The Magnificent Obsession – Chapter Two
June 13, 2013
Let Everything Go
“If you insist on getting what you want, on what you have a right to have, watch out! And you may then wind up with a lot less than God wants to give you.”
The Magnificent Obsession, p. 79
As Chapter One concluded we learned from the life of Abram that our failures don’t have to be forever. Getting right with God after we’ve made a mess of things is simply a matter of “turning and returning”. The word repent means * “to change one’s mind for the better; to turn around. It involves regret or sorrow, accompanied by a true change of heart toward God. Abram did exactly that as he returned to Bethel, the place where he had first built an altar to the Lord.
THIS WEEK’S ASSIGNMENT:
- Scripture Reading: Genesis 13:5-18
- Read Chapter 2 – Magnificent Obsession
- Who has been a mentor, teacher or a spiritual leader in your life? How have they impacted your spiritual journey?
- How would your relationship with Jesus be different without a mentor, teacher, a church family, Bible study, etc?
- Is your relationship with Jesus purely second hand as others have fed you? Have you taken the time to get to know Him for yourself? How? What else can you do to know Jesus first-hand?
- What part of your personal Bible study time or personal alone time with God presents the biggest challenge for you?
- What do you feel that you “must have” in order to be happy and fulfilled?
- Have you ever insisted on getting your own way only to find it wasn’t really what you wanted after all? Explain.
- Where are you tolerating “mediocrity” and “worldliness” in your life? Is there duplicity in your life? Do others see it?
Have you thought about and prayed through what’s keeping you from pursuing the magnificent obsession? Where have you been trying to push your agenda through with God… insisting on getting what you want? Have you been selfish with your time, your resources… your own life? Is your commitment to the Lord a bare-minimum commitment, or have you surrendered all?
After taking some time to think this through, sit a little longer with the Lord and talk it through with Him. Will you ask God to show you what you need to let go of in order to embrace Him. Ask for the courage to respond to His direction.
Letting Everything Go:
In a notebook or journal, make a list of those things that you need to let go of in order to embrace the magnificent obsession. Continue to pray through these things and allow the Holy Spirit to loosen your grip on them over the next days and weeks of this study. You may want to share this with another sister in Christ, or with your small group, to hold you accountable and pray for you.
(*) The Complete Word Study Dictionary- New Testament (Zodhiates).
Do I get the prize?
ReplyDeleteAnd the prize for the first post goes to Ann! Well done. How are was it?
ReplyDeleteWell, at least I finally made it to the blog...
ReplyDeleteHello Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI finally made it on here too.
Hugs,
Karen :)
Thank you for my prize! I loved our discussion this morning. Have a wonderfully "obsessive" week, ladies!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite parts in the book so far that I wanted to share with the group. "It will happen when, like Abraham,we abandon every other goal,every other priority, and embrace the God~filled life until He becomes our magnificent obsession." Pg. 22.
ReplyDelete"Have you moved your family to another location...without asking the Lord? Have you changed jobs or a job position...without asking the Lord?
Have you gone to work part~time...without asking the Lord? Have you purchased new equipment or a
new car...without asking the Lord?
Have you mapped out your summer vacation or holiday time...without asking the Lord? And have you neglected your Bible reading as well? The combination of a lack of prayer and lack of Bible reading is a recipe for disaster." PG.41. Lastly, the stranger who told Anne, "Anne, the Lord is wanting to do for you more abundantly than you can think to ask!" PG 78.
Hope you are all encouraged!
Hugs,
Karen :) :) :)