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.