Dear Daughter, We want to go on a journey with you. One where we explore the letting go of who we think we are supposed to be, and fully embracing who we are. The filter we put in front of the world is getting in the way of the authentic work God wants to do in and through His daughters. As we travel together through the twists and turns of authenticity, vulnerability, and identity, God will be waiting in the midst of these pages, ready to open our hearts and minds to the freedom and fullness only He can supply. This journey will not be an easy one. There will be times you will want to put this study back on the shelf, and crawl back into your comfort zone. Stay the path! Together, we can do hard things. You will find this study is broken up into 6 weeks or sessions. There will be 5 days of personal homework where you will dig into the book of 1 John and reflect on your reading(s) through thought- provoking questions and journaling opportunities. You will find at the end of each session a group guide that will encourage authentic talk with your small group girls. Show up wholeheartedly to your personal study and small group sessions. The enemy wants nothing more than for God’s girls to feel isolated and alone, with nothing to offer. Oh, but what a lie this is! We are linking arms with you, and expectant of the growth and grace ahead. God wants to say something to the world. And what better way for Him to speak than through His beloved daughters. Blessings, Your COTMdaughters Team
1 We all have a story. And then we have that story we tell ourselves. You know the one. The story that we should be more grateful. More pleasant. More spiritual. If we would just try harder, be nicer, and quit being so emotional, we would really be going places. And then, there is that thing about our faith. If we just memorized more Scripture, lifted our hands in heartfelt worship, and prayed real prayers, we might actually feel loved and cherished by God. The lines may have blurred a bit on what is true and what is a lie. It is true that we have a story. One that is unique to our personal- ity, memories, choices, needs, and circumstances. But it is hard to decipher what is true and what is not when we are pulled in a million directions by deadlines, demands, and distractions. We strive. We work. We push. And yet, what we are seeing on the outside isn’t matching who we are on the inside. Where did we get so out of sync with ourselves? What is the truth about our soul, our faith, and our relationship with God? How do we turn from the lies we have been believing and return to a relationship with the Real Jesus? Beloved, let’s go on a journey. One where we unpack the identity of a daughter. Bring your overwhelmed soul, your doubts, and your insecurities. God is extending His hand. Will you take it?
week one day one From the moment we breathed our first breath, we received our first and eternal identity: daughter. For you, this label may bring forth memories filled with love, adoration, respect, and joy. Or, like so many of us walking this journey together, it may trigger traumatic memories filled with fear, hurt, bitterness, and shame. Before we begin to make the intentional decision to live a more authentic life, we must rewrite our definition of daughter. How do you define daughter? What experiences from your journey have influenced your definition? Daughter is a label we receive in relation to our parents. And a daughter who has an accurate view of her Heavenly Father will understand herself more deeply and more accurately. Turn your attention to the chart on the next page. Jot your thoughts in the space provided. 6
day one What does this passage How does this aspect of What do I do in response? teach me about God? God’s character change (List specific examples my view of self? (What item(s) of action do you find in Scripture about you feel God is placing on God & His character.) (What do you know to be your heart right now?) true about you because John 1:12 of who God is?) Romans 8:28 Ephesians 1:7 John 15:16 Romans 6:6 Genesis 1:27 Jeremiah 1:5 Psalm 139:14 2 Corinthians 5:17 John 1:14 It is the knowledge of who God is that Even when circumstances try to tell a different informs a daughter of who she is. Our God is story, we can rest assured that God is in control unchanging. Our God is unwavering. We of our pace and place. He promises to never receive grace and peace in abundance leave us or forsake us, and we must choose to through the knowledge of our unchanging and rest under the shelter of that promise. unwavering Father.As His beloved daughter, we must first believe that God loves us and is for us. 7
week one day two We have focus and clarity for our journey ahead. What holds your heart? List the treasures Yesterday, we made a few discoveries about our you feel are uniquely yours that are stored Heavenly Father, and the label of love we have in your heart. received from Him. Where our treasure is, our heart will be also. What feelings find their way into your When our heart is set on earthly things, soul when you reflect on your identity as a this is what holds our heart. But if our daughter? treasure is put into the hands of God, our hearts will be with Him. Do you feel worthy of this label of love? What desires do you hold in your heart? We experience the overflow of our Father’s What is keeping you from placing your trea- freedom and fullness when we let His love sure in the hands of God? flow in and within our hearts. When we spend time with our adorning Father, His loving af- firmations wash over our soul. God wants to show up for His daughters and demonstrate His tender way of shaping our hearts to grow in His likeness. Look up Matthew 6:21. Write the verse in the space below. 8
