By Captain Jan Pemberton Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Cascade Division
Instructions: This Bible Study contains questions about the study of Meditation and Memorization of Scripture. Take your time as you read each question and read the passage of scripture for that corresponding question in the Bible. Read and study each answer in the Bible and then write an answer in your own words.
Overview:
Memorizing Scripture and Christian meditation is similar and components of one another. Before your time in meditative prayer, you can study a passage of scripture many times and, through the process, keep a list of questions you want to take to the Lord during your time together, such as finding the greater meaning of the text you just read and open your heart to the Holy Spirit to speak and minister to you.
Read Psalms 1:1-6. a. How can we delight in God’s instructions? b. How can meditating on scripture help us pursue righteous living?
Read Psalms 119:15-16 a. What is the benefit of reading and meditating on God’s word? b. How can these verses grow us closer to God?
Read Psalms 119:97-99. a. How often are we to meditate on scripture? b. When we read this scripture, what happens to us?
Read Psalm 143:5. a. Why should we ponder the work of the Lord?
Read Joshua 1:8. a. When should we meditate on God’s word? b. What happens to us if we meditate on God’s word?
Read Philippians 4:2-9. a. What urging or encouragements, do you notice in these verses? b. What are we to think about according to these verses? c. Why is it good to keep God’s word in your heart?
Read 1 Timothy 4:13-15. a. Where should we read scripture, and until when? b. What should we do with this gift God has given us? c. Why should we meditate on God’s Word?
Read Romans 12:2 a. What happens to our minds when we read and study God’s word? b. In learning His will, should we test God?
There is an Acronym called PROBE. How can we use these in our lives in memorizing God’s word to share with others? a. Pray b. Repent c. Obey d. Believe e. Express
Read the verses below. How can these verses give you strength and purpose and connect you with the Lord? a. John 3:16 b. Jeremiah 29:11 c. Matthew 6:33 d. Matthew 28:18-20 e. Joshua 1:7-9 f. Philippians 4:13 g. 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 h. Psalm 23:1 i. Proverbs 3:5-8 j. Romans 8:26-28
When we are introspective about our time in the Word of God and with our time in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our time with the Lord, we can feel rejuvenated in our minds, bodies, and our souls. When we take the time to reflect upon the verses God has put before us in our devotions, mentioned in a Bible study or in a sermon, we need to do our own study in order to learn more about what God meant in those verses. If we have questions, we need to go to our Officers and ask questions because that is the only way we learn. We must do our research. Look in commentaries and the works of John Wesley and other theologians in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. We need to be people who hunger and thirst for God’s word, and through diligent study and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will see what the Lord has in store for us.
Memory Verse Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3
By Linda Garcia Fairbanks, AK Corps – Alaska Division
I wanted to accurately define hospitality: Hospitality is action and affection, receiving and loving a stranger.
I grew up seeing this displayed in my family. My paternal grandmother always had a pot of beans on the stove, a large Tupperware bowl full of homemade flour tortillas on top of the refrigerator or continually making them fresh this was all day every day ready for anyone or everyone that stepped into her home whether it be family, friend or stranger.
The Bible points out numerous forms of hospitality which is very important-
“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13
How would you describe your willingness to help others in need. Would you describe yourself as being eager?
If someone is eager to practice hospitality, how is that demonstrated in their life? Do you know someone who could be described as eager to practice hospitality?
I remember as a very young girl spending a lot of time with my maternal grandparents, it was really my second home. This one particular summer I was probably 5 years old I would go outside to play in the front yard and there would be one or two men passed out by the bushes I run into the house to tell Gramma and she would calmly send Grampa out with a cup of coffee and water to let them know it was time to move on. There was a cantina/bar across the street to the left of their house. They never mistreated anyone, but it was an opportunity for Grampa to share a cup of coffee and sometimes pray for them.
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
How does grumbling impact our hospitality? How does grumbling affect our Christian witness? What are we communicating to others by grumbling?
The practice of hospitality is Christ-like. It is an offering of our time and company to others.”] The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 reaches out her hand to the needy. She cared about others!
Read Proverbs 31:10-31. Note how this woman showed hospitality. What did she do? How did she respond? What do you learn about hospitality from this woman?
Ladies whether you have a woman’s Group in your home or at church hospitality is how God wants us to share his love with everyone. Be intentional as you prepare a meal, snacks, and God’s Word that you will share with those who enter your home. Pray for each woman that comes to your group meeting, make sure to lift them up in prayer daily as you journey with them.
I have to be honest, being hospitable didn’t come naturally for me even though I saw it growing up. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I have learned to open my home to those I may not of opened up my home to in the past.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
How can you be more intentional in showing hospitality this week?
By Major Gaylene Yardley Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Southwest Division
Needed Supplies (needed by each person):
paper
pencils
large eraser
Bible
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Have you ever done something that you wish you could take back? Maybe something that you said that makes you cringe when you think about it? It happens to all of us at one time or another. As a kid I remember when I did something I knew to be wrong, I had that terrible sinking feeling in my gut that caused me turmoil in my heart and in my soul.
Today we are going to talk about sin and forgiveness. Forgiveness is one of the hardest things we can ask for or give, in my opinion. We often say we forgive but do we really forget? Let’s work together to do a little illustration for each of us.
Have participants draw a large heart on their paper. If you’d prefer, you can print out large hearts instead.
Is the heart pure? Since it is clean, the answer is yes. Sometimes even when you are trying to do a good job, we mess up anyway. What is a way that we may mess up?
Read Colossians 3:5. This verse tells about some specific sins, Sin clouds up your heart. Write the sin on the heart (big!).
What might happen after that? For example, if the first sin they offer is stealing, then tell them you might lie to cover it up because you don’t want them to know.
