Stuck. How many of us feel stuck in some way? This Bible Study by Jennie Allen was another video study with 8 sessions. It covered the topics: stuck, broken, mad, discontent, scared, overwhelmed, sad, and unstuck. This was a simple and quick study to complete each week. Often times I could complete the entire week’s study in one day. (But, I like to study for an hour a day, so if you study for less time than that, you could spread it out over several days). At first, I wasn’t sure what I thought of the study. I didn’t quite understand what “stuck” meant. But, as I went on through the study, it became more clear. This is a women’s study, and so many of the things discussed were issues that we deal with in our personal lives. It was a lot about being real. Not putting on a front with others, but being vulnerable and showing who you really are. That’s tough for many women, so it would take some getting “unstuck” for the vulnerability to take place. I did this in a group, and so we were able to let some of our walls down with one another and share some of our realness.
My favorite week was the topic mad (week 2). God really spoke to me that week. I struggle a lot with anger. The passage for this week was James 1:19-27. I did not remember ever reading James 1:26 before (though I know I have). It says, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” WOW! I know when I get angry, I have a really hard time keeping a tight reign on my tongue. I say things I regret, a lot! My voice becomes loud, discouraging, nagging, and hurtful. I hurt those I love the most. And, worst of all, my faith becomes worthless! That is not how I desire to be. I learned that I had to die to what I felt my rights were….things like being understood, the right to move quickly, a good reputation, my family’s approval, my right to have respect, obedience, and happiness. When we die to our rights, we find freedom. We get “unstuck.” That’s what this study is all about. Each of us have our own “stuck” places. We each struggle with some kind of sin. We each can let some walls down, and become real with these struggles. We all struggle, and we know we all struggle, so why is it so hard to be real about those struggles?
The study is laid out as follows: At the beginning of each session, there is a short reading on the topic for the week (usually just a couple of pages). It’s kind of an introduction to the week. Then, comes several pages of the Scripture to study with questions, charts, and space for responses. At the end of each study week is a who are you, Lord? what do you want from me? response page. Following that are four projects to be completed each week. The projects include titles such as: discover, measure, imagine, respond, compare, list, consider, act, answer, identity, question, and commit. They include charts, drawings, and different types of application. Then, to close out the week, there are a couple pages entitled wrapping up.
Though I was unsure of the study to begin with, it ended up being a really great study that I enjoyed very much. It helped me get past some “stuck” places, and to learn ways to work through those places if they come up again in my life (which, they probably will, because sin is sin, and we all do it)! It also showed me the importance of being real. People need to see that we are real in this world….that we’re not perfect, that we’re approachable and we care because more often than not, we are struggling in the same ways that other people are. And, if we’re real, we can help one another, be an encouragement, and an accountability partner during those “stuck” times. You can find this study here. I hope you will take a look for yourselves. Find your “stuck” places and get “unstuck” by dying to self and allowing Christ to live through you!
In Christ,
Dena
Strings to Wings 