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Week Two:

Chapter Two and Three: We Need Each Other

Read Chapter 2 and 3 of Encouraging Hands, Encouraging Hearts prior to study.

1. Read I Cor. 12:14-20 aloud, "Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’" it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (NIV)

According to this scripture, we are all different parts of the body of Christ. How is it that we need each other? Can we be successful without the involvement of others? Why or why not?

2. Read the following quote from Linda’s book: "We are all angels with only one wing, we can only_____________ by encouraging one another." Author Unknown.

Do you think this is true? Why?

3. Did Connie’s friend change Connie’s circumstances? What did change? Why?

4. Read Titus 2:3-5 aloud, "Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." NIV

Why are women to teach women? What are we to teach? Can you give an example of how a woman made a difference in your life?

5. Describe what happened between Betty and Rose. What is co-dependence? How is it harmful? How do you break free of a co-dependent relationship? What are the risks? What are the rewards?

6. According to the book, why did the author not find the comfort she longed for from her friends? Why are we sometimes lonely even when we are surrounded by others? How can we reach out to others more effectively?

7. Read Ecclessiates 4:9-12 aloud, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (NIV)

According to this scripture, why is their strength in friendship? Why is this important?

8. Why were quilting bees important to our grandmother’s and great-grandmothers? Do you think it is important for women to share their stories with each other? Why?

9. What happened when the women at Linda’s tea party shared stories about times they were encouraged? How did it help the women to bond?

10. Share a story about a time someone encouraged you.

 

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© 1999 Linda Evans Shepherd

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Linda Evans Shepherd Author and Speaker
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