day two God wants every part of our lives, and to help Make a list of the burdens and distractions carry our burdens. But we first must make you are holding in your heart today. Leave the choice to open the door of our heart. them here, at the feet of your adorning Wholehearted surrender happens when we Father. abandon our self-reliance and fall into the arms of our adorning Father. We are made God will show up and show out for His to be on mission with Him, filled up to fulfill beloved daughters that are open and His purpose and plans. But a daughter who is receptive to Him. Be expectant. Be bold. God distracted and dictating her own way will miss out is waiting to take you by the hand to show you on the treasure of a heart filled with peace, His treasure up ahead. purpose, and perspective. 9
week one day three Surrender does not weaken a devoted Read Jeremiah 29:10-13. Fill in the blanks daughter, but strengthens her to seek and serve below. wholeheartedly. God wants nothing more than to do His deepest work in His daughters. “For know the plans I have for you, And it is through this deep soul work that we experience everlasting love, freedom, and a declares the Lord, plans to you and fullness that cannot be found anywhere else. not to harm you, plans to give you and a What have you been desperately pursuing in hopes it will fill you? .” (v.11) “You will me and In Jeremiah 29, we find God’s people, His me when you seek me with your heart.” beloved, captive in Babylon. Even though God promised they would receive a fresh beginning (v. 13) and a new purpose, their circumstances were telling a very different story. Can you relate? God knows the plan. He can be sought and God feels distant. Your relationship feels found when we seek Him wholeheartedly, detached. And you want nothing more than to even in a place that feels like Babylon. And our hear a whisper of truth, a declaration of posture of surrender determines the position of devotion, to soothe your soul. our heart. As His beloved daughter, we can rest in the presence of our loving Father and allow Him to be the reality of our identity. Just like God’s beloved in Babylon, we may feel less than, left out, or lonely. The reality we are seeing is nothing like the prosperity we were promised. We can feel the breakthrough up ahead, but cannot seem to find the way forward. This is God’s sweet spot. This is the very place God can infuse us with His grace to continue on our journey.
day three What uncertainty are you facing that makes it As daughters, we know we have a choice feel like God is silent or absent? to make. And this choice is usually a daily decision to trust God in the middle of the push and the pull. But it is in these times we must remember, how we do anything is how we do everything. We must operate out of a posture of surrender, receiving the essential support from our Heavenly Father to work, rest, and serve. There is nothing that can change or break God’s promise to hold our hand and walk with us through every season of life. But here’s the catch. A posture of surrender is not primarily a posture of passivity. What if surrender is something we have to fight for? What if surrender looks less like waiting on God to show up and more like us showing up to God? Acknowledge the knock on the door of your heart. Seek our Heavenly Father wholeheartedly. God is ready to do a mighty work in the heart of His beloved. 11
week one day four At the feet of our adorning Father, we are How do you best connect with God? complete. It is His love that makes us lovely. Without our input, God sculpted beautiful Where in your heart do you desperately need pillars who represent His strength, grace, and our treasured sculptor to chisel? faithfulness. Bit by bit, God chiseled so we could be strongly and clearly defined by Him. God’s transforming love meets us exactly where For us to live as His beloved, God must be our we are,and takes us to where we were created to treasured sculptor. be. Created in Christ Jesus, the love that saves our soul also changes our life. We are made It is a non-negotiable for us to meet with Him new through the blood of Jesus, sculpted with daily to consult and confirm His will. It is in tender mercy and everlasting love. It is through this grace space that God can chisel away the our transformational relationship with our hardness in our hearts and mold His Heavenly Father that we are empowered to daughters into His making. We are loved, courageously step into the purpose and plans accepted, and complete. And when God is God has laid before us. our treasure, our hearts will be drawn toward Him, honoring Him with our words, choices, and actions. We are no longer be-tolerated, but beloved. 12
day four Read Ephesians 2:10. Write the verse below. Do you believe you were saved for something beautiful? But how do we find the purpose and plans God We are God’s handiwork, saved for something has for our wildly beautiful life? We sit still in beautiful. And it is through this beautiful work the midst of His presence. We embrace the that we not only develop fruit, but display the nudge. We acknowledge the stirring. We open glory of God. The fruit we bear is evidence of our heart to learn more about who God is, and our commitment and relationship with God. simultaneously learn more about our very own He will give us everything we need to walk soul. God may not show us a step-by-step plan out our calling, we just have to believe and to get to our special assignment, but He will receive. A daughter who believes she will reveal more of Himself so we can follow Him see the goodness of the Lord will there. receive a Christ-centered confidence to step out courageously. In what way do you feel God stirring your soul? 13
