," then another that begins with an "e," "c," and so on.
2. Turn to p. 41. Recall our reading out of Genesis 21:1-6. Listen to verse 6. I especially love the New English Translation: "God has made me laugh." Share something with the group that God has done for you that brought you such joy or such a turnaround that it was laughable.
3. Lastly, turn to p. 49 for what I thought was one of the most powerful moments of the entire second week. Kelly said "Fear protects our idols"! How? Let's discuss that!
Ladies, I am having a blast with God this summer, I hope you are too! Stay in His Word, seek Him until He rains righteousness down on you!
Can't wait to hear from all of you.
Cynthia
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Tuesday--I so identify with Sarah. There was a time in my life that I ran ahead of God and tried to "fix" things my way. So many people were hurt and my life will always carry the scar. I never thought of that as an idol. But God was faithful and He never forsake me. After being reminded of that time through today's lesson I took inventory of my life now. Is there anything that I am trying to "fix" outside of God's timing? What an humbling thought. Idols do tend to slip in and take over.
Here goes....my acrostic of peculiar!
God's Possession
Eternity
Chosen people
Unique
Living for God (or Light)
enrIched
heArt
Royal priests
In looking at this week's study...I am reminded and have put to memory the verse from last week that was in the margin on pg. 20.
This happpened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.
2 Conrinthians 1:9
I have to remind myself of that daily. I have had several things happen lately in my life that I have had to realize that God in drawing me to a closer relationship with him. He is allowing me to see that I need him daily in ALL matters. It is like Kelly says...'that though he brings us pain, it is always for our good'.
My acrostic did not publish like I wanted. I had it all lined up. So, you will have to hold your head just right to see that peculiar does run down the middle of the words. The letters of peculiar are caps.
Oh my goodness - I can't believe how much I LOVE this study. Kelly Minter speaks in such a way that its as though we are sitting in her living room listening to the discussion around the room.
I will have to work on the acrostic "PECULIAR" and post later. But for me, the highlights of this week (and some from last week since this is the first time I've posted) are:
1) MAKE ROOM. Wow that convicted me. My life is so full I unknowingy squeeze God out.
2) I was convicted by the 2 Peter passage about how I'm NOT different from the world. I'm not seen as a stranger or alien in a world that is not my home. I have somehow blended in and no one can really tell the difference in me and my non-Christian co-worker who sits across from me.
3) I have a Hagar in my life and I didn't even realize it. When I began reading that lesson, I said, "This doesn't really apply to me." Until I read the question, "Have you ever had a time when God didn't act fast enough for you so you jumped ahead and tried to "fix" things on your own?" That, I can definitely identify with and I now realize that what I'm doing is sin.
I think the part that I could relate to the most for this week was that of Hannah. No not the barren part but rather the pain that is allowed into our lives to bring us closer to God. My problem is that I allow "fear" to protect my pain and therefore I don't always surrender to it. I keep finding myself being controlled and preoccupied by those things instead of God. Things like fear of not being loved so I push others away. Fear of not fitting in so why try. Wow I never thought how much fear entangles me and protects my false gods.
The verses on page 50 seemed so overwhelming but I am so glad that I read everyone of them. Isaiah 8:11-13 and Jeremiah 39:17 was really what I needed that day!
P - Purposely His
E - Exchanging my desires for His
C - Chosen by God
U - Undo my willful sin nature
L - Living the difference
I - Isaac's are worth the wait
A - Aliens and strangers
R - Relinquish control
Wow you ladies are great with acrostics!!! That is some great ways to share that we are a peculiar people.
Stay in God's Word and keep up the good work.
God makes me laugh frequently. I could go on with several stories of things that have happened lately that have made me laugh. Most of the time it has been when I have been trying to 'work things out with my own power' and He is there and shows me what His will is. At work we call it a 'God thing'!
One of the most memorable things that has occurred lately is...we were at the hospital with a family member, I had not prayed about the situation like I should have. I was scared and spent much of my time trying to 'manipulate the situation'. We showed up at the hospital and out comes two of my Christian friends. One being the director of the OR and the other a doctor. It was like God told me that day 'I told you I would take care of you and your family'! It was a relief! God is always in control!
In talking about fear protecting our idols....I have read pg. 49 several times. I did think that what Kelly said about FEAR is profound too. So, I went back and looked at what I consider to be my fearful things and reconsidered the idols in my life. For me, it was a new perspective.
I saw a message posted on a church sign that said "Fear ends where faith begins'. Some of you may see that on your way into Fort Smith.
Of course, I'm late.
Here's my acrostic for peculiar.
People
Everywhere will
Come
Unto his
Light
If
All of us
Reflect him!
Awesome mgpippin
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