Moving from:
to:
What can make that happen?
DESPERATION!
Why does God let bad things happen to His children?
Rabbi Kushner, the author of the bestselling: “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” said:
“Forgive God for losing control.”
Hmmmm.
Let’s go to Scripture and Paige’s lecture to see a better answer and to learn how true faith responds to deep suffering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RnaLGjCjNQ
Thursday: The Movement of Faith in the Woman & Elisha
1. Read 2 Kings 4:8-17
A. What does the Shunnamite woman do that is a good practice of Christian hospitality?
B. What does Elisha ask her and how does she respond? How do you interpret her response?
C. What does Gehazi tell Elisha that informs him of her deepest longing, particularly in that culture?
D. How does she respond when Elisha tells her she will have a son in a year’s time? Why, do you think?
2. Read 2 Kings 4:18-37
A. What happened to the child? (18-21)
B. How can you see that the mother brushes past both her husband and Gehazi to get to Elisha? What do you see in her that is different? (22-27)
C. What does Elisha do initially and why is it evident that this will not satisfy the woman? (28-30)
D. What makes Elisha himself desperate? (31)
E. How do you see a change in Elisha’s response? (32-35)
F. How does this story end? Thoughts?
Friday: The Difference Before and After The Tragedy
3. Listen to Paige from the beginning to minute 24:15 when she repeats: Faith is always unto transformation and describe the contrast in each of the following before and after:
Before: After:
A. How do you see her faith was routine? How do you see her changing from established to desperate?
B. How do you see her burying her real need? How do you see her being honest with her real need?
4. Comment on the following illustrations from Paige. What was her point and how does this apply to you?
A. The friend who was barren and didn’t want people to pray for her anymore because it is too painful.
B. The sports event with a girl pushing her around and her mother appearing.
5. Describe a time of desperation in your life when God came running and it awakened your faith.
6. What else stands out to you from this section?
Saturday: Direction of Down to Up Trajectory
7. Listen to Paige from 24:15 to 31
A. She said “The very things that will strengthen true faith will kill false faith.” What did she mean?
B. How have you responded to tragedy in your life — have you backed away or pressed in? Why?
C. What do you learn from her illustration of moving to Dallas and asking God to grow her?
D. How was the death of her child the catapult of the woman’s faith?
E. Compare verse 13 to verse 28 — what change do you see?
F. Share a time when God put you in a place of desperation or someone you love in a place of desperation and how it catapulted your faith. (something different than you have already shared)
G. What point was she making with the illustration of her husband’s diabetic reaction?
H. Does anything else stand out to you? If so, why?
God Hunt Sunday
8. How has God been at work in your heart or life this week?
Monday: The Posture of Faith
9. Listen to Paige from 31 to 49:50 when she quotes Ralph Davis “When you keep clutching to a God you cannot understand, we have a word for that, and it’s faith.
A. She Goes
1) Quiet times feed our faith but you must she action if it is going in your heart. How have Paige’s lectures changed your actions in thought, word, or deed?
2) Paige brought up other examples from the New Testament of action that showed faith –what were some?
B. She Collapses
1) How do you see this in the Shunnammite woman?
2) When have you done this?
C. She Cries Out
1) How does she now look like Hannah?
2) She said, “Faith is not serenity.” What did she mean?
D. She clings
1) Do you agree we live in a culture that is a posture of faith? Do you have a posture of faith or are you real? In prayer time? In fellowship? With God?
2) What was her point about verse 30?
3) She gave an illustration of a woman with Alzheimer’s – what was her point and how does this apply?
4) She gave illustrations of Jacob, of Jesus in Gethsemane. What do you remember?
Tuesday: The Paradox of Faith
I loved this part, especially when she talked about Elisha being an illustration of what is to come for believers. For it is true, though God raised this son, though He raised Lazarus — that will not happen for most of us or our loved ones before that Great Resurrection Day. BUT FOR BELIEVERS, IT WILL HAPPEN. Recently a dear friend’s son died and though grieving deeply, I see her pressing into God. This is also the 18th anniversary of my husband’s death — and it certainly grew my faith and my children’s faith, for we know this is not the end of the story, and we know we have nowhere else to go but to Jesus. Paige talked about the song “All is Well” which is often sung at Christmas, but which he actually wrote for a funeral of a believer. Prepare your heart with this:
10. What stands out to you from the above song?
Listen to Paige to the end.
11. She has nothing but desperation.
A. It is not the strength of our faith but the object of our faith that matters. Explain.
B. What are some of the clinging and stretching examples from the story?
C. How does Elisha show desperation in the way he responds to a dead defiled body?
12. Elisha is nothing but an illustration. Explain.
13. For justification, we need Jesus. How did He become nothing to save us?
14. She quoted a friend “All it takes in coming to Jesus is nothing but most people don’t have it.” What did she mean?
15. The woman kept saying, “Don’t mislead me.” How do we know the promises of God are true? Give some verses to support your answer.
16. What else stands out to you from this section? Why?
Wednesday: Take-A-Way
17. What is your take-a-way and why?
18. If you are in a small group and it is time for prayer requests, how might you be honest about your need? Or how might you be honest here so we can pray for you?
117 comments
Do you mean 2 Kings Dee?
I do! Thanks for the quick catch!!!
Read 2 Kings 4:8-17
A. What does the Shunnamite woman do that is a good practice of Christian hospitality?
She feeds him!
B. What does Elisha ask her and how does she respond? How do you interpret her response?
He asks what he can do for her.
C. What does Gehazi tell Elisha that informs him of her deepest longing, particularly in that culture?
She has no children and her husband is an old man.
D. How does she respond when Elisha tells her she will have a son in a year’s time? Why, do you think?
She dismisses him and tells him not to get her hopes up.
Probably because she too is an old woman.
2. Read 2 Kings 4:18-37
A. What happened to the child? (18-21)
He got sick and died.
B. How can you see that the mother brushes past both her husband and Gehazi to get to Elisha? What do you see in her that is different? (22-27)
She tells her husband that she must go see Elisha. Her husband asks why because it was not a holy day. She tells him it will be alright.
She tells Gehazi that everyone is ok and it will be alright.
She is not so laissez-fare about God now.
C. What does Elisha do initially and why is it evident that this will not satisfy the woman? (28-30)
He tries to send her back with Gehazi and offers his stick to take with her. She insists that he come with her.
D. What makes Elisha himself desperate? (31)
Gehazi goes first with the stick and lays it on the boy but nothing happens.
E. How do you see a change in Elisha’s response? (32-35)
He went in alone and prayed. He laid his body on the boy (like Elijah did).
F. How does this story end? Thoughts?
The boy lives! A miracle! Just like the widow’s son and Elijah. It happens here and it happens in the NT with Jesus. God is the same as He has always been and will be forever.
1. Read 2 Kings 4:8-17
A. What does the Shunnamite woman do that is a good practice of Christian hospitality?
She welcomed Elisha, the man of God, offered him food as often as he passed by. She and her husband offered him hospitality; a chamber with a bed, table, table chair and lampstand, so he had a place to eat and rest as he journeyed through their area.
B. What does Elisha ask her and how does she respond? How do you interpret her response?
He sent Gehazi, his servant, to ask her what he could do for her? Could he ask a favor for her, of government officials? She answered that she was secure and content in her own community and with her own people. She had no need of favors.
C. What does Gehazi tell Elisha that informs him of her deepest longing, particularly in that culture?
Gehazi tells Elisha that she has no son and that her husband is old. There is no chance for a child for them.
D. How does she respond when Elisha tells her she will have a son in a year’s time? Why, do you think?
She responds: “No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant.” She feels that there is no hope of this happening at this time in their lives. She probably does not want to set herself up for disappointment.
2. Read 2 Kings 4:18-37
A. What happened to the child? (18-21)
When he was a few years older, he was out with his father and the reapers. He became ill and his father had him taken back to his mother. He sat on her lap and died a bit later.