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day five day five You have made it through your first four days of homework! Our journey began with rewriting our definition of daughter. We used our knowledge of who God is to inform us of who we are. With this focus and clarity, we then unpacked the treasures in our heart and determined to let God hold our pace and place. We have received the promise that we were saved for something beautiful. And now, there is a stirring, a nudge, and we are committed to opening the gift of abundance God has placed on the table before us. To continue on this journey, we need to solidify our why. What is your why? Why did you take God’s hand and commit to discovering who He has created you to be? Ask the Holy Spirit to come into this space. Listen to His voice. Refer to this note along your journey, and revisit it at the end of this study. God is about to do exceedingly and abundantly more in your heart, mind, and soul than you could ever ask or imagine. 15
week one table talk A Group Guide to Authenticity Share your biggest takeaways from the week. What challenged you? What surprised you? Turn to the chart of verses in Day 1 homework. What aspects of God’s character changed your view of self? We often feel unworthy of the love God gives. What are some barriers that stand in your way when you struggle to accept this precious gift? What treasures do you hold in your heart that give you life, joy, and perspective? What treasures are holding you hostage, making you unable to believe and receive? How we do anything is how we do everything. How can you operate out of a posture of surrender in your work, rest, and creativity? Why might surrender be something we have to fight for? Tell your group your salvation story. We were all saved for something beautiful! We are on a journey of authenticity. Flip back to Day 5 homework and find your why. Share this with your group. How can you pray, and really pray, for each other this week? 16
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2 Who are you? Really, who are you? This is the most important question we can unpack together as we commit to living a more authentic life. The book of 1 John was written to dispel doubts and build assurance. It is not filled with feel-good memos to glance over. No, this power-packed book contains a clear presentation of Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. As we go about living our best life, we have so many options to choose from that aid in the image we are striving to build. This is why it is so hard for God’s daughters to choose Him wholeheartedly. It’s much easier to consider God as one of several options rather than the option that will empower us to show up wholeheartedly, live authentically, and step out courageously. Jesus was bold and unapologetic when He presented Himself to the world. Let’s follow His example. Open your heart to the bold that is brewing. Stop apologizing for taking time for you. In this moment, we are choosing together that authenticity is the key that will open the door to walking in freedom and fullness every single day of our lives. There is no other option. 19
week two day one The apostle John was a member of Jesus’ Why do you think John refers to Jesus as the close-knit group of disciples. John was given Word? a close-up, front-row view of the miracles and happenings of Jesus. He watched as Jesus Jesus is the Word of Life. He is the One to modeled matching what is on the inside (heart, deliver the precious promises of God through grit, love, passion) with what others see and communication. He is the One who knows experience on the outside (service, faith, that life can hold the highest of highs and the vulnerability, truth). Jesus was authentic. lowest of lows. He knows the very life experiences that leave us bursting with joy, Read 1 John 1:1-2. Keep your heart open to and drowning in sorrow. But Jesus wasn’t the tenacity and tenderness of John’s words. afraid to hold each reality simultaneously. He wasn’t afraid to share the Truth and show His What unique title does John give Jesus in emotion. Jesus came and experienced real life. verse 1? The of . We are all going through something real. Turn to the Gospel of John and read verses Real hardship. Real suffering. Real sorrow. 1:1 and 14. Write them below. Real disappointment. Real heartbreak. Real addiction. Real desperation. Real fear. John 1:1 John 1:14 20
day one Do you currently feel lifeless in any area of Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. He has your life? Let your pen flow. the ability to restore what is broken and make it whole again. Write a prayer to Jesus, inviting Him into your situation. Nothing is too lifeless for the Real Jesus to restore. God’s way of living in the world is through His beloved daughters. When we fully accept and embracetheWordof Life,theWordthatbecame flesh, we are changed, transformed. The life Jesus came to bring is so much more than simply living. We are not called to just survive, but thrive! Life is a Person. And this Person is ready to pierce through the darkness, and awaken our heart and mind to who He is, and all He has to offer. God is here. God is near. 21
