CHAPTER 6: Kitchen Service

I have to say I just LOVE this book more and more with every chapter and every word that I read, SERIOUSLY!!!! Does anyone else feel this way? How are you feeling so far since reading this book? What are your thoughts so far? Let us all hear from each other on here!!! It would be so refreshing hear some feedback on hear throughout the week and in between our meetings together!

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

-Who was the first Christian person in your life to live in such a way that you could clearly see Christ? How did this person affect your life?

-Read the story of the little boy and the evangelist on page 97. How would you like Jesus to "stick out all over" your life-That is, what attitudes and characteristics of the Savior would you like God to develop in your life?

Going Deeper:

-Read John 13:1-17 either in your Bible or click on the link below!

CLICK HERE TO READ JOHN 13:1-17

-Jesus' washing of the disciples feet was a totally unexpected example of what true Christian love should look like. According to page 82, why was it so shocking?

-In what unexpected ways could we wash the feet of those around us?

 *Again this time around I didn't post ALL the study guide questions as I am challenging you each to look them up in the backs of your books and answer them each on your own. Use this as a way to begin to start your quiet time with the Lord. The study guide for chapter six begins on page 215.

Here are a few parts of chapter six that I just loved and would of course LOVE to share! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

 PAGE #: 82 "Of all the identifying marks of a Christian, Jesus said love would be the thing that give us away. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples." he said, "if you love one another."

JOHN 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

PAGE #: 83 "We are God's love letter to the world. We were set apart for a purpose-to communicate his glory to a lost and dying world."

*My heart just melted when I read this. I just loved the thought of this. God's love letter to the world! We are an example! Something that shouldn't be taken lightly. Something that we should be honoring and diligently pursuing in the best way possible.

PAGE #: 84 "In the same respect, it isn't enough to call ourselves Christians. We must live like Christians."

*If your gonna talk the talk then you'd better walk the walk. This is one of the main reasons I have seen that Christians get such a bad wrap. We seem to be able to dish out the advice and the "you should do this or that" when we in fact ourselves need to take inventory of our own lives and make sure we are indeed doing the things we are trying to teach others about. And then I also see so many people in my life that call themselves Christians because they grew up in church and that's what their parents call themselves and they know about Jesus and they may know some things in the Bible but they are still not even close to being Christians and my heart breaks for some of them because these people are some of the ones I love deeply. They haven't truly accepted Christ as their savior once and for all! BIG difference in acceptance and just knowing.

PAGE #: 97 "Only God, you see, can make rag dolls whole. Only God can put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Our job is just to be his rag doll emissaries, formed in his likeness, filled with his love and endued with his power. And gifted with the privilege of sharing a loving Father with our orphan world."

*This part just truly makes me smile in a HUGE way every time I read it and think about it dwell over it. Only God can save the world. We try or think we can sometimes in our own worlds and day-to-day lives. But we weren't called to do so. We were called to share love with one another. Shine Christ's light on the world. So amazing!

Here are some of the verses in the chapter that are awesome!

CLICK HERE TO READ LUKE 3:9

CLICK HERE TO READ ACTS 4:13

CLICK HERE TO READ ISAIAH 61:1

CLICK HERE TO READ MATTHEW 6:33

I hope you loved this chapter just as much as I have! I hope that you are loving each part of this book even more and more as you read more! It's so amazing!!! I am super blessed to be apart of the book study with such an amazing group of ladies! Stay tuned for Chapter 7!

CHAPTER 5: Living Room Intimacy

Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter! This time around I am not going to post all the study guide questions as I challenge you all to look them up in the back of your books and answer them all on your own. Chapter five's study guide questions are on page 214-215 (appendix). BUT I am going to post the questions that I think stuck out them most to me. And you can respond and let me know what you think and how you feel! We would ALL LOVE to hear from YOU!

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

-Someone has said that each of us is created "with a God-shaped hole" and that we will never be truly satisfied until we fill that space with him. Unfortunately many of us, as Teri described on page 69, fill up on spiritual Snicker Bars. What do you turn to instead of God when you're feeling empty?

Going Deeper:

I encourage you to click on the links below and read the verses there or look them up in your Bibles. Reflect over them. Jot them down in your journals even if you have one!

 CLICK HERE TO READ JOHN 8:44

 CLICK HERE TO READ JOHN 15:4

CLICK HERE TO READ JOHN 15:5

-In the book it says that before we were Christians, Satan tells us we don't need a Savior. After we become Christians, he tells us we don't deserve a Savior. How have these lies affected your walk with God?