Then write the next sin on your heart and have them do the same. Repeat these steps until the heart is full of sins things.
Do you think that Jesus still loves you even with this? But do you think He can live in your heart with all this garbage?
We need Jesus’ forgiveness at all times. Can someone tell me what forgiveness means to you? How do we receive and give forgiveness? We must forgive as well. If we harbor bitterness and animosity in our lives, we must forgive as well. Colossians 3: 13 tells us this, “bear with each other and forgive one another if any one of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
So what do we need to do to be forgiven? Why do you think that you need to say it out loud? We have to admit it so that we are being honest with God and ourselves.
What else do you think would be a good thing to do? Guide them until they answer that you should talk to the people that you wronged.
Go through each of the sins on the heart and “make it right”. That means praying for the person you wronged, making it right, and asking for Jesus’ forgiveness. Each time, erase the sin from the heart. Have them do this as well.
Do you think it will stay like that forever? It’s probably not going to stay pure forever. Even if you try hard, you will probably mess up every once and a while. The important thing is that we try to do our best to be like Christ, and that we ask for forgiveness when we mess up—and quickly! We don’t want to end up filling our heart with sins.
Give them a few minutes (play a quick worship song) and ask them to think about something they may need to ask forgiveness for, and to pray for it. At the end, pray a general prayer over them that they will learn from this lesson and try to keep their hearts pure.
Quotes on Forgiveness
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” – Louis B. Smedes
“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.” – Robert Muller
“Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” – Jonathan Huie
“Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.” – Harriet Nelson
“If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.” – Mother Teresa
“When you forgive, you immerse yourself in healing water.s” – Stephen Richards
“To forgive is to refuse to contaminate the future with the errors of the past.” – Craig D. Lounsbrough
“When we forgive, the slave we free is ourselves.” – Edward M. Hallowell
“Forgiving others is having power over the stars, forgiving yourself is having power over the moon.” – Alan Maiccon
By Captain Irene Castro Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Del Oro Division
Note: Since the spiritual discipline we are focusing on this month is “Listening Prayer” this month’s Bible Study is in the form of prayer stations, that will incorporate Scripture into each specific prayer station.
Supply List for Station:
Blocks or Bricks with different words that can cause us to stumble like gossip, love for money, lust and more.
Long mirror with dry erase markers.
A standing cross with pieces of paper. Also pens, hammer and nails.
Put a circle of chairs for people to pray and have the officer lead this one while praying for others.
Nails, tools, and wire (see picture in the prayer station description below)
Have a fake tree, printed prayers or promises from the Bible for people to grab, paper clips to hang their papers on the tree. Also have blank papers and pens in case people want to write their own.
Scrabble Board game
On a board hang up lines with hearts for them to grab and then hang back up, pens
You can do this one in a lot of different ways. Have the word written out so they can read it themselves, have it on the CD and have it playing over and over, or have someone read it out loud.
Prayer Station 1: Stumbling Blocks Supplies: Blocks or Bricks with different words that can cause us to stumble like gossip, love for money, lust and more.
Isaiah 57:14 And it will be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people.”
As we know there are a lot of things in our life that the devil can use for us to stumble. We see some on the table. What are some things in your life that you need to remove so that you can stand firm and not fall. Take a moment and reflect on your life and see what those things are and pray that God helps you to remove that from your life or helps you to be strong to face it.
Prayer Station 2: Image of God Supplies: Long mirror with dry erase markers
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ the new creation has come the old as gone the new is here.
When you see yourself in this mirror what do you see? Are you happy with what you see? Is God happy with what he sees? There are things sometime that we still hold on to from our past and have not allowed God to change us complete. Pray that God make you a new creation from the inside and out. Pray when people see you, they see God and not the old you. Take a moment to talk with the Lord but also write on the mirror one thing you don’t want to see anymore.
Prayer Station 3: Forgiveness Supplies:A standing cross with pieces of paper. Also pens, hammer and nails.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.
When you forgive, you in no way change the past – but you sure do change the future. Remember God went on the cross to forgive your sins and take all that pain and suffering away from you. Write something you need to ask God to forgive you for or write down someone’s name that you still need to forgive. Take a moment to pray. Put paper on the cross as a symbol of allowing God to start the healing process.
Station 4: Sickness Supplies:Put a circle of chairs for people to pray and have the officer lead this one while praying for others.
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
We all have a loved one that is sick, or we are self or going through some sickness. Pray and believe that God will heal and restore that body back to what it once was.
Station 5: Christ Dying on the Cross Supplies:Nails, tools, and wire
Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.
As you see the nails on the table remember the sacrifice that God did for you. Remember he loves you and died on the cross for your sins and pain. Make a cross with the nails as you see the example on the table but while you are building your cross meditate on him and his goodness.
Station 6: The Tree of Prayer Supplies: Have a fake tree, printed prayers or promises from the Bible for people to grab, paper clips to hang their papers on the tree. Also have blank papers and pens in case people want to write their own.
1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
As you pick a paper think of a prayer that you want God to hear and hang it on the tree as a symbol of you believing to God. Know and believe that he answers or hears your prayer. Then take a minute to pray and talk with him or share your prayer with your officer or friend and ask them to pray for you.
Station 7: Encouraging Words Supplies:Scrabble Board game
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
In this day of age, we have lots of people that can be mean or rude. We see people being bulled and people taking their life when we need to start encouraging people and saying nice things to people. As you see there is a board game in the middle, the word LOVED is there add or put another encouraging word with the letters you see so you can practice doing this.
