A little secret....

Happy new year!

Many of us feel motivated by the new calendars to start fresh and get organized and disciplined in various areas of life. Right on! At our house, we love decking our new calendars with neatly written new deadlines and upcoming events. Something about that 12:01 midnight thing on January 1st just does that to us.

But the reality is, every day we are starting and finishing a new revolution around the sun -- a new year -- even if we don't call it January 1 or December 31. That encourages us to just keep pressing on.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Lord willing, this week we will go over Chapter 4 of Sweet Journey. There are very few blanks to fill in in this chapter, but here are some possible discussion points for Friday's meeting. (If you have any insights from the chapter or related, feel free to share them too!).

1. Related to the question on page 50 related to Mark 7:6: There are many ways this verse would apply to things we know we should be doing, aren't there? We know we should pray, do we? We know we should give thanks, do we? We know we should put others before ourselves, do we?

2. "When we choose not to be in the Word for a day or multiple days, we are essentially demonstrating a proud and independent spirit." (bottom of page 50) This seems kind of a rough word at first glance, but as I think about it, it does make sense. Imagine setting off for a trip downtown with no directions, thinking you can figure it out as you go. Or trying to make a recipe for a dish that you've only seen on a photo. Or thinking you can crochet just by looking at a hat someone just made for you.

3. Can you think of scriptures that reveal that our lives are to reflect a dependence on the Lord and his Word?

4. "We simply made the rule to set the alarm clock so there was time..." (page 51). That sounds simple, but our experience may be that it is a struggle. Are there things that we are almost CERTAIN to wake early for? Doctor appointments, departures for vacation, etc? What is the difference between these events and daily Bible reading?

5. On page 52, Teri explains why their family has settled on early morning time for personal Bible reading and prayer. The remainder of the chapter has encouragement to help motivate us towards self-discipline in scheduling our time to make it happen. Have you had any insights on how to more consistently fit in your daily Bible reading time (regardless of when you feel the Lord would have you have it)?

6. On page 58, we read about the common situation that ladies who struggle with problems in their lives are not usually in the Word on a daily basis. We may feel that is the norm for most christian women, and it may very well be. We may think it is too much for us to expect to be consistent. However, many of these same women, and ourselves, may be faithful to do other things on a daily basis (bathe, make meals, run or walk, etc.) Might there be a spiritual battle going on to make us feel that daily Bible reading is too lofty or unrealistic a goal? Any scriptures that come to mind?

As always, you are encouraged to also come prepared to share anything in the Scriptures that has encouraged you this week (or during our hiatus!).

Looking forward to Friday!