Describe the relationship between God’s Word and freedom (James 1:22-25).
“God’s Word gives freedom and brings blessing.”
In Isaiah 29:16 God displayed their problem like a marred piece of pottery on a wheel. What was God’s point?
“He was/is in charge, not the people He created.”
Liberty and authority will always go hand in hand.
Write a one-sentence synopsis of Isaiah 30:8-21.
“Life is about to get really tough until you turn and sincerely repent.”
How did God’s children cheat themselves through rebellion (Isaiah 30:8-21)?
“By refusing to obey the Lord and comply with his commands, they block the blessings, grace, and compassion He longed to give them.”
Can you recall a situation in which you acted pigheaded toward God? “Yes” Describe it briefly.
“I’m like Melissa [the author’s willful daughter], I was born stubborn, so there have been many times I don’t specifically remember. Mostly it’s giving into temptation for lazy fun rather than chores, but once it was a major decision at a crossroad moment in my life.”
Take another look at Isaiah 30:9. Scripture characterizes, rebellious people as ‘“deceitful” children.’
Think about the last week or two. Identify a way you believe you gave a true impression of who you are by acting as if you belonged to God:
“giving large portions of my day to Kerstin and to Dana and to Suzy, doing some chores and cooking, being an Awana leader, behaving courteously to everyone I meet, friend and stranger alike.”
Now, for private introspection, not group discussion, identify a way you have given a false impression by not acting as if you belonged to God.
“playing my favorite computer game while catching up on hours of video-taped talk shows, sometimes too late on school nights.”
Read Exodus 23:20-22 and Psalm 81:10-14. Describe the relationship between listening to God and prevailing over your enemy.
“The former leads directly to the latter.”
One of the following words reflects the Hebrew meaning for pleasant and smooth. Choose the one you assume to be the synonym. “flattering”
What charge did Paul give Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-2?
“‘Preach the word; be prepared… correct, rebuke, and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.’”
Now read 2 Timothy 4:3-4. Carefully compare these two scriptures to Isaiah 30: 10-11. List all the parallels between the passages.
“sound doctrine rejected
“false teachers preferred
“pleasant, non-confrontational teaching demanded
“(Don’t bother trying to serve us vegetables or even meat, all we will accept is ice cream)”
Can you think of an unhealthy attachment you made in your life that was finally exposed as a fraud? Explain.
“I suppose my games, but I always knew they were time wasters.”
Dearest Rachel –
I have to admit, it can sometimes be a little difficult to go through these particular studies that cover certain specific sins. Not that you were perfect – we’re all human, after all – but as time goes by, I tend to forget the worst aspects of your personality, or at least gloss over them as endearing quirks. Sure, I remember moments when the three of us would be sitting around in the family room, each of us buried in our own computer game or activity, and I would wonder if we shouldn’t be communicating with each other instead. But then, I would realize that I didn’t have anything worthwhile to contribute to such a conversation, and I knew that the two of you (and myself, if I were to be honest) would prefer to be otherwise occupied with the things we were already engaged in, and so I let it go.
And that’s it; I knew full well that I was no better than either of you, and so I saw no point in making an effort to correct your behavior, since I was every bit as guilty of something similar. We didn’t hold each other accountable, and as a result, we didn’t try to improve ourselves or each other.
At the same time, I have to admit to having no idea as to what you’re referring to in terms of that “major decision at a crossroad in [your] life,” what poor choice it was that you made, and how it affected you adversely such that you realized your error in retrospect. Maybe it was something that preceded me (although, considering that, even at this point, you had spent half your life with me already, that seems unlikely), but I guess I’ll never know now.
Still, it’s the sort of thing that I really don’t want to consider, even as I know we all have our moments. I find myself not wanting to confront any rebellious nature within you (that even you admit to having) and reaching for the sweet nothings like I might a pint of ice cream.
Which makes me no better than anyone else.
Letters to Rachel 