Hey Everyone! We’ve made it to Gathering 3 of our summer study! You guys are doing a fantastic job! The summer months are challenging for maintaining a discipline like in-depth Bible study. I’m tremendously blessed you’re carving out the time to take this journey with us and I am asking God to reveal His Son so powerfully to you through these pages.
SSBS Session 3 COTD from LPV on Vimeo.
If you have trouble viewing the video or simply have no time for it, here are the written discussions for you and your small group. Your answers will comprise your comments:
1. Turn to p.71 in your Week Three homework and glance down the page at the two questions on the equations. First, if you wrote any additional “minus hindrance” equations, I’m dying to hear them. Don’t stress if you didn’t add one but share it if you did. Second, were there two equations among those I listed in the lesson that resonated with you? If so, which ones and perhaps even why?
2. We’re going to do something a little different in response to Week Four. Instead of locking in on a specific question I posed in print during the week of homework, I want you to choose any day that from that week that God emphasized with you. In other words, did one day of homework stick out the most to you in your journey with Christ? If so, which one and why? Feel free to take a full paragraph in your comment to answer this question since it’s a big one.
The video for Session Five, which is completely optional in our summer study, goes into the portion of scripture that addresses healthy sexuality. If this topic resonates with you, you might consider downloading this particular session. (All of the teaching sessions can be found by clicking here.) In this session, I introduce the 28-Day Challenge, which can also be found in your workbook on pages 112-113. The rest of the study stays focused on the remaining chapters and wide range of topics found in 1st and 2nd Thessalonians but the 28-Day Challenge comes with much love to anyone who could use some help getting on a path of victory in the area of sexuality. You would do the 28-Day Challenge and the remaining 4 weeks of the study simultaneously. The 28-Day Challenge is primarily Scripture-focused prayer and would only add a few minutes to your homework. Those few minutes could be the difference between victory and defeat in an area strategically targeted by the enemy. I love you and I’ve been there. I deeply want you to know the dignity and honor of Christ’s gracious will for you.
OK!! For our next gathering in 2 weeks, please complete the homework assignments in Weeks Five and Six of the study! Here are your memory verses:
Week Five Memory Verse: (Our title verse! We have to do this one!)
“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5 ESV
Week Six Memory Verse:
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESV
Thank you for the privilege to walk with you through these eight weeks of study. PERSEVERE!!! You are already halfway! So much love to you.
Kelly, Knoxville, TN, solo
My two favorite equations:
Devastation-hindrance=trust
Disappointment-hindrance=faith
This goes with my favorite day, Day 1, more and more. After suffering through a year from hell, for lack of a better term, I have found myself almost cowering in fear waiting for the next blow to come. Three years later I am just now beginning to see how wrong that is. The commentary says “as we are more and more aware of His love, we fear less and less”. I’ve got to decide what I want to feed and what I want to starve and deal with my struggles with fear.
1. Letting go – hindrance= Spiritual Growth
2. Bible Study – hindrance = maturing in faith
The two from your list that spoke most to me were:
Childhood trauma – hindrance = testimony
My pain – hindrance = my passion
What spoke to me most from week 4 is the lesson on Day 2 Inside Out. I loved learning the term ‘theodidaktoi’ and knowing that the Holy Spirit led Paul to put this word together to name what He had done in the Thessalonians while Paul was away. It so blesses me because I resonate with how much I have grown from being ‘theodidaktoi’ over the years!
1. Broken promises – hindrance = opportunity to minister
Handicap – hindrance = hero
2. Day 4 ~ I love to be reminded why we do not grieve as those who have no hope!
Childhood trama-hindrance=Testimony
Being raised in an alcoholic home environment- hindrance=overcomer
Day one- God has an affinity for lengthening cords and extending boundaries with a person willing to be stretched.
Having finished “Experiencing God” not long ago I have felt the need to allow God to lengthen my cords and stretch my boundaries and am trying to be moldable and available. So this part really caught my attention.
Beth
Just wanted to take a moment and let you know what a blessing you are.I have done quite a few of your studies over the years, starting with “a Woman’s Heart”,and all of the ladies I have studied with including myself find your teaching, through the power of God to be wonderful. Make no doubt sweet lady,you are mightily used by God.
I’m so impressed with the equations you all came up with on your own… I’m so not creative. But the one given that spoke to me most was heartbreak-h = depth.
