Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Beautiful Battle Book Club Kick Off

Go grab your book, Beautiful Battle--A Woman's Guide to Spiritual Warfare (paperback or electronic) and let’s get started!
We will be praying for you and can’t wait to see what God does as we dialogue in community over this book. We would love for you to use this journal to aide you in your growth as a mom and to foster space where you may interact with the living God!

Our Reading Schedule (download here

Plan to read the chapter by the date listed. We’ll start discussing that chapter on the date listed in the schedule. We have chosen to be realistic and only focus on two chapters per week – because the reality is that this is all we will have time to digest, especially if you are involved in another Bible Study.
      • MAY 21: Kick Off & Chapter 1
      • May 23: Chapter 2  
After you have read all of Chapter 1, take time to complete  the Reflection Questions below.  The reflection questions are a great way to help process what you’ve read and apply it to your life. Don’t skip these. They are an important of the learning process. 
Please share favorite quotes, Scriptures, and “a-ha” moments from Chapter 1 in the comment section over the next few days.

Chapter 1--Our Story: The Gaping Hole and Freedom

Key Verse:  Jeremiah 2:13 NIV
“My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me, the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from this chapter.
1.  Defining Gaping Holes
"As long as I allow the gaping hole to remain, I will continue to struggle with this sin, this gnawing need.  What does this have to do with spiritual warfare?  Everything.  Because our raw woundedness is the primary opening the enemy uses to attack our souls.  Our own bent toward filling the gaping hole will continue to lead us to darker and more insidious situations as we claw at significance.  Obsessions form.  Hiding becomes our way of life.  Addictions flourish.  If we do not deal with our deficits truthfully in the light, Satan's darkness may be our lot.  And in that darkness, we start believing his terrible lies."  
2.  We Are the Woman at the Well
"That's where spiritual warfare begins--leaving our own methods of filling our gaping holes at the well and allowing Jesus to fill every thirsty, needy place with His Living Water.  And yet we struggle. . . Finding full satisfaction in Christ is the beginning of the spiritual warfare journey, but its not the entirety of it." 
 3.  The Dance
 "Spiritual warfare has more to do with the state of your heart before a holy God than a list of things to do or avoid.  It involves interaction,sometimes confusion, falling down, getting back up.  It involves your willingness to look foolish, to take crazy steps, to trust God's voice.  While there are principles to kow and practice, it's your ability to trust in God's power and authority that will bring about the victorious life." 
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 
  1. How does the enemy use our gaping hole against us?
  2. What lies in the list on page 14 do you struggle with?
  3. What is your gaping hole?  What is the only solution for your gaping hole?
  4. What  are Satan’s main tactics? How does he try to use your gaping hole against you?
  5. What does Jesus mean in John 7:37-38?
  6. How does Revelation 12:11 tell you to live?  How can testimonies be powerful? How can they further God’s kingdom?

4 comments:

Jen Baierl said...

I have debated if I would have time for a book club with school ending & all the stuff that requires, being in 2 bible studies, & the rest of life... After reading these excerpts, I see I NEED this! I clearly have obsessions to fill my wounded gaping hole. Satan is not as cunning as he believes. He uses me against myself... WOW! Going to get this book!

Christine said...

John 7:37-38 could mean the Love of God will live in us and we will/should share it with those thirsty around us.

WCW said...

Jen I am so happy to hear that this is speaking into your life! Yes, the devil uses us against ourselves BUT God promises to rescue us from ourselves. He has paid the price & gives us strategy to DEFEAT the Enemy!!

WCW said...

Christine, I agree. Believing in God (as Savior not just as a "higher being") is the requirement for receiving the Living Water that overflows into every area of our life! Let's go find thirsty people so that they can drink of the most refreshing water ever known!!

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