B. How can you see that the mother brushes past both her husband and Gehazi to get to Elisha? What do you see in her that is different? (22-27)
She was spontaneous and urgent to see Elisha immediately. She requested a donkey, so that she may RUN to the man of God and return. She was not calm, she was in a rush to see Elisha, went to Mt. Carmel. When Gehazi approached her for Elisha, she would not tell him about her son. When she came to Elisha, she hugged his feet and he knew she was distressed and falls apart in grief and humility. She is devastated, but feels Elisha can help.
C. What does Elisha do initially and why is it evident that this will not satisfy the woman?
She was so distressed. She could not understand why God would take away her son. Elisha was a man of God, a prophet, who told her of the promise of the birth of her son. Why would he be taken away? She had faith that Elisha could help her. Elisha initially wants to send only Gehazi to the boy, but she will not leave without Elisha. She quotes what Elisha said to Elijah, to Elisha. “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” She knew in her heart that he needed to be with the boy.
D. What makes Elisha himself desperate? (31)
When the Elisha sent Gehazi in to place the staff on the boy, he did not awaken.
E. How do you see a change in Elisha’s response? (32-35)
Elisha went into the house and saw the boy dead. Elisha entered alone, shut the door and first turned to the Lord in prayer. Then, he put his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on him; and then the child became warm. He walked in the house once, back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him; the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
F. How does this story end? Thoughts?
He called for the woman to come in and he told her to take up her son. She fell at Elisha’s feet and bowed herself in gratitude to God for granting her favor through Elisha, the man of God. She had faith that Elisha was a true man of God and represented the presence of God, in her life and the life of her son. She was not willing to accept the death of her promised son. Her faith drove her to seek out Elisha and God’s mercy.
Thursday: The Movement of Faith in the Woman & Elisha
1. Read 2 Kings 4:8-17
A. What does the Shunnamite woman do that is a good practice of Christian hospitality?
She provided a meal for Elisha whenever he comes her way. She and her husband also built a small room for Elisha, the man of God.
B. What does Elisha ask her and how does she respond? How do you interpret her response?
What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army? Wow! I just realized metaphorically, Jesus is THE King and the commander of the army!
She responded by saying she lived among her people. She is skirting her need and minimizes her personal needs and does not want to bother the man of God.
C. What does Gehazi tell Elisha that informs him of her deepest longing, particularly in that culture?
She does not have a son and childlessness is particularly painful in that culture.
D. How does she respond when Elisha tells her she will have a son in a year’s time? Why, do you think?
She objected because she does not want to be disappointed if it does not come true.
2. Read 2 Kings 4:18-37
A. What happened to the child? (18-21)
The child got sick and died.
B. How can you see that the mother brushes past both her husband and Gehazi to get to Elisha? What do you see in her that is different? (22-27)
She did not waste words and did not even have time to shed a tear. She was timid earlier but now she was determined and bold.
C. What does Elisha do initially and why is it evident that this will not satisfy the woman? (28-30)
He told Gehazi to take his staff and lay it on the child. But the woman clung to Elisha’s feet and would not let go until Elisha went with her.
D. What makes Elisha himself desperate? (31)
His staff on the boy’s face did not do anything. He did not wake up.
E. How do you see a change in Elisha’s response? (32-35)
He went to the boy and prayed to God. He then laid on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hands to hands. He stretched himself on the boy and the boy’s body began to feel warm. The boy sneezed 7x and opened his eyes.
F. How does this story end? Thoughts?
The Shunammite woman’s son lived! Thoughts: God hears us when we pray in desperation. His answer to our prayers can come through the intervention of others but it must begin in faith in our god of the impossible and continue in faith no matter how dire our circumstances are.
And as I type here, I am praying and communicating with my dear friend, Barb, who has a grandson who was taken to the hospital and on to another by ambulance. He has Covid on top of being on dialysis. His Mom is a nurse and his main caregiver. They all live together. Barb and her daughter had Covid one after the other and now, the grandson. Please pray for my friends. Under His wings…sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me, Resting in Jesus, I am safe evermore.
Praying for your sweet friend’s family and for His healing touch upon her grandson…yes, under His wings! The best place to be, Amen.
Praying for your friend’s grandson, for his Mom and Grandma too. Lord God, we cry out to you on behalf of this precious child of yours. We thank you for his life. We ask for You to pour out your healing balm over him, heal his body from Covid and give him good health. Fill His hospital room with your Holy Spirit, Lord and hold him close to Your heart. Be with his mom and grandma and give them Your peace and trust. I agree with Bing and Sharon, as they pray that you will give him shelter under Your wing. We ask these things in the Mighty Name of Jesus. We give you all praise and thanks, dear Lord.
Amen.
Love those warm comforting and sheltering wings of God! Praying for this young man and his family.
I really love the phrase, “the sameness of God”. That, could be a great study!
I remember a debate between the then editor of CT and an atheist who talked about the God of Christianity being outdated, and the response was that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So true and so amazing.
That would be a could be a great study. I loved Paige’s comment about God does not change!
I just finished doing all of Thursday, went into to edit and it said “error” and marked it as spam…will see if it comes thru or not🤷♀️
Oh that is so frustrating, Sharon. I’m so sorry.
3. Listen to Paige from the beginning to minute 24:15 when she repeats: Faith is always unto transformation and describe the contrast in each of the following before and after:
Before: She had a system to her faith. A routine. She was Godly. She was worshiping regularly. Part of the faithful few. She didn’t need anything. She was maintaining herself. She was afraid to ask for her hearts desire.
After: She was spontaneous. She is running towards Him. She is moving beyond her realm. She is progressing to not being established. She was being changed.
A. How do you see her faith was routine?
She went to holy meetings. She prayed daily. She wanted to attend to Elisha and his group (the Godly men).
B. How do you see her changing from established to desperate?
She went straight to the top where she knew she might receive help. She was bold. There was an urgency to her now.
How do you see her burying her real need?
She didn’t want to focus on her need for a child. She didn’t want to ask God and so she put that behind her. She closed the door. She limited God, but God can do anything! It brought her faith alive.
How do you see her being honest with her real need?
She fell to his feet and bowed to him.
4. Comment on the following illustrations from Paige. What was her point and how does this apply to you?
A. The friend who was barren and didn’t want people to pray for her anymore because it is too painful.
She put God in a box. She limited God. When he stretches us is when we grow in Him.
We pray because we need God. It’s not about me being in pain.
For me, I know there will be hills and valleys in my life. The valleys can be awful. BUT, He always comes through with something I never expected. It reminds me each time of how beautiful He is to change my destructive course.
B. The sports event with a girl pushing her around and her mother appearing.
Her mom was staring down the bullying girl. The mother monster! Desperation. A desperate need for God. It is progress. God will bring us to a place where we have never been before.
For me this means we should not hold back when it comes to praying to God. He wants that close relationship with us, not the polite chatty chat one.
5. Describe a time of desperation in your life when God came running and it awakened your faith.
There are/were many times, but a simple one was when he whispered in my ear that I needed to expand my first child’s experience of life by taking him to church. I hadn’t been in many years because I was a young adult and made the decision to not attend. I ended up taking him and then began the ritual of we, as a family, attending church for the next 32 years. This same child, as a teen, was making our family miserable. I was desperate! It was then that I gave everything to God and began to learn who Jesus really was/is.
6. What else stands out to you from this section?
Check your prayers! This is to know how close you are to Him.
Wonderful story about your eldest child.
And I loved this: She went straight to the top where she knew she might receive help.
How aptly put, Laura! Our system sometimes gets messed up in order to exercise true faith.