Day 5 “All Caught Up” “God obviously chose to leave this subject cloudy on purpose”. I’m so ok with that!!
My hindrances are always the same: anxiety and fear.
1. Goals – Anxiety = Dreams Come True
2. Talent – Fear = Success
I loved the “Mind Your Own Business” section of Day Three. I grew up in a town of 2,500 people where everyone knew everything about each other. I tend to fall back into that pattern without realizing it. The lesson showed me that I am supposed to love with as little or as much information as I have been given. Does it really matter if her uncle’s cousin’s best friend’s wife was in jail? I don’t think so.
1. Heartbreak-hindrance=depth
Disappointment-hindrance=faith
Both are interlinked with me coming to faith and growing deeper in faith and surrender to the Lord. It was through problems in my childhood and in my marriage that God used to drive me to our Lord Jesus.
I also added: Disapproval-hindrance=emotional/spiritual health. I have prayed fervently to become emotionally and spiritually whole and healthy and grow out of co-dependent approval seeking ways.
2. The video group session 4 touched my heart to the core and tears streamed when Beth encouraged us to abound in love unrestrained and keep opening our hearts again even though high cost of investment. I pray for the wisdom and strength to love with a godly love with knowledge and discernment. Therefore, Day 1 “Even More” was very compelling. That we get to decide which parts of our lives we will release to abound by opening our lives to the work of the Holy Spirit. God’s divine love is perfect and there is nothing we can do to increase His affection for us. That at any of our moments we are loved to the fullest measure by our Heavenly Father fuels me to love and trust Him “more and more”.
Equations from p. 71:
the ones that spoke the most to me
1. Disappointment-hindrance=faith
2. Insecurity-hindrance=courage
My additions:
1. Betrayal-hindrance=independence
2. Insecurity-hindrance=courage
The day of week 4 with the most significance for me was page 93 where it says: And right there in the increase, a miracle of decrease is forced into play: as we are more and more aware of His love, we fear less and less.
I suffer from anxiety and fear. I have always had problems with insecurity and feelings of inadequacy. This really helped me to realize (kind of like Dorothy and the red slippers), what I needed was always right there! I just needed to ask and He will make known to me his perfect love.
1. singleness-hindrance= gospel globetrotter
celibacy-hindrance= sexual purity
I always looked to serious boyfriends to fill a void in my life. It wasnt until I met my then to be husband that I found the true filler of life. I made a promise with my fiance to remain pure to him and God until we were married. I wish I would have known the truth before I looked to my serious boyfriends.
2. day 3 of week 4 really spoke to me esp when Beth wrote “is saying no and drawing a line coming from selfishness or good sense?” this hit home with me because I always said no to biblestudies, women groups, ect because I wasnt ready and say God wasnt calling me to do so. It has been brought up to do another study with a group of women and yet another one so 2 oppurtunites to meet with women of faith and do 3 studies total. I am looking to God to help me say yes and no and not on my own understanding. This study has been so amazing!!!!
1. I came up with:
Betrayal-Hindrance=reconciliation
Food addiction-Hindrance=health
Distraction-Hindrance=focused dedication
The ones that spoke to me the most were:
Distraction-Hindrance=focused dedication
Betrayal-hindrance=reconciliation
I believe they spoke to me the most because I am always battling the distraction of the world and my own mind.
2. Day three had the most impact on me. I struggle with allowing people to take advantage of me because I feel that it’s the “Christian thing to do”. I don’t stand up for myself because I’m worried about saying or doing the wrong thing. “Let’s listen for an inner alarm to go off if we’re about to sacrifice biblical wisdom in an attempt to act biblically.” From page 100. It was encouraging to see this from both perspectives. Paul wanted us to not take advantage of each other and that also means I do not need to allow myself to be taken advantage of. Praise God! I can ask for wisdom and wait for the prompting to step away from the situation. 🙂
1. I have to say that this hindrance portion in the study was powerful! I could not think of one that Beth already pointed out. What spoke most to me was:
What Happen – What hindered = an overcomer.
It was general and at the same time we can apply it powerfully to anything we are going through. No matter what stands in my way, or if I stand in my way I can overcome it.
2. In week 4 day 1 was powerful for me. To do more than what I am doing. I knew that I was missing something. I needed a push, I needed to know that I needed to keep going. That where I am lacking there I can increase more and more. That it isn’t too late for me. I can be blessed more and more if I keep His word close to my heart. I want this so bad.
