Welcome to our conclusion of WEEK 5 and our introduction to WEEK 6 of A Woman Who Doesn’t Quit, by Nicki Koziarz! I am feeling such mixed emotions as I look at our final week of study. This book has been life transforming in so many ways, and I feel like I’m going to say good-bye to a good friend when this is over. Do you know what I mean?
Each habit that we have studied has been truly relevant to my life, and I hope to yours too. I have heard quite a few stories from you all about how this book has ministered to you. I am so thrilled to hear that!
Week 5 has found us in chapter 3 of Ruth as she bravely goes out on a limb and takes a giant leap of faith in order to follow the instructions of her mother-in-law, Naomi. While Naomi has been the recipient of Ruth’s loyalty and generosity thus far, she now gives back. Naomi instructs Ruth on the customs of her people in order to strategically position her to be permanently provided for and covered. In other words, she was teaching her how to catch a Hebrew man! Ruth takes it all in and does exactly what Naomi instructs her to do. She did not just listen, but she also acted.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
In turn, Ruth generously gives Boaz what he needs. She bathes and perfumes herself and then carefully carries out her mother-in-law’s instructions to a T, and she lays at the feet of Boaz while he slept at the threshing floor. She may have thought that lying at a man’s feet was a bit weird, but she trusted Naomi. Instead of playing the harlot, she presented herself with humility as his servant. She was careful to respect and follow their cultural traditions. Instead of chasing after the best-looking hunk in the town, or the wealthiest, she presented herself wholeheartedly before the one God had chosen for her, and he couldn’t have been more perfect for her!
In this scene, Ruth offered humility, obedience, respect, loyalty, integrity, sweetness, trust, and much more. This may have felt like a terrifying risk to her, and the fear of rejection could have paralyzed her. But, because she was a woman of character, she followed through and lined herself up with God’s perfect plan.
When I first began this week, I wasn’t so sure about giving someone what I need. I wondered what it meant. I went into much more detail in last week’s teaching video posted on the group page, but I will say that this has been a revolutionary concept for me. Instead of giving someone what they deserve, or what we feel like spewing out, what a radical change to instead offer emotional generosity. In other words, when we strategically choose our responses instead of giving in to our emotional, knee-jerk reactions, and when we choose to give the very things we need, such as respect, kindness, peace, etc., instead of what we feel that person deserves, we will create a brand-new tone in the situation. It will influence the reactions of others and will soften a combative posture.
I have seen this work whether in marriages, with our children, with co-workers, and even with strangers. Here is a little hint. If you aren’t getting the affection or respect you crave, or if you feel that you are being treated unfairly, try something new. Instead of lashing out or retaliating, try giving them the very thing you need. See what a difference it will make! Notice how your husband will change when he feels respected, or your interactions with co-workers will soften when they feel affirmed. Even if it seems to backfire, you will still have a renewed sense of peace and accomplishment, and you will have planted seeds that will someday bring a harvest.
So far, we have learned:
• She accepts her assignment of refinement.
• She follows through despite how she feels.
• She stays open to the movement of God.
• She gives others what she needs.
In our final week of study, the fifth habit we will explore is that “She moves forward in faith.”
Y’all, this is no time to shrink back in fear! God has an amazing plan and purpose for our lives, and we must boldly walk into it by faith to see it come to pass. I’m in! How about you?
Assignments for the week of October 31-November 6, 2016:
• Read and study the book of Ruth 4:1-22.
• Complete WEEK 6, pp. 140-157. You will need about 30 minutes per day, but some days will be more, and some will be less. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart before you begin each day, and pray that He will show you how to apply what you have learned.
• Optional: Watch the video for week 6. You may purchase the video bundle for this study at Lifeway.com for only $10, but this is not required.
• Join a small group this week. Look for the pinned post in our Facebook group for the schedule. If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to answer the discussion questions in a comment below or in your prayer journal.
• Watch my devotional video on our group page (usually posted on Wednesday) and join the discussion.
• Participate in group activities or view posts: Prayer thread, Faith Talk Tuesdays, Wordless Wednesdays, Favorite Fridays, Weekend in the Word, and our daily Quit Quitting Verses.
• Tell someone about Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study and help spread the word on social media.
• Write a prayer on the back cover thanking God for what He has done in your life over these past six weeks.
Week 5 Discussion Questions:
Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38
QUESTION 1 (Q1): What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you? Let us brainstorm ideas for kind things we can do for someone else. (p. 119)
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Proverbs 4:23
QUESTION 2 (Q2): What are some areas of your life where you need to guard your heart? What specifically do you need to give yourself permission to do in order to guard your heart? (p. 122)
The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these. Mark 12:31
QUESTION 3 (Q3): How can loving yourself well help you love others well? (p. 130)
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:2 NLT
QUESTION 4 (Q4): In Ruth 3:18, Naomi instructs Ruth to wait until she finds out how things will go. What are some challenges you have when God has you in a season of waiting? What can we do while waiting?
QUESTION 5 (Q5): What are some ways we can be emotionally generous to someone else? What are some challenges to being emotionally generous?
QUESTION 6 (Q6): Which Quit Quitting verse spoke to you the most this week?
Register here for one of our holiday Studies! It is going to be an exciting season of Bible study!
GIVE THANKS
This will be a 2 1/2-week SOAP study of what the Bible says about giving thanks. We will have daily journal assignments and activities to help focus your heart and enrich your Thanksgiving holiday. We will continue to have video teaching, and we will also have fun activities in our Facebook group.
November 7-23
There is NOTHING to buy! This study is completely FREE!
BECAUSE OF BETHLEHEM: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here
By Max Lucado
This is such a beautiful book! I love Christmas and all the wonder and the festivities that go with it! We will certainly have fun this season, but we will also take time to reflect and prepare our hearts during Advent. This will be presented in a book club format; however, Bible study will still be our primary focus.
Guess what else? This also includes an optional coloring book, and it is gorgeous! How fun!
We will do the traditional book instead of the workbook. This is available in a hardback edition, on Kindle, and on Audible. Yes, you can even have this entire study narrated to you!
This will run from November 28 – December 23
I hope to see you all in one of our small groups! Have a blessed week!
