Week 6
As we are nearing the finish line of this study, I want us to start looking back over the past 20+ chapters to see what we’ve learned and how we’ve grown in this study. We’re not quite done, and we’re not stopping just yet, we still have plenty more to learn in these last few chapters but hopefully as you are reading through the next couple weeks, you can start the self reflection process of evaluating this study as a whole, how it’s impacted you, and what we can take with us moving forward!
Click here to review prior weeks.
Notes from my reading journal-
CHAPTER 20-
Bible Passages found within this chapter:
*Keep in mind, I highly recommend grabbing your Bible and flipping to these verses (preferably even a verse before and/ or after). I’m so glad Allie includes these verses within the chapters, but I still just feel a deeper connection when I’m in my actual Bible!
Matthew 6:15
Matthew 18:21-22
Romans 5:8
2 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Matthew 5:9
Romans 12:18
Luke 6:27-28
Romans 8:39
Psalm 103:12
Isaiah 43:18-19
Notes:
Forgiveness is kind of a funny thing; sure it could be something big, something in the past, like the person that got you into drugs or human trafficking, the prison guard at a concentation camp, life altering BIG stuff, but what about the smaller, everyday occurrences- the teacher that treated your kid unfairly, the kid that was mean to your child on the playground, the co worker that stole your idea, the competitor that got the promotion you had worked for? Thank God (literally thank God) I’ve never encountered a prison guard situation like Ten Boom, but I have encountered the teacher that I felt was unfairly targeting my child. What do you do in that situation? I still have to not only see, but talk to and interact with this person, on a daily basis. I still have to entrust my child’s care with this person daily; daily I’m receiving emails, calls and texts that feel strangely targeted- what then? Do I choose peace and forgiveness over my child’s wellbeing? How do I show the love of Jesus to someone making my child’s life more difficult during an already impossible time to be alive- pandemic, Russia invasion of Ukraine, inflation skyrocketing, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns out here in the “real world” so wouldn’t it be nice if schools and school teachers were a safe haven, a happy place for kids- especially LITTLE kids that have already had to live through the shut down, quarantine, and masks?! How do you exemplify forgiveness then?
Allie’s Discussion Questions:
The hardest part of forgiving someone is letting go of my own pride- the I’m right, you’re wrong, “high ground.” Often, my pride gets in the way of “stepping down” down off my high horse to be able to forgive the person that has wronged me, but even more so, my control issues get in the way. I think somehow I feel that if I don’t forgive that person, I’m controlling the situation so that it can’t repeat. If I can somehow prevent a recurrence, I won’t get hurt or angry again. But my human heart and mind, certainly are far from perfect so obviously this is an area I need to spend some serious time in prayer, seeking guidance to become more forgiving and more like Jesus!
CHAPTER 21-
Bible Passages found within this chapter:
John 8:5-11
Psalm 147:3
Allie’s Discussion Questions:
Sadly, this perverted version of sex is everywhere in our world- Hollywood, the fashion industry, the fitness industry, the food industry, think about the commercials and messages that are constantly in front of us; trying to “help” you be sexier. I think that’s one of the reasons the world does push sexuality- there’s money in it! They can sell more clothes if they can convince you these new designer trends make you look sexier; they can sell more exercise equipment if they convince you it will help you lose weight so you’re sexier; the list could go on forever, but it mainly boils down to “them” selling you stuff so that you can achieve this idea of “sexy.” Obviously, all that feeds into the sexual brokenness- we’ve been convinced by Hollywood and the media that sex is about looks, popularity, and “coolness,” instead of love, marriage, and God.
CHAPTER 22-
Bible Passages found within this chapter:
Bible Passages:
Proverbs 16:9
James 1:5
Proverbs 11:22
Proverbs 9:10
2 Corinthians 6:14
Proverbs 8:11
Proverbs 24:14
Psalm 139:7
2 Peter 1:3
Proverbs 31
Allie’s Discussion Questions:
I often get “analysis paralysis.” If given too much freedom to just make decisions; I start to evaluate every little detail, to a paralyzing degree. I wholeheartedly rely on God’s guidance with the decisions of my life because I know I am ill equipped to forge ahead alone. I think that’s one of the most freeing things of being a Christian, knowing that God has a plan, He knows the details and the overall big picture, so He is going to guide me in my decision making so that my choices fit into His plan. For me, that is living wisely- turning my decisions over to God, going to Him in prayer for guidance throughout my day- “Lord, lead, guide and direct me.” “Lord, give me the words; open my heart, open their ears. Help me to effectively communicate what it is You desire from this (potentially awkward or tense) interaction.” This is definitely something I’m actively working on in my own life. As you know, my entire blog is based on “finding my where,” seeking God’s will and purpose for my life- “WHERE” is it that you want me Lord? So to me, I’m not sure that it’s more wisdom in my life that I need, I think it’s more about trusting in God’s plan and surrendering my words, actions, and decisions (big and small) to His will; simply remembering to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) to ask for guidance throughout my days.
