It’s Week 3 in the Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times study I’m participating in. {Miss Week 1? Miss Week 2?}
About the Book
It’s easy for Christians to be strong in their faith when they are comfortable–in their church, in a small-group, in their family. But what happens if they are faced with prison, poverty, and pain? Life is more demanding than ever before. Finances are tight, relationships are stressed, and disappointments are common. Why is it so hard to stand up for God during these troubling times?
The letter of 1 Peter was heard by women who knew times like these. This newest addition to the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series digs into 1 Peter and takes a look at the stories of real women–past and present–to teach today’s woman how to stand faithful to God regardless of her trials, however severe.
About the Author: Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women’s ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women’s Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.
This Mom’s Review: Week 3
I feel excluded or out of place sometimes. Looking at this selection of Scripture (1 Peter 2:4-10), I am reminded that many rejected Jesus, too. Knowing that Jesus faced this same challenge, I am encouraged to continue on in my fight to be a wife and mom that glorifies God and minister to my family in the way the God is calling me to. By ministering, I don’t mean preaching at them; I mean serving and loving as Jesus did in his ministry on earth, as well as sharing the message of salvation with others.
While the author uses the word priest through this week’s study, I like to replace her word with minister, as described above.
In verse 9, we are called four things: chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, and a peculiar people. As I look up the definitions of some of these words, I need to ask myself if I am truly living up to these four things. Am I behaving like God’s chosen? Am I ministering to others? Am I living a holy life? Am I living a life that draws attention toward Christ and not away from Him?
I think the biggest distraction I have is thinking I’m not good enough to share God’s message with others. The funny thing is, it’s true. I’m not good enough. Yet, his message is! I don’t need to pad His message or put on an pre-show. I just need to share God’s message first by how I’m living and second by sharing Scripture with others!
I thank God for showing me in His word that He loves me and has a great work for me – despite me and my mistakes and weaknesses.
I am looking forward to Week 4!
I received a copy of the above study book from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.
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