#1 fear – hindrance = trust
worry – hindrance = faith
The two that really resonated with me are:
disappointment – hindrance = faith &
injustice – hindrance =room for God’s wrath. Disappointment
is a place I have ended up at after time of working through
anger and bitterness over how things have worked out in my
life and especially in my childrens’ and grandchildrens’
lives. It gave me much to ponder and hold on to to see
the ‘good’ that can and will come out of these times.
Such a hope-filled ‘lense’ to see trouble though. As far
as injustice it represents to me an unfair blame or biase
against someone through no fault of their own. And it is
the unendingness of the injustice, the unchangingness I
find the hardest to not let harden my heart. But to see
my hanging on to those feelings hindering God’s wrath is a
powerful motivator to deal God’s way with the injustice &
walk away even when it has been pointed directly at me.
#2 Even More, day 1 was very powerful for me! In a world where everyday we are confronted by even more immorality, loneliness, isolation, materialism, impurity … to see it as a scriptural principle so clearly such as Judges 2:19. And then my favorite Romans 5:20 “But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more” gives such peace to me. Somehow this day made this letter from Paul, Silas, and Timothy seem so purposeful for today, so personal, so wise that it just jumped out at me … and gave me joy and hope!
1. Disappointment – hinderance = faith stood out because my faith wouldn’t be strong if I received everything I wanted and my dependence on God wouldn’t be there. I can then use my faith to say “God is good all the time” even in disappointment.
2. My pain – hinderance = my passion stood out because I know I can help and be compassionate to others that have had the same hurts as me and that can be part of my purpose that God has for me.
Day four of week four hit me hard but also lifted a burden from me at the same time and I know it was talking about our physical death but right now I feel I am starting the grieving process with a situation at my children’s school and I have put a lot of pressure on myself to make right decisions being on the education committee and have started feeling hopeless and when I read the words “This whole thing is not dependent on you” I felt it was God speaking straight to my heart and I sobbed and felt a weight being lifted from my whole body and took in God’s strength instead. I wrote down and will keep these three bible verses Psalm 31:24,Psalm 52:9, and Romans 12:12 with me to keep me strong, courageous, hopeful, patient and persistent in prayer. GOD IS GOOD 🙂
1 – waiting – hindrance = trust/patience
2 – brokenness – hindrance = freedom
This week has spoken to me, but I could barely concentrate past day Day 3/Week 2, God was really churning something inside me during that lesson. Several people in my group said the same. The concept of “walking it out” with God and leveraging it for His kingdom resonated with me.
This week was equally awesome, once I got going again. I was blown away by the reminder that Jesus was with God from the beginning. He had a plan, even before creation that has just been unfolding over time and will be complete one day upon Jesus’ return. Amazing!
My day from week 4 had to be Day 4, Since We Believe. I have a friend who sat next to me in every study I facilitated for at least 12 years. I left that church and called my friend to encourage her to stay in Bible study. Life got in the way and I had not talked to her in over two years. I “kept meaning” to call, but hadn’t until I learned last week her 42 yr old daughter had suddenly died. I was overcome with grief for her. I saw her @ the funeral and her first words after a lot of tears were “I’m trying to read my Bible.” I reminded her of how much God loved her and how close He is to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Life is hard and we do grieve but we also have hope. Day 4 was a wonderful reminder of those truths. It could not have come at a better time as I have determined to stay along side this dear friend and speak truth to her that God is her help and strength and her future is in Him “and it is bright with His countenance.”
Lauralee Courtney
Austin, TX
Solo
Hello!
I am loving this study…thank you so much.
1.
My addiction (food) – hindrance = my story
My self doubt – hindrance = my wholeness
The 2 which spoke to me the most:
Disappointment – hindrance = faith
Devastation – hindrance = trust
2. I am a little behind and only on day 3 of week 4 (but I am catching up) so I am not sure what is in store for the rest of the week. Of the 2 days I have completed, I would have to say day 1- Even More – really impacted me. The exercise of writing “even more” in each verse and reading it, drove home the ability I have to make a choice to be even more good or even more bad. I have it in me to do both. I have been even more bad in my life and at times I have been humbled by the ability in me to be even more good. That is why I know there is a real God who loves me. Anything good in me comes from Him and I learned that, even more, with this study.
Thank you, again.
My equation: Fear-Hindrance=Boldness/Freedom. I really like Elisabeth’s (above): Gifting-Hindrance=Flourishing and Beth’s: My Life-Hindrance=My God Ordained Destiny.