Station 8: Marriages and Families Supplies:On a board hang up lines with hearts for them to grab and then hang back up, pens
2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
These words are among Paul’s final words of exhortation to the Christians in Corinth at the end of his second letter to them. He is encouraging them to work things out with one another and think more highly about others rather than of themselves. Paul wants them to live in peace and harmony, because then they will experience more fully God’s love and peace. By seeking restoration with their brothers and sisters in Christ, they would reap what they sowed restoration with God as well. Take a moment, take a heart and write down on this heart what you want God to start doing in your marriage, family and you. By writing this down you are believing and declaring that this will happen. God is able to restore that love and peace again in those relationships.
Station 9: Read and Pray Supplies: You can do this one in a lot of different ways. Have the word written out so they can read it themselves, have it on the CD and have it playing over and over, or have someone read it out loud.
Read: Psalm 37: 1-8
We read in this Psalm that those that are doing evil things seem to be prospering. But we are not to get angry or upset about that because God will have the last word and He will judge. We are told here to trust in the Lord.
No matter what is happening around us, God desires us to trust in Him. Things can look really bad for a while – but God will come through. As we commit our way to the Lord and delight in Him, He will bring it to pass. He will give us the desires of our hearts. We need to be still and rest in the Lord, to wait on Him and to keep on trusting Him. God will never let you down. He is fully trustworthy. So often people can let us down – but God never will.
If there are things in your life today that are tearing you up inside, give it over to God completely and place your hope and trust in Him. Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (Proverbs 3: 5)
Lord, I give you my concerns, I lay them at your feet. Help me, Lord, to trust in you. For my daily needs.
Download printable instructions for the Prayer Stations:
By Major Beth Desplancke Territorial Women’s Ministries Program Secretary
As you soak in the sun or soak in a pool, I encourage you also to use the summer months to soak in the Word of God. Spend this summer soaking in one passage of Scripture – Psalm 119. Psalm 119 is a record of a man’s commitment to and love for the Word of God. Psalm 119 is divided into 22 stanzas of 8 verses each. Each weekly lesson will look at two stanzas (16 verses). Although Psalm 119 is one continuous chapter, each lesson can stand alone (if people are busy traveling and miss weekly programs). This is a great study that you can take with you on your travels and do it individually, or gather with a group of women over the summer and dig into God’s Word.
Matthew Henry, the great 18th century Bible commentator, was introduced to Psalm 119 as a child. His father, Philip Henry, told his children to take one verse of Psalm 119 every morning to meditate on, and thereby go through the entire psalm twice in the year. Philip said to his children, “That will bring you to be in love with all the rest of the Scriptures.” Perhaps that practice was why Matthew Henry loved the Bible so much that he wrote commentary that is used still today.
Click on the week number for each individual lesson.
By Captain Charlene Morrow Monterey Peninsula, CA Corps – Golden State Division
Text: James 3:1-12
Introduction:
Think about the wide variety of comments and connections you make daily. The average person speaks about 7,000 words spoken a day, makes about 12 social interactions daily, and according to a Stanford study, has about 6000 individual thoughts daily. If we take a day and examine all of our words spoken and thoughts to ourselves, would you be proud of everything you’ve done? Would God be pleased? Could you say that you have “tamed the tongue” (physical or mental) in those situations? How many times would that tongue have gotten you into trouble? We all have trouble taming our tongue. James talks about this in James 3:1-12. The same mind and tongue that prays to the heavenly Father, thinks the thoughts of others around us and of ourselves. In this study we are going to look at taming our tongue with others and taming our tongue with ourselves.
Taming the tongue with others: When working with young children, we often find that they will say whatever comes to mind, even to the embarrassment of their parents or other adults in the room. Often, children do not have a “filter,” as they say. Young minds are still learning the “dos and don’ts” of social norms and have a hard time controlling what comes from their mouths. Sometimes, we adults act the very same way. Taming our tongue is an important theme in scripture. With our tongues we can build people up, tear people down, or say the wrong thing without meaning it. How we speak and how we act toward others, fellow believer or not, is a direct representation of who our heavenly Father is and what he is about. When we look at our text in James, let’s discuss these questions:
Read James 3:1-8
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
Discussion Questions:
What do you think James means when he says the tongue is also like fire?
How can a small “rudder” like the tongue control my being?
How can I control the power of my tongue?
What does it mean to “tame the tongue” with others and what are some ways that we can practice “taming the tongue”?
Look up scriptures: Proverbs 15:4, Colossians 3:12 and Galatians 5:13. Discuss with each other how these scriptures relate to learning to tame the tongue with others.
Jesus discusses this in the book of Matthew when preaching the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 7:12 says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Earlier in James we are also reminded to be “quick to listen and slow to speak”. The next time you want to speak without thinking, take three deep breaths or count to 5 slowly in your head. Or, you can come up with your own tool to use to ensure the next words out of your mouth will be glorifying to God.
Taming the tongue with ourselves: “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” This is a quote by the Dalai Lama. This concept may be easy to practice with others. For many of us, it is easy to love others and treat others with compassion but, do we offer ourselves the same kindness? We are our own worst critics, however; we are still children of the almighty God! So many of us talk to ourselves and use words and thoughts that we wouldn’t dare say to another person. I’m too much of….., I will never be…., I will never look like…., I will never succeed like…, I’M NOT ENOUGH! But we are God’s children. God’s Chosen. Created in HIS image. As we dive back into our passage in James chapter 3, Let’s read verses 9-12.
Read James 3:9-12
“9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
Let’s insert ourselves into the passage in James. “With the tongue we praise our Lord, and with it we curse human beings,” and how about “and with it we curse ourselves, who have been made in God’s likeness”. Or, we can make it even more personal: “And with it we curse__________(your first and last name), who have been made in God’s likeness”.
