Think of a relationship in which you have trusted another person and share your thoughts from this lesson. Tell this person how much you value his or her trustworthiness.
My wonderful husband,
There were times I doubted that God had anyone out there for me - let alone someone He made just for me. It was so hard for me to put my trust in anyone because of my troubled past - especially my relationships with men. I have such a hard time believing that they are dependable - that they will stay - that they will love all of me, even when I am wrong.
You are the answer to all my spoken and unspoken prayers. You are not only the love of my life, but you are an example of God's love for me. I know through you that all of my broken roads and hardships have been for the good, because without them, I would never have been ready to appreciate the gift that you are. And you are a gift! I thank God for you every day of my life.
I know that you love me even when I am wrong - I trust that you will never leave me. In our study this week it talked about trusting God even though we don't know His plans for us. I don't know what the future holds, I don't know where our path might lead, but I know that He put you in my life - not just to be my husband and my life long companion. He made you to help me trust Him, to show me that I can believe in Him and all that He does is for the good.
Thank you for being His promise answered. I love you!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Lesson One - Developing Trust Section 8
Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
Philippians 3:8-11
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
a. what do these verses say about our privilege of knowing God?
It makes everything else we have seem like rubbish. It is the single most important gift we can be given.
b. Knowing God is more than simply knowing facts about Him. What does it mean to know God?
The saying "to Know me is to Love me" takes on a whole new meaning. No one truly loves a fact, but I think that truly knowing someone is to love them.
c. What are you doing to get to know God better?
I'm taking two bible studies, joined a shepherd group and am attending church to learn from His word to find His meaning to become sanctified in Him so that I can be the person He created me to be - not the person I think I should be.
d. Do you need to make or renew your commitment to these actions?
every day.
e. Write a prayer in which you express your desire to know God more intimately.
Dear Lord,
I want to thank You for everything You have given me. Even though as a sinner I was and never will be worthy on my own, I know that You gave Christ to me personally because You Love me. I want to learn and grow in You. I want to have a relationship with You that isn't just about obedience but is about love and trust - one that is personal and not distant and abstract. Please open my heart to the changes that You want to make in me and give me the patience and strength to know deep in my heart that whatever trials are placed in my path are there for Your purpose and are designed to your plan - which is always for the good and never for the bad.
Amen
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
Philippians 3:8-11
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
a. what do these verses say about our privilege of knowing God?
It makes everything else we have seem like rubbish. It is the single most important gift we can be given.
b. Knowing God is more than simply knowing facts about Him. What does it mean to know God?
The saying "to Know me is to Love me" takes on a whole new meaning. No one truly loves a fact, but I think that truly knowing someone is to love them.
c. What are you doing to get to know God better?
I'm taking two bible studies, joined a shepherd group and am attending church to learn from His word to find His meaning to become sanctified in Him so that I can be the person He created me to be - not the person I think I should be.
d. Do you need to make or renew your commitment to these actions?
every day.
e. Write a prayer in which you express your desire to know God more intimately.
Dear Lord,
I want to thank You for everything You have given me. Even though as a sinner I was and never will be worthy on my own, I know that You gave Christ to me personally because You Love me. I want to learn and grow in You. I want to have a relationship with You that isn't just about obedience but is about love and trust - one that is personal and not distant and abstract. Please open my heart to the changes that You want to make in me and give me the patience and strength to know deep in my heart that whatever trials are placed in my path are there for Your purpose and are designed to your plan - which is always for the good and never for the bad.
Amen
Lesson One - Developing Trust Section 7
According to Isaiah 55:9 and Romans 11:33, why is it important for us to trust God even when we don't understand what He is doing?
Isaiah 55:9
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Because he is wise and he knows better than we do. If we just trust in that it will ease our fears and let us begin to breathe.
Isaiah 55:9
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Because he is wise and he knows better than we do. If we just trust in that it will ease our fears and let us begin to breathe.
Lesson One - Developing Trust Section 6
Psalm 78:9-22
The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;
they did not keep God's covenant
and refused to live by his law.
They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.
He did miracles in the sight of their fathers
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand firm like a wall.
He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.
He split the rocks in the desert
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.
But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.
