Gideon by Priscilla Shirer ~ Week Two

How are you all doing on reading and gleaning from God's Word?  I must admit I'm getting behind on this week's work, and probably will lack a lot next week since I'm having surgery.  However, keep doing as much as you can.  One thing that is good about an online study is the posts will be archived and we can go back and re-learn or catch up as necessary.

This week let's share our thoughts on these questions from the 5 days of homework.  You can chose to answer as many as you'd like.  I don't want you to feel overwhelmed in participating.  :)

Day 1: Commissioning Gideon
What expectations do you think believers have of how God reveals Himself?  How might these beliefs keep people from recognizing a God encounter in their lives?

Day 2: Above Ground Observations 
God used Gideon's everyday task of threshing in his calling and life task.  How do you see God possibly using one or more of your daily tasks in the calling He has for your life?

Day 3: Overlooking the Obvious
Why do you think we so often fail to connect what we know God has done previously with facing our present situations? (p. 53)

Day 4: Who Do You Think You Are?
Why do you think it is critical for believers to understand their identity before moving forward into their destiny? (p. 56)

Day 5: Gideon's Assignment
In what ways have you felt like Gideon when he tore down his family altar by night? (p. 63)

God bless all of you and if you have any prayer requests please let me know.  I'm honored to pray with you!

~ Karla ~

Gideon by Priscilla Shirer ~ Week One

Well we've finished up with week one of our study on Gideon.

What do you think of it so far?  I'm impressed with Priscilla's teaching and I'm glad this format is similar to the Beth Moore studies I'm used to doing.

This week let's share our thoughts on these questions from the 5 days of homework.  You can chose to answer as many as you'd like.  I don't want you to feel overwhelmed in participating.  :)

Day 1: God's People in Paradise
How do you see the Deliverance Principle impacting your life (see p.12 and Digging Deeper I to help remind you of the terms vassals and suzerain.

Day 2: You Again? 
Have you experienced a problem that was an extension of a difficulty someone didn't fully conquer in the past? (p. 16)

Day 3: God's Story, My Story
What realm of your life do you think God wants you to concentrate on while doing this study? (p. 26)

Day 4: Empowered to Act
How can we remain true to biblical beliefs and still be united in the body of Christ today?  What do you think we must not do? (p. 30)

Day 5: Turning the Tide
How can you deliberately position yourself to learn? (p. 36)

God bless all of you and if you have any prayer requests please let me know.  I'm honored to pray with you!

~ Karla ~

7/19/13 Lesson Ten ~ From Glory to Glory ~ Day 5

I’m so proud of you for finishing the study of A Sudden Glory! I hope God has opened your eyes to see Him, your ears to hear Him, your heart to sense His presence. I would love you to share what impacted your life the most from this study. And don’t forget to come back often and share your moments of Sudden Glory. 

Thank you so much for linking arms with me as we’ve grown in grace together.

7/18/13 Lesson Ten ~ From Glory to Glory ~ Day 4

Day four of each week has extra Bible study questions that are not in the Bible Study Guide. These are for on-line Bible study participants who want to dig a little deeper.

1. In question 3 we looked at Revelation 21-22. What is planted on each side of the river running through the great street in glory? Revelation 22:2

Where have you heard of that same tree before? Genesis 2:9

How does Jesus describe himself in the following verses? John 10:10, John 14:6

2. David just couldn’t wait to talk about how he had seen God’s glory. What did he say about this in Psalm 145?

In order to tell of sudden glory moments, he had to be looking for and expecting them. As you go about your day, how has this study helped you be more in-tuned to recognizing God’s presence?

How does Isaiah echo the Psalmist’s sentiments? Isaiah 12:4-6

Let the redeemed of the Lord (that’s you), tell their story! Psalm 107:2

3. Your final assignment is to tell one of your most memorable moments of Sudden Glory where God made his presence known to you personally.  Please add it to the comment section to encourage our group.

7/17/13 Lesson Ten ~ From Glory to Glory ~ Day 3

1. Answer questions 6-12 in Lesson 10 of the Study Guide.

2. Can you remember my definition for the “glory ache” and “a sudden glory?” See if you can say it from memory. If not, go back to lesson 1 and refresh your memory.

3. What a journey! What a sudden glory! Let’s share our answers to question 12. List five truths from A Sudden Glory you are now applying as you live and move and have your being in Jesus.