Week 4, Day 2 spoke to me the most. I love learning about the Greek and Hebrew meaning of words. Theodidaktoi resonated with me. I loved the last two paragraphs on page 96.
Angie
Greenville Ohio- solo
1.
My anxiety- hindrance= God’s peace
My trial- hindrance= triumph
2.
Day two on page 94 and 95 were the two pages that stuck out the most to me. I am a mom of a five year old little girl. She went through a lot in her first two years of life and I love the fact that God can give her peace. I love the fact that God truly watched over her and will teach her.
Well, I started this strong but realized it isn’t working for me. Especially without the actual videos. I am debating on buying them and may do the study after the dates are past.
Hugs to the girls who are going strong!
1. My additions:
Grief – hindrance = life
Me – hindrance = God’s power
Two of Beth’s that spoke to me:
Devastation – hindrance = trust
Handicap – hindrance = hero
My brother has been a quadriplegic for 35 years from an automobile accident and I have always told him he’s my hero. 🙂
2. God emphasized Day Four of Week Four to me. I have lost my brother, my sister, and my mother and so my heart resonates with the topic of grief. This sentence from the study just poured out so much joy and understanding for me in my grief:
Grief is the sacred love seat where we fellowship acutely in the sufferings of Christ.”
That’s some powerful stuff! It causes me to grasp more clearly what Paul is conveying in Phil 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings.” ….. That’s what grief does. It causes us to fellowship with him! Wow!
Thank you, Beth!
Karen, from Chandler, AZ
solo
My equations:
Emotional abuse – hindrance = Not a victim, an advocate!
Insecure – hindrance = Boasting in God being strong in my weakness
Just started Day 1 of Week 4, a little behind….
1. I added this one:
Failure – hindrance = determination
The two that spoke to me were the one I added above and this one:
Disappointment – hindrance = faith
2. I think day three spoke to me the most, especially with everything going on in the world right now. The three directives from Paul in 1 Thess. 4:11 are so simple, but somehow so hard in practice. Everybody seems to want to be in everybody else’s business these days, and I see Christians get caught up in that, too. The problem is that we end up trying to do God’s job by passing judgement, often on people we don’t even know (social media pitfall). Love God, love people, serve others – let God take care of the rest.
Everyone before me had such great additions. Wish I had thought of them. LOL My number 1 was fear minus hindrance equals courage, finishing well, winning the race. Number 2 was bitterness (resentment, grudges) minus hindrance equals forgiveness and love.
The “even more” section, pages 90 to 92 were really good. When I compared Gen 37:5 and Phil 1:9, I got
1. hatred blinds love and leads to violence
2. love can be expanded with knowledge and discernment
I’ve been asking God to teach me how to love Him as He deserves and how to love others. My background is very fractured so the more I study, the more I realize I don’t know and how much I need to know. Thank God for Beth Moore and the wonderful bible studies that God blessed her with.
#1) hindrances-
My pain – hindrances = My passion
Overweight – hindrances = healthy
#2 Haven’t finished week 4 yet, so I’ll have to come back. But it was hard to write #1 and so I wanted to get that one out of the way.
Unworthy – hindrance = My Identity in Christ
My Lack – hindrance = God’s Provision
Day 3 – Saying yes even when our insides are screaming no. That the harder thing is the good thing and that over dependency isn’t limited. Emotional, physical, spiritual, financial. The thing that spoke most to me was that unnecessarily dependent people remain unnecessarily dependent. Dependency keeps working so they don’t have too. In today’s world we might refer to it as “money for nothing ______(fill in the blank) for free.” No matter what we have to do the work ourselves. We have to be in the Word, we have a purpose to fulfill.
Crystal. Livonia (Detroit) Michigan. Solo
1. My Anger – hindrance = Merciful
Anxiety – Hindrance = Freedom/Faith
2.Loved the “EVEN MORE” section. Even taught it to my 3 elementary kiddos in a watered down version. Thank you so much for listening to God and writing this study…it has been such a blessing to me this summer. Several of my sisters have just been too busy to do a formal Bible Study so I am thrilled with this “community” to study with! I am ALWAYS growing in some way…thank you for the teaching of growing TOWARDS Christ. Towards courage, faith, grace, humility. God spoke so strongly to me…sometimes I feel that I will never be “there”…He is always revealing the “self” in me but this section encouraged me that it is a good thing that I continue to grow even more.
