Hello friends! I’m so sorry for the delay in last week’s questions. I was under the weather and wasn’t able to get these questions up. Hope you’re all doing well and are enjoying “It’s All Good” so far!
Introduction
*Is it difficult for you to believe the world is, or was, “good”?
Part One:
Chapter One: Taste and See
*With the rise of digital media, it can truly be difficult to have proper discernment. Is there one particular area that is more difficult for you to have discernment in (i.e. social media, the news, etc.)?
*Hannah gives reasons how discernment can help us:
- changes our ability to face challenges
- sort between many options and pick what is good
- learn what is good so that we might enjoy life
- to make good decisions
- promise that we might taste and see that the Lord is good
Do those reasons change how you view discernment?
Chapter Two: The Good Earth
*The author says that the first question in pursuing discernment is to ask ourselves whether the sacrifice is worth it. What do you believe she means by ‘sacrifice’?
*Hannah asserts that turning our eyes away from God’s goodness is what creates the confusion we find ourselves in. When goodness is snubbed, then all we find is evil and are then unable to distinguish between the two. We must venture out in belief that we will see God’s goodness and that it is worth discovering. Does this ring true for you? Or have you found that you want to stay in and hunker down? What can give you courage to venture out?
Chapter Three: Worldly Wise
*Have you found it to be true in your own life that things that once brought joy no longer bring the same joy or satisfaction?
*“When true wisdom presents itself, people who trust in religious practice will not be able to see it” (pg. 55). Reflect on where you are at now in your journey to wisdom. Do you find you are discerning good and bad based on religious labels or even political stances? How can everything that is currently going on in the world lead us towards discernment and true wisdom?
Scripture of the Week
Psalm 34:8
Romans 12
Genesis 1:31
Prayer of the Week
Father God, the world we live in now is confusing, to say the least. We know though that You placed us here on purpose. You knew the brokenness and struggles we would face. Help us to be sanctified through them. Help us to see beyond the chaos and to Your truth and goodness. We want to believe that it is all worth it; that we will see Your goodness. Would You help us to mature in discernment and allow everything in life to draw us toward You? You are a good God and we stand firm upon Your solid foundation. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For Next Week
*Read Part Two (Chapters 4-6)
Don’t forget about the 10 Day Proverbs Challenge! You can find that post HERE!
It’s hard for me to believe the world was completely good in the beginning. Looking at how the world has existed since The Fall, it’s crazy to think nothing bad ever happened once upon a time. However, I like how the author states: “…goodness still exists because God still exists.” (Page 12). This gives me hope. 😊
In the times we’re living, I think it’s difficult for me to discern whether what’s being portrayed on the news is accurate. I’m not the type of person who generally actively follows the news, but have tried to be more aware of what’s going on in the world in the past few years.
I’ve never heard the definition of discernment as “developing a taste for what’s good” (Page 13), but I really like it. I’ve always linked it simply with knowing the difference between good and bad, but this definition points out how looking for and wanting good is a process.
I think it’s too easy to see life as a glass half full (sometimes I don’t even see the glass, or the water is spilled because I’ve mentally smashed the glass! 🙃) But by learning 1) there still is good and 2) what things are good allows us to actually enjoy life.
We’ve all heard the phrase “Good things come to those who wait.” The waiting is what I think of as sacrifice in order to get good later. Regarding discernment, I think the sacrifice is choosing to look through a different lens (God’s) so that we can understand how to view goodness.
Learning to discern between good and bad is easy in theory, but I tend to involve my emotions far too much of the time. 😬 I’m really trying to take myself out of the equation and allow God to change and work through me.