Let.It.Go. Session 1: “God called and He’d Like His Job Back”
Welcome! Today we begin our Let.It.Go. journey together. I trust you have your Bible, notebook, pen and Let.It.Go. book ready to begin our journey toward trusting God more.
I am excited to start this Bible study in association with The Gather & Grow Bible studies of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Melissa Taylor has taken the arena of online study to new heights and it is a pleasure being part of her group.
Before we begin I ask you to take a moment and pray with me:
Dear Father,
Thank you for the opportunity to study your Word with this group of ladies. I pray that you would help us
to open our hearts to your voice and prepare our hearts to follow hard after you. We need you to lead and
guide us. Help us to encourage one another in a manner that shares your love and concern for growth in
our relationship with you and with one another. Give us grace throughout this study and help us be more
like your Son. Amen.
I remember as a girl how I could not wait to grow up and make my own decisions. I was certain I could do life better than my parents. My way was the best way and often I would show my displeasure when I didn’t get it. Given that, it is not surprising that one of my favorite songs growing up was “I did it My Way.”
Living the Christian life as an adult I have learned better. God’s way is the best way. Even though I understand that there are still times when I find myself saying, “I am ready to release control to the hands of my Heavenly Father, I trust Him,” only to take it back and try to run the show myself.
Karen Ehman states that when we over-control we simply do not trust God. Not trusting him is equivalent to thinking we know what is best better than he does.
I know that statement is hard swallow. It is not easy to face the fact that:
1. We are controlling, and,
2. Our controlling tendencies show our lack of trust.
But let’s face it, Karen is right. “Women are wired to control. We all inherited the ‘bossy gene.’” Just take some time and watch young girls at play. They love to control what game is played, how the game is played, where the game is played, and who plays the game. Sooner or later an argument ensues when ‘the boss of the hour’ gets demoted. It’s time to grow up, dig in, and release control to a trustworthy God.
First Week’s Assignments:
Read Genesis 2:15-3:13 and record in your personal notebook your thoughts regarding all that God had provided in the Garden of Eden and how the serpent raised questions in Eve’s mind regarding God’s goodness to her and Adam.
Are there areas in your life where you question God’s Word?
What situations in your life do you most desire control? Work? Home? Relationships?
Karen writes that it feels foreign to us not to control. We want to share our opinions and it is hard to allow others, either at home or in the workplace, to make decisions without any input from us.
As we take this Bible study journey together we may find it awkward to relinquish control and trust God. It is especially hard when it involves the areas of our lives that we think are our responsibilities, or areas where we think we can help. But there is wisdom in working through the awkwardness of relinquishing control and walking in faith.
Read Chapters 1-2 of Let.It.Go. Share your insights and thoughts on my blog.
What is your Control Quotient?
List reasons why you desire to get your way or reasons why you desire to feel indispensable.
Think about your personal time-spending habits. What are you focusing on, a tool, a toy, or a tangent?
Karen shared some scriptures dealing with wasteful tangents. Read the following scriptures and record what they say to you about time-wasting habits:
Psalm 31:14-15
Romans 12:1-2
Ephesians 5:15-17
Colossians 3:17
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “did God actually say…?” Genesis 3:1 (ESV).
As you study during the week visit my blog and share your struggles and your victories.
If you purchased the Let.It.Go. Study Guide, work through Session 1 as a supplement to this online Bible study.
We are close to starting our second week and I haven’t heard for you. Take time to post your observations, insights, challenges, or triumphs. I would love to hear for you. I value your experience through this study. Each of us can be helped and encouraged from your comments. Please take the time to post a comment on my blog.