week two day two John had personal interaction with Jesus. John was an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry. Imagine that for a moment. Walking in-step And because of His fellowship with Jesus, we with the Savior. Watching His thoughtful can trust what John writes to be accurate. He actions. Watching His authentic reactions. saw and heard and touched Jesus, the Word Experiencing how He walked straight of Life. through adversity. Experiencing how He embraced the needs of others. Learning how In verse 3, John uses the word fellowship. He trusted God the Father when heartbreak, What does he mean by fellowship? pain, and suffering weaved their way into the story. We have an invitation, a call to community. With whom else did John invite us to share Read 1 John 1: 3-4. Journal your thoughts fellowship? below. What is most important to you about this invitation? Why? Why does it matter that John heard and saw The gift of community is ours for the taking! and touched Jesus? John has written to us so that we have fellow- ship with our community and with our Jesus. 22
day two In verse 4, what is the other reason John What barriers are keeping you from gives? experiencing authentic fellowship in this season of your life? When we open the gift of community, we experience joy. Jesus is here to enlighten Authenticity is the key that will open the door and strengthen us, providing hope, life, and to connection and community. Vulnerability connection right where we are. When He is will keep us there. It’s time to get real, daugh- active in our lives, and in the lives of others, ter. we experience authentic fellowship. Are you experiencing the joy of fellowship? Write about your experience with fellowship. Why or why not? If authentic fellowship is possible, then why are What harsh lines have you drawn between we struggling to join a small group? Why are yourself and fellowship with others? we crawling back into our comfort zone? Why is our answer to the question, “Hi! How are you?” Write down one tangible way you can fully always “Doing well!” embrace fellowship today. Whether that is a dinner date, meeting for coffee, or talking on the phone, be vulnerable and share your real, authentic self. 23
week two day three Today, we are going to slow down. We are Light illuminates sin because light represents going to linger a little longer in the pages of what is good, pure, holy, and true. God is light Scripture.We are going to allow our thoughts to because He is good, pure, holy, and true. He crystallize by writing the words the Holy Spirit alone can guide us out of darkness in sin. Light lays on our heart. Let’s begin. exposes the good, the bad, and the ugly. And each is clearly distinguished. Read 1 John 1: 5-6 three times. Illuminating the content of your heart, what First Reading Findings: do you find? Second Reading Findings: What darkness are you holding onto that is keeping you from walking in fellowship Third Reading Findings: with God? According to John, why is it impossible to have fellowship with God while walking in Daughter, please remember that the very darkness? Explain. places we are experiencing darkness are the exact places God wants to illuminate with His love. We have light and fellowship because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He merged the gap that was once between us. Don’t let the enemy trick you into believing you belong in the dark, hidden and unworthy of light. The darkness is our reminder of our desperate need of Light. And the Person of our faith isn’t just in the light, He is the Light. 24
day three Re-read verses 6-7. A holy transaction happened when the pure What is possible? and perfect Lamb was sacrificed. With His What is impossible? arms stretched on the cross, Jesus took our shame, sin, and darkness upon Him. And Have you ever convinced yourself you were it is in these same arms that God wants to staying close to God while living in darkness? hold you. He wants to hear about the things Describe this situation below. holding your heart. He wants to be invited into your darkness so it is His light that can How has this darkness kept you from seeing shine through. Guilt will not sink you. Lies from where you are going? the enemy will not threaten you. God’s Word is here to greet you, cleansing your heart and soul from all sin. Take your time and write a prayer of confession to the Lord. This will be your first and most important step to walk in freedom and light. 25
week two day four Living according to the Truth is foundational to living authentically. And when we know the Truth, and live the Truth, it changes everything. Read 1 John 1: 5-10. How would you describe the difference between being without sin and not sinning? When we claim to be without sin, we are drowning in deception. This mentality breaks God’s heart, destroys relationships, and wounds our very own soul. Re-read verse 9. Fill in the blanks below. “If we confess our sins, he is and and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
day four Why do you think John used these two words in relation to God’s forgiveness toward us? Confession removes the barrier sin puts between us and God. It restores us to life-giving, authentic fellowship. God knows our sins already, so why don’t we fall to His feet for confession and redemption? He won’t push us away. He will pull us in. Ask the Lord to show you any sin in your life that you believe doesn’t affect you. We can present our sin to God, and He will present a redemptive solution. The Light of the world will illuminate the way forward, one step, one truth, one season at a time. Lies flee in the presence of Truth. Light leads to Life. May God restore His daughters, and deliver us from evil.
