Book Study - Assignment 1

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Here is part of what Karen has to say about our first assignment in our book study of "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss:

Let me just say that I am really excited about this study. One of the things that stood out to me in the introduction was how the author takes Eve's decision to eat the fruit and show the progression that led to her action. The progression she points out is that Eve first listened to the lie. Then she believed the lie. Finally, she acted on the lie.

Listened - Believed - Acted

The author discusses this progression again in Chapter One.



Question #1
As you begin this book study, where do you see yourself in relation to living in freedom? Do you feel like you are walking in total freedom? Explain.

I think I'm much freer than I've been earlier in my life. I spent many years believeing so many lies, lies about my worth, about what God thought of me, about why things happen in life ... But God is so faithful to continue showering us with His truth. Still, I know that I have a long way to go and much to learn about His Truth that sets us Free. I still stumble, I listen to thoses lies, even believe and act on them sometimes ... which is one reason this book and this study intrigued me so much.

Someone sent me a prayer request for this family today and when I read today's entry (Monday April 7th) ... my jaw hit the floor becuase the way she describes her early years ... all her fears and worries almost exactly describes how I was, but I was never hospitalized. God has made amazing changes in my life, but I think as long as we are ths side of Heaven there is more to learn and more to work on in Christ.

Question #2
Write out John 10:10 in your favorite translation. After you've written it out, personalize it.

I'm not sure I have a favorite so I'll write three:

John 10:10 (Message)
A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.


John 10:10 (Amplified)
The theif comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)


John 10:10 (NAS)
The theif comes only to steal andkill an destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Honestly I'm not sure how I would "persoanlize" it ... but am going to stick my neck out here and ask a loaded question:

Does anyone else struggle with the idea that He came to give us "a better life than we ever dreamed of" or that He came so we might "enjoy" life? I do believe that God wants to give us good things, as every parent wants to give to thier children ... but it seems that God id God! He has a plan and whole world to order ... how could he be concerned with me "enjoying" my life?

Is it perhaps that we can really only "enjoy" life if we are completely committted to Him? Or am I just hung up on that word "enjoy" ... I don't think He means to give us one big long happy party of a life and I've yet to meet anyone who would describe thier life that way :-)

I hope that makes some amount of sense ... it just what is running through my brain as I consider this.


Question #3
What do you think living abundantly in Christ means? What do you think it looks like?
Wow ... thats a hard question! I'm not sure I really have adeffinition for living abundantly in Christ yet. I guess being totally consumed with God's will and being free of fears, of worrying what other think of our choices. To be truly living God's plan/God's will for my life.


Our Memory Work

"'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
- John 8:32 (NIV)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..."
- Galatians 5:1a (NIV)