I love you sweet Beth! Praying for you and your darling family! Hope Amanda is feeling better!
Week 4 Day 1 was amazing for me. It was mind-blowing to see those scriptures pulled together in such a powerful way. The fourth grade teacher in me had to make a T-Chart to compare the evil vs. the good that can grow. So incredibly powerful! The lesson took me at least twice as long as It should have because I kept making connections between the scriptures and my own life. Yes, I was able to come up with a personal testimony for each one of those qualities and its increase at different times in my life. I walked away thinking about the fact that we never reach retirement in our walk with Christ. Our relationship with Him is never maintaining what it once was, but always increasing, reaching for new heights and new depths. The concept that spoke loudest to me is Luke 12:48 – God’s expectation can grow even more. It goes along with our always-changing relationship with God. When He calls me to change, and He graciously works the change out in me, He then sets out to change something else, or calls me to something new. My tendency is to stay the same, and I continually seek the comfort of routine, but He is constantly pushing me on.
Session 5 Video is life-changing. I only wish that I had seen it 100 years ago, while I was in the midst of my own disaster. I am praying for my sisters in Christ who are making very courageous commitments to make changes in their lives.
This summer study has been such a huge blessing to me!
Betty M ND Solo
1. Injustice-hindrance = room for God’s wrath
2. My pain-hindrance = my passion
My equations
1.Betrayal-hindrance= forgiveness
2. Depressed spirit-hindrance = opportunity for ministry
Just recently I have seen God moving in amazing ways. I witnessed first hand such an injustice done and though I do not believe God punishes us as such for sin I see tremendous wrath being poured out on a life and I feel great grief at seeing this. I am not gloating over it at all I stand amazed and sobered by it.
Lesson four
With my busy summer I thought I had done lesson four I was so proud of myself for sticking with it and getting it done on time until I had a hard look yesterday AM. I totally left lesson four untouched much to my shame!! So I worked on the whole lesson on and off as time allowed yesterday! Grin sheepishly!!!
“God taught” really stood out to me!! The One who laid the plumb line of the universe and calls the stars by name teaches me. My divine tutor!! He doesn’t care that I have no letters after my name (I have no college degree) He teaches me at my level!! Everytime I crack open His Word— There He is ready for me to discover a treasure He has only for me!! What an amazing God!!
This whole Children of the Day lesson format is so strong and powerful Beth. Thankyou for being His instrument to teach us these amzing gems. You are certainly God taught!
Love,
Betty M
1.Health issues-Hinderance= Compassion
Weight struggles-Hinderance=TRUST. This is the break thru I have waited on God for 4+ years. He has been working & bringing me to the end of myself. Teaching me that laying it down & trusting Him is the ONLY way!!! The break thru happened in 6/21/14, the day before my 29th Wedding Anniversary. I’m just doing the next right thing and He is in control of the rest. Such peace has filled my heart!!
2. The fact that I can love God more and more BUT His love for me can’t increase any more. Light bulb moment
May Jesus Himself bless your socks off! This study ranks right up there with Breaking Free. My life will never be the same. I love you so much xo
Additional hindrances
My plans and goals for my Life – hindrance = God’s plan for me
My own expectations – hindrance = Grace
What spoke to me the most were the two that I added because (of course)they were personal to me and what I must continually lay before the Lord.
I LOVED Week 4, Day 1
After going through the scriptures of “even more” – so many good thoughts
-with God I have the capacity to grow more in all areas of my life in positive ways, but without Him I will grow in negative ways
-something is going to grow – something will get “more” of us. – Amen – help me Jesus that you are the “more” in my life
1. expectations – hindrance = patience
2. injustice – hindrance = room for God’s wrath
still mourning my mom’s death (she was not saved as far as we know….but God knows!) so day 4 of week 4 was especially meaningful to me. God bless you sweet Beth for being willing to be used of the Lord in this way and giving yourself to Him & to us. love & prayers, mary s
1. Dylexia – Hindrance = Opportunity to see God work and perfectly provide
My children have both recently been diagnosed with dyslexia, which means that books are NOT their favorite things. Gasp! I’m a SIESTA!!! Studying is what WE DO!! They absolutely love me to read aloud to them so that’s what we’re doing now. God has provided an absolutely amazing reading specialist who is a strong Believer and prays the Name of Jesus over my babies as she works with them. Which leads me to the second part….