week two day five Light exposes what has been hidden in We cannot forget that the covering, the darkness. And it is in this Light we experience hiding, and the manipulating keep us in the dark. redemption. Shame is the name of this game. We believe the lie that we are the only person to ever make that Read Proverbs 28:23. mistake. We park our minds on the lie that we Journal your thoughts below. cannot be fully loved because we made that choice. We trust the whisper that God will Confession is not only agreeing with God that never forgive that season of life. we have sinned, but expressing our desire to turn from our darkness and return to His Bring your set of lies into the light that have marvelous Light. When we conceal our sin, kept you in the dark. Journal about them we cheat ourselves out of an opportunity to below. be forgiven and lavished with love. Accepted. Loved. Cherished. Protected. The first step toward forgiveness is Forgiven. This is the reality of our identity confession. Do you have a mistake you need because we find our freedom and fullness in to bring before God? God. And no matter where we go, or what we do, we cannot shake or break the ever-present God is faithful in His commitment with us. Tell comfort of God’s presence. Choices, mistakes, about a time you sought God and He offered and sins may have coaxed us into the dark, His forgiveness. but it is God’s marvelous and everlasting light that will bring our soul back home. 28
Read Psalm 139. Fill in the table. The Reality of My Identity The Lies of the Enemy God knows me God doesn’t care about me 29
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table talk A Group Guide to Authenticity Flip back through your Week 2 homework. What challenged you? What inspired you? What do you think about the apostle John’s close proximity to Jesus? We learned that Jesus is the Word of Life. Share with your group what this means to you. Jesus came and experienced real life. How does this encourage you in the real (hardship, loss, regret) you are living and experiencing? What about Jesus being the Word of Life gives you hope in trying circumstances? Describe a time when you minimized or justified sin in your life. How has your sin affected fellowship with God and with others? Flip back to the chart in your Day 5 homework. What realities of your identity did you find in Psalm 139? What lies from the enemy? What does the fact Jesus came into the world as a human tell you about God’s desire to have fellowship with you? 31
3 There are many things that hold us back from this week, it may be tough to truly being the powerful woman God created acknowledge the sin that has held us back. us to be. Often, we are paralyzed by fear, Can I encourage you? Give yourself grace. held back by shame, content in our pride, It’s not easy identifying the things that are and overwhelmed with completing the next truly keeping us from living an authentic “to-do.” Instead of giving ourselves time to life, but through our pain, our Father can bring pause and truly identify the things that are healing to our deepest wounds. keeping us from being the woman we’ve always desired to be, we keep ourselves busy Close your eyes, quiet your mind, palms up in with anything and everything. surrender. Let’s pray. We see in Genesis 3 that Eve giving in to sin Wonderful Father, thank You for walking ultimately held her back from what God had with me on this journey of authenticity. for her. The good news is, despite falling into the trap of sin, our title as daughter never Holy Spirit guide me as I go through this changes. Jesus wants our hearts. When He has study this week. Open my eyes to see our hearts, our actions to serve Him follow. the things that are holding me back from being more like You, and give me the This week, let’s boldly remove the curtains boldness to take steps to make changes when that have kept our sin hidden, so that we needed. Daily, remind me of Your Word, so can walk in freedom with our Heavenly that I can walk in Your ways. Amen. Father. Keep in mind, as we go through 33
week three day one In Mark chapter 2, we read about the paralytic man. This man had four incredible friends who carried him to Jesus so that he could be healed. When they couldn’t get around the crowd to get in the door, they carried their friend up to the roof and lowered him into the room where Jesus was. Read Mark 2:1-5. What do you notice? Whose house are they in? If you read Mark chapter 1, you’ll notice that Jesus healed a leper, and before that, He healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Interestingly enough, Jesus did not lay hands on the man. Instead, the very first thing Jesus says to him is, ”Son, your sins are forgiven.” How remarkable! Jesus could have said, “What are you doing put- ting a hole in the roof?” But in His loving way, He lets the paralytic man know that He sees him as a son. Before addressing the man’s sin, Jesus addresses his relationship. Read 1 John 2:1-6. What similarities do you notice between Mark 2:5 and 1 John 2:1? The amazing thing about this is the reminder that Jesus cares about our inward condition just as much as our outward ailments– they both need healing and the redeeming power of our Savior. Is there sin in your life that you need to go to the Father and ask for His forgiveness? If so, list them and audibly confess them to the Father. 34
