Chapter 1: Invitation to a Journey
Keep a journal to record the answers to the study questions. Or find a printable copy of the study guide here. And feel free to answer your favorite or most thought provoking questions in the comments.
Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16 ~ Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, "We will not walk in it."
Prayer: Heavenly Father~ I come to You, Almighty Lord, praising Your name, and thanking You for the many blessings that You shower me with every day. Lord, help me to un-clutter my life, to lead me in the direction of simplicity. Teach me to listen to my heart. Teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it.
Lord, I give you these stirrings inside me, I give you my discontent, my restlessness, my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all my longings I hold inside. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; to listen seriously and follow wherever they lead through the breathtaking empty space of your open door. AMEN!
Getting to Know One Another:
1) Divide into groups of two or three.
2) Introduce yourself to someone in the small group, and tell them at least 3 things about yourself.
3) Make sure each person in the group has a chance to talk about themselves.
4) Rejoin the large group.
5) Introduce someone from your small group to the large group, and tell them the 3 things about that person.
Discussion: Prepare the answers to the following questions and use them for discussion at your meeting.
There are four main characters in Sensible Shoes:
Hannah: a pastor~ "You told the congregation that pruning isn't punishment - it's improvement. You reminded us that pruning is God's way of shaping us to become even more like Christ. Jesus said the branches that get pruned are the one's bearing fruit. And you're bearing fruit, Hannah. Lot's of it. This sabbatical isn't punishment - it's pruning. It's time to let God care for you and shape you so you can become even more like Christ." [page 16]
Are you a "Hannah"? Are you so involved in church activities/ministries that you are worn out?
Meg: a widow and empty-nester~ "Becca's lively presence at home had kept Meg happily preoccupied. There had been so much to do together, so many preparations to make for the overseas adventure. Becca's joy and enthusiasm had temporarily buoyed Meg's spirits above her own grief. But now the empty house engulfed her with dreadful stillness. Mother was also gone. Still gone." [page 10]
Are you a "Meg"? Are you carrying around grief from something that was lost to you?
Mara: in a difficult marriage~ "Agitation is also God's gift to us, Mara, strange as it sounds. Imagine yourself standing in a doorway, at a threshold. Your discontent can move you out of the old and into the new. When you reach the end of yourself and say, 'I'm tired of living this way. I want something more!' then God is there, helping you to let go and move forward." Does that make sense?" [page 33]
Are you a "Mara"? Are there situations from your past that continue to affect your present life in a negative way?
Charissa: graduate student; perfectionist~ "'Apart from the spiritual formation recommendations I made in class, why are you interested in going?' She thought for a moment and then answered, 'To learn.' He stopped walking and turned his riveting dark eyes upon her. 'Wrong answer,' he said, smiling enigmatically. Was he teasing her? Though she was several inches taller than her professor, Charissa suddenly felt rather small. Lowering her gaze from his eyes, she focused instead on his neatly trimmed goatee and waited for him to explain himself. 'Go to encounter God, Charissa, or don't go at all.'" [page 24]
Are you a "Charissa"? Are you consumed with perfectionism and knowing the "right" answers?
Questions: 1) Write down a few words to describe each woman.
2) Are there characteristics/emotions of the characters that you find familiar? Do you have some of the same characteristics/emotions? What are those characteristics?
3) Which character do you find yourself relating to the most as you read Chapter 1, and why do you think that is?
4) What is your reaction to Steve requiring Hannah to take a nine month sabbatical?
5) In your opinion, what does each woman need to find as they begin their spiritual retreat at New Hope Retreat Center?
Go back and re-read the scripture verse several times. What jumps out at you as you read? Write those words, and then think about why those specific words have touched your heart/mind/soul. What are these verses saying to you about seeking God's path and finding rest?
How can the ladies in your group hold you accountable this week as you pursue God's path and find rest?
Closing Prayer:
On every mountain it's easy to see
How You have guided and directed me
There's not a valley that I've gone through
That I just grow stronger in my walk with You
So with all of my heart Lord I say
I'm loving You more each day
That's why I sing
Jesus I've got to say
That I'm loving You more every day
Though every trial that You bring me through
My love grows stronger and stronger for You
So with all of my heart Lord I say
I'm loving You more each day
When the end's not in sight and I'm traveling by faith
I lean on the valleys of my yesterdays
For I have a hope that this too shall pass
And when I'm on top I'll know I've made it at last
And Lord You will hear me say
I'm loving You more each day
by Mark Condon
If you need to start from the beginning- Introduction
For your next meeting- Chapter 2
Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16 ~ Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, "We will not walk in it."