Discussion Questions:
What do you think the definition of “self-talk” is and how does that relate to taming the tongue within us?
What does “Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring?” mean?
Why do you think it can be easier to praise and uplift others and not provide the same love and affection for ourselves?
Look up scriptures: Ephesians 4:29-30, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, and Philippians 4:8-9. Have a conversation about how these scripture verses provide evidence that God wants us to “tame the tongue” when speaking to ourselves.
Positive self-talk is not a new concept. Treating our body as a temple of the Lord includes our minds as well. Just as we would not want to clutter our minds and hearts with other sins and admirations of the world, we should also not clutter them with thoughts that berate a child of God. Galatians 4:7 says: “Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” The next time you want to hurt yourself with negative words and thoughts, remember whose you are and tame that tongue!
Final discussion questions: Just like with anything worth doing, taming the tongue requires practice, practice, practice!
What are some ways we can practice taming the tongue to others?
What are strategies we can use to keep ourselves from being “quick to speak”?
What are some ways we can practice taming our tongue with ourselves?
Do you think there is a correlation between how we view/talk to ourselves and how we view/talk to others?
As a child, when you did something wrong how did you respond? Did you try to cover it up or hide it? Or did you quickly confess what you did? How did you feel when you hid it? How did it feel to confess it?
If “confession is good for the soul” why do you think so many find confession hard to do?
To confess is to admit guilt, or admit we made a mistake. To be honest, none of us like to admit that we are guilty, or made a mistake. We think it is easier to sweep our sins under the carpet and hide them. As we study Psalm 32, written by David, we will discover that it is better to confess our sins to God and allow Him to forgive us, rather than to try to hide or cover them up.
David is referred to as “a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22)” but still had seasons of sin in his life. The most notable is sin regarding Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). After being approached by the prophet Nathan, David came to confession, repentance and forgiveness. Psalm 32 seems to go hand in hand with Psalm 51, where it is specified that he wrote the psalm after had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Psalm 32 is a psalm of penitence, but it is also a song of a forgiven soul rejoicing in the wonders of the grace of God. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Oh the blessedness! The double joys, the bundles of happiness, the mountains of delight” for those who are forgiven.
Explore It:
Read Psalm 32:1-11
How does David describe the state of the person whose sin is forgiven? How does that make you feel about God’s forgiveness?
Note that there are three words to describe sin in the first 2 verses.
Transgression means a “crossing a line, defying authority.” It is a rebellion, a refusal to submit to rightful authority. When we sin, we are rebelling against and refusing to submit to the rightful authority of God in our lives.
Sin means “falling short of or missing a mark,” Romans 3:23 says for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of the God. God has set a target, and when we aim and don’t quite hit the center of the target; we miss the mark. Sin is coming short of that aim which God intended for us to reach.
Iniquity is from a word meaning bent or twisted. It suggests the perverting of that which is right or erring from the correct way.
David also uses three terms to describe what God does to put away our sin when we come to Him and confess our sins.
Our sins are forgiven. This means the lifting of a burden or a debt. The payment for the sin has been paid.
Our sins are covered. There is a cost for sin, and from the very beginning God instituted that shedding of blood to pay for the cost of the sin. The Old Testament sacrificial system emphasized this – a lamb or goat would have to die to pay for the person’s sins. Thankfully, Jesus came as the sacrificial Lamb of God and He died in our place, and His blood covers our sins.
Our sins are not counted against us. 1 John 1:9 proclaims, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” They are gone completely. The debt has been paid; you no longer owe it!
How does David describe the person who receives God’s forgiveness?
How did David feel when he had unconfessed sin in his life (v. 3-4)? How do you feel when you have unconfessed sin in your life?
What did David experience/feel when he finally confessed to the Lord (v.5)? Have you had the same experience?
Douglas J. Rumford, in his book, Soul Shaping: Taking Care of Your Spiritual Life (p. 135), writes, “In terms of theology, guilt is my condition after I have violated God’s ways. I have sinned, and I am therefore guilty. Guilt is a fact, regardless of feelings, and we deal with it through repentance, confession, and trust in the sacrifice of Christ.”
He goes on to write (p. 136), “We can think of guilt as the fever of the soul. When we feel guilt, we know we have acted against God, ourselves and others. Our guilt announces the problem. It is like the warning light on the dashboard of a car…When you have a fever, you seek medical help. You neither ignore the fever nor focus on it alone. You treat the root cause, and the fever takes care of itself. God’s strategy in guilt is to stir us to get help, drawing us to himself.”
The dryness and misery David experienced was actually a good thing. His discomfort drove him to confess his sins before God. The moment he confessed, he experienced the freeing of his burden, and the forgiveness of his sin.
What assurance do we have when we pray (v. 5)?
How does the Lord protect His people (v. 6-7)? What does the picture of God as our hiding place mean to you?
Sin separates us from God. We want to hide from Him. Think about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. What did they do as soon as they ate from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:6-8)? They hid from God because of the shame they felt. But when we confess our sin and receive His forgiveness, we need not hide from Him in shame, but can run to Him and experience the safety of knowing that He won’t hold that sin against us.
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Observe that the same man who in the fourth verse was oppressed by the presence of God, here finds a shelter in him. See what honest confession and full forgiveness will do!”
What specific advice does this psalm offer to God’s people (v. 8-11)?
When was a time in your life where you were stubborn and refused to allow God to guide you?
Notice the advice of not being like a horse or a mule. Both animals aren’t easy to guide; they need a bit and bridle and sometimes rigorous training before they are useful to the master. Don’t be like a horse or a mule when it comes to allowing the Lord to guide you. When we refuse to confess our sin, we are a stubborn horse or donkey trying to go our own way. And in our stubbornness, we will not be listening for the Lord’s guidance.
