Week Five Chapter Four (read THE SUPREME GIFT OF GRACE: LOVE )
question 2 I answered in my book. Here is the list written in the book. We are to reflect on each item and decide is something we feel we need and to what degree.
From I don't need this at all -Nice but Not necessary-I want this-I need this-This is an important need- This is a critically important need.
a.vacation
b.Increased income
c. Less stress
d.Better physical fitness
e. To be accepted
f. affirmation from peers
g. advice on a decision
h. Someones counsel on a personal struggle
i. Attention/listening from spouse or close friend
j. Time alone with God
k. Deeper connecting/communication at home
l. Help overcoming an unhealthy addiction.
question 3 I wrote out the scriptures that support the truth that God meets my needs and posted it on the blog that is titled simply Truefaced.
click Truefaced and scroll to March 11
Why did God create us with needs ?
How does it feel when told by someone that they do not need your help ?
What happened to the concern, compassion, and love that motivated you to offer your help in the first place?
What does this tell you about the purpose of having needs?
Did someone step forward to help meet that need?
Describe how that felt. How did you respond?
question 4 (page 83)
The question refers to step three (page 87 Truefaced) and asks us to consider similarities in our lives to Ricks.
Question 5. On step four: I let you love me. ( page 89 Truefaced)
As I read the pages of the book I also took note of the footnotes, and then I went to the back of the book and found scriptures to go along with the thought.
Here on step Four I found the most important part has not been overlooked by our Truefaced authors, the scripture passages to look up are Eph. 5:21 And, according to verses 18-20, it is evidence of a Spirit-filled life. I quote from the back of the book and now I quote from the book where the foot note has been placed at the end of this sentence. Learning to let others love us on their terms is part of what it means to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. footnote 13.
The degree to which I let you love me is the degree to which you can love me, no matter how much love you have for me.....We cannot let another person love us unless we trust the person. People who are unable to trust will never experience love. Ever..........Many people who deeply want to be loved are not loved, because they won't turn that doorknob of Humility ---"trusting God and others with me." They stand out in the cold, outside The Room of Grace, in pain ( and blame) because people don't love them..... The people God wants to use to love you deeply and to meet your needs stand right on the other side of that door. Turn the knob. (Truefaced, pages 90-91)
Question 5 According to this quote , and from your own experience:
(a) Why do you think it is so difficult for some of us to let others love us ?
(b) In order to receive your love, I must trust you. Agree or dis-agree? Explain.
(c) In order to receive your love, I must be humble. Agree or dis-agree? Explain.
(d) Who is receiving your love?
(e) Whose love are you receiving?
Question 6. Step five states: I let you love me on your terms-not mine.
Do you have a friend who struggles with a weakness that is one of your strengths?
The book gives some examples. I suggest writing down some of your strengths and then answer the question.
What initiative do you sense God nudging you to take to love this friend by meeting his or her need ?
Now think about someone you close to you----someone you love.
* What are one or two of this person's current needs or weaknesses?
* What are one or two practical ways you might meet those needs or come alongside to strengthen those weaknesses ?
*How will you handle potential reluctance to your offer of love?
Question 7. On to step six : I am fulfilled when I experience love.
Try to identify one current pain or longing that you are dealing with. Don't fret over its "size." No pain is too big or too small. Just summarize it here.
You may be feeling discouraged at this point, wondering where these ideal friends of yours are. Maybe nobodies lining up even to think about your needs, much less rushing to meet them. Perhaps the last couple of times you dared mention a need, you were disappointed. Read these verses and summarize the encouragement they give you to rely on God's love for your fulfillment:
Deuteronomy 7:7-9
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye [were] the fewest of all people:But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 33:12
[And] of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; [and the LORD] shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.
2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Question 8. And finally we reach step seven: I am now able to love others out of my own fulfillment.
Having our needs met by receiving the love of God and others is not just about "feeling better"
; it's about fulfillment . To fulfill means " to meet the requirements of , to satisfy." When the requirements of our soul---our needs-- are met, it satisfies us. This fulfillment produces inward peace, contentment, and healing for our wounds. As our wounds heal, we can turn away from them with a fresh passion, confidence, and love for others. ( Truefaced, page 95)
What are the "requirements" of our soul? What do you think it might look like for you to receive the love of God and find those requirements satisfied?
Question 9. ( Read pages 95-96)
Narrow your focus from the millions down to the handful of people in your sphere of influence who have yet to meet the King of Love. How does your life right now move or cause them to experience love ? Explain.
question 2 I answered in my book. Here is the list written in the book. We are to reflect on each item and decide is something we feel we need and to what degree.
