QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND STUDY FROM “LETTING GO, AND LETTING GOD LEAD”
The purpose of this study guide is to facilitate spiritual formation in individuals and groups seeking a more intimate relationship with God. This study guide is organized by chapter and broken down into six sessions. Individuals and groups may use it at their discretion. These questions are also available online at timetolivebook.com.
Session #1 Preface - Chapter 6 (Preface - pg. 47)
1. Who or what brought you to this book?
2. When have you felt that God disappeared when you needed Him most?
3. What have you found to be the most helpful to keep you grounded amid the storm?
4. If you have tried journaling, what have you found most helpful in that endeavor? If you have not tried journaling, consider how it might be helpful in this process.
5. When your world spins out of control is there someone to whom you could reach out? If not, consider how having a partner/friend/mentor/counselor might help.
6. Have you ever received a “sign” that gave you renewed hope during a time of crisis? If so, discuss.
Session #2 Chapters 7-13 (Pgs. 48-95)
1. What two things might keep your hope alive in difficult circumstances, when everyone else has given up?
2. Who might give support to you when you’ve felt abandoned by others?
3. What frustrations have you faced when you didn’t understand what was happening in a crisis?
4. Brainstorm with others to come up with two things that might help to resolve your frustration.
5. What can you do to ensure that you make wise decisions which are in the best interests of all of those involved?
6. Read Psalm 37:3-7, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Philippians 4:6-7. David, Solomon, and the Apostle Paul, among other biblical characters, offer counsel that might help us to make wise decisions. Discuss ways to apply these biblical principles to the specific choices you face. What other Scriptures or biblical principles can you think of that might help you with decision making?
Session #3 Chapters 14-19 (Pgs. 96-134)
1. In what ways has ongoing stress interfered with your ability to function normally?
2. Many people become mired in fear, distrust, anger, blame, and hopelessness when faced with a life crisis. List 2 adjustments in your life that could be made to avoid this trap?
3. Although Scripture speaks of inner peace during on-going turmoil, so often we don’t feel that peace. Why?
4. How can we experience God’s peace that passes all understanding?
5. Why is it so difficult to discern God’s plan or purpose when He doesn’t answer your prayer in the way you had hoped? How do we let go and surrender to God’s will? What baby steps could you take to begin to let go and let God lead?
6. Describe a time in your life when you doubted God’s unconditional love? Why do you think it is so difficult to believe that God loves you unconditionally?
7. Describe a situation where you have struggled to trust in God’s sovereignty. What was the root cause of this struggle? What helped you to eventually learn to trust in His sovereignty?
8. Share a time when you allowed your feelings to determine your actions regardless of the facts.
9. When things get hard and you can’t see a clear path forward in a difficult situation, what do you do? We, or others, may “bypass” or over-spiritualize the real struggles by ignoring feelings instead of facing them honestly, denying the harshness of reality, pretending challenges don’t exist, or attaching blame to the situation. List other unhealthy ways of coping with hardship.
10. Next time you reach an impasse in decision making, as you work through a hard situation, partner with God to deepen your relationship with Him by trying this exercise:
Dialog with God:
• Tell God what is true about Him.
• Tell God what is true about your feelings.
• Take one step of faith (Suggestions: get out of bed, shower, take a walk).
• Trust God to lead you to the next step.
Alison Cook, Ph.D. offers helpful information through an excellent e-newsletter and access to an on-line community.
Session # 4 Chapters 20-24 (Pgs. 135-172)
1. How do you respond when people with good intentions act in ways that, in fact, hurt, interfere, or undermine your confidence in your decisions?
2. How do you recover from pain caused by unsolicited interference?
3. All of us have experienced a crisis of belief at one time. The author shares how she moved beyond doubt and fear to resolve her crisis of belief (scripture memorization, worship and praise, among others). Now it’s your turn. Encourage one another with some helpful ways you have found to keep your foothold when your faith has been tested.
4. Pride and doubt are common stumbling blocks to recovery. How have pride and doubt interfered with your walk with God and your relationships with others? What other stumbling blocks to recovery might there be?
5. In what ways have you experienced “good” resulting from adversity?
6. Where did you find rest and peace during your struggle to persevere?
Session #5 Chapter 25 (Pgs. 173-185)
1. What concrete steps can you take to replace negative thought processes and self-talk with positive ones? How do praise and gratitude factor in? For more help read Neil Anderson’s The Bondage Breaker. See Resources.
2. To promote healing, how could you reprioritize your life to make time for personal reflection and spiritual renewal?
3. How do you find spiritual and physical renewal when you’re alone with your thoughts and cannot sleep at night?
4. How does unforgiveness create a victim mentality? With respect to God, others, or ourselves what things may you be holding onto that God wants you to forgive?
5. Many people have moved forward after writing letters of forgiveness according to the pattern provided in The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James and Russell Friedman as outlined on pgs. 182-183. What might be preventing you from taking this step?
Session #6 Chapter 26 - Epilogue (Pgs. 186-210)
1. Who or what is your greatest enemy? Explain.
2. What lies about yourself have you believed instead of accepting God’s truth about you? What sort of detriments have they brought to your life? For help, visit Neil Anderson’s website: ficminternational.org.
3. What would be a first step you could take to give up the lies you believe about yourself—your false self-image? For help, see Robert S. McGee’s steps (pg. 192) or Steps to Freedom in Christ by Neil Anderson.
4. What fears might be holding you back from a full recovery in a specific crisis you face? What steps might you take to move beyond your crisis?
5. When facing an impasse, where do you go for your reasoning first? How does God’s wisdom factor in for answers related to your crisis?
6. Are you convinced of God’s unconditional acceptance, love, and forgiveness? (Pgs. 184, 192)
7. Have you entrusted your life to God? For help, meditate on the Scriptures the apostle Paul recorded in His letter to the Romans. Romans 3:9-12, 23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10, 13; 5:1; 8:1, 38-39. Research “The Romans Road.” Who might you ask to walk through these steps with you? (Suggestions: a friend, pastor, relative, or some other trusted person.)
8. In addendum four, the author listed specific experiences through which God revealed His love and intervened on behalf of her and her family. She didn’t always immediately recognize these as manifestations of His love and provision. Search your past for times when God graciously provided for you out of His loving kindness. Meditate on these experiences, thank Him for them and enjoy the peace and rest of God.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NKJV).
May you abide in His love now and forever. Walk on in faith, believing. I will be praying for you. You may reach me at timetolivebook.com.