3a. BEFORE she had an established routine of faith. She waited for man of God to come. She didn’t pour out her heart or her desire. She wasn’t going to bother anyone. AFTER. She is desperate. Urgent. Begging for her son. She accepted her situation. No expectation on God no demand on herself to believe for what she wanted. Per Paige she was putting God in a box When the son died she went running to Elisha stood firm and wouldn’t
leave until he came
4a her friend had given up Too many disappointments I have given up on some prayer requests
4b That we should be protective of our prayer requests and stand strong staring down doubt and fear of God s answer
5. We d driven for 14 hours and couldn’t find a hotel room. I prayed and God opened up a room at next place we stopped. They d had a cancellation. God Even sent confirmation because a man came in looking for a room as I was checking in and he was told no rooms
6. That there is a progression of faith and it comes alive. A mess in progress can yield faith
Great hotel story, Judy.
Wow, the hotel story gave me good goose bumps, Judy. God had His hand on you. I have given up on some prayer requests too….recently….but I have been prompted to go to my knees and imagine touching the feet of Jesus, and pleading for His mercy. In His time and in His way…so hard to have prayers that feel unanswered, but we know that He knows the the perfect time.
Oh, Patti! Me, too!
Judy, God is always full of surprises! great story about the hotel hunting!
1. Read 2 Kings 4:8-17
A. What does the Shunnamite woman do that is a good practice of Christian hospitality? She made food for Elisha and made a place for him to stay when he’s in town.
B. What does Elisha ask her and how does she respond? If she would like him to speak to the king or the commander of the army. She says she lives among her own people. How do you interpret her response? I’m clueless. I thought at first that maybe he thought that she was being held captive, but it says that she is a prominent woman in the town.
C. What does Gehazi tell Elisha that informs him of her deepest longing, particularly in that culture? That her husband is old and she is childless.
D. How does she respond when Elisha tells her she will have a son in a year’s time? She tells him not to lie to her. Why, do you think? She has been barren for so long and she doesn’t want to get her hopes up.
2. Read 2 Kings 4:18-37
A. What happened to the child? (18-21) He died.
B. How can you see that the mother brushes past both her husband and Gehazi to get to Elisha? When they ask if anything is wrong she tells them that everything is fine. What do you see in her that is different? (22-27) She is desperately seeking his help. She believes in her heart, not just her head.
C. What does Elisha do initially and why is it evident that this will not satisfy the woman? (28-30) He tells his servant to go and lay his staff on the boy’s face. The mother refuses to leave Elisha. She wants him to go not his servant.
D. What makes Elisha himself desperate? (31) That when the servant did as Elisha asked the boy remained dead.
E. How do you see a change in Elisha’s response? (32-35) He gets alone with God and prays and he physically does the healing.
F. How does this story end? He stretches out on the boy, eye to eye, mouth to mouth, hand to hand and the boy becomes warm. Elisha walks through the house back and forth once then goes back to the boy. The boy sneezes 7 times and wakes up. Thoughts? The mention of 3 points of contact and 7 sneezes, the important numbers. I found it interesting which points of contact with the boy was mentioned, only eyes, mouth and hands. If he laid out on the boy then there was total body contact, but only these 3 were mentioned. It’s something that I’ll have to think more about.
Good pick up on the eyes, mouth, and hands.
3. Listen to Paige from the beginning to minute 24:15 when she repeats: Faith is always unto transformation and describe the contrast in each of the following before and after:
A. How do you see her faith was routine? When asked if she had any need or requests from God she says everything is good. She’s with her people, she has money, her needs are met. How do you see her changing from established to desperate? She realizes that God is the only one who can help her and she actively seeks Elisha to help her.
B. How do you see her burying her real need? She was childless and although deep down she wanted a child, she was done mentioning it or praying about it. How do you see her being honest with her real need? She wants this child to live and it is not a buried request, but she takes action and seeks a miracle from God.
4. Comment on the following illustrations from Paige. What was her point and how does this apply to you?
A. The friend who was barren and didn’t want people to pray for her anymore because it is too painful. The friend put God in a box and decided that she was done asking. For me, I don’t want my desires to equal discontentment. I give up praying for somethings because I assume the answer is no and I need to accept it and move on. The only thing that I never give up praying for is salvation for people.
B. The sports event with a girl pushing her around and her mother appearing. Her mother didn’t just sit in the bleachers and wish that the aggressive girl would leave Paige alone, she came down prepared to protect her daughter. She took action.
5. Describe a time of desperation in your life when God came running and it awakened your faith. When my marriage was on rocky ground and it looked like it wasn’t going to last.
6. What else stands out to you from this section? Neediness is progression. There’s a difference between saying your prayers and praying.
7. Listen to Paige from 24:15 to 31
A. She said “The very things that will strengthen true faith will kill false faith.” What did she mean? The stresses and tensions that threaten to tear your faith apart will only make you lose your faith in false things and strengthen the bond with your only true hope.
B. How have you responded to tragedy in your life — have you backed away or pressed in? Why? The biggest tragic event in my life caused me to press in because I knew that this was a pivotal point in my life and my reaction would determine whether I lived in bitterness or faith, knowing that God was in control even though I didn’t like it one bit and I didn’t get the miraculous outcome that the Shunnamite woman did. I also knew that my reaction would affect my family as well.
C. What do you learn from her illustration of moving to Dallas and asking God to grow her? When she was asked by people about any negative things involved she had all of the perfect faith filled answers, but when she was living there and was experiencing loneliness and being overwhelmed by everything in her life then she realized that this was the answer to her prayer for God to grow her. What I learned is spiritual growth is often painful.
D. How was the death of her child the catapult of the woman’s faith? By being brought down to her lowest point, her faith was increased.
E. Compare verse 13 to verse 28 — what change do you see? She went from quietly standing in the door saying that she needed nothing to being very outspoken about the situation pretty much accusing him saying, “Did I ask you for a child? Didn’t I say don’t give me false hope?”
F. Share a time when God put you in a place of desperation or someone you love in a place of desperation and how it catapulted your faith. (something different than you have already shared) Seven years ago my son was in a major car accident and had to be airlifted to the hospital. We didn’t know if he survived the flight. When we arrived at the hospital they took us to a conference room and I was totally expecting to hear that he didn’t make it. I’ve been in that room before and it wasn’t good. He survived the flight, but need emergency surgery for a broken hip, femur, pelvis and internal injuries. There was a strong possibility that he wouldn’t survive surgery because his blood pressure was so low. He spent 6 months in a wheelchair and lots of rehab, but he did survive. God took care of all of the details during his recovery including financial and needing wheelchair accessible housing. My son has always wanted to be a youth pastor and next Sunday he is being ordained as a minister.
G. What point was she making with the illustration of her husband’s diabetic reaction? What some people use as a snack or supplement, is like a life giving IV to another person. Something not being an addition, but the key.
H. Does anything else stand out to you? If so, why? Although she’s going from doing fine to neediness, she is in fact going from weak/false faith to greater faith. It’s a good thing to remember at times when my life seems to be falling apart.
Dawn, what a story about your son! Thank you for sharing!
Oh, Dawn! I am in tears reading this story about your son! What a blessing that he is being ordained next Sunday. I will be thinking of you on Sunday and your great answer to prayer.
Oh my — how hard that time with your son must have been. Do you feel, looking back, that it strengthened your faith?
Yes, definitely. There was a great out pour of support for him, his wife and infant daughter (who was behind him in another vehicle and witnessed the accident). All of their needs were met, even with the insurance company. He healed beyond what the doctors expected. God used this to show us His mercy.
Wow Dawn! What a story! Congratulations on his reaching a goal after all he went through ♥️.
Such a good God story about your son, Dawn!
What a blessing to see him ordained, after all the difficulties of his long recovery! Praise God he brought you all through this fiery trial! Thank-you for sharing.🙏❤️🙏
Friday
3. Listen to Paige from the beginning to minute 24:15 when she repeats: Faith is always unto transformation and describe the contrast in each of the following before and after:
Before:
A. How do you see her faith was routine? She worships regularly on the New Moon Festival and Sabbath.
After:
How do you see her changing from established to desperate? When her son dies she runs to Elisha rather than waiting for him to come to her.
