Week Four | Faith
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Week Four | When Less Becomes More Online Bible Study
Reading Assignment – Pages 113-152 | Faith & Parenting
As I prepared for this online Bible study, I dreaded writing this blog post because I couldn’t see how I would be able to write something relevant to the theme of these chapters. I’m not a parent, so how would I begin to share something that related and inspired?
But as I went back through the chapters and reread the notes I took and the quotes that I underlined, I became keenly aware that God wasn’t wanting this chapter to only pertain to individuals who have been graciously given the title, Mom or Dad.
He was wanting us to remember that we are ALL children of God and that we are ALL called to a life of encouraging, inspiring, and spurring one another on in our faith. We’re called to make disciples; bringing others into the inheritance of the Father.
There’s a lot of pressure to be the best Mom, caregiver, mentor, or whatever title you hold which means you have influence over the lives of others.
Just spending time on social media is enough to send you over the edge, with the filtered, Pinterest-perfect images. It doesn’t take long to become discouraged.
Jesus didn’t pick and choose the most confident, well-read, best-behaved people to join His table. He didn’t surround Himself only with the best Scripture memorizers or the ones whose church attendance was the most stellar. He chose the broken ones. The imperfect ones. The ones who doubted and asked questions. He chose the ones with histories, and stories, and struggles. He chose you and me.
– Emily Ley, When Less Becomes More (pg. 122)
What an honor it is that He chose you and me. I don’t have to rely on my strength, my goodness, or my abilities. Neither do you.
He is enough.
God doesn’t need us to be fixers. God is waiting to take the burden from us.
– Emily Ley, When Less Becomes More (pg. 120)
COMMUNITY CHAT
Let’s chat! We’d love to hear from you once you’ve had some time to read through this week’s reading assignments. Come back to this space & share your thoughts in the comments below about:
Identify – In this week’s reading we’re considering what it means to live a good life and passing it on, as well as our faith, to others.
Who brought you to faith?
In the Word – This week’s Scripture focus comes from Isaiah 41:10 (NIV). Download our weekly Scripture card. Print it and hang it in a place where you’ll come across it often this week, to aid in memorization and the reminder that we do not have to rely on our ability and strength alone. God is here to carry our burdens for us and equip us for the task ahead.
How does this verse speak to your current season of life?
Share with us in the comments; we’d love to hear from you!
Bree is a recovering perfectionist whose weaknesses include the dollar spot at Target and any pretty office supplies. Though she is an introvert, she has an insatiable craving for community and a desire to bring light to God’s purpose in the imperfections of life. Read More
Who brought me to faith? My sister in law and best friend, who died recently. I’m sorry if it seems like I talk about her a lot. I’ve noticed I tend to try and work her into every conversation. In the grocery store, at work, etc. I guess it feels as though if I keep talking about her, then she is still with me. The more I talk to her, or the more I cry out to God and beg for a sign that she’s nearby, the less I understand why she wasn’t healed, while still on this earth. One of the last things I wrote to her was, how I understood why God would want to call her home, because none of us could love her more than he does. But it doesn’t erase the pain, or make it any easier. She had so much more life to live, and even while fighting cancer she stood up for God to total strangers. And always had time to answer my calls, and listen to whatever crap I was complaining about. I’m seriously struggling with how all of us, especially her husband will live without her. I’m not good at impromptu prayers out loud for others, as she was. And while I believe in God, and know that he is my savior, I don’t feel confident in his plan for me the way she was. I don’t feel worthy of it. Because I am use to living a life in survival mode occasionally calling out, praying and living day to day. Sometimes I get to help others, but again I am not confident in those face to face “ask me about my faith” confrontations. I am the one still struggling, worse than I was, before I was a Christian, and when people hear that my “crazy” label is permanently ingrained in their minds. High ranking Christians as I call them, rarely see me or notice me. Which is another reason why Susie was so important to me, she noticed everything. And was there even when I didn’t tell her what was happening. Despite her many blessings in life she never made you feel like you weren’t good enough. A lot of Christians seem to look down on those who aren’t blessed financially. Susie was one of the few who didn’t. And after writing that, I have realized, I would rather be poor, than look down on someone. And finally Isaiah 41:10, basically says not to be afraid, that God is here. So to not be afraid for the future without Susie, that God will fill that void. And with that I’m done spilling the beans for today. 🙂