7/16/13 Week Ten ~ From Glory to Glory ~ Day 2

1. Answer questions 1-5 in Lesson 10 of the Study Guide.

2. Has God shown you something you have been turning to to satisfy your “glory ache” rather than Him?

3. What changes do you need to make in your own quest to quench your longing for something more?

4. Pick a question that enlightened you the most and share your answer or a summary of your answer in the comment box.

7/15/13 Lesson Ten ~ From Glory to Glory ~ Day 1

1. Read Chapter 10 in A Sudden Glory.

2. Have you ever had one of those moments and thought to yourself… That explains a lot!
That’s how I felt the first time I read C.S. Lewis’s quote at the beginning of the chapter: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in the world can satisfy, the most probably explanation is that I was made for another world.” And we were.

3. What impacted you the most in Chapter 10? Share your answer in the comment box.

7/12/13 Lesson Nine ~ Choosing Intimate Relationship over Routine Religion ~ Day 5

It’s time for a video chat. Click on the video link for some face-to-face time. 

After viewing the video, come back and share what impacted your life the most in Lesson Seven. 

Ask a question. Give an insight. This is your space.

7/11/13 Lesson Nine ~ Choosing Intimate Relationship over Routine Religion ~ Day 4

Day four of each week has extra Bible study questions that are not in the Bible Study Guide. These are for on-line Bible study participants who want to dig a little deeper.

1. What was the father’s response to the son’s apologetic plea, repentant heart, and request for a job?

Try to describe what you think was going through the son’s mind as his father restored his position as a son. Share your answer in the comment box.

2. Feasting on the fatted calf was only done for special occasions and parties. Usually the entire village was invited. How does this idea relate to Luke 15:8-10, especially verse 10? Who rejoices when a person is reunited with God?

3. One more snapshot. Flip over to Luke 18:9-14. To whom was Jesus speaking?

Describe the two men praying?

How do these two men reflect the attitudes of the two sons in Luke 15?

Which one was more interested in practicing religion and which one was more concerned with a restored intimate relationship with God?

Which one better reflects your attitude in prayer?

Share one truth that impacted you through today’s lesson.

7/10/13 Lesson Nine ~ Choosing Intimate Relationship over Routine Religion ~ Day 3

1. Answer questions 9-14 of the Study Guide.

2. When you read about the elder brother, did you like him or dislike him? Would you want to be his friend? His confidant? His accountability partner?

3. What can we do to make sure we don’t turn into a Pharisee or an elder brother? Share your answer in the comment box.

7/9/13 Lesson Nine ~ Choosing Intimate Relationship over Routine Religion ~ Day 2

1. Answer questions 1-8 in Lesson 9 of the Study Guide.

2. Let’s look at question 3. What does the fact that the father allowed the son to make poor choices show us about why God allows us to wallow in our own poor choices? Please share your answer in the comment box.

3. In question 4, I asked how this story is an example of God’s passionate pursuit of our hearts. I’d love to hear your answer. Please leave your answer in the comment box.

4. What did God reveal to you in the first part of the story that you had never seen before?

7/8/13 Week Nine ~ Choosing Intimate Relationship over Routine Religion ~ Day 1

1. Read Chapter 9 in A Sudden Glory.

2. After reading Chapter 9, how would you explain the difference between practicing religion and having a relationship with Jesus?

3. Here’s one of my favorite nuggets:

“The glory ache within all of us will not be soothed with theological studies, even though those studies may well pave the way. During difficult times, even the best theology can fail you if it isn’t accompanied by experience bathed in relationship. The glory ache will be stayed by experiencing intimacy with God as He speaks to your heart and reveals His presence-His glory.” page 174.

Is there one particular idea in chapter 9 that  spoke to your heart more than others? Please share you answer in the comment box.

7/5/13 Lesson Eight ~ Seeing God Through the Lens of Gratitude and Grace ~ Day 5

It’s time for a video chat. Click on the video link for some face-to-face time. 

After viewing the video, come back and share what impacted your life the most in Lesson Seven. 

Ask a question. Give an insight. This is your space.

7/4/13 Lesson Eight ~ Seeing God Through the Lens of Gratitude and Grace ~ Day 4

Day four of each week has extra Bible study questions that are not in the Bible Study Guide. These are for online Bible study participants who want to dig a little deeper.