B. How do you see her burying her real need? She can’t bare a child and instead of crying out to God, she just figures it wasn’t meant to be, has given up. She could of told Elisha when he asked what he could do for her, but instead pushed it inside and said she had no need of anything.
How do you see her being honest with her real need? She becomes desperate for God and has to get to Elisha to get answers.
4. Comment on the following illustrations from Paige. What was her point and how does this apply to you?
A. The friend who was barren and didn’t want people to pray for her anymore because it is too painful.
She had put limits on what God could do for her and in her.
My sister has been Buddhist for many years now, wanting nothing to do with Christianity. I have not always prayed for her like I should of over the years because to be honest, there has been no change in her, no softening, in fact just the opposite. But in the last year I have started to pray that God would remove her heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh, to open her eyes to the truth and bring to her mind all the verses she learned as a child. I will persevere in this prayer.
B. The sports event with a girl pushing her around and her mother appearing.
The Shunammite woman wasn’t actually a “monster mom” but had a desperate faith in God.
I pray God will keep me desperate in seeking Him for my sister.
5. Describe a time of desperation in your life when God came running and it awakened your faith.
When we lost our son…there was no where and no one else I could run to. I had questions for a good year, God heard me and my faith was awakened.
6. What else stands out to you from this section?
This statement, “Before the Shunammite woman’s faith was maintaining her, and now it is changing her. Faith is always unto transformation.”
I interpreted the monster mom as God being right there when we are being pushed around. But you are right, Sharon — it is a great perspective how we can be desperate for someone we love and knock, knock, knocking on God’s door.
Thank you for that sweet testimony of faith, in what had to be the worst time imaginable for you, Sharon. So thankful that we have a God who hears the desperate cries of our hearts and He responds. There are so many mysteries about Him, but He is always there ~ even when we are at our in our deepest despair and cannot see Him.
I love this too: “Before the Shunammite woman’s faith was maintaining her, and now it is changing her. Faith is always unto transformation.”
Sharon, I will be praying for your sister as well. Indeed, to remove her heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh, to open her eyes to the truth and bring her mind to all the verses she learned as a child. I echo your prayers for my daughter as well.
Thank you Bing…I too will pray for your Ruth too❤️
Sharon, your prayer for your sister and the loss of your son brought tears. How much you have gone through! And I know the discouragement of long years of unanswered prayers and how we just want to give up. God help us. God, woo your sister to Himself in unexpected and quiet ways, we ask.
Saturday
7. Listen to Paige from 24:15 to 31
A. She said “The very things that will strengthen true faith will kill false faith.” What did she mean?
If we have a true biblical faith it will mature us, grow us up and won’t leave us where we are, but a false or superficial faith won’t survive the struggles, tenses or stresses and will leave us with no faith at all.
B. How have you responded to tragedy in your life — have you backed away or pressed in? I have pressed in.
Why? Because God has always been faithful.
C. What do you learn from her illustration of moving to Dallas and asking God to grow her?
When she really felt the growth pains which had to bring her down could her faith be on an upward trajectory.
D. How was the death of her child the catapult of the woman’s faith?
It took her to a really low and gross place, which is where she had to go before being catapulted to a high place.
E. Compare verse 13 to verse 28 — what change do you see?
She went from telling Elisha she didn’t have a need when he asked her in verse 13 to clinging to his feet in desperation in verse 27.
F. Share a time when God put you in a place of desperation or someone you love in a place of desperation and how it catapulted your faith. (something different than you have already shared)
When we lived in Oregon, Jim had a job that took him away from his family 2 weeks out of 6 and I prayed out of desperation that God would provide a different job. I didn’t expect God to move us 3000 miles in response to that, but He did and it was the same type of work he did in Oregon, only all his customers were much closer to where we lived so he wasn’t gone as long and the job paid much better. It definitely catapulted my faith and also showed me how awesome it is to be in His will even if it wasn’t what I had in mind.
G. What point was she making with the illustration of her husband’s diabetic reaction?
Faith is not a snack, it’s an IV, just like ice cream was for her husband…it’s life support and so often we have to be in life threatening situations to understand that it is life support.
H. Does anything else stand out to you? If so, why?
”The rare thing is not being weak and helpless, it’s realizing we are weak and helpless.” When I realize I’m weak and helpless is when I need to run to God.
Faith is not like a snack-it is an IV. As a nurse, we often see IV as the most important recourse and it signals a serious condition. The older I get, the more I realize how lifesaving faith is.
Great parallel to IV, nurse Bing.
Amen to all of this, Bing! Faith is not like a snack-it is an IV. As a nurse, we often see IV as the most important recourse and it signals a serious condition. The older I get, the more I realize how lifesaving faith is.
Great analogy, Bing!
7. Listen to Paige from 24:15 to 31
A. She said “The very things that will strengthen true faith will kill false faith.” What did she mean?
Only in our faith can we grow. He does not change, we change. He will enlarge our faith to help us be who He wants us to be in Him. The hardships of our lives can make us run to Him or run away from him.
B. How have you responded to tragedy in your life — have you backed away or pressed in? Why?
Both. There was a time when I did not know Him well. He was in my life but not in me. I relied on me not Him. I know better now; it is right to press in to Him.
C. What do you learn from her illustration of moving to Dallas and asking God to grow her?
When we ask for Him to grow us it can hurt. It can be lonely and hard. It will help us rely on only Him.
D. How was the death of her child the catapult of the woman’s faith?
She was pulled really low to be launched really high.
E. Compare verse 13 to verse 28 — what change do you see?
She is standoffish in verse 13. She doesn’t need any help. In verse 28 she is begging for help.
F. Share a time when God put you in a place of desperation or someone you love in a place of desperation and how it catapulted your faith. (something different than you have already shared)
I know I have shared a lot about our kids, because raising them was probably the lowest point in my life. It lasted a very long time. It was not just one incident, it was many. It was easy to quit, and hard to suck it up. There were plenty of times I thought God did not care. I was desperate to be out. Thank God a younger friend turned me back to Him. She simply asked a question which made me think about my condition of faith. When I answered the question and turned fully, back to Him, I was blessed from that point forward. I am still continually blessed today from that experience. Thank You Lord!
G. What point was she making with the illustration of her husband’s diabetic reaction?
Faith is not a snack it’s an IV!! I love this. It is constant and consistent. It is something we need continually no matter the circumstances.
H. Does anything else stand out to you? If so, why?
We need to be weak and helpless before we know the truth. Those low points help us recognize and experience the high points. It is progress in our faith. All the pieces add together to make the total picture.
Saturday: Direction of Down to Up Trajectory
7. Listen to Paige from 24:15 to 31
A. She said, “The very things that will strengthen true faith will kill false faith.” What did she mean?
My obedience to God is a sign of true faith and will nullify whatever is false, like my idols.
B. How have you responded to the tragedy in your life — have you backed away or pressed in? Why?
I do not know where else to go so I pressed in closer to God.
C. What do you learn from her illustration of moving to Dallas and asking God to grow her?
D. How was the death of her child the catapult of the woman’s faith?
The further she was stretched spiritually, the higher and further her faith was catapulted. She knew she had nowhere and no one else to go to.
E. Compare verse 13 to verse 28 — what change do you see?
13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now, what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’”
She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”
28 “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”
From timidity to boldness. From standing from afar to drawing closer.
F. Share a time when God put you in a place of desperation or someone you love in a place of desperation and how it catapulted your faith. (something different than what you have already shared)
Richard, my husband, had a serious bleed and it took several hours for him to be transferred to a larger hospital. Seeing my husband helpless and feeling helpless myself-I had nowhere else to go. As I rode the ambulance later and sat next to the driver, I made small talk but later gave way to tears. He was very understanding and let me cry. I remember the sun shining brightly and God impressed in my heart that all is well.