Prayer: Heavenly Father~ I come to You, Almighty Lord, praising Your name, and thanking You for the many blessings that You shower me with every day. Lord, help me to un-clutter my life, to lead me in the direction of simplicity. Teach me to listen to my heart. Teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it.
Lord, I give you these stirrings inside me, I give you my discontent, my restlessness, my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all my longings I hold inside. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; to listen seriously and follow wherever they lead through the breathtaking empty space of your open door. AMEN!
Getting to Know One Another:
1) Divide into groups of two or three.
2) Introduce yourself to someone in the small group, and tell them at least 3 things about yourself.
3) Make sure each person in the group has a chance to talk about themselves.
4) Rejoin the large group.
5) Introduce someone from your small group to the large group, and tell them the 3 things about that person.
Discussion: Prepare the answers to the following questions and use them for discussion at your meeting.
There are four main characters in Sensible Shoes:
Hannah: a pastor~ "You told the congregation that pruning isn't punishment - it's improvement. You reminded us that pruning is God's way of shaping us to become even more like Christ. Jesus said the branches that get pruned are the one's bearing fruit. And you're bearing fruit, Hannah. Lot's of it. This sabbatical isn't punishment - it's pruning. It's time to let God care for you and shape you so you can become even more like Christ." [page 16]
Are you a "Hannah"? Are you so involved in church activities/ministries that you are worn out?
Meg: a widow and empty-nester~ "Becca's lively presence at home had kept Meg happily preoccupied. There had been so much to do together, so many preparations to make for the overseas adventure. Becca's joy and enthusiasm had temporarily buoyed Meg's spirits above her own grief. But now the empty house engulfed her with dreadful stillness. Mother was also gone. Still gone." [page 10]
Are you a "Meg"? Are you carrying around grief from something that was lost to you?
Mara: in a difficult marriage~ "Agitation is also God's gift to us, Mara, strange as it sounds. Imagine yourself standing in a doorway, at a threshold. Your discontent can move you out of the old and into the new. When you reach the end of yourself and say, 'I'm tired of living this way. I want something more!' then God is there, helping you to let go and move forward." Does that make sense?" [page 33]
Are you a "Mara"? Are there situations from your past that continue to affect your present life in a negative way?
Charissa: graduate student; perfectionist~ "'Apart from the spiritual formation recommendations I made in class, why are you interested in going?' She thought for a moment and then answered, 'To learn.' He stopped walking and turned his riveting dark eyes upon her. 'Wrong answer,' he said, smiling enigmatically. Was he teasing her? Though she was several inches taller than her professor, Charissa suddenly felt rather small. Lowering her gaze from his eyes, she focused instead on his neatly trimmed goatee and waited for him to explain himself. 'Go to encounter God, Charissa, or don't go at all.'" [page 24]
Are you a "Charissa"? Are you consumed with perfectionism and knowing the "right" answers?
Questions: 1) Write down a few words to describe each woman.
2) Are there characteristics/emotions of the characters that you find familiar? Do you have some of the same characteristics/emotions? What are those characteristics?
3) Which character do you find yourself relating to the most as you read Chapter 1, and why do you think that is?
4) What is your reaction to Steve requiring Hannah to take a nine month sabbatical?
5) In your opinion, what does each woman need to find as they begin their spiritual retreat at New Hope Retreat Center?
Go back and re-read the scripture verse several times. What jumps out at you as you read? Write those words, and then think about why those specific words have touched your heart/mind/soul. What are these verses saying to you about seeking God's path and finding rest?
How can the ladies in your group hold you accountable this week as you pursue God's path and find rest?
Closing Prayer:
On every mountain it's easy to see
How You have guided and directed me
There's not a valley that I've gone through
That I just grow stronger in my walk with You
So with all of my heart Lord I say
I'm loving You more each day
That's why I sing
Jesus I've got to say
That I'm loving You more every day
Though every trial that You bring me through
My love grows stronger and stronger for You
So with all of my heart Lord I say
I'm loving You more each day
When the end's not in sight and I'm traveling by faith
I lean on the valleys of my yesterdays
For I have a hope that this too shall pass
And when I'm on top I'll know I've made it at last
And Lord You will hear me say
I'm loving You more each day
by Mark Condon
If you need to start from the beginning- Introduction
For your next meeting- Chapter 2