1. How does ingratitude show a lack of trust?

What did Habakkuk say he was going to do, even though he didn’t see the answers to all his prayers? Habakkuk 3:17-19

Can you praise God with a grateful heart even if you do not see the answers to your prayers?

Do you trust that He has everything under His control and has your best interest at heart?

2. Read and record Psalm 34:1. How would practicing this verse as you live and move and have your being in Christ affect your attitude throughout the day? Want to give it a try?

3. How does Psalm 67 show that gratitude precedes God’s blessings? Pay special attention to that one little word as the beginning of verse 7, “then” in the NIV.

4. In the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life before the cross, He gathered his twelve friends in the upper room, broke the bread, served the wine and gave thanks. Unlike you and me who don’t know what is around the bend in our journey on this earth, Jesus knew what was coming. And yet, he still gave thanks. What can we learn from that? Share your answer in the comment box.

7/3/13 Lesson Eight ~ Seeing God Through the Lens of Gratitude and Grace ~ Day 3

1. Answer questions 6-13 in Lesson 8 of the Study Guide.

2. I just love thinking about question 12. Would you say you act more like a captive set free or a prisoner on parole? Leave you answer in the comment box.

3. What has God taught you through Chapter 8 and Lesson 8 about the importance of an attitude of gratitude as a pathway to experiencing moments of sudden glory?

7/2/13 Week Eight ~ Seeing God Through the Lens of Gratitude and Grace ~ Day 2

1. Answer questions 1-5 in Lesson 8 of the Study Guide.

2. So many times people think they would spend more times praising God is life were easier. What did you learn about the Israelites? Did the buckets full (or rather baskets full) of blessings cause them to love God more or praise God more?

3. It would be easy to say, “If God blessed me like that, I certainly wouldn’t grumble!” But He has blessed us ever more than the Israelites! Click on the comment box and tell me 5 of your greatest blessings and reasons to praise God with a grateful heart.

7/1/13 Lesson Eight ~ Seeing God Through the Lens of Gratitude and Grace ~ Day 1

1. Read Chapter 8 in A Sudden Glory.

2. What did I call the infection of Eden? Why do you think I used the word “infection?” Share your answer.

3. One of my favorite thoughts from the chapter is this:

“Gratitude changes the lens through which we see the circumstances in our little slice of time. Thanksgiving changes our perspective despite broken dreams, broken relationships, tumultuous circumstances, and unfulfilled longings. As you praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He’s done, your perspective of Him grows larger and your problems grow smaller. As a result, you will experience a deeper sense of intimacy with God as the emotional gap between what you know to be true and how you feel at the moment closes.” Page 158

I encourage you to give that a try this week. When you get in a tough spot, start praising God and see what happens to your thoughts, emotions, and responses. I’d love for you to leave a comment and tell us what happened in your heart if you gave it a try.

6/28/13 Lesson Seven ~ Trusting God in Tough Times ~ Day 5

It’s time for a video chat. Click on the video link for some face-to-face time. 

After viewing the video, come back and share what impacted your life the most in Lesson Seven. Ask a question. Give an insight. This is your space.

6/27/13 Lesson Seven ~ Trusting God in Tough Times ~ Day 4

Day four of each week has extra Bible study questions that are not in the Bible Study Guide. These are for on-line Bible study participants who want to dig a little deeper.

1. Sometimes I’m down right despicable when I’m going through trials. I wonder why God even puts up with me.  What did David say about his attitude at times? Psalm 73:21-22.

What did God do for David even though he was acting like a brute? Vs 24

Where did God take him?

2. For the Christian, even death is a victory. What does Paul mean in Philippians 1:21?

3. Write a personal version of Romans 8:38-39 inserting your own fears.

How does this relate to Acts 17:28? (You know that verse by memory, right?)

What is God’s promise in Romans 8:28? God can turn every ugly situation into a display of His splendor and use it for good. Perhaps the most horrendous act of cruelty was Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross. And yet, I wear a symbol of that day around my neck as a display of God’s ultimate glory revealed. 

In your own words, describe the ugliness of the cross and the ultimate beauty of the cross. Share your answer in the comment box.

6/26/13 Lesson Seven ~ Trusting God in Tough Times ~ Day 3

1. Answer questions 5-11 of the Study Guide.

2. Let’s share our answers for question 7. How does truly trusting God change the way we view our difficult circumstances? Share your answer in the comment box.