2. I really clung to Day 2 in Week 4 about being taught by God. In particularly, John 14:26-27 stuck out to me. I have read that verse a million billion times and know it well but it seemed to jump off the page with new life when I saw those words “will teach you all things”. My babies struggle with words…and HE IS THE WORD MADE FLESH! They learn in pictures and God gave them THE picture through His Son, Jesus. There is a walking, living example for them to follow and He is perfect in all things. “All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.” (Isaiah 54:13) Amen to that!
I started this series as a loner, but just this week a young woman at church started holding a class and is showing the videos, so I am starting all over with a group of WE, YOU and THEYs! We stood shoulder to shoulder facing in and out last night!
My equations are: infidelity- hindrance= forgiveness and ignored- hindrance = assurance of God’s love
I most identified with childlessness-hindrance= mother of many and heartbreak- hindrance= depth
I could choose each day of week four as speaking to me, but will choose day 2 being Taught by God since Isaiah 54:13 has been my go to verse for years encouraging parents that their children are “taught of The Lord and great is their peace and undisturbed composure”. Think that is the amplified version.
Bless you all at Living proof ministries !
I recently wrote a post about Pain Minus Hindrances!!
Closed door – hindrances = better open door
This really spoke to me because we are currently adopting and God has closed some doors – only to open better doors!
http://www.abidingingraceblog.com/2014/07/pain-minus-hindrances.html
I really loved Day 3 – Stop in the Name of Love. I need those simple reminders that God calls us to a life of simplicity – a quiet life and mind your own buisness. I feel like I can get caught up in gossip and I needed that reminder. Recently, our pastor spoke on evangelism and reaching those people that just “bug you.” And I was convicted from his sermon, and even from this day of homework to reach out to a certain cousin who “gets on my last nerve!” She is unsaved and my heart has been burdern for her salavation. I wrote her an email and am praying that God opens a door for a witness.
Leanne
Mississippi
solo
1) childhood trama-hindrance=testimony
I chose this one because not really of a childhood trama but my parents divorce when I was 8 is a big part of my testimony today.
my pain-hindrance=my passion or childlessness-hindrance=mother of many (could be both of these)
After 10 years of marriage and a miscarriage I am finally 7 weeks away from our first child. My life and my marriage have grown through this time. I am now truly able to hurt with those that go through the same thing.
2) I really liked day 1. I loved realizing how as a Christian we are called to love more and more while reflecting on God’s glory more and more. It is MY choice to love more and more. Also I forget that allI have to do is ask God to reveal his perfect love to me more and more and then I will be more aware of his perfect love more and more which will cause me to fear less and less.
I love keeping up with this blog in this study.
1. My additional equations: fear- hindrance = overcomer
Anxiety- hindrance = overcomer
The two that spoke to me the most….heartbreak- hindrance = depth. This one because many years ago my husband and I were involved in a church for about a decade, that prided itself on being unconventional. During our time there, i endured a number of heart breaking events, mostly because they had an unhealthy hyper-focus on the body and the intellect and almost no focus on the Lord and things of the Spirit. As difficult as it was, both my husband and I feel that as the Lord healed us, and revealed to us a more healthy way to walk in Him, we had as a byproduct much insight about healthy and balanced Christian living.
The second one…fear/anxiety – hindrance= overcomer. I have always been a worrier, a besetting sin, but it got worse recently when I became ill with something difficult to diagnose. As you might imagine, being anxious about my condition made it much worse. And, it has been confusing about how much I am sick, and how much I am just worried. Anyway, I sought the Lord and plowed through most of it, so that my anxieties did not hinder me, they were just an annoyance. He really gave me strength.
2. The lesson that jumped off the pages at me was actually in week 3, day 4 Immovable. It was incredibly helpful to read about afflictions because I was in the middle of one. I was sick, very low energy ( and I am kind of a high energy person), the drs. Didn’t know what was going on, and I was a nervous wreck over it, because I just began a new job. I so feared that I could not do my job. So, over and over, I sought the Lord. He strengthened me to do my job. And, I am finally getting better, I think.
Thank you, Beth, love the study!
2. In week 4: this verse spoke LOUDLY to me: “Seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your OWN hands, as we commanded you.” 1 Thess. 4:11 Especially this translation, as I do hand work to share with others.
