Women's Bible Study - October 18th, 2023

In one paragraph

Deborah brought the final message of this Bible study series on the theme of revival, tying together the current moment in world events with the personal call every believer has to stay spiritually alive and share their faith. She drew on Isaiah 6, the story of John Piper's Passion Conference address, and her own journey back to the Lord to make the case that revival is not a distant church...

Read together

1. 1 Chronicles 12:32 the people of Issachar understood the times they were living in and knew what to do
2. Matthew 24 signs of the end times: wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, false teaching, persecution
3. Ezekiel 38 the nations that will form an alliance and attack Israel in the end times
4. Daniel 12 there will be an increase in knowledge in the end times
5. Matthew 9 Jesus told his disciples the harvest is great but the workers are few
6. Isaiah 6 Isaiah's vision of the Lord on his throne, his confession of unworthiness, and his call to be sent
7. Acts 3:19 repent and turn to God so sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come
8. 1 Corinthians 5 do not quench or be unresponsive to the working of the Holy Spirit
9. Romans 3:23 all fall short of the glory of God
10. 1 John 1:9 if you confess your sins he will forgive you and cleanse you
11. 2 Timothy 3:16 all scripture is divinely inspired and useful to teach, train, rebuke and correct
12. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teachings passed on to you
13. Revelation 3 the Lord's letter to the church in Sardis calling it spiritually dead and urging it to wake up
14. Jeremiah 33:3 call to God and he will answer and tell you things you do not know
15. Isaiah 43:19 God saying he is about to do something new, making a pathway through the wilderness
16. Isaiah 55:11 God's word will not return empty but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent
17. 1 Peter 3:15 always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have

Talk about it

1. Deborah described sin as 'missing the mark' and said it puts a lid on the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Where have you noticed that pattern in your own life, and what did it take to recognize it?
2. Deborah shared John Piper's story about Ruby and Laura dying in Cameroon, and contrasted it with the Reader's Digest couple collecting seashells in retirement. How does that contrast challenge the way you think about what a life well spent actually looks like?
3. Jonathan Edwards identified irregular worship, a lack of generosity, and little genuine interest in Jesus as warning signs that a church or person needs revival. Which of those, if you are honest, do you most recognize in yourself right now?
4. Deborah talked about the Ugandan choir kids who had almost nothing, yet showed more generosity in love, gratitude and service than many people who have far more. What does that stir up in you about what generosity actually is?
5. Deborah said she still prays for opportunities to share her faith with non-believing friends, and then shared the story of her brother Carrie Dean. Is there someone in your life you have nearly given up on? What would it look like to keep planting seeds with that person?