3. Share one nugget of truth that has impacted your life through the study this week.

6/25/13 Lesson Seven ~ Trusting God in Tough Times ~ Day 2

1. Make sure you’ve read chapter seven. Then answer questions 1-4 in Lesson 7 of the Study Guide.

2. I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Who is one of your fiery furnace friends? Share her name in the comment box and I’ll randomly pick two and send a Starbucks gift card.  One for you and one for her.

Consider sending your fiery furnace friend an email today and tell her that your Bible study today reminded you of her.

3. Remember – Jesus is always in the fire with you, even if no one else shows up!

6/24/13 Week Seven ~ Trusting God in Tough Times ~ Day 1

1. Read Chapter 6 in A Sudden Glory.

2. Have you ever been disappointed with God or mad at God? Did He show you how your disappointment was really His appointment? Share your answer with the group.

3. Grainne shared several moments of sudden glory that shone through the dark time of Killion’s death. Have you ever had an experience of God’s presence shining through a dark time in your life? I’d love to hear it. Tell about a time when God made his presence known in a personal way. Make sure and read what your other Bible study friends have to share in the comment section.

6/21/13 Lesson Six ~ Saying “Yes” to God’s Divine Dance ~ Day 5

It’s time for a video chat. Click on the video link for some face-to-face time. 

After you have viewed the video, come back and share one truth that impacted you the most from Lesson 6.

6/20/13 Lesson Six ~ Saying “Yes” to the Divine Dance ~ Day 4

Day four of each week has extra Bible study questions that are not in the Bible Study Guide. These are for on-line Bible study participants who want to dig a little deeper.

       1. Let’s look at one particular man that didn’t want to obey God, but then changed his             mind. Read 2 Kings 5:1-16.

What was Naaman’s problem?

What did the prophet Elisha instruct him to do?

What was Naaman’s response to Elisha’s instruction?

What was Naaman’s servant’s response to Naaman’s stubbornness?

What happened when Naaman humbled himself and obeyed God?

Who was glorified in the end?

Is there something that God has called you to do that you’ve been avoiding? Could it be that God’s blessing is just an obedient step away?

2. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:24 about God’s faithfulness?

He will not drag you along against your will, but He will empower you as we move forward.

3. Bottom line. Why does God want you to live a life of obedience?

Look up the following verses and note the common phrase, “that it may go well for you.”

Deuteronomy 4:40; 5:16; 5:29; 6:3; 6:18; 8:16

Ecclesiastes 8:13

Jeremiah 32:29

One more time, does God want you to obey because it is something He wants from you or for you?

I think you’ve got it!

4.  Sum up what you’ve learned this week in one sentence and leave your response in the comment box.

6/19/13 Lesson Six ~ Saying “Yes” to the Divine Dance ~ Day 3

1. Answer questions 6-11 in Lesson 6 of the Study Guide.

2. What did you learn in question 7 about when the glory moment actually occurred?

3. Looking at question 11, what does Isaiah 30:21 tell you about what you can expect from living out Acts 17:28 in your life?

4. What has God taught you through the lesson today? Please share your answer in the comment box.

6/18/13 Lesson Six ~ Saying “Yes” to God’s Divine Dance ~ Day 2

1. Answer questions 1-5 in Lesson 6 of the Study Guide.

2. What did you learn from question 2 about the sort of men and women God chooses to do mighty works? Do you fit into that category?

3. Let’s pretend you were on Let’s Make a Deal, and had to choose which door the grand prize was behind. The crowd yells, “Door number one! Door number two!” And then God whispers, “It’s Door number three.” Which one would you choose? How does this relate to obedience to God and experiencing the abundant life? Share your answer in the comment box.

4. What has God taught you through the lesson today?

6/17/13 Lesson Six ~ Saying “Yes” to the Divine Dance ~ Day 1

Read Chapter Six in A Sudden Glory.

This is one of my favorite nuggets from Chapter Six: “The life of obedience is chock-full of glory moments. Not because He simply rewards you for good behavior, but because obedience to God is the door behind which the grand prize is hidden-the sweet life of union filled with intimate moments of sudden glory in which you know, oh you know, that He has pulled out all the stops to draw you into His embrace yet again.”

In Chapter 6, I mentioned how Jason “took a leap of faith” on the zip line. If you would like to see me take the same leap, click here. Keep watching for me to appear.