1) my will – hindrance = strength
doubt – hindrance = next steps
disappointment – hindrance = faith
heart break – hindrance = depth
2) I found precious gold nuggets in every day of the homework — I always do — that’s why I enjoy it so much! However, Day 4, your last paragraph soothed my soul:
In His hands, we find solace.
In His heart, we find rest.
In His time, we find meaning.
In His eyes, we are blessed.
In His strength, we’re made mighty.
In His light, morning breaks.
In His Word, He has promised.
In His coming, sleepers wake.
Thanks Beth!
Sarah, Jasper, TN group
Disability – hinderance = Special ministry
More.. more.. more. GRACE
End time events related to Israel
LOVE our group this year, so timely and personal. It has been a life saver for me!
1.) Excuses-hindrance=authenticity
Fear-hindrance=freedom
My favorite equations from Beth were…..
Heartbreak-hindrance=depth (WOW, this is an eye opening revelation to me because it takes the heartbreak caused by another out of the hands of the one hurting and into God’s hands and it changes the victim mentality into a healing mentality!
Childlessness-hindrance=mother of many (As a unmarried childless women who is just a few weeks shy of 35th birthday, sometimes I feel the sense of failure in that fact. But essentially I don’t have to wait for children or push my maternal nature down but rather just start loving those close to me as I would “real life” children…
2.)
It really hard for me to pick a favorite day!!! Days 3 and 4 both really resonated. On Day 3 in the section about “minding your own business” about how certain things can’t be erased from our mind and allow us to still love like we should…Boy, do know what this means!! I have learned many of things that I had no business knowing and it has altered my view of someone and brought so much personal pain to me. Which leads to a deep understanding of the grief and hopelessness closely discussed in Day 4. This is one of those weeks I wish I wasn’t doing this study “solo” as I would love to share my heart on these matters with other women…
pg 71 –
Heartbreak – hindrance = depth
Disappointment – hindrance = faith
Had a difficult time in our marriage a few years back and that was a time my faith grew in leaps and bounds again. We have since restored our relationship to a wonderfully healthy place but couldn’t do it with out God prompting our hearts to grow and forgive.
1 A). expectations – hindrance = who I am in Christ!
shame – hindrance = hope
1 B). The two that really stood out to me were childhood trauma – hindrance = testimony and my pain – hindrance = my passion.
Both of these equations defined my life from a very early age into my mid twenties. Praise Jesus that we don’t have to live in our past and that He is out Hope and our Future!
2. Week Four Day Four was probably my favorite of the week. Page 105 in particular really spoke to me! I loved when BM wrote, “God is your help. He is your strength. This whole thing is not dependent on you. In Him is your future and it is bright with his countenance.” I want to remember this every day, through every trial, and on every mountain top! The paragraph at the bottom of the page really brings up thoughts and memories of losing my sister in law two years ago in a tragic accident. It reminds me what grief looks like with Jesus! We have hope because in Him we have meaning. Thank you Father!
LOVING this bible study!
Just wanted to say I’ve battled connectivity issues this entire summer study…we’ve been on the road “North to Alaska” since May 31st in our Big Boy RV with tow car…to say it’s been an adventure is an understatement! This Children of the Day study has been a godsend to me. During the past 8 weeks we have lost to this world 8 loved ones…never in my life have I been through such a firey trial, the youngest being a 34 year old to a tragic motorcycle accident, the eldest being a 94 year old Dr.friend…several lost their battle to cancer in their 60’s! To say this has tried and tested me all the while preserving in our “on mission” to Alaska is an understatement. I was never able to properly register because of on the road constraints and connectivity issues. Finally we are here on the Kenai Penninsula and hooked in! This study in 1st and 2nd Thess. has been a lifeline to me and saved my sanity…my own flesh and emotions have been my hindrance and God’s Word has been my salvation I’ve cried buckets of tears, especially over my precious mentor and sister in Christ who seems to be losing her battle to metastasized breast cancer, now gone to her brain…she would be #9 in as many weeks should she pass this next week! I want to say this: “My anchor holds” thanks to the living GOD, I am child of the day!
Sue, Kingsport, TN Solo
1. I added:
My distractions-hindrance=focus
Feelings of inadequacies-hindrance=I’m worthy through Christ
Favorite from Beth: My life-hindrances of all my hindrances= my God-ordained destiny
2. All of week 4 stuck out to me. I must add that doing this study solo is difficult at times. I miss group discussions and watching the videos. Day 5 stuck with me. I starred both highlighted spots: page 106- insisting on end-time events making sense weakens the wonder, and page 109- God would have made sure we knew all plans if we would have benefited or He would have been pleased. My parents both passed away 10 years ago. After that, I became more interested desiring to know about the dead in Christ. Regardless of the hows, I will see them again.
