Welcome to our Week 2 recap of Steadfast Love, by Lauren Chandler! This week has been a challenging week for many of us as we have revisited desert seasons of our lives. Are you currently in, or have you experienced a spiritual desert? We can feel dry, parched, thirsty, exhausted, empty, and even distant from the Lord during these seasons.
In Jeremiah’s day, the people had built for themselves broken cisterns, or cracked wells, that could never hold water or nourish their thirsty souls. Don’t we so often do the same thing? We sometimes try to find fulfillment in things that can never really satisfy. However, this week, we have learned to find stability in the true anchor of our souls, and restoration and sustenance through the Spirit of the Lord.
May this week be a time of nourishment for your souls and restoration for your lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Enjoy this week of small groups!
Enjoy this week’s video by Lauren Chandler!
Psalm 107:4-9 ESV
Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things
Week 2 Discussion Questions
Here is a peek at the small group discussion questions for our Introduction Week:
ICE BREAKER: If you could have a famous singer serenade you with any song, who would it be and what would he/she sing?
Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Psalm 107:4-5 ESV
QUESTION 1: If you have ever been in a spiritual desert, how would you describe your experience?
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Psalm 13:1 ESV
QUESTION 2: Which mark of the desert – lonely, longing, lament – do you find yourself seeing most often in your life? Why do you think that is? (pp. 39-41)
For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jeremiah 2:13 NLT
Seasons in the desert reveal our wells and anchors – the things in which we find sustenance and stability. In other words, they expose our idols.
QUESTION 3: How would you describe the purpose of an anchor? A well? (p. 43)
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Psalm 107:8-9 ESV
QUESTION 4: In the past, where have you gone for fulfillment, or to quench your spiritual or emotional thirst that did not truly satisfy? How did you find true satisfaction? If you are comfortable, please share. (Day 2)
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38 ESV
QUESTION 5: What are some good gifts God has given you to serve others in their desert places?
“It’s OK to not be OK. You just can’t stay there.”
He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him. Psalm 107:12-14 NLT
QUESTION 6: Are you in a desert right now, and may we pray with you? Will you let Him love you right there, right where you are?
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. Psalm 107:6 ESV
If you are experiencing physical or emotional abuse, please get safe and get help. The following hotlines will provide help for you: Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline (800-799-7233), Runaways Hotline (888-480-4357) Social Security Hotline (800-772-1213)
The following resources help those who may be struggling with substance abuse: Recovering Redemption and Steps by Matt Chandler, Women Reaching Women in Crisis by Chris Adams, Breaking Free and Living Free by Beth Moore, and Celebrate Recovery Programs.
Assignments for the Week:
- Schedule daily time and a distraction free location for prayer and Bible study, but include flexibility so you aren’t thrown by the unexpected. Pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and transform you through this study.
- Read Week 3 from the member book, “A Call to Worship,” pp. 67-95.
- Watch the Week 3 video from Lauren Chandler, and read the Week 3 notes from LifeWay Women. All videos are FREE for this summer study!
- If you haven’t yet, view the Week 1 Video or the Week 2 Video and read the notes.
- Optional: Sign up for the Scripture Memory Challenge by LifeWay Women and receive daily images to help you memorize the chapter.
- Attend a small group in the Heart to Heart Facebook group.
- Participate in daily activities in the Heart to Heart Facebook group.
Reading Schedule
- June 19-25, Study Week 1: A Call to Worship, pp.10-33; Week 1 Video
- Small groups: Introduction. No need to ready anything ahead of time.
- June 26-July 2, Study Week 2: The Desert, pp. 34-65; Week 2 Video
- Small groups: Discuss Week 1
- July 3-9, Study Week 3: Chains, pp. 66-95; Week 3 Video
- Small groups: Discuss Week 2
- July 10-16, Study Week 4: Folly, pp. 96-127; Week 4 Video
- Small groups: Discuss Week 3
- July 17-23, Study Week 5: Storm, pp. 128-155; Week 5 Video
- Small groups: Discuss Week 4
- July 24-30, Study Week 6: Gratitude, pp. 156-181; Week 6 Video
- Small groups: Discuss Week 5
- July 31-August 6, Week 7 Video, pp. 182-185
- Small groups: Discuss Week 6
How This Works
- Register by leaving your name and email address below. Tell us where you are from and what you hope to glean from this study in the comments too!
- Subscribeto this site to receive future updates by email. Enter your email address in the field to the right, and then click the subscribe button.
- Join our closed Facebook group, Heart to Heart Ministries, for weekly interaction, activities, videos, and daily devotions. Closed means that no one will be able to see our posts unless they are members of the group. This is for your safety and privacy.
- Small Groups:You will find the schedule for small groups at the top of our Facebook page, and the groups will take place there. All groups are open attendance, and you are welcome to join any group that is convenient for you. All you need to do is show up at the scheduled day and time, and the discussion will take place underneath the group photo
- Follow my ministry page on Facebook, Shari Lewis Ministries, to stay up-to-date on ministry events and for daily prayers, nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for your life, photos that you are welcome to share, and faith building blog posts to strengthen you in your walk with Christ.
- Purchase the study book. You may purchase online through the links below or pick up a book from Lifeway in person.
*We will specifically be going through the member book, NOT the trade book; however, if you require an electronic version, you may purchase the trade book instead.
Lifeway: member book – printed version
Lifeway: member book – eBook
Amazon: member book – printed version
Amazon: trade book – hard cover, Kindle, Audible, Audio CD
- This is a free sample of the book, Steadfast Love, in case you are still waiting for your books.