- Read the excerpt from "My Heart Christ's Home" (Pages 72-73) How does it make you feel to think that Jesus longs to have time alone with you-to be home in you?

-How could this realization turn your devotional life from a duty to a delight?

Now I will share some of the things in the book that spoke to my hear the most. I hope that maybe some of these things touch your heart too!

PAGE #:64-65 "When crowds flocked to view his acts of perceived holiness, Simeon determined to escape the distractions by living atop a pillar."

*I LOVE this story and example of extreme determination and desperation for time with God! It totally rocks my world! It makes me realize that no matter what we have to do to get away from the rat race of life sometimes in order to have that alone time that Jesus longs for us to have and share with Him that we MUST STOP and do it! There is no excuse! This man LIVED atop a pillar, I mean seriously!!!! What?! We can seriously carve out some simple time in our schedules to still our souls and sit at His feet right!

 PAGE#: 67 "I kept waiting for the day I'd be worthy to sit at his table never realizing that the cost of such fellowship was included in the price Christ paid for my passage."

-"But there may need to be a bit of demolition work on your end because the enemy of our souls keeps quite busy building barriers to block spiritual intimacy.
*This to me is HUGE! I am constantly battling the LIES the enemy trying to feed me and it's up to me to demolish once and for all the barriers and insecurities that prevent me from letting go of the past once and for all move forward with the beautiful new creation that Jesus has created in me! I am good enough to sit at His table and good enough to have the people in my life that He has brought to me and good enough for the new life that I have now. Whew! That's a lot of stuff but it's demolition I am DETERMINED to DO!

PAGE #: 71 "It is not an exercise it is a privilege."

*This part in the book is talking about our devotion to God. It's not a duty or an exercise, and it shouldn't feel that way. It should be a joy! It should be felt like an honor and privilege. As a follower of Christ we have a special gift that we can have the honor of sitting at the feet of Christ in a true relationship with Him. He waits for us to come to Him patiently. And we should definitely take full advantage!

I hope some of these things will inspire you in some way! I am praying for each of you as we continue to learn and grow in our walk with Christ together!  PLEASE feel free to post ANY comments on here. They don't have to be answers to all the questions. You can post anything! Your thoughts on the book study in general, how your week has been, prayer requests, ANYTHING! We would just LOVE to hear from MORE of you!

Stay tuned for Chapter six!

LOVED LOVED Bible Study Group Time Sunday!

I just wanted to say that I LOVED LOVED LOVED getting to share and talk with ALL you wonderful ladies that were able to make it to the first bible study group meeting this past Sunday! It was amazing! I think we had some really great discussions! I love being apart of this group of women and learning more about how I can worship and spend time with my savior because HE is SO deserving! And if you weren't able to read this past time around or make it the group no worries! It's not too late! You can definitely still join! AND if you would like a copy of the handout that we had at group on Sunday just let me or Holly know and we can get you a copy. It has a sample of questions from each chapter! I am praying for you ALL this week and in the weeks to come as we continue reading this amazing book together!

Below are the two remaining dates Holly has scheduled for us to meet for the study! She also sent these dates to us in an email just before VR.

-We will meet @ 8:15-8:45 & 10:15-10:45 in the starting point room #105.

(Please try and be on time so we can get started right away and finish on time to hang with students)

-The schedule for the Book Reviews are:

October 11- Chapters 5-8

October 25- Chapter 9-12 (End of book)

CHAPTER 4: THE CURE

Some references from the chapter that are worth re-reading (I think!).

 

Page # 50 "Nothing is harder than a burden we're not called to carry."

 

Page # 54 " This is who God is," he declared to the world. "Look and see! He loves you. He sent me so you could have life and fellowship with him. It isn't outward appearance that concerns the Father. It's your inner person."

*It's not about ALL the "things" we can do to make ourselves look better, or seem to be better people. It's truly about growing our spirits on the inside first and the things that we do outside are just the icing. 

 

Page # 55 "It's hard to ignore the love of Jesus. The sweet wooing of the Holy Spirit calms our fears and shatters our defenses."

 

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

 

-Read the wagon and the rocks story on pages 48-51. Take a look in your wagon. Which rocks has God asked you to carry? Which rocks have you uwisely and sometimes unconsciously volunteered to carry for someone else?

 

- Do you ever feel the driven, perfectionistic, spiritual Martha Stewart coming out in you? What does she look like at home? What does she look like at church? 