G. What point was she making with the illustration of her husband’s diabetic reaction?
Her husband is diabetic and the sugar that was given to him was IV to him or lifesaving whereas to somebody else without diabetes, it could just be a snack.
H. Does anything else stand out to you? If so, why?
True biblical faith will never leave you where you are. “From glory to glory, He’s changing me!”
3. Listen to Paige from the beginning to minute 24:15 when she repeats: Faith is always unto transformation and describe the contrast in each of the following before and after:
Before: After:
A. How do you see her faith was routine? How do you see her changing from established to desperate?
Before tragedy, her faith was a routine, maintaining her. No real needs. After: Her need was urgent; she needed help now. Her faith is coming alive.
B. How do you see her burying her real need? How do you see her being honest with her real need?
She had quit praying for a child she had given up. After: She is bold to beg. Her faith is changing her.
4. Comment on the following illustrations from Paige. What was her point and how does this apply to you?
A. The friend who was barren and didn’t want people to pray for her anymore because it is too painful.
When you have a prayer that is unanswered for a long time, you sometimes close the door to your heart on what God can do. You make God small. I know there have been times in my life when I felt that it was such a huge, deep need (and pain) that I did not know if God could change it….I could not imagine in my wildest dreams that there was any answer to this nightmare. There was ~ it was God ~ He answered it His way. He is infinite. He can do anything. Those moment of pure pain can grow faith.
I so relate to this from Paige. The very things that will grow True faith will kill false faith (superficial faith). It is not God’s ability that is being tested, it is her faith.
B. The sports event with a girl pushing her around and her mother appearing.
This “mama bear” scene made me smile! But, it is not a monster mom, it is a need for God to intervene.
5. Describe a time of desperation in your life when God came running and it awakened your faith.
I had an experience years ago, when my husband was in the ER with an asthma attack. I knew the protocol of what the techs needed to do. The doctor disappeared and my husband, on oxygen, could not breathe. I found the doctor on the phone in his cubicle talking about his “squash game” with a friend. I went into mama bear mode and said “you need to get off your phone and take care of my husband who can’t breathe!” He told me my husband was just fine on oxygen….the doctor neglected to have the techs check my husband’s blood oxygen levels, which is crucial and I was the only one that noticed and told him. It was a code blue suddenly and they almost lost him. He was intubated in ICU for a couple of days…one of my worst nightmare’s…..but it made me a good advocate for the future…..
6. What else stands out to you from this section?
Realizing we are weak and helpless, helps us see God’s grace more clearly ~ it stretches us. It is not God’s ability that is being tested, it is our faith.
and as Bing mentioned: Faith is not a snack ~ it is an IV ~ life support.
Wow! What a close call, Patti, with your husband and the careless physician. Thank God you were there, and I like how you said it’s made you more of an advocate!
I remember that time, Patti! You were his advocate.
I liked this too and has caused me to ponder.
he very things that will grow True faith will kill false faith (superficial faith).
7. Listen to Paige from 24:15 to 31
A. She said “The very things that will strengthen true faith will kill false faith.” What did she mean?
False faith is superficial. When the real crisis happens, real faith shows up.
B. How have you responded to tragedy in your life — have you backed away or pressed in? Why?
I have done both. The older I get the more I am learning that pressing in to God is always the way to deeper faith.
C. What do you learn from her illustration of moving to Dallas and asking God to grow her?
We can pray trite prayers, but it is only when we really feel the true pit and pain of life, that we can grow. When you are knocked down flat and life is too hard to go on ~ then you truly cry out to God. Faith doesn’t have all the answers and confidence; it has honesty, questions, confusion. It is not serenity. It is growth. It hurts to grow….but “He is not safe, but He is Good. ” (C.S. Lewis)
D. How was the death of her child the catapult of the woman’s faith?
She falls apart. She grabs Elisha in grief and humility.
E. Compare verse 13 to verse 28 — what change do you see?
She was fine and secure in verse 13. She was desperate and in deep sorrow and pain. She was in need~ left decorum and dignity for desperation.
F. Share a time when God put you in a place of desperation or someone you love in a place of desperation and how it catapulted your faith. (something different than you have already shared)
My husband is a type one diabetic, so the following illustration from Paige really hit home for me. Such a great analogy! This is a weekly routine for us ~ 2am breakfast break~
G. What point was she making with the illustration of her husband’s diabetic reaction?
You go in an instant from something not being an addition, but being the key. Faith is not a snack ~ it’s an IV, life support
H. Does anything else stand out to you? If so, why?
Sometime we have to be if life threatening, soul threatening situations, to truly understand faith. Prayer and faith in God = life support.
8. How has God been at work in your heart or life this week?
It is always sweet to do these lessons, because they help me to reflect back to amazing and unexpected ways God has used tragedies and trauma in my life, to show me His ways, which are always so much better than my ways. It has been a good time of pressing into Him.
Had sweet visit with one of our granddaughters and her good friend (who we have kind of adopted). Sweet notes from my granddaughter in Nashville. Sweet note from one of our grandson’s in Texas.
Huge answer to prayer: WE HAVE HAD RAIN!!! The smoke has cleared out. Thanking God for this much needed rain!
Praise the Lord for the rain ☔️
You are so blessed to have grandchildren that send you notes… what a special grandma you must be❤️
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! notes from grandchildren-so sweet!
Thank You Lord for the rain! So glad you have freah, clean air to breath.
Grandchildren are such a blessing!
Praise God for the rain! My kids and I prayed that you might have rain!
Sunday
8. How has God been at work in your heart or life this week?
First of all, I am really enjoying reading each of your stories here! I don’t know about you but they sure have encouraged me in my faith. I thank the Lord for each of you here and your evident love for our Lord!!
I was convicted by the lecture Paige did on the call of God in Elisha’s life. It caused me to do some soul searching and of course it put the spotlight on my idol of “comfort.” So, I started praying that God would take me out of my comfort zone to serve Him. I was talking with the music leader at our church and asked if I could play my guitar but warned him I hadn’t played in a few years and would need to practice, that was on a Saturday. The following Monday I received an email with the songs and chords and it said be at practice on Thursday😳 . My first reaction was, “he has more faith in me than I do!!” For those of you who play the guitar know, when you don’t play all the time you have to build up calluses on your fingers and I had to look up chords I hadn’t played in a while! It definitely took me out of my comfort zone, especially with all the electronics involved…but it’s just what I needed. I thank the Lord for the opportunity and may all I do be to His glory!
Oh, I survived the service this morning and it was such a joy.
Sharon, praise God! It is always fun to play the guitar!
😊
Praise the Lord, Sharon! So happy to hear you are using your talent! I play the guitar too, but do not practice much. I was asked to play guitar for praise and worship at church, but our music director changes the key we are singing in when I have practiced in the original key/chords. Praying about what to do.
Thank you Lydia. I would suggest you ask your music director to give you the songs in the other keys he may possibly change them to so you can prepare. That would be so hard and will keep it in prayer 🙏
Thank-you Sharon, I will do that. I am not very confident with my skill in playing anymore. My voice has always been my main instrument, the guitar is a very portable accompaniment.
Now that’s putting feet to your knowledge!
I like this Dee…”putting feet to knowledge.”
How wonderful, Sharon! I love this story! What a great way to share our talents! I know it was a blessing for all who heard you!
😊
God Hunt Sunday
8. How has God been at work in your heart or life this week?
A growing and settled belief in the sameness of God yesterday, today, and for all tomorrow. Several situations affecting my loved ones as well as members of our church who are very close to us rattled me a bit. But I have seen God at work, the body of Christ rallying around each other, and the faithful flourishing in their faith through the hard things of life. You are an awesome God!