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day two day two Often, we desire to have complete control Read Genesis 2:16-17, 3:1-7. of our lives. We meticulously manage as What do you notice? many areas of our lives and the lives of those closest to us. The desire to control areas of Eve failed to see that she was already like our lives that we were not created to control God. She spent time with God. She walked with will ultimately hold us back and even lead us Him.She had everything she needed in Him.The to sin. We may not initially recognize it as sin serpent led her to believe that she wasn’t like because we feel justified in our doing, but God and despite having all she needed in the remember anything that keeps us from being garden - including complete access to God - more like our Heavenly Father – any idol – can she submitted to her desire for more. ultimately lead us to sin. Is there an area of your life that you’re trying Read 1 John 2:7-14. to take control of that God is not asking you What relational terms are used in this to control? passage? Are you giving in to the “doing” of being like In Genesis, we see the unfolding of the fall of God rather than simply abiding in Him? man. Adam and Eve are placed in the beautiful Re-read 1 John 2:10 and meditate on it. garden God created. They have everything they need. The serpent came to Eve and led her to doubt God. Eve, even in a close relationship with God, submitted to the desire to be like God on her own terms and she sinned against Him. 37
week three day three We see God’s love displayed throughout the When our desire for the things of this world Bible from beginning to end. What happens supersedes our desire for God, we end up when the love of our Father doesn’t truly forgoing the first and greatest command penetrate our hearts? to love God first. Our flesh is leading us to believe that the things of this world are Read 1 John 2:15-17. what will satisfy us, but that is the exact Read Mark 8:34-36. opposite of what the Bible says. The things of this world are enticing for sure, but What are some things that you love – people, they’re like carbs – taste great, fill you up, things, tv shows, food, etc? Jot them down. but leave you hungry two hours later. In Genesis 3, it states these three things about If we love the world, what do we not have in the tree: Eve saw that it was good for food, it us? Why does John write this? was a delight to the eyes, and that it was to be desired to make one wise. When we fulfill the Write three things John mentions that are desires of our flesh, we gratify ourselves with “in the world.” things that will pass away. 1. Read Romans 12:1-2. 2. How can we discern God’s will? 3. When you hear the phrase “renew your mind” what do you think of? How can you take a step to renew your mind today? 38
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day four day four Distractions. They seem to never end. There Often, we allow ourselves to be distracted by is always something to be done and if we’re doing, rather than simply being. When this honest, living a busy life usually results in a happens, we forgo the time we desperately tired life. We fail to acknowledge how much our need to pause and spend time in the presence busyness is holding us back from being the of our Savior. We read in Luke 10 that Martha woman God designed us to be. How do we was “anxious about many things” and Mary find balance to sit and listen to the Father in chose the “good portion.” Martha wasn’t the midst of all the pressing things that need wrong in the doing, but her heart behind the to get done? doing was not set on the Father. Busyness and distractions are not inherently bad, but Read Luke 10:38-42. when they keep us from being with our Savior What distractions do you have in your life? problems arise. What similarities do you notice between Read 1 John 2:18-27. distractions and busyness? In your own words, define abide. Do you think Martha was doing anything Today, take time to acknowledge your busy wrong? Why or why not? schedule and the distractions in your life. Choose to lay them down,let go of anxiousness, and abide in Christ Jesus. 41
