Welcome to session 3! This was a more difficult week for some of you as you’re currently facing your own desert season. We are praying you were encouraged as you learned how others have made it through their own desert seasons and found the way out, a straight way, a city to dwell in. Thank you for studying with us!
If you have any questions about how this study works, we’ve answered most of them here.
Catching up? That’s okay! We’ll leave the videos up until August 15, 2017. After that time you can purchase the video sessions here.
Questions to answer in your group or in the comments:
- Which marks of a desert—lonely, longing, lament—do you identify with most often in your life?
- Describe the purpose of a well and an anchor. (page 43)
- List a few of the things that stir your affections for Jesus. (page 62)
- Psalm 27 reminds us that God is the stronghold of our lives. What do you think this means in light of Romans 8:28,31-35,38-39?
Before next week, complete Week Three: Chains (pages 66-95) in your Bible study book. See you next week!
1. Loneliness is where I am at. I feel like I am walking through life on my own sometimes.
2. A well is there to bring life(water) and the anchor is to hold us in place
3.Just knowing that he is there.
4.God will be there for us always and fufill our needs.
This has a been a great hard and great Journey. Revealing things that needed to taken down.
I am trying to catch up. I identify with all 3 right now. I am so lonely. I don’t have any friends close by since we moved two years ago, and I didn’t have many in our old city either. I don’t fit in with people at the church we are attending but we cannot leave it. I long to belong, but that has been the case my entire life. I lament the mistakes I’ve made that now are coming to haunt me. A well is used to bring water from the ground and an anchor is used to hold something in the water. Some things that stir my love for Jesus are the ocean, babies, snow, animals and nature in general. I wonder if God being our stronghold shows us that he is our anchor that holds us to the water of the lifegiving well, i.e. Himself.
I’m so behind, but trying to catch up!!
1. I relate mostly with longing when I’m in the desert. I’m not typically lonely or lamenting, but definitely longing. I long for what I want. I long for what I had that has changed/gone away, etc. I long for something new/different/better, etc. It’s hard to know I’m “stuck” in the desert and want to get OUT!
2.Both a well and an anchor “hold” something. The well holds water, a life giving resource. The anchor holds something in place (typically a boat) so it doesn’t drift away.
3. My close group of “momma” friends. We are a group of 4 who attend church and do life together. They are my life line in so many ways. My church family is also something that stirs me. My family (husband and daughter) are also driving forces to stir my affections for Jesus.
4. That God is always working on my behalf.
1. I mostly identify with lonely and longing. I have a great life and family and have been blessed but something always feels like I’m supposed to do more I long for more and my soul feels lonely.
2. The purpose of a well is a source of water and an anchor is used to connect a vessel to keep it from drifting away from a current.
3. A few things that stir my affection for Jesus would be worship music, of course church and my Sunday school group, bible study and my godly friends and family.
4. That God is always there for us and he loves us just as we love him and for those who love him he has a desired purpose for them.
1. I most often identify with longing. I always long to feel a sense of belonging. I have struggled with this most of my life.
2. A well is a source of water and an anchor helps you stay put in water.
3. Bible study; Daughters of the King; fellowship with friends; Being present in church – actively participating.
4. Nothing can separate us from God.
1. I most often identify with loneliness in my life. In a new season of life it can sometimes be hard to meet new people and make friends.
2. A well is used to bring up water, and an anchor is used to keep something in one place.
3. A few things that stir my affections for Jesus are worship music, good friends to discuss God with, and being in nature. I love spending time outdoors-just praying and connecting with Him.
4. I think this means that God is always present in our lives, helping us and guiding us through hard times. We can never be separated from him.