6/14/13 Lesson Five ~ Daring to Raise Your Expectations ~ Day 5

It’s time for a video chat. Click on the video link for some face-to-face time. After you view the video, come back and share what impacted you the most from Lesson Five? 

How are you going to live differently  because of what you have learned this week?

6/12/13 Lesson Five ~ Daring to Raise Your Expectations ~ Day 3

1. Answer questions 6-10 in Lesson 5 of the Study Guide.

2. Would you say you are living “below the bar” or “above the bar” when it comes to living as a child of the King?

3. What do you need to do to start living as an invited guest to the King’s table? Remember, Mephibosheth still had a limp…and you might have one too. But you are still royalty. Share your answer in the comment box.

6/13/13 Lesson Five ~ Daring to Raise Your Expectations ~ Day 4

Day four of each week has extra Bible study questions that are not in the Bible Study Guide. These are for on-line Bible study participants who want to dig a little deeper.

1. After Jesus’ resurrection, he walked with the 2 men on the Road to Emmaus ( Luke 24:13-35). 

Why do you think they didn’t recognize Him? 

Do you think they were expecting Him?

Could it be that we do not recognize Jesus walking right alongside us because we are not expecting Him to be?

2. In Bible times, women had very low expectations in life. They moved about as shadows in society who had no rights and were treated as property. Read each passage and note how Jesus sought to raise expectations for each of these women He encountered in light of the culture of His day.

Women were not allowed to associate with men in public: Luke 8:1-2

Women were not allowed to testify in court and viewed as unreliable witnesses: John 20:16-17

Women were not allowed to study under a Rabbi’s teaching: Luke 10:38-4

In the Old Testament, men were referred to as “sons of Abraham.” What did Jesus call the woman with the crippled back? Luke 13:15-16 What does that mean to you as a woman. Share your answer in the comment box.

3. Consider making the words of Psalm 118:24 the first words of expectant living that pass your lips each morning.

4.  What one truth meant the most to you in today’s lesson? Share your answer.

6/11/13 Lesson Five ~ Daring to Raise Your Expectations ~ Day 2

1. Answer questions 1-5 in Lesson 5 of the Study Guide.

2. In question 3, I asked if God would get mad at you for asking Him to increase your faith. I hope you said “no.” He won’t. I promise. Here’s something to remember. God has given you a “measure of faith.” When the Bible talks about increasing our faith, that means increasing the strength of the faith that we already have…much like increasing the strength of a muscle. You have the faith. You might need to increase the strength of what you have.
Now, what is your part in “increasing” your faith?

3. Just as God asked Martha a question in John 11:23-26 (question 5), is there a question He is asking you?

4. What new insights did you learn today about raising your spiritual expectations? Leave your answer in the comment box.

6/10/13 Lesson Five ~ Daring to Raise Your Expectations ~ Day 1

1. Read Chapter 5 in A Sudden Glory.

2. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the greatest, where would you place your expectations of experiencing God on a daily basis?

3. Do you feel that God is urging you to raise your expectations in your relationship with Him? I’m not talking about wanting more things from Him. I’m talking about having a deeper relationship with Him.

4.  What one truth impacted you the most as you read Chapter 5? Share your answer in the comment box.

6/7/13 Lesson Four ~ Joining God in Continual Conversation ~ Day 5

It’s time for a video chat. Click on the video link for some face-to-face time.

After viewing the video, come back to this lesson and share what impacted you the most this week. Are you going to change the way to converse with God?

6/6/13 Lesson Four ~Joining God in Continual Conversation ~ Day 4

Day four of each week has extra Bible study questions that are not in the Bible Study Guide. These are for on-line Bible study participants who want to dig a little deeper.

1. Do you remember how you confided in and whispered secrets to your girlfriends when you were a little girl? Perhaps you still do. What does Psalm 25:14 tell you that God will whisper to you?

2. How does that relate to Jeremiah 33:3?

3. Read Isaiah 48: 1, 12, 16. What did God tell them to do time and time again? Why did He want them to listen? Was it something He wanted from them or for them? 48:17-19

4. What did Jesus tell us about how to expect Him to speak to us? John 10:1-14., especially vs 3-5 and 14-15.

Who are the sheep Jesus mentions in 10:16?

