Chapter 3

The Magnificent Obsession – Chapter Three

June 20, 2013

Entrust Everything Completely

 

“Could it be that you have made the choice to leave everything behind, then followed with the commitment to let everything go in order to pursue God as Abraham did? And now you’re wondering, “What in the world have I done? What is this going to mean in practical terms?”

The Magnificent Obsession, p. 86

 

Faith is not a feeling, but it does require action… the action of belief.   Remember from Chapter 1, “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness…” (Romans 4:3). Abraham put his faith into action when he put his faith into practice by standing on, and claiming the promises of God.   Not only did this let God know that He could in fact trust Abraham with more, but it also blessed God’s heart so much that He referred to Abraham as His friend (James 2:23).

How about you? Do you believe God? Do you believe Him BIG? Do you trust Him? Can He trust you?

Are you ready to surrender?  Can you surrender and entrust everything completely to Him?   Can you surrender YOUR:  self; relationships; spouse; kids; work; finances;  blessings; fears; tears; disappointments; failures; hopes; dreams?  Can you surrender the things that keep you up at night and the things that break your heart?

THIS WEEK’S ASSIGNMENT:

• Scripture Reading: Genesis 15
• Read Chapter 3 – Magnificent Obsession

Questions for Small Group Discussion and Blog:

1. What are your biggest fears (the things that keep you up at night)? What are your biggest disappointments?  See Pg. 90.

2. Fear begins in the battlefield of the mind. Much of what we are afraid of is made bigger in our minds simply because we’ve meditated on it over and over again.  Read aloud 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. What is God’s instruction for defeating fearful thoughts that have become supersized in our mind?

3. Read Ephesians 6:13-18. What offensive (v. defensive) weapons has He given us?

4.  What promises have you specifically claimed and prayed through that have helped get you through difficult times? 

5.  When did you enter into a personal, right relationship with God through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus? Describe your salvation or conversion experience. If you’ve never done this before, this might be a good time to put it into writing. Share it with your group.
6.  In what way are you experiencing now (or in the past) the loneliness of emotional or intellectual or spiritual or even physical exile?  Has loneliness intensified your fears?  How did God minister to you during that time?  Give Bible verses that have helped.  Pg. 91.
7.  In what ways to you feel vulnerable to attack from the enemy? Pg. 93.
8.  As you've studied God's Word, what nagging, troubling questions do you have?  Have you poured out those questions/doubts to Him?  God welcomes your questions.  Share with the group.  Pgs. 98-99.

 

For Personal Prayer & Reflection:

 

Entrusting Everything Completely~

In your notebook or journal, make a list of those things that you need to entrust completely to God.

Spend some time in prayer talking about with the Lord about trusting Him with these things. Look at your previous lists (from Chapters 1 & 2) and compare.

Are there things you want to add to or delete from those lists?

Has the Holy Spirit put anything else on your heart as you’ve prayed this through?

(*) The Complete Word Study Dictionary- New Testament (Zodhiates)