11. What promise did David offer to those who trust in the Lord (v. 10)?
Apply It:
Oh, the joy of forgiveness when we confess our sins. When we come to Him and admit our wrongdoings, and ask for His forgiveness, the Judge of the Universe pounds His gavel and proclaims, “Not guilty! You are free!” Of course, we should be people filled with rejoicing.
How does psalm 32 reshape your understanding of God’s response to repentance?
How does Psalm 32 inspire you to foster a more honest relationship with God?
What behavior or attitude do you need to confess to the Lord today?
How can you incorporate confession into your daily time with the Lord?
Close It: As a group, read Psalm 19:12-14 (NLT) as a closing prayer:
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
https://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/jasmin-ne-DXxiTisw6yg-unsplash-scaled.jpg25601705Beth Desplanckehttps://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/uswLogo-300x75-300x75.pngBeth Desplancke2024-03-21 09:44:192024-03-21 09:44:22April 2024 Bible Study: Confession is Good for the Soul
By Major Sybil Smith Torrance, CA Corps Southern California Division
OVERVIEW: In this *study we will be looking at the different times throughout Scripture in which Jesus faced suffering in His life. We will read the passages, and ask questions that may foster further understanding of what took place in each of these vulnerable times in Jesus’ life and ministry. We will then look into further Scriptures which may help us see where we truly are in “Solidarity in the suffering of Jesus Christ.”
NOTE: This is quite an extensive study and could be broken down into studying smaller sections over several weeks.
INTRODUCTION: sol•i-dar-i•ty soli-dar-i-ty Isäla’derade noun 1 unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group: factory workers voiced solidarity with the striking students. New Oxford American Dictionary
I am not sure I can say that I can truly be in solidarity in what my Lord has suffered on account of me and humankind. As we will see in this study, the Lord faced insult … persecution … personal anguish and torture before His predestined death by hanging on a cross for the redemption of us all. I just don’t think I can stand next to my Savior claiming I am in solidarity in His sufferings. Do I want to be? Yes, of course I desire to have the heart of God that would endure such things for the sake of others. But in all honesty, am I even close? I have shied away from so many moments God has asked me to join Him in. Moments of standing up for not just social injustice, but for the Bible, the truths Jesus Christ hung on the cross for.
There are times when it seems that we are living in a society where we are being told we are haters even if we merely disagree with an action or lifestyle that is contrary to the Word of God. It seems as if we are labeled old fashioned and out of date.
Those who stand up in our 21st century culture, living and speaking the true message of the Gospel, may very well be close to solidarity in Christ’s suffering. It’s not an easy thing to do by any means at all. Especially when it hits close to home with family. It’s so much easier to sometimes skip over some truths than lose the ones we love to hating us or thinking we hate them.
Those times, when we may pick and choose what to believe and what not to believe in the Bible, may make it challenging to be able to truly say we are in solidarity with Jesus Christ? In today’s culture, to be close to solidarity with Jesus’ suffering means we strive to live, speak and stand every moment in God’s truth, even when it is being challenged by those closest to us. No matter who our company is … where that company is … that we stand for the Word of God. I will ashamedly admit that I am not one of those who have lived like this. I quiet my witness as to not upset the masses, or in some cases the few, even when it comes to my family.
So there you have it. You have read my thoughts on where I see myself in this place of solidarity with the suffering of Jesus Christ. But before I solidify my thoughts/judgements and possibly you with your own on this topic, let’s first take a look through Scripture on what His sufferings have been and why He endured them. This may give a more sure response in our own lives where we are in solidarity with the suffering of our Savior Jesus Christ.
STUDY: SUFFERING OF JESUS CHRIST *To make this study even more insightful and in-depth, use online commentaries or the old-fashioned actual commentary books, reference, and/or study guides to help you as you answer these questions. This format gives you the chance to do a simple dive into the verses themselves. But the format also gives you the ability to do all kinds of varied studies on this subject. Only limited by the resources available.
Let’s look at the incidents in Scripture that highlight the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 2:13–15 – Jesus’ flight to Egypt as a child.
Thinking of the time and the circumstances. What challenges may Jesus have been met with as a child traveling to a new city with His parents?
What might He had suffered during that time? Remember they just weren’t moving to a new location, they were fleeing for Jesus’ life. They were trying not to be seen, to hide until the threat (Pharaoh) was gone.
Have you ever had to go into hiding because of the Gospel? If so, write your experience here. If not, what would be the closest thing to that experience you’ve endured?
Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13 – The temptation in the wilderness (fasting + temptation).
Fasting 40 days and nights is a long time! How might it have been tough not to give in to the devils temptations? What was the reason for Jesus fasting? Does that make it any easier or harder to stand up to the temptations?
Have you ever fasted? If so, how long have you gone fasting and for what reason?
Describe your most challenging temptation and if you were able to stand up against it. Describe your faith at the time, how did it play into your ability to stand up against temptation?
Luke 4:16-30 – Jesus is reading from Isaiah in Nazareth but then is rejected by his own people.
What must Jesus feel to be rejected by the people He grew up with?
Can you think of a time in your life where your family or community rejected what you had to say or do for them concerning your faith in Jesus Christ? If so, what was it and how did you feel?
John 6:60–71 – A group of followers leave Jesus. They think his teaching is too hard.
How might this affect Jesus Spirit when even His followers begin to leave?
Remember it’s not just that He has some good idea He wants to share, it’s the message of a new way and a new hope of salvation for each of them. Saving them from their fate if they don’t believe. How might that make this rejection hit closer to His heart? Have you ever had someone on board with you in ministry or in faith one moment and then leave you the next? If so, share what and when and how you felt.