7a When hard times come are we going to turn things over to God and trust Him with answers or solutions or are we going to depend on self and other people to get us through
b ?
c That God grows us through the hard stuff
d That God used her desperation to bring her running to man of God for life of her son
e verse 13 she wouldn’t ask for or expect anything. Vs 28 she had grabbed the man of God and confronted him
f Seeing progress in a broken relationship Instead of my trying to intervene Im trying to pray and wait for God to restore
g Many of us just want a snack relationship Something to give us a quick feel good right now But faith is not to be that way God is to be our lifeline Faith should be growing and not a now and then treat
h faith is to be active in our life trusting God in hard stuff small stuff and everything in between
I would have loved to have been there for your guitar re-debut! I’m sure it was lovely!
😊
Oh, Bing! I so much need to learn the lesson of not interfering with a broken relationship but praying and waiting for God to restore. Such a difficult thing for me. I just want to fix it, and I usually end up making things much worse.
“Instead of trying to intervene, I’m praying.” So good. Not easy, but so wise.
I always want to fix things too. I am trying to let go. Love this Judy: Many of us just want a snack relationship Something to give us a quick feel good right now But faith is not to be that way God is to be our lifeline Faith should be growing and not a now and then treat
Thank you. I hope I didn’t miss point of question
Sunday
8. How has God been at work in your heart or life this week? God has been reminding me that this life, His Book and everything else is about Him, not me. He has the power to use each one of us, as He sees fit. I have been struggling with a lifelong seasonal mood disorder, I have asked Him to heal me once again and I feel “Springtime” in my soul. I have not been doing a good job on my homework here, please forgive me. I will try to do better. But I have gotten so much out of Paiges’ teaching and from reading all of the good work of each one of you. God Bless each one of you dear Sisters, you are an inspiration!
I agree with you all! I love the different truths we each see. Even though I listen to the lessons take tons of notes, I always see some nugget of truth that I did not pick up. Such joy! The sharing helps me grow!
I just want to say how amazed I am! I am taking such careful notes of almost everything Paige is teaching, often stopping the message so I can write. And then I come here and find all these golden quotes you all find and I’m scratching my head saying, “How in the world did I completely miss that good quote?” So I’m thankful for the sisters here who glean golden nuggets that my poor brain has completely overlooked!
I so agree, Miriam. My friend Linda, whose memoir I’m doing, wanted a direct quote from Paige for the book with a lecture that was down. I came right here to get it! 🙂
8. How has God been at work in your heart or life this week?
My 40th high school reunion occurred this past weekend and what a sweet thing it was! We were blessed to be together and share the memories of the class of 82. God was good to our class. Spent some quality time with a good friend who hosted me and visited my mom and dads graves. What a beautiful fall weekend it was; blue skies and the perfect temperature! Thank You Jesus for a safe trip.
Sweet, Laura. Did you have any chances to share your faith?
I absolutely did! I come from a place where it is natural to fit into conversation. I miss that! I could say “I dance in church,” or “I’ll pray for you,” and it would be well received. My best friend and I had lots of conversation. She’s in a rough patch right now. Kids are gone, divorced. I think she’s lonely. I told her about the Chosen.
Wonderful!
What a lovely weekend and reunion, Laura!
We graduated the same year!
There are a few of us I think! It was funny to be with people who were all the same age as me.
8. I’m still mulling over catapulting faith and once we have seen the wonder God has done what happens to the faith? How should my life be different? Am I more dependent on God? Or am I just putting that faith in a file cabinet to pull out during next crisis? I did have a strong sense of His goodness and presence during church worship yesterday.
That’s good, Judy!
9. Listen to Paige from 31 to 49:50 when she quotes Ralph Davis “When you keep clutching to a God you cannot understand, we have a word for that, and it’s faith.
A. She Goes
1) Quiet times feed our faith but you must she action if it is going in your heart. How have Paige’s lectures changed your actions in thought, word, or deed?
Although I love Paige and her teachings, I find it to be daunting to say the least. It is a lot of information and I feel like I can’t keep up. It’s DEEP thought and I want to ponder but feel rushed to get the study done. I’m not sure I have been changed at this point.
2) Paige brought up other examples from the New Testament of action that showed faith –what were some?
Moses, Abraham, and Jesus. I picked these verses to be read at my mom’s funeral. She was a faithful woman.
B. She Collapses
1) How do you see this in the Shunnamite woman?
She fell to the ground at his feet because she was in distress.
2) When have you done this?
With my kids. With our daughter and my husband who really don’t get along.
C. She Cries Out
1) How does she now look like Hannah?
She is collapsing and begging. She is in total grief and humility. Her faith is what makes her come to him. No dignity now.
2) She said, “Faith is not serenity.” What did she mean?
It’s when you have to become passionate about your faith. Jesus sweated blood in faith. Totally honesty and total dependence at the same time.
D. She clings
1) Do you agree we live in a culture that is a posture of faith? Do you have a posture of faith or are you real? In prayer time? In fellowship? With God?
No I don’t believe we, as a culture have a posture of faith. I try to have the posture, but sometimes I am weak. I am definitely real in prayer time. I am sort of real in fellowship, but sometimes I get embarrassed. I am very real with Him.
2) What was her point about verse 30?
The woman uses the same argument that Elisha used with Elijah. She would not leave him because he represented God.
3) She gave an illustration of a woman with Alzheimer’s – what was her point and how does this apply?
Her faith and love of her husband was amazingly beautiful. She was only content with him. We need this faith and love for God. We need to be content with Him.
4) She gave illustrations of Jacob, of Jesus in Gethsemane. What do you remember?
Jacob wrestled with God until it made him lame. He said he wouldn’t let go until he was blessed. Jesus cried to God and bled, but had that faith.
I sure see changes in you. That’s what is so crazy about the Word of God. It is organic, and as you abide, you cannot help but change.
I agree, Laura. It is a lot to keep up with the lectures, but you always answer with honest and wonderful answers from your heart! I love that you are real! Love reading your views!
10. What stands out to you from the above song?
All is well, though it may not appear that way from what we see. Our Savior was born. He is here. He is Risen. He ascended into heaven. The wait is over. He is accessible. He will return. He hears and answers our prayers. “I am with you always even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
Listen to Paige to the end.
11. She has nothing but desperation.
A. It is not the strength of our faith but the object of our faith that matters. Explain.
True faith is a reliance on God only, not on self. If you have the faith of a mustard seed and it is in the right place. We need the faith of a child. When we have need, we need to look more deeply to God.
B. What are some of the clinging and stretching examples from the story?
She is not clinging to faith, but by faith. She is clinging to God. She has nothing but emptiness. She has herself wrapped around Elisha’s ankles. He is her direct conduit to God. She went in and fell at Elisha’s feet, acknowledging that the Lord had answered her prayer through Elisha.
C. How does Elisha show desperation in the way he responds to a dead defiled body?
Elisha defiled tradition by lying o top of the boy’s body.
12. Elisha is nothing but an illustration. Explain.
This is a preview that death will never have the final word.
13. For justification, we need Jesus. How did He become nothing to save us?
Jesus chose to become nothing, to take on all of our sins, living in the fullness of obedience, holiness and righteousness for us. He took on our form, our sins; Identifying total with us. He was me on the cross~all of my sins became his.
14. She quoted a friend “All it takes in coming to Jesus is nothing but most people don’t have it.” What did she mean?
We can have all the worldly triumphs, popularity, money, travel, brilliance (and shell collections) but it is nothing compared to the surpassing greatness of Knowing the Lord Jesus. We need to know that we have nothing in order to know that Jesus is Everything.
15. The woman kept saying, “Don’t mislead me.” How do we know the promises of God are true? Give some verses to support your answer.
