Tuesday - March 7, 2017

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
TUESDAY

 BIBLE READING:  Romans 8:1-11             

 F.O.C.U.S

 Free Your Mind:  Study after study shows the benefits of meditation. Websters dictionary defines meditation as “the engaging in a mental exercise for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness.” So many times, when we encounter challenges, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and to feel inadequate or inept to deal with them. It’s easy to panic and overreact, which tends to further complicate the original challenge. Oftentimes, however, that’s exactly what we do.

 For example, how many times have you been offended by someone, whether by the tone of their voice, the words spoken, or a look given? I imagine most of us can recall a relatively recent event. How did you respond? Did you respond immediately in a way that you later regretted, or did you count to 10? The idea of counting to 10 before responding simply allows time to focus, to free your mind of the original thoughts you had regarding your response, and to allow you to respond in a more appropriate manner.
  
Yet, in spite of all the daily challenges we face, we often neglect taking time to free our minds.  Morning, noon, and night, we each would benefit by taking time to free our minds. Romans 8:6 tells us, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” During the times we face challenges, do we look for help from within or from above? Do we turn those burdens over to God, or take them on ourselves? Taking the time to free your mind and to focus on the Spirit allows for peace in the time of storm.   

 Application: Discuss an occasion where someone offended you and how you could’ve responded better. Take time to meditate on things above, to free your mind, and to turn those challenges over to God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Is there Joy in your Heart?”

  DISCUSSION:                              There are so many things going on in this world today that it is easy to let worry have more room in our heart than happiness. In the medical world, we are constantly being reminded of the preventive medicine we need. Unlike 60 years ago when health only entered our minds when we got sick, today we are told continually of so much that can happen to our health if we don’t have this test run, take this pill, or get this shot to prevent some type of virus infecting us. If you allow it, you can give this too much attention. Of course, it is important to have good health. As we get older it really seems to get a lot more of our attention. Don’t let worry about your health take your eyes off the cross. The words of God given wisdom from Solomon in Proverbs 4, we see that a physically healthy heart is important, but to keep focused on good things to keep our spiritual heart clean and healthy. There is no medical test in place to make sure we are
Read more