They willfully put God to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God, saying,
"Can God spread a table in the desert?
When he struck the rock, water gushed out,
and streams flowed abundantly.
But can he also give us food?
Can he supply meat for his people?"
When the LORD heard them, he was very angry;
his fire broke out against Jacob,
and his wrath rose against Israel,
for they did not believe in God
or trust in his deliverance.
a. What attitude did the Israelites reveal in the desert?
They were irreverent and taunted God in their lack of Faith.
b. What was God's reaction to their attitude?
He became angry and full of wrath.
c. Describe a time when your attitude was similar to that of the Israelites.
With concern to my inability to get pregnant thus far I have found that I have overlooked God's gifts and focused on what He hasn't done for me.
d. How do you think God felt about your attitude?
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing,
I think He was unhappy with the conviction behind my "prayer" - it was not based on Him or what He wanted but it was selfish and ungrateful.
e. What in your life indicated how God felt?
His answer to my prayer was "no".
The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;
they did not keep God's covenant
and refused to live by his law.
They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.
He did miracles in the sight of their fathers
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand firm like a wall.
He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.
He split the rocks in the desert
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.
But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.
They willfully put God to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God, saying,
"Can God spread a table in the desert?
When he struck the rock, water gushed out,
and streams flowed abundantly.
But can he also give us food?
Can he supply meat for his people?"
When the LORD heard them, he was very angry;
his fire broke out against Jacob,
and his wrath rose against Israel,
for they did not believe in God
or trust in his deliverance.
a. What attitude did the Israelites reveal in the desert?
They were irreverent and taunted God in their lack of Faith.
b. What was God's reaction to their attitude?
He became angry and full of wrath.
c. Describe a time when your attitude was similar to that of the Israelites.
With concern to my inability to get pregnant thus far I have found that I have overlooked God's gifts and focused on what He hasn't done for me.
d. How do you think God felt about your attitude?
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing,
I think He was unhappy with the conviction behind my "prayer" - it was not based on Him or what He wanted but it was selfish and ungrateful.
e. What in your life indicated how God felt?
His answer to my prayer was "no".
Lesson One - Developing Trust Section 5
a. What is the difference between trusting God and obeying him?
trusting God is a belief, but obeying is an action.
b. How are trusting God and obedience related?
I think it's easier to obey God when you trust Him. I also think it's easier to obey Him than to trust Him.
c. Is it easier for you to trust God or to be obedient? Explain why.
It's easier for me to control my actions than my heart. It's easier for me to doubt my feelings than my actions.
d. Describe a situation in your life where obedience and trusting were both important.
I'm going to Colorado to visit my cousin. I am doing this because I know that God wants me to go - so I am doing my best to obey Him, but I am trying to trust that He is making me go and will take care of me while I am there.
e. Describe a time when trusting God made it easier to be obedient.
Because I'm trusting God, it was easier for me to buy the ticket and make the plans to go to Colorado. I wasn't deterred by fear of the unknown, I am acting solely on the basis that God knows what he's doing and he wants me to go for a reason. With that trust, my fear of the "what if's" is greatly diminished which is a giant relief.
trusting God is a belief, but obeying is an action.
b. How are trusting God and obedience related?
I think it's easier to obey God when you trust Him. I also think it's easier to obey Him than to trust Him.
c. Is it easier for you to trust God or to be obedient? Explain why.
It's easier for me to control my actions than my heart. It's easier for me to doubt my feelings than my actions.
d. Describe a situation in your life where obedience and trusting were both important.
I'm going to Colorado to visit my cousin. I am doing this because I know that God wants me to go - so I am doing my best to obey Him, but I am trying to trust that He is making me go and will take care of me while I am there.
e. Describe a time when trusting God made it easier to be obedient.
Because I'm trusting God, it was easier for me to buy the ticket and make the plans to go to Colorado. I wasn't deterred by fear of the unknown, I am acting solely on the basis that God knows what he's doing and he wants me to go for a reason. With that trust, my fear of the "what if's" is greatly diminished which is a giant relief.
Lesson One - Developing Trust Section 4
Psalm 32:10
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
John 14:1
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
God desires that we learn to trust Him. What do you learn about trust from these verses?