I also want to add that I didn’t post answers after weeks 1 and 2, but am completing the study. Some of the open ended questions are difficult for me. I know that at other stages in life, the answers will be there.
Praying blessings on all who are studying and all at Living Proof!
St. Albert Alberta Canada I am solo.
#1. isolation-hindrance= deep relationship with God
introvertedness-hindrance=a more joyful life
#2 Week 4, day 3 was a great study day.1Thess4:11 has always been my special verse. The lesson went deep into my heart.
I have no sound on session 3….can you help me…
Hi Patti, that happened to me before and I had my computer volume on mute, have you checked that? If not, maybe refresh the page and see if that works. Or even sometimes the Vimeo video is muted on your end and you have to turn that on. Just a few things to check!
Tracey
Littleton, CO
Unloved – hinderance = God’s GREAT love for me
Broken Family – hinderance = Faith in something greater
Favorite of Beth’s:
Heartbreak – hinderance = depth
Week 4:
I loved day 1. Even More. To see so many scriptures that express this phrase is awesome. Its helps me keep in mind no matter how bad, how low, how sad, how fearful, how hurt I am, he is there even more, he loves me even more. Your thoughts of “We don’t have to beg Him for abundant life. We simply open up our lives to Him day after day and receive the Holy Spirit without limit.” is beautiful. I have spent so much of my life thinking he does not want to spend time with me. I am praying for fresh belief, fresh faith to understand that God is not disappointed in me. He loves me and I have been set free!
1)an EGR person – hindrance = loving Gods way (<–totally don't know if that's right, lol)
Insecurity – hindrance = boldness
2) Day 4 really spoke to me about loving more & more. The specific verses were
Philippians 1:9"It's my prayer that your love may abound more & more.." & 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 10"..abound more & more". ..Wow, how our emotions can deceive us..especially when the love is not returned.
The video session 4 also specifically spoke to me & challenged me to know Gods love more & more. Learning that as you shared in the video, we will love & not be loved in return. It's part of fellowshipping in the sufferings of Christ.
Specifically loved that "The God who beckons you to love more & more cannot love you more. No matter how we grow in diligence & obedience, you cannot increase His affection for you. You & I have no power to affect divine love. It's perfect. All we are left to do is ask to know it more & more. And right there in the increase, a miracle of decrease is forced into play: as we are more aware of His love, we fear less & less."
"For perfect love drives out fear." 1 John 4:18
Linda W.
Tomball, TX
Disappointment-hindrance=faith
My pain-hindrance=my passion
Disappointments and struggles in my life have led to more time in the Word and in prayer. I am praying more for others in addition to my own.
Page 105 in Week Four (Day 4) was my favorite. There is SO MUCH truth on this page!! Great encouragement to me!!
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
Question 1
My additions are
abuse – hindrance = ministry and my story – hindrance = freedom
Those that resonated with me
abuse – hindrance = ministry and what happened – what hindered = freedom
Reason
I was sexually abused by the minister of my church when I was 30 years old – some 23 years ago. Yes, I am now 53. For 20 years I lived with guilt and shame because I believed that I had had an affair and was guilty of adultery. 3 years ago, for various reasons, one of which includes my study of Esther, I decided to tell my husband. Boy, I was not prepared for the reaction. The period that follows was pure hell. But, thanks to God’s love and faithfulness, we survived and so did our marriage – and, thanks to the most wonderful godly counsellor, I found freedom. Through this daughter of God I was gently led into the truth – that I was the victim of sexual abuse. For years I had no peace in spite of the fact that I repeatedly confessed my “sin” to God but when I saw it for what it was, “abuse” I found such freedom because “the truth will set you free.” So once I took the hindrance of guilt away from the abuse I discovered that I had a ministry to other abused women and once I took the hindrance of complicity and failure away from what happened I discovered that I was no longer a victim but an overcomer. Still a long way to go but on the road to healing and my husband and I are embarking on a ministry in South Africa to help women who have suffered similar abuse.
I think Day 4 spoke to me the most because since my husband and I decided to start a ministry to women sexually abused by clergy we have had so many bad things happen to us as if we are under constant attack. So the statement on pg. 79 spoke volumes to me, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes.”