One beautiful aspect of sheep herding is that the shepherd does not drive the sheep as with cattle. He goes ahead of the sheep and calls them to follow. They follow him because they know his voice. Doesn’t that just give you chills!

5. God does speak through the whispers in our hearts, but He also shouts through creation. Read Psalm 29 and note what the Psalmist said about the voice of the God.

6. Read and record John 8:32. The word “know” in this verse is a very intimate word. It is a word akin to the way Adam “knew” Eve (Genesis 4:1) and the way God knows you (Psalm 139:1-3). How is this type of knowing different from a casual acquaintance?

When we have a conversation with God as we read the Scripture, we can approach it intellectually or relationally. Which type of conversation would you rather have with Jesus today?

7.  What one truth from this lesson impacted you the most today.  Share your answer in the comment box.

6/5/13 Lesson Four ~ Joining God in Continual Conversation ~Day 3

1. Answer questions 5-10 in Lesson 4 of the Study Guide, writing them down in your notebook

.

2. What did you learn about how to prepare to hear God’s voice and see God’s sudden glory gifts? Share your answer in the comment box.

3. Share one nugget of truth you learned from today’s lesson. Share your answer in the comment box.

6/4/13 Lesson Four ~ Joining God in Continual Conversation ~ Day 2

1. Answer questions 1-4 in Lesson 4 of the Study Guide, writing them down in your notebook.

2. In response to question 1, what does how God spoke in the past tell you about how we can prepare to hear God speak in the present? Share your answer in the comment box.

3. How does this relate to question 4 in the study guide? Share your answer.

6/3/13 Lesson Four ~ Joining God in Continual Conversation ~ Day 1

1. Read Chapter 4 in A Sudden Glory.

2. What are some of the “tiger cubs” that gobble up your attention and time?

3. What are some ways you can put them in the zoo rather than let them run wild throughout your day? Leave your responses to questions 1 and 2 in the comment box. I bet we have some of the same hungry beasts prowling around.

4. What one thought really stuck out in your mind and impacted your heart as you read chapter 4? Leave your response in the comment box.

5/31/13 Lesson Three ~ Living in Sacred Union ~ Day 5

It’s time for a video chat. Click on the video link for some face-to-face time. After viewing the video, come back and tell me what truth impacted you the most this week. 

How are you going to view your walk with Jesus differently because of what you have learned?

5/30/13 Lesson Three ~ Living in Sacred Union ~ Day 4

Day four of each week has extra Bible study questions that are not in the Bible Study Guide. These are for on-line Bible study participants who want to dig a little deeper.

1. When a married couple grows apart, that usually means the two have planted their feet firmly in the ground as two individuals, sunk down deep roots to form two separate lives, and have sprouted growth that has nothing in common.

As a review of what you’ve already discovered in question 6, what is our relationship with Jesus to resemble? Romans 11:17-18.

Jesus is called the Root of Jesse. What happens when a branch is grafted onto a strong healthy stalk?

What happens when we are grafted onto the divine nature of Jesus Christ?

How does this relate to what we learned about “abiding” in Christ in chapter 3?

2. When Jesus spoke to Saul on the Road to Damascus, what did He ask him? (Acts 9:4)

Was he persecuting Jesus, per se, or the Christian church? What does that tell you about how Jesus views Christians in regard to union with Him?

What does Ephesians 1:23 say about the church? Consider this paraphrase of Ephesians 1:23 in your answer: “The church is Christ’s body, in which he fills everything with his presence,” (MSG).

3. One of the names for the Holy Spirit is the Greek word parakletos (John 14:16). It is                translated helper, comforter, intercessor and means one who comes alongside to help.

How does that fit the beautiful picture of union with the Trinity? Share your answer in the comment box.

5/29/13 Lesson Three ~ Living in Sacred Union ~ Day 3

1. Answer questions 5-8 of Lesson 3 in the Study Guide, writing them down in your notebook.

2. It is easy to go through the motions of church and miss the relationship with Jesus. That’s the difference between routine religions and intimate relationship with Christ.

What did God tell the church of Ephesus to do to remedy their “coldness” toward Him? 

What are some things that you did early in your relationship with Jesus that you need to do once again? How can you remember and return? 

Leave your answers in the comment box and let’s compare notes.

3. Share your thoughts for question 8. “Did God reveal anything new to you this week about what Acts 17:28 might look like in your life?”