Trust has to happen in our hearts, not our minds.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
John 14:1
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
God desires that we learn to trust Him. What do you learn about trust from these verses?
Trust has to happen in our hearts, not our minds.
Lesson One - Developing Trust Section 3
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
a. According to Proverbs 27:1 what should be our perspective on the future?
We shouldn't claim to know what the future holds because we don't have the master plans.
b. How does this affect our need to trust God?
Believing that makes us need to trust God more. He holds the master plan and we have to have faith that even if it hurts, it is necessary for the end result - and that the end result will be for our good.
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
a. According to Proverbs 27:1 what should be our perspective on the future?
We shouldn't claim to know what the future holds because we don't have the master plans.
b. How does this affect our need to trust God?
Believing that makes us need to trust God more. He holds the master plan and we have to have faith that even if it hurts, it is necessary for the end result - and that the end result will be for our good.
Lesson One - Developing Trust Section 2
Do you think Christians struggle more with questions and uncertainties in the midst of adversity than nonbelievers? Why or why not?
I think believers struggle more with questions and uncertainties because they feel like there should be comfort in God and when it isn't there it creates doubt and fear which adds to the depression of adversity. Whereas people who don't believe don't look outside of themselves and so they have fewer struggles with doubt.
I think believers struggle more with questions and uncertainties because they feel like there should be comfort in God and when it isn't there it creates doubt and fear which adds to the depression of adversity. Whereas people who don't believe don't look outside of themselves and so they have fewer struggles with doubt.
Lesson One - Developing Trust Section 1
Do you have a harder time trusting God in the major trials of your life or in the relatively minor things? Explain why you think this is the case.
I think it really depends on the situation and how insurmountable it seems to me at the time. There are minor things that I sort of don't think God would worry with and then the big things I worry He won't fix or when I don't understand why the answer to my prayer seems to be No.
I think it really depends on the situation and how insurmountable it seems to me at the time. There are minor things that I sort of don't think God would worry with and then the big things I worry He won't fix or when I don't understand why the answer to my prayer seems to be No.
Lesson One - Central Idea
God is completely sovereign, infinite in wisdom, perfect in love and therefore worthy of our trust. God's desire for us is that we learn to trust Him.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Trusting God Bible Study
We meet Wednesday Night's @ 7:30 p.m. in Leesburg
Why is it easier to obey God than to trust him?
Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most cases His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don't want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us.
But the circumstances we find ourselves in often defy explanation. When unexpected situations arise that appear unjust, irrational, or even dreadful, we feel confused and frustrated. And before long we begin to doubt God's concern for us or His control over our lives.
Adversity is hard to endure, and can be even harder to understand. If God were really in control, why would He allow a tragic auto accident or a crucial job loss? How could He permit cancer in a loved one or the death of a child?
Grappling with His concern for us we ask, "Why is God allowing this?" or "What have I done wrong?"
In an effort to strengthen his own trust in God during a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a lengthy Bible study on the topic of God's sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and he now shares the fruit of that study with you in Trusting God.
As you begin to explore the scope of God's power over nations, nature, and the detailed lives of individuals, you'll begin to acknowledge His loving control. And as you come to know Him better, you'll find yourself trusting Him more completely. Even when life hurts.
Why is it easier to obey God than to trust him?
Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most cases His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don't want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us.
But the circumstances we find ourselves in often defy explanation. When unexpected situations arise that appear unjust, irrational, or even dreadful, we feel confused and frustrated. And before long we begin to doubt God's concern for us or His control over our lives.
Adversity is hard to endure, and can be even harder to understand. If God were really in control, why would He allow a tragic auto accident or a crucial job loss? How could He permit cancer in a loved one or the death of a child?
Grappling with His concern for us we ask, "Why is God allowing this?" or "What have I done wrong?"
In an effort to strengthen his own trust in God during a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a lengthy Bible study on the topic of God's sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and he now shares the fruit of that study with you in Trusting God.
As you begin to explore the scope of God's power over nations, nature, and the detailed lives of individuals, you'll begin to acknowledge His loving control. And as you come to know Him better, you'll find yourself trusting Him more completely. Even when life hurts.
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