Gen 12:7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “to your descendants I will give this land.” Gen 17:16 ” I will bless her, and indeed give you a son by her. Then I will bless her , and she shall be a mother of nation; kings of peoples will come from her.” Isaiah 7:14 ” Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
16. What else stands out to you from this section? Why?
I have been bought with a price. He is the source of everything for us. He asks us to give ourselves to Him. Without Jesus, I am nothing. All I do on this earth does not count for anything ~ I have nothing but myself to offer to Him.
If we belong to Jesus, we have a responsibility to live a godly life and see with the eyes of Christ.
I loved this: (partial quote) Malcom Muggeridge: Multiply your tiny triumphs by millions, add the all together and they are nothing, less than nothing; indeed a positive impediment measured against one drop of that living water that Christ offers to the spiritually thirsty, irrespective of who or what they are.”
Love your whole post.
Also, somehow I had missed that Elisha lay on top of him in the shape of a cross — someone brought that out in study yesterday.
8. How has God been at work in your heart or life this week? He’s been keeping me more aware of when my mind is traveling down the wrong path. Whether it is negativity toward myself or others, replaying past hurts, or even trashy songs from my past that keeps playing in my head (I’m sure glad that they don’t get royalties for that!), I have been noticing it happens a lot and it gives me the opportunity to turn it into prayer.
Great response to negative thoughts!
A. She Goes
1) Quiet times feed our faith but you must have action if it is going in your heart. How have Paige’s lectures changed your actions in thought, word, or deed? I now approach the bible with the thought, what is this telling me about God? It’s not what does God want me to do, but what has He already done?
2) Paige brought up other examples from the New Testament of action that showed faith –what were some? Hebrews 11: Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain; Enoch was taken up so that he wouldn’t see death; Noah and the ark; Abraham leaving his land to follow God’s calling; Sarah who conceived in her old age because she considered God faithful.
B. She Collapses
1) How do you see this in the Shunnamite woman? She doesn’t stop to talk to anyone about it. She heads as fast as she can straight to the man of God.
2) When have you done this? When I was having marital difficulties and saw nothing but a disastrous end.
C. She Cries Out
1) How does she now look like Hannah? She was in total desperation. She is coming to God where before, unlike Hannah, she was keeping her distance.
2) She said, “Faith is not serenity.” What did she mean? That faith isn’t when we sit back and pleasantly ask our requests of God, but when we run to Him and throw ourselves on Him.
D. She clings
1) Do you agree we live in a culture that is a posture of faith? Yes Do you have a posture of faith or are you real? In prayer time? I am real, although there are times when I feel like I’m trying to find things to pray about instead of actually praying. In fellowship? Not so much. I don’t think that people want to be bothered with my problems (it’s not supposed to be about me after all). I’ve experienced times of pretty much silence when I have revealed things that I am struggling with. I feel like I’m either being judged or making people uncomfortable. Not here, of course! With God? Isn’t that the same as in prayer?
2) What was her point about verse 30? She wasn’t satisfied with anything, but the true man of God.
3) She gave an illustration of a woman with Alzheimer’s – what was her point and how does this apply? Even though this woman had Alzheimer’s and couldn’t even speak a cohesive sentence, her love for her husband was so great that she walked up to 10 times a day to his work, just to be with him. Our love for God should be that great.
4) She gave illustrations of Jacob, of Jesus in Gethsemane. What do you remember? Jacob would not let go until he got the blessing, even though it broke his hip and made him lame. Jesus came to God seeking Him, clinging to Him in faith even to the point of sweating blood, even though it would result in his crucifixion.
Love this from Dawn:
I now approach the bible with the thought, what is this telling me about God? It’s not what does God want me to do, but what has He already done?
Monday: The Posture of Faith
9. Listen to Paige from 31 to 49:50 when she quotes Ralph Davis “When you keep clutching to a God you cannot understand, we have a word for that, and it’s faith.
A. She Goes
1) Quiet times feed our faith but you must she action if it is going in your heart. How have Paige’s lectures changed your actions in thought, word, or deed? So far Paiges lectures have changed my thoughts on who God is and what He is doing and will do in my life, by His power…not mine. ( The stories of Elijah and Elisha are powerful evidence!)
2) Paige brought up other examples from the New Testament of action that showed faith –what were some? She name those who were desparate to see and touch Jesus, the woman with the bloody issue, blind Bartamaus, the man who was let down through the roof to be healed.
B. She Collapses
1) How do you see this in the Shunnammite woman? She throws herself at Elisha’s feet.
2) When have you done this? My sister and I both did this when we entered the hospital room where her only daughter, Rebecca, lay in a coma following a terrible car accident. The Lord chose to heal her in Heaven, her body was too broken. She was 22 years and 7 months old.
. She Cries Out
1) How does she now look like Hannah? She is totally poured out before the Lord in her despair.
2) She said, “Faith is not serenity.” What did she mean? Faith is reaching out to God in desperation, when you have come to the end of yourself.
D. She clings
1) Do you agree we live in a culture that is a posture of faith? Sadly, yes. Do you have a posture of faith or are you real? Try as I may, I still am somewhat guarded at church. I am much more real with the Lord when I am alone at home with Him. In prayer time? I have improved in prayer time, not just going down the list of needs, but taking time to draw near and be still. In fellowship? Only with my closest friends. With God? Yes, in getting to know Him and trust His Love and Faithfulness.
2) What was her point about verse 30? The Shunammite woman is quoting Elisha’s words to Elijah “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” She got Elisha’s attention,so he got up and followed her.
3) She gave an illustration of a woman with Alzheimer’s – what was her point and how does this apply? The point if this story was the wife’s total love and devotion for her husband.
4) She gave illustrations of Jacob, of Jesus in Gethsemane. What do you remember? She was talking about faith, our perception of faith is keeping it together, handling it…but faith is really being so distraught that you reach for God in the midst of your distress. “Total honesty, total dependance at the same time.”
How similar your change is to Dawn’s, Lydia. Wonderful!
Monday
9. Listen to Paige from 31 to 49:50 when she quotes Ralph Davis “When you keep clutching to a God you cannot understand, we have a word for that, and it’s faith.
A. She Goes
1) Quiet times feed our faith but you must she action if it is going in your heart. How have Paige’s lectures changed your actions in thought, word, or deed?
It has changed my attitude towards prayer in that I have become more desperate and more honest. Also, where my focus needs to be in the small and big things.
2) Paige brought up other examples from the New Testament of action that showed faith –what were some?
When Jairus comes to Jesus because his 12 year old daughter was dying and his servants come and say don’t bother Jesus as the girl is dead. Jesus tells Jairus, fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And Jesus healed her. As Paige says, “what better time to bother the Master then when the daughter is dead. It’s the times we’re falling apart and there is no other place to turn. Not, why would I bother Him, but who else would I bother?” When Jesus tells Peter you can go and Peter says, “but where else would we go, we want to be with You.
B. She Collapses
1) How do you see this in the Shunnammite woman?
She is in total distress when she gets to Elisha and falls down at his feet, not because she is tired but is determined to get to him. Quoting Paige, “She isn’t going to him so she can pull herself together, she goes to Him so she can fall apart.” She grabs his ankles in total grief and distress.
2) When have you done this?
When we had our house ruined during hurricane Florence. I cried and cried and just collapsed before God.
I really liked this quote from Paige, “We don’t live in a culture of collapsing. We live in a culture of cover-ups, pose, stand up straighter, handling it. And in this culture we call that faith! This woman’s faith brought her to this point and it knocked her and kicked her down…this is evidence of faith.”
C. She Cries Out
1) How does she now look like Hannah?
She cries out for answers in her situation.
2) She said, “Faith is not serenity.” What did she mean?
Faith is not of state of being calm, it’s crying out to God with questions, we don’t have the answers to, wondering and confusion. Being honest as David was in so many of the Psalms when he had questions.
More desperate and more honest in prayer. So good.
Monday
D. She clings
1) Do you agree we live in a culture that is a posture of faith?