From I don't need this at all -Nice but Not necessary-I want this-I need this-This is an important need- This is a critically important need.
a.vacation
b.Increased income
c. Less stress
d.Better physical fitness
e. To be accepted
f. affirmation from peers
g. advice on a decision
h. Someones counsel on a personal struggle
i. Attention/listening from spouse or close friend
j. Time alone with God
k. Deeper connecting/communication at home
l. Help overcoming an unhealthy addiction.
question 3 I wrote out the scriptures that support the truth that God meets my needs and posted it on the blog that is titled simply Truefaced.
click Truefaced and scroll to March 11
Why did God create us with needs ?
How does it feel when told by someone that they do not need your help ?
What happened to the concern, compassion, and love that motivated you to offer your help in the first place?
What does this tell you about the purpose of having needs?
Did someone step forward to help meet that need?
Describe how that felt. How did you respond?
question 4 (page 83)
The question refers to step three (page 87 Truefaced) and asks us to consider similarities in our lives to Ricks.
Question 5. On step four: I let you love me. ( page 89 Truefaced)
As I read the pages of the book I also took note of the footnotes, and then I went to the back of the book and found scriptures to go along with the thought.
Here on step Four I found the most important part has not been overlooked by our Truefaced authors, the scripture passages to look up are Eph. 5:21 And, according to verses 18-20, it is evidence of a Spirit-filled life. I quote from the back of the book and now I quote from the book where the foot note has been placed at the end of this sentence. Learning to let others love us on their terms is part of what it means to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. footnote 13.
The degree to which I let you love me is the degree to which you can love me, no matter how much love you have for me.....We cannot let another person love us unless we trust the person. People who are unable to trust will never experience love. Ever..........Many people who deeply want to be loved are not loved, because they won't turn that doorknob of Humility ---"trusting God and others with me." They stand out in the cold, outside The Room of Grace, in pain ( and blame) because people don't love them..... The people God wants to use to love you deeply and to meet your needs stand right on the other side of that door. Turn the knob. (Truefaced, pages 90-91)
Question 5 According to this quote , and from your own experience:
(a) Why do you think it is so difficult for some of us to let others love us ?
(b) In order to receive your love, I must trust you. Agree or dis-agree? Explain.
(c) In order to receive your love, I must be humble. Agree or dis-agree? Explain.
(d) Who is receiving your love?
(e) Whose love are you receiving?
Question 6. Step five states: I let you love me on your terms-not mine.
Do you have a friend who struggles with a weakness that is one of your strengths?
The book gives some examples. I suggest writing down some of your strengths and then answer the question.
What initiative do you sense God nudging you to take to love this friend by meeting his or her need ?
Now think about someone you close to you----someone you love.
* What are one or two of this person's current needs or weaknesses?
* What are one or two practical ways you might meet those needs or come alongside to strengthen those weaknesses ?
*How will you handle potential reluctance to your offer of love?
Question 7. On to step six : I am fulfilled when I experience love.
Try to identify one current pain or longing that you are dealing with. Don't fret over its "size." No pain is too big or too small. Just summarize it here.
You may be feeling discouraged at this point, wondering where these ideal friends of yours are. Maybe nobodies lining up even to think about your needs, much less rushing to meet them. Perhaps the last couple of times you dared mention a need, you were disappointed. Read these verses and summarize the encouragement they give you to rely on God's love for your fulfillment:
Deuteronomy 7:7-9
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye [were] the fewest of all people:But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 33:12
[And] of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; [and the LORD] shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.
2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Question 8. And finally we reach step seven: I am now able to love others out of my own fulfillment.
Having our needs met by receiving the love of God and others is not just about "feeling better"
; it's about fulfillment . To fulfill means " to meet the requirements of , to satisfy." When the requirements of our soul---our needs-- are met, it satisfies us. This fulfillment produces inward peace, contentment, and healing for our wounds. As our wounds heal, we can turn away from them with a fresh passion, confidence, and love for others. ( Truefaced, page 95)
What are the "requirements" of our soul? What do you think it might look like for you to receive the love of God and find those requirements satisfied?
Question 9. ( Read pages 95-96)
Narrow your focus from the millions down to the handful of people in your sphere of influence who have yet to meet the King of Love. How does your life right now move or cause them to experience love ? Explain.
posted by Diane B at
10:57 AM
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