Ladies' Proverbs 31 Bible Study Thread!

[Oddish]

Lesson 4: Whistle While You Work

1.) Take a moment to jot down what a typical day entails for you.

Getting up in the morning early, having a bath, brushing teeth, getting changed, eating breakfast, go out for a bit (whether uni, church, volunteering, or meeting up). I do the chores -washing clothes, cooking dinner, washing dishes, and keeping surfaces clean, basically general housework tidying up after others. In the morning I read a verse or two and say a quick prayer. Before bed, I read a chapter and pray. I will also listen to a lot of music and go on the internet. Usually I try to read a book.
[FONT=&quot]2.) Now write down the free time that you normally have in a week.[/FONT]
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I usually have a lot of free time which I spend tidying up. But that is changing soon as I am getting more and more involved in volunteering.
[FONT=&quot]3.) Have you ever experienced one of these points of life?[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Sometimes I feel deflated if I have a lot on my to do list. I start thinking about things instead of acting and saying that I will do it tomorrow. I never feel like I accomplish anything. Maybe I need to manage my time better.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]4.) Have you fallen prey to believing this lie? Why is it so easy to believe?[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]It is so easy to believe because I get so distracted by one thing – technology. I also worry that if I don’t hurry then the opportunity will go. It also seems that I have to spend so much time doing endless housework that no one else does often that I do not have enough time to organise my life for things I want to do. I rush my tasks to try and get everything done and do not take much time to relax and lay back.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]5.) Has there been a time when pride drove you beyond what you could handle?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]What happened?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]There have been many times when I have needed help but been too prideful to admit it. I am so stubborn that I will be determined to do it by myself but I am slowly seeing that teamwork is a great alternative. If I do not ask for help when I need it, I find myself starting to panic and stress out, the task takes longer and I end up feeling even more stupid.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]6.)What do you need to do in response to this lesson?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Fear the Lord[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Sit and mediate. Reflect on what I need to change and how.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Organise my time better.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Be more inspired and less driven.[/FONT]
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[Beauty4Ashes]

I don't have the time to keep up with this study right now but I wanted to ask if you ladies wouldn't mind praying for me to learn how to better control when and how, and what I speak, in order for others to feel respected. My communication skills aren't that great in certain areas and sometimes my opinions and questions come across more as statements or even commands.

Thank you.

 

[Rois]

ooooh is it too late to join in? I realize the study started months ago....

 

[StarryEyes]

ooooh is it too late to join in? I realize the study started months ago....

No.. go right ahead!
I was just thinking about this study tonight and was reminded I still haven't done the final lesson!

But please, join! I would love to read your thoughts/comments!

 

[Rois]

great! I'll start up this week

 

[StarryEyes]

great! I'll start up this week

Woohooo!!!

 

[StarryEyes]

Lesson 8: Fear of the Lord (Righteous Fear of God)

Q: What do you think that "fear of the Lord" means?
A: Be in awe of God. Knowing our boundaries between who God is and who we are and not over-stepping them. Being amazed.

Q: Describe the experience of fear.
A: Heart racing & pounding. Knees shaking. Sense of panic. Worry. Anxiety - lots of it! Hard to think about anything else.

Q: Why can the relationship between a mother and child sometimes come before the fear of the Lord?
A: Maybe the mother didn't have a strong faith before she had the child. Other outside influence? Falling away from the faith? Distractions?

Q: How can a woman's duties and responsibilities sometimes come before the fear of the Lord? Why?
A: Household chores need to get done. Pressures from others. Pressures to be a good wife/mother.. pressures on ourself.

Q: Is there an area in your life that has not yet been strongly affected by the fear of the Lord?
A: Yeah - trying to please others. Saying what they'll want to hear. Fearing man & not God. Wanting the approval of others. Being so confused about what seems like everything - that really drives me crazy & frustrates me!!

Q: What do you need to do in response to this lesson?
A: Replace all of the lies filling my head with God's Truth. 2 Cor. 10:5
Eph. 5:10 "and find out what pleases the Lord."
Quit focusing on what other people might/do think & focus on God instead. All these other opinions are driving me mad! & confusing me like crazy, & making me hold back & not truly live. Colossians 2:8

 

[Rois]

These were hard for me to answer for some reason! It’s hard to put the ideas into words. I feel like I want to explain so much more. Maybe I’m just tired from it being a Monday.

1. What have been your thoughts and feelings when reading Proverbs 31?

What an industrious woman! Really, that’s so not me though. Some days I’m productive, other days I let waste away. I like being useful, but only when I want to, not because I have to. If that makes sense! My favorite verse is: She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. I want that to be me, basically.

2. Is there a woman you know who has set an example to you of being a godly woman?

Not really, though I wish I did have someone. The person that comes close is a woman I used to work with, who we secretly called Super Mom—because she was. I’d love to be that person, but I’d also think “where’s the time for me in all this…”


3) How can you live today in a way that will take you to that point in the future?

I wish I knew. I feel like I spend my day-to-day life the same as before. Be more trusting, more patient. Pray more. Try to understand before judging. Be less selfish, that’s for sure.


4) What kind of woman do you want to be five years from now?

Stronger than what I am now. More assured in my faith. Strong and confident!