John 10:22-42 Jesus teaches the Pharisees some things they don’t like. They are about to stone him in 10:31. He continues to question and teach them, but by 10:39 they look to arrest him.
So many times, Jesus faced this when He taught or preached the message God had given Him to tell. How might these encounters that grow more violent as the days go by, challenge Jesus’ spirit to keep preaching and teaching?
Has something you ever said about the Bible been met with a violent response? If so, what were you saying and what was the response? How did you deal with it?
Luke 19:41-44 – Weeping over Jerusalem. The people were praising Him and treating Him like royalty as He was on the road to Jerusalem. Why then, would He be weeping as He saw the city just ahead of Him?
What must it had been like for Jesus to know, before He even step foot on the ground, that the words He was to speak to the people were going to be ignored, despised and rejected?
Have you had an experience where the Lord told you to give a message to someone or to a group of people that you knew were just going to reject it? If yes, did you do it anyway? If so, write your experience here.
Matthew 14:1-13 & Mark 6:14-34 – After hearing about the be-heading of his friend John the Baptist, Jesus withdrew to a desolate place by Himself.
What do you suppose Jesus was going through in His spirit? Was He only thinking of His own grief concerning John the Baptist, or also the grief of the other disciples?
He didn’t have much time alone before large crowds wanted to hear His teachings. What would you have done?
What did Jesus do?
John 11:1-35 After hearing of Lazarus death, Jesus was weeping.
Why was Jesus weeping? Was it because of Lazarus death, or was there something more?
See verse 11. If Jesus was already going to raise Lazarus from the dead, why then was He weeping? There must have been something more that grieved Jesus spirit.
What must it be like to know the hearts of others so deeply?
Have you had any situation close to this?
Matthew 26:36-46 & Mark 14:32-42 – Praying in Gethsemane.
Sorrow beyond comprehension! What was Jesus overwhelmed about?
In His deep sorrow He asks His disciples to keep watch, but they fall asleep. How does that compound the emotion Jesus is wrestling with?
Jesus knew what was coming. Have you had a situation where you were asked to do something, and you knew the outcome was going to cause hardship or pain? If so, did you still do it? If you have write down what it was and how you responded.
Matthew 26:47-50 & Mark 14:43-52 Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus outside Gethsemane.
His followers couldn’t stay awake enough to keep watch, He’s overwhelmed with grief and now is the time of Judas betrayal. How could Jesus, in all human effort, deal with such grief upon grief?
Have you ever been beaten down by grief just to have more and more pile up against you because of your faith in Jesus Christ? If so, what was that like? What is that compared to what Jesus went through here?
John 18:15-18; 25-27 & Mark 14:66-72 – Peter’s denial of Jesus 3 times.
I wonder if Jesus could hear the rooster crows. While Jesus was in the midst of His arrest and interrogations, one of His closest followers denied knowing Him 3 times. Yet again, another insult from those He loves. How do you think all of this happening … like punches in a boxing ring … over and over and over again … one insult and betrayal after another … How must He have truly felt in His spirit at this moment?
Have you had people in your life betray you because of your faith? They say they’re with you and then turn against you when you need them the most. Write that experience down and how you felt.
John 18:22-23, John 19:1-16 and Matthew 27:27-31 – Jesus sentenced to be crucified.
As you read these passages, list the three types of humiliation Jesus endured at the hands of His accusers.
Have you faced humiliation by others because of the faith you profess? If so, write your experience(s) here.
Take a moment to read each of these passages of Scripture. Then, for each passage, write what Jesus’ experience was concerning the cross.
Matthew 27:32-37 –
Matthew 27:38-44, Mark 15:21-32, Luke 23:32-43 & John 19:17-30
Matthew 27:45-50, Mark 15:33-37
Out of these three events, which do you think brings the most suffering and utter despair to the heart of Jesus? Why?
Psalm 16:10 and Acts 13:33-35 – prophesy that Jesus would not remain dead.
His work was finished. His duty was done. However, His suffering was not fully complete when He gave up His Spirit and died. He suffered the penalty of death so we would not have to. But Sheol (the underworld) could not hold the Savior because God rose Him from the dead so He and His body would not see decay.
Have we, have you been in the depths of Sheol? We may feel like we have at times. But this will not be something we bear while on earth. And if we remain in relationship with Jesus, it will not be our experience when we die.
Think about the Lord taking the ultimate punishment for sin, so you and I would not have to bear it ourselves. What are your thoughts on this?
OUR SOLIDARITY IN JESUS SUFFERING: We have read several Scripture passages that have told about the times Jesus Christ had faced suffering. I now consider the questions to those passages we just walked through and think that maybe I can have solidarity in at least some of what my Lord suffered. To determine for yourself where you are, let’s consider some further scripture reading on this matter of solidarity in the suffering of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:21-28 – Take up your cross and follow me.
What does it mean to “take up their cross and follow Me”? What was the disciples’ cross or burden in following Jesus? (For some they left family, they left careers, they left respectable positions in society to follow Jesus.) You may want to research each disciple and see what it is they gave up in order to follow Jesus. (What they suffered to follow Jesus.)
What about you? What have you given up or sacrificed for following Jesus? What might your cross be that Jesus is calling you to bear in His Name?
Matthew 20:20-28 – Drink of the same cup Jesus did.
James and John did end up drinking from the same cup Jesus did. James as a martyr, but both for their sacrificial living which brought persecution and hardship because of their living faith in Jesus Christ.
Can you say you have drunk from the same cup Jesus did? If so, share your story here.
Galatians 6:11-16 – Maybe the cup represents the sacrificial life that Jesus lived and then calls His followers to live as well.