week three day five In the Gospel of John, we read this phrase so that we can produce more fruit. Ultimately, often: “Abide in me and I in you.” Abiding in when we choose to lay down our own desires the Father takes discipline. Discipline in taking for Him, we are putting our fleshly desires in every thought captive and keeping our mind their rightful place and showing our Heavenly focused on Him. Discipline in serving Father that He is the most important. Him with our actions, but most of all our heart. Being His daughter should be easy, but why In 1 John 2:26, John tells us that he writes these do we feel like it’s so hard at times to simply things to us because there are those who are remain in Him? trying to deceive us. What are some deceivors that you see in your life? This doesn’t neces- Read 1 John 2:26-27. sarily have to be a person, it could be social Read John 15:1-11. media, it could be having an overwhelmed schedule for the sake of doing good, etc. After reading these two passages, in your own words define abide. Thumb through this week and jot down what you believe is holding you back from being Abiding in the Father requires us to daily the daughter God created you to be. lay down our fears, our busy schedules, and our sin at the feet of Jesus. There is always Read 1 John 2:4-6. going to be something that needs our attention, but what if we took to heart John Abide: to remain, persist, hold on, endure, put 15? If we choose to be a branch that no longer up with, cope with, bear, support, accept. remains in the vine, we will be thrown into the Sweet daughter, what’s holding you back? fire. But if we choose to remain in Him, even if we are not producing fruit, He will prune us 42
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table talk A Group Guide to Authenticity Sin is something that keeps us from being more like our Heavenly Father. Have someone read James 5:16. Look back at Day 1 and share your struggle with sin. How has sin kept you from abiding in the Father? In what ways has the devil led you to believe differently about yourself than what God says about you? Share with the group the steps you take to renew your mind. Is renewing your mind something that comes easy to you? Why or why not? Share your definition of abide. Do you have any distractions in your life that are keeping you from abiding in the Father right now? Share with the group the woman you desire to be. What’s holding you back from being that woman you just described? 45
4 This is a week of reflection. In last week’s content, we looked at the things in our life that are currently holding us back from pursuing Christ, and living wholeheartedly and authentically. This week, we’re boldly taking the time to ask ourselves: “Where am I?” Meaning: “What is your understanding of our Heavenly Father?” “Where are you on your journey with Him?” “What is keeping you from progressing towards God’s destination for you?” We will be diving deep into our current position in life. It’s so easy to shove this question of “Where am I?” into the back of your mind, and even to avoid it altogether. It’s hard, and sometimes even painful to identify where we are in our lives, because it’s often not where we want to be. We are scared of the disappointment and guilt we may face when we choose to evaluate and observe our struggles, setbacks, and the intimacy of our relationship with God. However, it is essential to realize where you are in life in order to grow and become more firm in your faith and your walk with God. God does not condemn you for your flaws and setbacks. You may condemn yourself, but He feels nothing but love and grace towards you. He wants to walk with you on your journey of discovering His love and sharing that authentic love to others. In your journey of finding true authenticity, where do you find yourself standing? What are the things that keep you from progressing towards God, receiving and acknowledging His goodness fully, and becoming the person He made you to be? 46
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week four day one Who do you think you are? So many times, The world’s standards are such a distraction, we become so wrapped up in who the and we are all guilty of becoming wound up world wants us to be, we forget our true in it. identity in Christ. The world will try to make you identify yourself as many dif- Read Romans 12:2. ferent things: a wife, student, employee, boss, sister, mother. Whatever those defining How has your identity been “conformed” or labels may be for you, your true identity is “changed” by this world? Think about all of found in something much more valuable than the labels you put on yourself, the things you what you do, who you are seen as, and how you strive to be or appear as, the thoughts you perform. Discovering who God made us to think, the people you choose to surround be is a life-long journey. yourself with, etc. Read 1 John 3:2. Begin to wrestle with the idea that who we are is separate from what we do. What are We are children of God. That is who we are. your feelings, questions, and even hesitations It’s hard to wrap our minds around it, but the towards this fact? significance of our existence is not how much we accomplish or how successful we are in what we pursue. Our identity is simply being a child of the most high God. If we lean into His love and His glory, a meaningful life will follow. All that God wants you to be is the beautiful, unique daughter that He made you to be. Just live in His presence, and you are enough for Him. 48
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