Happy Friday, friends! And Happy October! I know we’re rolling over a bit into October for this last week of our September book choice, “It’s All Good” but it’s alright! Hope you’ve enjoyed this book. I definitely felt it is very timely and relevant with what is happening in our culture today. There are so many ideas being thrown at us it’s difficult to decipher what’s true. Bad is being called good, and the lines feel blurry. I’m grateful this book points us back to scripture and especially Philippians 4:8 as a guideline.
Ok, enough with the lengthy intro! Let’s dive in:
Part Three
Chapter 10: Every Good Gift
*Hannah discussed her love for thrifting and also used it as a metaphor for discerning goodness in the world. Do you like thrift stores? Do you feel thrifting was an appropriate metaphor?
*Do you agree that rule-based-living is easier than principle-based-living? Why or why not?
*Discernment is not only being able to distinguish between what is bad and good but between what is good and better. How does this idea of discernment lead to a stronger faith and deeper trust in God (in His provision, timing, etc.)?
Chapter 11: Our Common Good
*The author says that we cannot “think for ourselves” because our thinking is affected by the people we are around and the company we keep. Do you agree with this? What evidence do you see of this affecting discernment in your own life?
*Do you feel challenged by Hannah’s assertion that we must speak up for truth and goodness even if it makes us uncomfortable? Is it difficult for you to be a dissenting voice within your sphere of influence (social media, home, church, community, etc.)?
*“When it comes to differences, the world thinks that the best way to overcome them is to live and let live, but Scripture tells us that the best way to overcome differences is to love and let love” (pg. 179). Compare and contrast how each of these ideas would affect Christian community.
Scripture of the Week
Matthew 13:24-43
Romans 14:1-15:6
Prayer of the Week
Father God, thank You for being a God who finds the lost. You help us to learn what is good and it’s only through You that we can find truth. Would You help us to be discerning women who not only think about discernment but practice it and apply it to our lives? Help us to speak up for truth and goodness and not be silent about what is evil. Thank You that You make all things good again and we can look forward to the time when everything is made good and brokenness is no more. In the meantime, strengthen us and encourage us. We love You and praise You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For Next Month
*Check out THIS POST for all the details on October’s book choice and focus! We’ll have our first discussion questions for October on the 8th!
Thrift store shopping is one of my favorite things to do. I don’t mind searching through items (clothes or books especially) to see what treasures I can find at exceptional prices. Generally however, I don’t buy fixer-upper items. Even though I know the items there are already used, I don’t purchase those which I can’t use as is.
I think Hannah’s thrifting metaphor works very well in regards to discussing discernment. Like thrifting, the only way to truly discern is to “sort through the mess so that we don’t miss what is good.” (Page 157) Because there is both mess and good to be found.
Personally, I don’t mind taking the time to move a few items out of the way on the thrift store shelves in order to reach something that catches my eye…it’s a whole other story when this is applied to more difficult situations in life. For example, maneuvering through forgiveness takes a lot more work than simply moving a few layers of pain.
That’s why I’m so encouraged by Hannah’s mentioning that we need to “accept the difference between goodness and perfection, and how “we must learn how to make choices in a broken context.” (Page 162) This is so freeing, as I tend to be a perfectionist. Also, it’s not saying we have to settle into the brokenness…but rather consider any goodness or redemption in light of it and focus on that.
As Hannah mentions, there is “good” and “perfection” but there is also “better” which I think is very important to recognize. When we realize God has a better plan for us than we ever could, I believe it’s easier for us to have a “better” mentality. Yes, God is perfect and expects us to be holy and perfect as He is, and yet He helps transform us in this broken world.
Often God is our last resort when we need help – we believe we’ve got all the answers. I agree with the author that we in fact don’t think for ourselves. We’re really building off of what others have said: even if our research provides new discoveries, it’s still based on another’s views/ideas.
That doesn’t mean we stop thinking…it means we should be careful what – and how – we think. As uncomfortable as it may be, it is necessary to speak up for goodness and what is right in God’s eyes.
I don’t like conflict or confrontation, and tend to shy away from hard conversations…I’m working on this. I don’t agree with the phrase “live and let live” but haven’t been very good about thinking of other responses to this. “Love and let love” is so appropriate! We get caught in the weeds of who/what is right and wrong and don’t focus on love – not in the “deny the issue” sense so it’s only feel-good warm fuzzies, but in the “deal with the issue” sense.
We need to deal with our issues, and that requires hard work including discerning what is not only good and bad, but also what is good and better. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we have to start somewhere and be willing to let God help us…because He is good, above all.