Whatever you do Study

Hello Ladies!

I came across a good study from In touch magazine and I thought we could do this as a one time study.

True, godly pleasure isn't found in doing what you enjoy but in enjoying what you do.

Among the many dilemmas Christians face while trying to live “in but not of” this world is the question of whether it’s appropriate to pursue pleasure. Especially in affluent areas of the world, pleasure is easy—and often cheap—to come by. We can become so bloated by the glut of entertainment and recreational activities available to us that we make ourselves sick, both figuratively and literally.

It’s no surprise that the Bible gives ample warnings about mindlessly running after pleasure. But is enjoyment always wrong? Is all pleasure bad? Isn’t there any room in God’s call to holiness for us to enjoy the life He has blessed us with? What about having hobbies? Hanging out with friends?

Although there isn’t a chapter in the Bible titled “Paul’s Teachings on Sports” or “The Parable of the Quilter,” Scripture is generous with guidelines on these issues.

Go to the In Touch link here and read the article. Make sure to look up all scripture references.

For the swap you need to email your partners:

• 4 questions from Reflect and Revisit (below)

• Tell your partners something you've learned from this study.

REFLECT

• Consider for a moment how you’ve been created in God’s image. What do these verses tell you about whether God can and does experience pleasure? Haggai 1:8; Luke 10:21; Zephaniah 3:17

• With regard to pleasure, what do the following verses tell you about God’s will for believers? Psalm 16:11; 21:1-6; 37:3, 11, 19; Ecclesiastes 2:26; 5:19; Philippians 4:4, 8-9

REVISIT

• Read through all of Psalm 37 and write down your observations in two lists—first, what displeases the Lord (and ultimately harms us), and second, what pleases Him (and ultimately us).

• Keep mental track of (or journal about) the time you spend on leisure activities this week. Make a note of what left you feeling empty or guilty and what brought you true pleasure and joy.

RESPOND - You don't have to answer these questions to your partner but just internally :)

• Think of a few activities that give you pleasure, whether physical, emotional, or mental. How does the short-term enjoyment you get from those activities compare with the long-term benefits?

• Pray that God will help you discern whether the things that give you pleasure are also pleasing to Him.

• When you spend time in activities you enjoy, ask God to reveal if you’re being:

1. Submissive—Are you willing to forgo an activity if He calls you to do something more important or urgent?

2. Self-controlled—Does that activity take more of your time, attention, and energy than it should?

3. Financially responsible—How much of your resources do you spend on this activity? Would you be a better steward of those resources by using them elsewhere for God’s glory?

4. Generous—Do you let others enjoy your hobby by inviting them to participate with you? Do you bless others by sharing with them the outcome of your activity?

5. Humble and modest—Do you boast about your activity to the point that others feel awkward, tempted, or inferior?

Anyone from Bible Study is welcome to join. Message me with any questions!