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Week 12

Chapter Thirteen and Fourteen:

Letting Go of Discouragement
&
You Can Do It!

Read Chapter 13 and 14 of Encouraging Hands, Encouraging Hearts prior to study.

1. The author described an unseasonably early Colorado blizzard which blanketed leaf-covered trees with snow. The weight of the snow and leaves caused the trees and branches to bow to the ground. The trees which tried to stand unmoved, splintered and broke. Every life will face unexpected disappointments. Don’t try to stand ____________________ and ______________________, instead, ___________ towards God.

2. How did Nancy’s life change after she let go of expectations about her former husband? Did her ex-husband change? Did Nancy’s attitude change? How? Why?

3. Have a volunteer read Linda’s poem, Its Your Turn Lord. Afterwards, answer this question, when is it okay to let go?

• When you realize you have no _____________________ anyway.
• When you want to _______________ God’s help.

4. Letting go of a grudge does not mean the person you forgive ___________________ your forgiveness. Even so, by letting go, we will _______________ ourselves to a closer relationship with God. Why do you think this is so?

5. We need to look for the victory in failures. Relate the story Linda tells about the downhill bike race in Vail, Colorado. Why was the bicyclist a winner even though he lost the race? His victory was not in winning the race, but in ____________________ the race. How does this story apply to us?

6. Here is a list the ten top areas where women need encouragement. Circle the top three which apply the most to you and share with the group.

1. Spiritual Issues 2. Diet/Exercise 3. Living Christian Life 4 . Time Management 5. Child Raising

6. Housekeeping 7. Marriage 8. Grief Issues 9. Loneliness 10. Job

7. The following are things which will help you encourage yourself. Fill in the blank.

• ____________ from your mistakes
• _______ for others.
• Don’t _____________________ yourself with others.
• Get a new ______________________________.
• Make a ______________________ of your accomplishments.
• Toss out the I _________________.
• Dare to _______________.

8. Make a list of three "I Can’ts" in your life.

1._________________________________________________________

2._________________________________________________________

3._________________________________________________________

Read Phillipians 4:13 aloud, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (NIV)

If you wish, read your "I Can’t" list to your group, but before you read each item you listed, say, "Through Christ I can . . . _____________________________________."

9. If you could do anything, what would it be? Write your dream here.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

If you wish, share your dream with the group. The members of the group are asked to be supportive and not to share your dreams with others outside the group.

10. In closing this last session of your study group, have a volunteer read the poem, Don’t Quit. Afterwards, the group should pray for each person, that God may guide their dreams and strengthen their hearts.

 

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© 1999 Linda Evans Shepherd

Home | About Linda | Books | Speaking | News | Women | Authors | ? | Contact

Linda Evans Shepherd Author and Speaker
Phone: 1-303-772-2035; Fax: 1-303-678-0260 ...  PO Box 6421, Longmont, CO 80501