Reading Group
Questions
The following list of questions is designed to
enhance a group or individual's thinking
about or discussing some of the issues we hope you will consider
after reading this book. This is
designed as a starting point only and is not meant to limit the
discussion.
Invite God into Your Life
I Only Meant to Wet My
Feet…
When we are enticed by sin, often we delude ourselves into believing
that we can control the outcome of our sinful behavior-like Stanice's
drug use. Read Galatians 5:7-9. Reflect on Stanice's spiral into
drug abuse and associated behaviors. Then write down the steps that
led to a personal downfall you have experienced. What could you have
done to avoid falling into sin?
In the Lion's Den…
Have you ever experienced a clear sign of warning from the Lord?
How did the Lord reveal the impending danger to you? Read Psalm 140:4;
Matthew 2:12. Say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for His protection
from dangers seen and unseen.
God Has the Last Word…
Stanice was spared an untimely death when a coworker found her
after her drug overdose. How can divine deliverance from a dangerous
situation
confirm for us that the Lord has a purpose for us? How has divine
deliverance from troubling circumstances convicted you regarding
His will for your life? Read Exodus 14:30 and Psalm 34:6-8.
New Beginnings…
Stanice believed that she had to clean herself up before God would
hear her prayers. What reassurance do believers have that God will
always hear our prayers? Read Judges 16:28-30 and Psalm 51:1-17.
I
AM Who I AM…
Many people have struggled with the concept of a heavenly Father
because of unloving experiences with their earthly fathers. What
feelings does the word "father" evoke in you? How can we
remain assured that our heavenly Father is not subject to the same
failings as earthly fathers? Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and 1 John
3:1-2.
Faith
Start Packing…
As she began to clean up her life, God met each step of her faith
with a firm foundation on which to stand. Recall a time when the
Lord made a way for you each and every step of the way. Read Genesis
22:14 and Philippians 4:19. Sing a hymn that reminds you of God's
goodness.
Press Your Way…
It is important that believers not give up in the face of obstacles.
How does rising above our obstacles help to strengthen our faith
in God? Read Mark 11:23-24; Romans 16:17-20. Say an intercessory
prayer for someone you know who is currently facing adversity.
With
a Child's Heart…
How do we as believers hinder our spiritual progress when we
continue to judge ourselves for transgressions for which God
has already forgiven
us? Read Luke 15:1-24. How can we grow in our confidence of God's
forgiveness and move on with life?
Precious Moments…
With God's guidance, we must be willing to keep moving in the direction
of our heart's desires. What are the unrealized goals in your life?
Read Psalm 37:4-5.
Walk by Faith…
Stanice's trip to Los Angeles came about through a series of blessings.
It is not unusual for our help to come from the most unpredictable
sources. When this happens, how are we able to recognize the hand
of God at work? Read 1 Kings 17:9-14.
Trusting in God's
Perfect Plan
God Alone Knows the Plan…
Stanice had already formulated her plan for employment, but a
friend helped her understand that God could bless her through
other channels.
Read Isaiah 55:8-11. Reflecting on your present circumstances, consider
ways that you may be boxing God in. Say a prayer of release, letting
God know that you trust Him for all things.
Our Steps Are Ordered…
During her trip to New York, Stanice learned that God's agenda
is not always our agenda. Read Genesis 45:4-8; Isaiah 42:16.
How can
you learn to open yourself to God's leading, even if it seems that
where you're going will not lead you to where you want to be?
What
You Give to God Is Never Lost…
Sometimes when we think all is lost, God brings circumstances
full circle in our lives, like Stanice's poetry. Read Psalm 126:4-6
and
Joel 2:25. Why do you think that God sometimes waits before restoring
certain situations in our lives? Say a prayer of thanksgiving to
God for being a God of restoration. Thank the Lord for something
He has restored in your life, whether it was a treasured friendship
or a treasured possession.
Compassion
One Day at a Time…Forever…
Mary Jane made Stanice feel special. Who is the person God has
placed in your life to make you feel special in some way? How does
that
person make you feel special? Read Luke 1:41-45. Who has God placed
in your life so that you can make her or him feel special? By what
means can you accomplish this?
Bittersweet Surrender…
After a dose of humility, Stanice found a way to turn an adversarial
work relationship into a loving one. How can our own attitude affect
tense situations? Think of a tense relationship in your life-whether
at home, at work, or in an organization to which you belong. Read
Proverbs 6:1-3. How can you help to mend the relationship through
humility?
If It's Broke, God Can Fix it…
Stanice learned to accept her mother, no longer wanting her to
be someone she was not. How can we gain peace by not expecting
the people
in our lives to be different from who they really are? Read Matthew
7:1-5; Ephesians 4:31-32.
