This week, we dove into "Redeeming Love." OK, maybe dove isn't the right word. We sort of waded into the prologue. But what a juicy prologue it was!
Last time, I assigned five things for you to think about for our next discussion. Boy, how the Lord moved in our time together! I was so blessed by your insight and the verses you all brought to the table.
Here's a recap:
We talked about what the main character in the prologue, Sarah, must feel: that she has to "do" to be loved, rather than being loved for love's sake; rejection; she wonders who can be depended on?; isolation -- she has to solve her own problems, and she can't talk to her mom about them; she learns how quickly someone can steal your hope and joy.
Then, we got into the meat of it. And it all started with Question #1 from the homework.
Question 1: What are we learning about God, or who is God according to the characters? Find Scripture that either confirms or refutes these traits. (This, in my opinion, was the highlight of our discussion, by the way.)
We agreed that the characters we've met so far have a very skewed view of who God is. He is, in their minds, that bully on the ant hill with a magnifying glass. He's represented poorly by the priest, who judges Sarah's mom and then makes her work for her forgiveness.
Others in the book believe He either doesn't exist or, if He did, He's just a judge, handing out condemnation, not grace, not forgiveness.
Confirming these thoughts: Nahum 1:2, Deuteronomy 4:24, Job 3:11, 6:4, 7:16
I love that some of you went this route. It's a reminder that it is not unheard-of to wonder where God is in the midst of our sinking ship; it's not unheard-of to wonder whether He is good at all.
But this is where it really gets good. Together, we found (*and read out loud*) 22 other verses that tell us who God really is:
Psalm 103 (He forgives, heals, redeems, crowns you with love and compassion, satisfies, works righteousness, does not harbor anger, loves greatly, removes our sins)
Psalm 18:35 (sustains and gives us a shield of victory; His gentleness makes us great)
Heb. 4:15-16 (sympathizes with us; invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace, not condemnation)
Is. 43:1-5 ("Fear not ... I have redeemed you ... you are Mine" "I will be with you")
John 15:9 (Jesus loves us as the Father loves Him)
1 John 4:8 (God is love)
1 John 1:9 (He forgives and purifies)
Eph. 2:8-9 (by grace, through faith; we don't have to EARN His love)
Psalm 139:7 (He is everywhere)
1 Cor. 13 (God is love: patient, kind...)
Psalm 146:9 (watches over us and sustains the fatherless and widow)
Ps. 45 (His throne will last forever)
Ps. 81:11-16 (He wants to subdue our enemies, if only we'd follow Him)
Ps. 73:26-28 (my strength, my portion; He is near, He is my refuge -- the nearness of God is my good)
Ps. 12 (our protector)
Ps. 46 (our refuge and strength; he who is in Him will not fall)
Ex. 34:6 (compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness)
Numbers 23:19 (God does not lie)
Psalm 145:17-21 (righteous and near)
Romans 8:5-8 (minds controlled by the Spirit, vs. minds that are controlled by the flesh)
Ps. 143:11-12 (righteous; the Lord has unfailing love for us)
Ecclesiastes (for everything there is a season -- there will be sorrow, yes; but there will also be joy)
Whew!
Girls, I am so blessed and humbled by the way the Spirit moves when we are together. Thank you for coming. We are constantly ushered into His presence together, and I am in awe of Him.
I sure hope you are enjoying our study as much as I am.
Stay tuned for this week's homework assignment. Also, feel free to blog your thoughts about our discussion here as well. I have so many that I'll be sharing soon.
Grace and peace,
Tamara
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