No, because our culture believes faith is having it all together.
Do you have a posture of faith or are you real? In prayer time? In fellowship? With God?
I feel more real when it’s between God and I. I think many Christians believe that faith is stoic and being strong and therefore have to exude that posture.
2) What was her point about verse 30?
She becomes like Elisha when he wouldn’t leave Elijah…had to be in his presence and wouldn’t go without him.
3) She gave an illustration of a woman with Alzheimer’s – what was her point and how does this apply?
The woman does not want her husband out of her sight. She walks to the school and back, 1 mile round trip, where her husband works, 10-11 times/day which her husband realizes in seeing her bloody feet. The doctors response is “such love.” To which the husband responds, “I wish I loved God like that, desperate to be near Him all the time, thus she teaches me day by day.” The Shunammite woman was this way, didn’t know what was going on but she had to be where God was, she had to have the Lord!
May I have that desperation!
4) She gave illustrations of Jacob, of Jesus in Gethsemane. What do you remember?
Jesus in the garden, He’s not standing up straight or tall, He’s not handling it, He’s on the ground, on His face sweating blood and when He can get His few words out they are moaning, groaning and waiting.
Jacob wrestles with God all night until He blesses him and becomes lame because of it. He wouldn’t let go of God.
I wonder if that is what she meant by a “posture” of faith — pretending you have it all together — what do you think?
That thought has been good for me, as well as the quote in another lecture from Sinclair Ferguson about if we are not the same in private as in public then it is hypocrisy for the sake of the applause of men
Dee, I thought what she meant by “posture of faith” was the 4 positions the woman had…
She Comes
She Collapses
She Cries Out
She Clings
They are progressive in acting on our faith.
Just how I perceived it.
Tuesday
11. She has nothing but desperation.
A. It is not the strength of our faith but the object of our faith that matters. Explain.
Yes. If we place faith as something that is strong, then we are depending on ourselves and that keeps us from true faith. We must realize our emptiness and grabbing of what’s outside of ourselves…Jesus.
B. What are some of the clinging and stretching examples from the story?
The woman is no longer just managing her faith, it is changing her, causing her to cling to Elisha with absolutely nothing.
The stretching of Elisha when he collapses or bends over.
C. How does Elisha show desperation in the way he responds to a dead defiled body?
They weren’t allowed to touch a dead body, but Elisha puts his mouth on the dead boys mouth, eyes on his eyes and hands on his hands until the body warms up.
12. Elisha is nothing but an illustration. Explain.
He is also an illustration of the posture of faith…comes to the chamber of death, collapses/bends over with spiritual focus, cries out in prayer just like the woman does with him and he clings to the Lord because there’s nothing else he can do.
13. For justification, we need Jesus. How did He become nothing to save us?
In Philippians 2:7-8 it says, “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
14. She quoted a friend “All it takes in coming to Jesus is nothing but most people don’t have it.” What did she mean?
Most people want was this world can afford them…fame, popularity, riches, success etc, but we need to realize that all Jesus wants is us, our hearts, our all. He doesn’t want anything else.
15. The woman kept saying, “Don’t mislead me.” How do we know the promises of God are true? Give some verses to support your answer.
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God will stand forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
1 John 1:1-3 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
16. What else stands out to you from this section? Why?
This is so comforting to me…”There’s a greater reality to everyone who belongs to God. We will be raised up to eternal life, a glorified body, glorified world and infinite joy in the eternal presence of the Lord. We cannot imagine it big enough. It is not a pie in the sky. Every religion has a view of the afterlife, only Christianity has a historic reason (the resurrection of Christ) of why it’s true.” She then quotes Matthew Henry, “The present providence of God may disappoint (that’s an understatement) but the promise of God will never deceive.” Amen!
I loved that comforting closing as well!
Listen to Paige to the end.
11. She has nothing but desperation.
A. It is not the strength of our faith but the object of our faith that matters. Explain.
We have no strength. It is going through the pain that develops our faith. We must rely on Him.
B. What are some of the clinging and stretching examples from the story?
She clings to Elisha’s feet. Elisha clings to God when he lays on the boy. Both in progression of their faith.
C. How does Elisha show desperation in the way he responds to a dead defiled body?
He laid on it, matched his limbs with the limbs of the boy.
12. Elisha is nothing but an illustration. Explain.
It is about Christ, not Elisha. The woman had nothing. Elisha does nothing. He was symbolic. Jesus made Himself nothing. He was real. He took on our form. He was me on the cross.
13. For justification, we need Jesus. How did He become nothing to save us?
He lived in the fullness of righteousness and obedience. He stretched out for us. It is the exact match up so that everything I have done with my mouth, my hands, etc. He took on Himself. It is not just a forgiveness, it’s an exchange. I am credited with all the beautiful-ness of Him. I stand in the full reality of Him. We receive grace upon grace, upon grace.
14. She quoted a friend “All it takes in coming to Jesus is nothing but most people don’t have it.” What did she mean?
People think they need to do something to earn it.
15. The woman kept saying, “Don’t mislead me.” How do we know the promises of God are true? Give some verses to support your answer.
A greater reality exists than just this. This is lovely, but….we will be raised up, to eternal life with a beautiful body, a glorified world with infinite joy. Every world religion has a view of the afterlife, but only Christianity has a substantiated history that proves it’s true.
First resurrection (Jesus).
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”
1 John 5:12 NLT
So good:
we will be raised up, to eternal life with a beautiful body, a glorified world with infinite joy. Every world religion has a view of the afterlife, but only Christianity has a substantiated history that proves it’s true.
I was spending my day off yesterday catching up on this study. I took a break to go outside and get stuff done on our last nice sunny day this week. I planned on getting back to Tuesday’s questions in the evening.
I got called to meet my dad at the hospital as he had been in a car accident. He has fractured ribs, a fractured sternum and bruised lung. The kept him overnight.
I got home at 11:30PM so I was able to at least listen to the end of the study. Hopefully I will be able to remember what she said so that I can answer the questions.
Dawn I am praying for your father. Sorry to hear this.
Thank you, Laura. He’s not going home today.
Dawn, praying for your Dad and you…so sorry to hear this happened!
Oh Dawn – so sorry.
Father, I lift up Dawn’s dad and ask for Your mercy. Please put Your healing hand on him, give medical people wisdom and compassion, and Dawn your peace. In Jesus Name I pray.
I am praying for your Dad, Dawn. Lord Jesus, Jehovah Rapha, I ask for healing for Dawn’s Dad and a touch on his spirit as well, in Your Name,Amen.
Dawn, am sorry to hear about your Dad being in an accident. Praying for his recovery and healing. And whatever he needs at this time.
17. What is your take-a-way and why?
I think the last part of the session was just beautiful. How she showed us Jesus in the story. I will take it and remember it. How he laid down His life, took my grunge and gave me all of Him. I remember Mike Reeves saying something like He traded the crown of glory for the crown of thorns. Wow. I am blessed. Thank You Jesus!
17. What is your take-a-way and why? The paradox of faith. “A seeming self contradiction. The secret of the fullness of faith is emptiness.” This is a welcome relief to me, all if my life I have been told how strong I am…I am not strong, I can put on a tough act when life gets hard. But, inside I am melting. I am so happy that my faith is not dependant on me and my abilities. I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Jesus I surrender, I surrender all!
Amen, Lydia!
Wednesday: Take-A-Way
17. What is your take-a-way and why?
To have the posture of faith-to cling to Jesus no matter what and not to let go. There is nothing that I cannot bring to Jesus.
18. If you are in a small group and it is time for prayer requests, how might you be honest about your need? Or how might you be honest here so we can pray for you?
There are so many good things, it seems like, that are clamoring for my attention. I want to honor and please God in my ways. I ask for prayer for what to continue to pursue and what things to give up. Make me willing, Lord.