Surrender to God's Will
Make Your Bed Hard-You
Gotta Lay in It…
Through her son, Stanice learned a painful lesson about the importance
of trust in relationships. How can we learn from hard and painful
life lessons? Read Proverbs 24:32 and Matthew 11:28-30. Thank God
for what you have learned from the hard experiences in your life.
Let Go and Let God Letting Go…
Over her years of experience with recovery, Stanice learned how
to let go of some old perspectives and attitudes. Are you holding
on
to unhealthy behaviors? Do old resentments and issues hinder you?
What old behaviors, attitudes, and mindsets have you refused to release
to the care of God? Read Ezekiel 18:30-32 and Ephesians 4:22-24.
Confession
Is Good for the Soul…
As long as she was in bondage to her past, Stanice continued
on a destructive spiral. Read 2 Samuel 22:29 -31; Job 12:22;
John 8:36;
Ephesians 5:8. Write a letter of confession to God. Release all of
your secrets to Him. Pray that you will be honest with Him and thank
Him for release. Forgiveness
Glimpse of an Angel…
When forced to confront the truth, Stanice learned the power of
grace extended by ordinary human beings. Consider whether you are
avoiding dealing with a situation created by you. Make a list of
the pros and cons of avoiding the situation. Read Genesis 33:1-4;
Proverbs 14:9. Pray for the strength to face up to your deeds and
take the necessary steps to make amends.
Amazed by Grace…
Stanice had carried the guilt of her terminated pregnancy for over
20 years. Finally, she found release in asking for God's forgiveness.
How can we be assured that we are really and truly forgiven for
our sins? Read Psalm 25:7; 103:8-14.
The Storm Is Passing Over…
After Stanice had done all that she could do regarding her ex-husband,
she received a prophetic word to keep her past out of her present.
How are we hindered by our refusal to let go of the past? Genesis
19:15-17, 24-26; Isaiah 43:18-19.
God Bless the Child…
Stanice recognized the futility of holding resentments. Look inside
yourself to determine whether you are holding any resentments.
Then ask yourself if you are genuinely ready to let go of those
resentments. Read Genesis 50:17; Job 5:2; Matthew 6:14; 18:21-33.
Mortal
Man…
Stanice finally was able to accept her father for who he was, not
for who she wished him to be. Have you ever sought from another
person what can only be gotten from God? What caused you to rely
on another human being rather than on God? Read Job 4:17; Psalm
62:1; 146:3.
Prayer
Somebody Prayed for Me…
A friend helped Stanice to recognize the power of intercessory
prayer. Have you developed a relationship with a good prayer partner?
What are the benefits of praying for others and asking others to
pray for you? Read: Matthew 5:44; Colossians 1:3; 4:3; James 5:16.
The
Rough Side of the Mountain…
An experience with getting lost taught Stanice a lesson about
God's power to guide us to the right places. Read Exodus 15:13;
Psalm
23; 31:3. Write God a thank you note for guiding you through a
fearful period in your life.
Hope
Resurrected Dreams…
Stanice became willing to use all of her gifts to the glory of
God. How are you using your giftedness to glorify God? Take a piece
of paper and write down at least one gift that God has given you.
Lift the paper in the air and thank God for your gift(s). Ask Him
to show you ways that His glory may be revealed through you. Read
2 Chronicles 5:3-14; 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Always Check the Fruit…
Stanice foolishly resumed a destructive relationship to satisfy
selfish desires. How can we live patiently, waiting for the Lord
to give us what we truly need and desire rather than trying to
fix things ourselves? Psalm 5:3; 27:14; 33:20; 130:5-6; Lamentations
3:24-26.
Never Too Late to Dream…
Stanice recognized that the fulfillment of our dreams often lies
in our willingness to leave our comfort zone and launch into deep
waters. Have you lost your ability to dream? Are you afraid to
go out in deep waters? How can we know that the ability to dream
is from the Lord? Genesis 28:12-16; 41:32; Judges 7:15; Joel 2:28.
Lovingkindness
A Friend in Need…
Stanice was able to share the Good News of God's provision with
someone as it had been shared with her in so many ways. How are
believers blessed when we share Christ's message of hope with others?
Read 1 Corinthians 9:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 3:14; Jude
3.
Compelled to Fly…
Just as Stanice broke from her own cocoon and watched others do
the same, all of us have the potential to break out of our self-imposed
cocoons. Pray and ask God to deliver you from self-imposed limits
so that you may shine in His glory. Read Psalm 55:6; Isaiah 40:31;
Jeremiah 29:11. |