What was Paul saying here when he speaks of circumcision verses the cross of Christ?
It seems there is something deeper God is calling us to. What are your thoughts and where are you concerning this in your own life?
Romans 8:17-18 – Sharing in His sufferings.
You can list all the sufferings Jesus went through. This says we may share in His glory as we’ve shared in His sufferings.
After reading all that our Savior has suffered, how we can share in that suffering? Where does that leave you and I in our solidarity with the suffering of Jesus Christ?
These Scriptures say that we indeed can be in solidarity with the suffering of Jesus Christ. The cost of being in solidarity with our Lord is high. The question is: Where are you and I in our solidarity in the suffering of Jesus Christ? Where do we want to be? Where is Jesus Christ calling us to be?
MY PERSONAL CONCLUSION: To stand honestly in solidarity with the suffering my Savior went through for the sake of everyone, I cannot say I am there.
I have suffered mocking and teasing from my dad for holding to the truths of Jesus Christ.
I have been called out by a store clerk for worshipping the Lord on Sundays. I’ve also been called out by a couple random people on being a woman pastor.
But for me to say that equals the suffering my Jesus went through for my life, no … I can’t say I’ve been brave enough to live that bold in the Lord. I desire to. I pray I will get there soon. But for me today, I can’t say I’m living in solidarity in the suffering of Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, help me start today.
https://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/alicia-quan-kBybHJ3CEWI-unsplash-scaled.jpg19202560Beth Desplanckehttps://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/uswLogo-300x75-300x75.pngBeth Desplancke2024-03-21 09:41:522024-03-21 09:41:56March 2024 Bible Study: The Suffering of Jesus
By Lt. Makda Rodriguera Seattle White Center, WA Corps Northwest Division
I remember jokingly saying to someone that I wouldn’t know what to do with myself without my phone. Even though I was joking, it had truth to it. I don’t remember a day when I went without using my phone or computer.
The average person spends 3 hours on their phone. This doesn’t include other electronics like computers, iPads, and gaming stations. Most of us are dependent on our phones and computers to do our jobs, schoolwork, social interactions, and entertainment. So much so, we opt out of real personal relationships for virtual ones. We’d rather scroll through our social media to see how everyone is doing, comment on their post here and there, and feel like we are connected. Are we really connected though? Or is it just superficial relationships?
As human beings, we are created for interpersonal relationships. We thrive in community and friendships. Friendships with Jesus and with fellow men/women. To do this, we have to unplug from the virtual world and be present in the real world.
We can see Jesus’s example and how He unplugged to be connected to the Father and His close friends. Luke 5:16 reads, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Of course, Jesus was not in our era and didn’t have to unplug from his emails, social media, or entertainment, but He did unplug from work and everything else that demanded His attention to connect with the Father and His close friends.
He created space for interpersonal relationships. He spent time with His friends and disciples (John 3:33). He shared meals and fellowshipped with those whom He was close to (John 12:1-3). Jesus living as a perfect man shows us the importance of connection with God and others around us. In-person, uninterrupted connection with our friends and family is one of the most important spiritual disciplines we can practice. Especially in this day and age, as we have to fight to make this time.
King Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 2:22-23, “What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest.” Working is not bad, but working with anxious striving to get our identity from it will leave us with grief and pain. We live in a time when everyone is too busy to do anything. When you ask any given person (including myself), “How are you doing?” the answer more times than not is “I’m good but so busy.” But how busy are we if we spend on average 3 hours a day and 21 hours a week just on our phones?
We can continue to work, even after work hours, we can use our time to scroll through social media or entertain ourselves, or we can choose to follow Jesus’s example and unplug from the virtual world and be connected to those around us, and Jesus.
How has technology influenced your relationships? Do friends and family complain about the amount of time you spend online? What is their real concern?
Are you online for both work and pleasure? What do you like about being online? What don’t you like about it?
What sort of temptations does cyberspace hold for you? How do you address these temptations?
Where are you using technology to avoid face-to-face encounters?
Have you ever been “yelled at” via email? What was it like for you?
After you reflect on the questions consider working on the following Spiritual Exercises (Adel Calhoun Spiritual Disciplines Handbook page, 97):
Technology assessment: Keep track of the amount of time you spend using digital and electronic communication each day. How much time does this amount to each week? Keep track of the uninterrupted time you spend in the presence of family and friends each day and week. Compare the times. Is God inviting you to prioritize anything based on this awareness? If you cut back the computer (Phone) one hour a week, how could you use this time to be in the presence of God or others?
Declare a digital-free time period in each day or week. Let people know when you are available and will get back to them.
What is it like for you to receive a handwritten letter from a friend? Write a non-electronic letter to a friend. What surfaces in you while you take the time to do this? What is gained and what is lost in electronic communication? What do you think of the trade-offs?
Which relationships in your life need face time? Plan face-to-face time with several people this week. Do not let this time be interrupted by anything electronic.
Recommended Resource: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, copyright 2015).
By Captain Joy Groenleer Assistant Training Principle College for Officer Training
Prior to her retirement, College for Officer Training Officer, Major Millie Bearchell, shared a testimony about her excitement as she began planning her new ministry with her future congregation. In this testimony, she shared that one of her most prized possessions is a journal written by her late mother. This love for journal writing was passed on from her mom to her as journaling became an important part of her daily quiet time with the Lord. When entering retirement, Major Millie planned to continue journaling, and instead of just writing in her own journal, she committed to ministering to her new congregation – her 6 grandchildren – by starting individual journals for each of them to one day receive at a still-to-be-determined time. What a beautiful ministry!