 

*Remember to jot your thoughts and feelings down in your journal and POST some comments on the blog! 

 

Going Deeper:

 

-What do you think Jesus meant in LUKE 10:38-42 when he told Martha that only one thing was needed?

-Turn a few pages to LUKE 18:18-25, to another exchange Jesus had. What qualification did the rich young ruler give for entering the kingdom of God? What was one thing Jesus said he lacked? Why do you think Christ focused on his wealth? 

-Why may the one thing God asks us to do be different from what he requires of someone else? (Consider 1 Corinthians 13:3 and Philippians 3:4-7)

 

-Perhaps like the rich young ruler you find yourself trying to perform for God, carrying more rocks in hopes of earning God's love and favor. 

 

-What do the following verses say about works-based Christianity?

 

 Galatians 3:3

"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
 
 Titus 3:5
"he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,"
 
- What did Paul say in Philippians 3:13-14 was his "one thing? Why was forgetting what was behind him so important for Paul?
-What things is your past hold you back from experiencing ALL that God has for you?
-Use the guidline on page 55 and sit down this week and begin "dumping rocks". But before you start, ask the Lord for wisdom. He loves to give it (JAMES 1:5), and He wants to set us free!  

*Remember to jot your thoughts and feelings down in your journal and POST some comments on the blog! 

 
Matthew 11:28 (New American Standard Bible)
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."

 
Dear Heavenly Father- I pray for this study and for all of us leaders to be able to soak in all the wisdom and knowledge that you are offering us. Allow us to be open to what you are trying to show us. I pray that through this study that we are changed and are each closer to you in a way that we never imagined we could be! I pray that through these first four chapeters that something in each of us has already begun to take shape and stir inside our spirits and begin changing Lord. I pray for each of us that may be hurting still that we allow you to come in and take that from us and leave it in the past and move forward so that you can enable us to live freely and be the beauties that we were detined to be through you Lord! I pray that through this study we can learn so much more about your plans for our lives Lord. -Amen

CHAPTER THREE: THE DIAGNOSIS

Another GREAT chapter I must say! I again would first LOVE to share some parts of the book that stood out to me in hopes that these parts may inspire you as you read over the questions and jot down your thoughts and responses to the questions coming up!

Page # 34-35 "The truth is we were simply not wired for worry. We were not fashioned for fear."

 
Page # 36 "Worry doesn't prevent bad things from happening. In fact, it may prevent us from leading the full lives God intends us to live." 

*LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!

 

Page # 39 "But instead of fretting, instead of worrying, we need to focus on discerning what we can do (with God's help) and what should be left entirely up to God."

*We simply can't do and fix everything like we often try to or want to. We have to release ourselves from the duty of these things and allow God to handle them.  

 

Page # 41 "Gratitude is important because it has the power to change our attitude."

*This changes our outlook on life in general. We begin to see it more like Christ! Will you pray or worry? We CAN'T do both!!!

 

I DEFINITELY LOVED this part of the book!

Page # 44-45 "Here, Imagination! Here boy. Sometimes I said it out loud. So strong was the pull that it took a living word picture to pull me back to center. Back to faith. I'd point to the ground beside me and instruct both my imagination and any stray emotions to "Stay". Crazy? Yes, maybe. But it worked for me. Nothing could be crazier than the anxious way I had lived before."

*SOOOO refreshing to see that I am not the ONLY person that has the crazy mind struggles with myself. Constantly battling with thoughts and constantly having rein them back in and get a hold of them.

 

I LOVED the three steps to VICTORY over WORRY!!!

 

1. Be anxious over NOTHING

2. Be prayerful about EVERYTHING

3. Be thankful for ALL things.

 

Fretting/Worrying < (Increases) Problems 

Praying < (Magnifies) God 

 

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

 

- Martha wanted Jesus to tell Mary to help out in the kitchen, but instead of giving her what she wanted, Dr. Jesus made a diagnosis: "Martha, Martha...you are worried and upset about may things." If you had been Martha, how would Jesus' words have made you feel? *Remember to jot your thoughts down in your journal AND post them HERE on the blog!*

-Which of the ten signs of a big worrier on page 33 do you struggle with? How do worry and anxiety spill over into your daily life and affect your behavior, your physical health?

 

Going Deeper:

 

LUKE 8:14 "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature."

-Fear not only affects us physically but spiritually. List three things that may choke the Word of God out of our lives. Which one do you struggle with most, and how does it choke you spiritually?