 

[StarryEyes]

I kept a journal with some notes and questions and answers.. and some thoughts. Maybe that would help?

Wouldn't it be great to laugh at the things to come?!?! I find myself worrying.. as if I can control the future

Praying for you on this journey!

 

[Rois]

1) Dependable. Steadfast. Trustworthy. Wise. Are these words that you would use to describe yourself most days?

Dependable – As much as I can be—I’m human, so I’m going to fail sometimes.
Steadfast – Well, I’m not wishy-washy I know that---so I think I would describe myself as steadfast.
Trustworthy – Er, for the most part. I don’t like to let people down.
Wise –I think wisdom comes with age. I’m more sure of myself now, but wise? I can’t call myself wise... probably not for a long, long time!

2) Why do our lives so often fail to reflect these characteristics?


Because life gets in the way. It throws curveballs and sometimes it’s not so easy to dodge! Plus, I know I get distracted easily. Distracted by random, inconsequential things. I need to focus on the bigger picture in my life.

3) When was the last time you were undependable?


Probably not volunteering to do a skit with another co-worker for training day. I HATE skits and acting in front of people, so I kept my mouth shut and didn’t volunteer. I knew it meant he was stuck with more work, and I should have helped him out.

4) What was the heart cause behind it?


Hm, maybe fear? I didn’t want to do it! I can get up in front of people and teach, I can’t act though!

5) How does it make you feel when you come into contact with someone that is "just barely holding on"?


If it’s a friend/family member, I try to help. If it’s someone else--- I try to stay away. I can’t deal with other people’s problems, especially if they aren’t willing to change or seek help. Maybe because I don’t know how to react---I feel uncomfortable. I figure, if they want to tell me something, they will. I don’t like to pry. I’m a personal person--I keep my problems to myself. I wouldn’t want other people to feel sorry for me, or try to help (unless I ask for help).

6) Why is it so hard to say "no" sometimes?


Because we don’t like to let people down.

7) Why does being dependable and trustworthy tend to be a more silent characteristic, as in the case with Noah's wife?


It becomes a pattern, people become used to that behavior from you. Hopefully, you’re recognized for your qualities-- but so often it’s only when things aren’t running smoothly, when you aren’t acting according to type, is when you get noticed.

8) What do you need to do in response to this lesson?


I realize how selfish I can be and wrapped up in myself. Something God would not want, I’m sure! I must work on that.

 

[StarryEyes]

1) Dependable. Steadfast. Trustworthy. Wise. Are these words that you would use to describe yourself most days?

Dependable – As much as I can be—I’m human, so I’m going to fail sometimes.
Steadfast – Well, I’m not wishy-washy I know that---so I think I would describe myself as steadfast.
Trustworthy – Er, for the most part. I don’t like to let people down.
Wise –I think wisdom comes with age. I’m more sure of myself now, but wise? I can’t call myself wise... probably not for a long, long time!

2) Why do our lives so often fail to reflect these characteristics?


Because life gets in the way. It throws curveballs and sometimes it’s not so easy to dodge! Plus, I know I get distracted easily. Distracted by random, inconsequential things. I need to focus on the bigger picture in my life.

3) When was the last time you were undependable?


Probably not volunteering to do a skit with another co-worker for training day. I HATE skits and acting in front of people, so I kept my mouth shut and didn’t volunteer. I knew it meant he was stuck with more work, and I should have helped him out.

4) What was the heart cause behind it?


Hm, maybe fear? I didn’t want to do it! I can get up in front of people and teach, I can’t act though!

5) How does it make you feel when you come into contact with someone that is "just barely holding on"?


If it’s a friend/family member, I try to help. If it’s someone else--- I try to stay away. I can’t deal with other people’s problems, especially if they aren’t willing to change or seek help. Maybe because I don’t know how to react---I feel uncomfortable. I figure, if they want to tell me something, they will. I don’t like to pry. I’m a personal person--I keep my problems to myself. I wouldn’t want other people to feel sorry for me, or try to help (unless I ask for help).

6) Why is it so hard to say "no" sometimes?


Because we don’t like to let people down.

7) Why does being dependable and trustworthy tend to be a more silent characteristic, as in the case with Noah's wife?


It becomes a pattern, people become used to that behavior from you. Hopefully, you’re recognized for your qualities-- but so often it’s only when things aren’t running smoothly, when you aren’t acting according to type, is when you get noticed.

8) What do you need to do in response to this lesson?


I realize how selfish I can be and wrapped up in myself. Something God would not want, I’m sure! I must work on that.

Oh I sure get distracted too!!! And wrapped up in me, me, me!!!! Thank you for your honesty!

 

[LivingByTheWord]

If you think the Proverbs 31 woman is great, there is a verse in the new testament that talks about what makes the widows great at the end of their life: 1 Tim 5:10

I encourage you to check out the link "success" at callingherblessed.blogspot.com. This discusses how to be a success as a Christian woman in today's society using this verse. I love it!

 

[StarryEyes]

If you think the Proverbs 31 woman is great, there is a verse in the new testament that talks about what makes the widows great at the end of their life: 1 Tim 5:10

I encourage you to check out the link "success" at callingherblessed.blogspot.com. This discusses how to be a success as a Christian woman in today's society using this verse. I love it!

That sounds very intriguing! I will be checking it out.. Thanks!