Share Your Experience: Do you enjoy journaling? If so, describe what you include in your journal. What are some important things that you record? Prayers? Prayer requests? Prayer victories? Daily thoughts? Recording of daily events? Poems? Quotes? Drawings? Do you share these journals with others?
In her book, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Adele Ahlberg Calhoun includes a chapter on the spiritual discipline of journaling. She defines journaling as “a tool for reflecting God’s presence, guidance and nurture in daily comings and goings.” Journaling is an effective spiritual discipline that many choose to do to draw themselves closer to the Lord as they articulate how God has been moving, what He has been teaching, and how He continues to be faithful. Journaling gives us an opportunity to sit, meditate, listen, and to write what is on our hearts as we reflect and remember. Calhoun states, “This practice includes keeping a written record of God’s ways in your life.”
“[Journaling is] a tool for reflecting God’s presence, guidance and nurture in daily comings and goings… This practice includes keeping a written record of God’s ways in your life.”
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
For today’s Bible Study, we will be looking at passages of Scripture from an author who loved to keep a written record of God’s ways in various people’s lives. In fact, his journals gave us two New Testament books – the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Let’s turn to Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-2 to see who this author is and what he wrote.
Read Luke 1:1-4. 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
The writer is Luke, who was a physician by trade (Colossians 4:14), which meant that he certainly focused on details. Luke is mentioned in Philemon 24 as a fellow worker of the Apostle Paul, joining him on some of his missionary journeys. In this passage, we can see how and why Luke wrote his Gospel.
In verses 1 and 2, Luke states that there were many who wrote about the things that Jesus did and said as writers unfolded the Lord’s life and ministry as the Messiah. He also shares that the gospel was handed down to them by those who walked with and talked with the Lord. These eyewitnesses saw with their very own eyes what Jesus did, and heard with their ears what Jesus said.
Questions for conversation:
Discuss the impact that gospel writers have made because of their journaling of Jesus’ life and ministry. How would we understand the Good News were it not for men, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to write what they witnessed?
What are some pros and cons about reading others’ eyewitness written recording of events?
In verse 3 and 4, we read how and why Dr. Luke wrote the Gospel that bears his name. First, he stated that he “carefully investigated everything from the beginning.” Scholars believe that Luke had not met Jesus personally and was not an eyewitness to the things that Jesus said or did. However, Luke shared in this Gospel that he thoroughly investigated everything, which would have included interviewing many eyewitnesses to put together a complete historical and gospel narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke starts from the beginning, even before Jesus’ birth, as Luke starts his book with Zechariah’s story and Mary visiting Elizabeth. Jesus’ birth doesn’t happen until the 2nd chapter of his Gospel. Luke also includes Jesus’ story as a 12-yr.-old speaking with religious leaders. He carefully researched everything from even before Jesus was born to his childhood to his life as a teacher, preacher, and our Savior.
Luke also mentioned that “he decided to write an orderly account.” Luke described Jesus’ life after thorough collection of accounts, evaluation, organization and putting the pieces together in an orderly fashion.
Finally, he mentions the purpose of his writing, “so that you may know the certainty of the things that have been taught.” Luke addressed this orderly account to “most excellent Theophilus”, who some believe was a wealthy donor and convert who paid for Luke’s literary work. The term “most excellent” was used to refer to high-ranking noblemen, and thus, Theophilus may have been such. In addition, other scholars believe that, since the name means “friend of God”, could have been written to any Christian reader.
Questions for conversation:
Knowing that Luke wrote his Gospel after careful investigation from the beginning and writing an orderly account, what are your thoughts about this Book of the Bible and the accuracy, effectiveness, and power of its message?
Luke was a highly educated and gifted writer. However, God does not expect us to be as gifted as this author when it comes to the spiritual discipline of journaling. We simply need to be open to the Holy Spirit in sharing our thoughts, prayers, and writings. Discuss this.
Read Acts 1:1-2 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
The writer of the Book of Acts is none other than Dr. Luke himself. When Luke refers to his “former book”, he is talking about the Gospel of Luke. Notice the person that Luke addresses in the verse above. We see here that Luke is writing to the same person, Theophilus, as a continuation of his former book.
As a fellow worker with the apostle Paul, Luke now shifts the attention from Jesus in the Gospel of Luke to the effects of Jesus’ ministry in the Book of Acts. We see Luke giving another orderly account of the early church and the works of the Holy Spirit as the gospel continued to be spread not just to Jews but to Gentiles as well. The Book of Acts continued with the narrative that Luke began, and furthermore included narrative accounts of what Luke and other apostles experienced firsthand as the Gospel spread throughout all the world!
Questions for conversation:
Discuss some significant events and stories that stand out to you in Luke’s recordings of the early church and the ministries of Peter and Paul in the Book of Acts.
Discuss how Luke left a legacy for others because of his journaling, recording, and remembering God’s ways and works.
As we’ve studied both passages, we learned that Luke may not have been an eyewitness to the life and ministry of Jesus, but he carefully investigated the things that were fulfilled, and he decided to write an orderly account. Why? He decided to write because he wanted Theophilus to know the certainty of the things he was taught. Through the investigating, collecting, analyzing, organizing, journaling of Luke, we too can know the certainty of the things that we have been taught.
Challenge and application:
Read the Books of Luke and Acts in their entirety to understand the Gospel fully and to reflect on the beginnings of the early church.
In her book, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Adele Ahlberg Calhoun includes some things that we can do to practice journaling:
a. Keep a written record of God’s ways in your life; journals can include a collection of clippings, drawings, collages, articles, poems, quotes and so forth.
b. Journal daily or weekly or during significant events and transitions.
c. Making journals and scrapbooks for children or others (like Major Millie is doing in retirement for her grandchildren).