 

-Look at "Concern and Worry" diagram on page 38, and read the quote from Gary E. Gilley. What concerns are you currently facing? What worries? *Remember to write these in your journal so you can re-evaluate them later on down the road. And post them on the blog as well so we can all share with each other!*

 

-What do the following passages tell us to do with our worries and concerns, and what will be the result?

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

COMMAND: Trust and NOT on your own understanding. RESULT: HE will make your paths straight.

Philippians 4:6-7 ^"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

COMMAND: do NOT be anxious about anything & present your requests to God with prayer. RESULT: God will guard our hearts and minds.

-Re-write Matthew 6:25-30 as if God were speaking directly to you and your situation. Then read Matthew 6:31-34 and respond to this passage in prayer to the Lord.

 

CLICK HERE To Read Matthew 6:25-30 If You Don't Have Your Bible

 

CLICK HERE To Read Matthew 6:31-34 If You Don't Have Your Bible

*Don't forget to POST YOUR THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, FEELINGS, COMMENTS, ANYTHING!!! Let's hear it ladies!!! What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER TWO: "LORD, DON'T YOU CARE?"

I don't know about you but I LOVED this chapter! Before we get into the questions this time. I would love to share some parts of the book that I personally highlighted and wrote down in my journal that stood out to me. I hope that you find them as comforting and as interesting as I do!

 

-Page # 26 "But somehow, in the midst of all these blessings, the marvelous grew mundane, the remarkable hohum."

*Do you ever feel this way, even when God has done SO much for you? We ONLY THINK it's mundane because we want to know more or see more instantly always instead of just relaxing and trusting God! I pray that I NEVER allow the marvelous blessings God has granted me to appear mundane or hohum because they are anything but.

 

-Page # 28 "But he loved her too much to give her what she wanted. Instead, Jesus gave her what she needed - an invitation to draw close to Him. With open arms, he invited the troubled women to leave her worries and cares and find refuge in Him alone."

*WOW!! I LOVE this part so much! THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN THIS RIGHT HERE!!!! We all want, want, want, RIGHT?! Of course! Ever said "I need that? When you really meant or should have said you wanted it instead? Of course you have! I did just the other day at my married couples small group when admiring one of the other ladies cute sandals, I quickly corrected myself. Honestly I really did correct myself! We often get so confused with what we want vs. what we truly NEED and people who truly love us and know what's best for us will give more of what we need then what we just want when it's better for us.

 

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

 

- The story of Martha and Mary stirs up some memories of sibling rivalry for many of us. What battles with your siblings do you remember the most? What did you do to get your parents to notice you?

 

Luke 10:38-42

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

 

-Have you ever asked Martha's question, "Lord don't you care?" What was the situation? How did God answer your question? *Remember to post your thoughts on the blog!

 

Going Deeper:

 

Click HERE to Read 1 Kings 19:1-18 If you Don't Have Your Bible with You

 

- All of us have felt alone - even the great heroes of faith felt this way. How did the "Deadly D's" of distraction, discouragement, and doubt attack Elijah after the great victory over the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? I've completed the first one as an example (courtesy of the book)

 

DISTRACTION: Jezebel's anger made him run for his life.

DISCOURAGEMENT: (write your thoughts in your journals and post a comment!)

DOUBT: (Write your thoughts in your journals and post a comment)

 

- In this passage how did God minister to Elijah on the midst of his discouragement? How has God ministered to you when you felt alone and were hurting?

 

CLICK HERE to Read Mark 4:35-41 if You Don't Have Your Bible With You!

In those passages in Mark the disciples echoed Martha's question: "Don't you care?" What does this portion of scripture teach us about the difficult times in our lives? (Consider reading Isaiah 43:1-2)

 

CLICK HERE to Read Psalm 103 If You Don't Have Your Bible With You!

 

-List at LEAST five of the many ways God shows His love for us.

 

-Write Jesus a letter in your journal beginning with, "Lord, I know you love me because...." and list the ways he has shown his great love for you.

 

Here are some of the scriptures that were in this chapter that spoke to me a TON! I hope that these verses will help you each as well as much as they have me!!!

 

Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, O People; pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge."

 

Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you."

 

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

 

Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline."

 

As I sit and read over these verses and reflect on them I am overjoyed by their meaning and the things that resonate within me when I hear them. My goodness it's so powerful. Such short verses really, but yet so much to say in them that I am overwhelmed with joy when I read each one. There is no part of my life I cannot take to Him and trust with Him. I can rest in the fact that I don't have to be anxious about ANYTHING because it's in the hands of my Father, and why....because HE cares for me and for us!!! AND not just that, He cares so much that He is willing to hold back some things from me that even when I think they may be the right way or the right thing or the right time, He knows it's not the best for me. He cares so much and knows the best way for my life and shows me some discipline in my life that I now yearn for and can truly appreciate in ways I never imagined I would. Like a baby that longs for structure and discipline when they don't even realize it. It's so amazing really! I LOVE HIM!

 

*Don't forget to POST YOUR THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, FEELINGS, COMMENTS, ANYTHING!!! Let's hear it ladies!!! What do you think?

 

 

CHAPTER ONE: A TALE OF TWO SISTERS

As you read this book reflect over these questions and be prepared to discuss some things in our bible study meetings together. Get a journal even and write down your thoughts. Write down your thoughts and responses to the questions we give you. This is how we get more out of just reading a book about the Bible. Reading, reflecting, writing down our thoughts, praying and being still and listening to what God is trying to tell us and teach us.

 

Questions for this week:

 

- What preconceived ideas did you have about Mary and Martha before reading this book? Which woman do you relate to most- Mary or Martha? Explain or think about it more and POST your thoughts!!! 

- One woman told me, My life is like a blender-and it's stick on frappé!" What inanimate object best describes how your life currently feels?

 

Going Deeper:

 

-Read LUKE 10:38-42 Click here to read the verses

List at least two things you learn about Martha in this passage and at least two things you learn about Mary.

How would you sum up Martha in one word? How would you sum up Mary?

 

- A women told me, "I guess I'm just a Martha and that I'll always be a Martha." Is it possible for our basic character to change, or are we destined to live our lives stuck in predetermined nature? Explain or think about that more. POST your thoughts!

 

- What does the Bible say in the following verses about our potential for change?

 

Ezekiel 36:26-27

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

*Through HIM we CAN Change!!! Through HIM we CAN be the people we were meant to be in the first place!

 

2 Corinthians 5:17  

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

*We are NEW through Christ and the old is GONE! We shouldn't dwell on the past. We certainly can't move forward when we are constantly looking backwards at our past hangups and downfalls instead of focusing on our bright futures that God has planned for us.

 

Philippians 1:6

^"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

*He is working on us until His return and that we can rest easy on that truth! We are always a work in progress and there is always room from growth and change and improvement and it's AWESOME!

 

- Have you seen God's work of transformation in your own life or someone else's? How did you know if was a "holy makeover" and just just a temporary "facelift"? 

 

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

 

Jot this verse in your journal or on a note card even. Circle or highlight words or parts that stand out the most to you and meditate and pray over these and really think about what Jesus is saying. Then memorize this passage phrase by phrase.

 

Which parts about this particular chapter spoke out to you the most? What things do you feel that God is really trying to teach you through this study already? Jot those things down in your journal too! Once we complete this study you will be able to go back to that list and really see what you've learned and just how amazing our God is and see how many things He will do for you through this Bible study!!! 

**Don't forget to POST YOUR THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, FEELINGS, COMMENTS, ANYTHING!!! Let's hear it ladies!!! What do you think?

 

 

 

 

WELCOME XTREMELY AMAZINGLY FEARLESS LADY LEADERS!!!

I hope you each are doing well today! I hope you 7th and 8th grade leaders are well rested from Vertical Reality and feeling great! I am working hard on getting this blog up and running for all the Xtreme lady leaders at BBCC for our Bible Study that we will be doing coming up this fall!!!

Don't forget that it will be starting on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

The first meeting will be at 8:15-8:45 for the 9:00 leaders and again and 10:15-10:45 for the 11:00 leaders!

I hope you all have been reading the book that Holly gave us called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" By: Joanna Weaver. Make sure you read chapters 1-4 before Sunday, September 27th so you will be well prepared for some amazing conversations to come!

I will also be updating this blog with some awesome questions and scriptures between now and then so make sure you check back for that too! Save this link into your favorites so you will have it in the weeks to come as well.

And don't forget to leave your comments, thoughts, ideas, and questions even! We ALL want to hear from each other! And this blog is a way to help with that! So comment away! That's what we created it for. If you can't make the meetings blog about your thoughts on the study, and even if you can make the meetings write your thoughts down on the blog before our meetings together. It's easy and fun I promise! Let me know if you have ANY questions at all about blogging and/or how to post a comment or anything at all. I am looking forward to this study and getting to know all of you even better through this bible study! It's going to be awesome!