Breakthrough - Women's Bible Study Participant Workbook
Let go of feeling like you are not a “good enough” Christian and find freedom in Christ by studying Paul’s letter to the Galatians in...
Barb shares her answers to questions from the Breakthrough Bible Study
What situations in your life (past or present) demonstrate the adventures that the gospel has brought into your life?
In my own life, God’s great adventure of faith and purpose has included making ten overseas missions trips and leaving not one but two successful careers to take risks in ministry. Other adventures have been pretty hard like navigating a family member’s addiction and learning how to live again after divorce. Each one of my adventures in faith has taught me to trust that God is greater than my circumstances and that in my highest highs and lowest lows, God’s love for me was enough.
Have you ever thought you had to do one or more things in order to stay on God’s good side? If so, what?
Yes, I pressured myself with the belief that if I didn’t read my Bible every day, I wasn’t a good Christian. I felt guilty if I missed church, even if I was sick. The most persistent legalistic belief for me was that I believed that God preferred long prayers over short ones, so if I wanted God to hear my prayer, it had to be long.
What are some legalistic rules you’ve thought you had to live by—in the past or present?
For too long in my life, I heard more talk about rules than a relationship with God. Here are a few:
- Don’t run or eat in the sanctuary.
- Don’t miss church unless you are near death.
- If you have to go to the bathroom, make sure to raise your finger in the air as you leave the sanctuary.
None of these rules were wrong. Some of them were put in place for good reasons. But, my salvation never depended on whether or not I run in church or if my skirt was a certain length. However, when we’re more passionate about the rules than extending grace or celebrating the gospel, then that is where legalism has taken root and must be uprooted.
When have you felt that your stretching was bringing you closer to God?
When I look back on my life, I see those times of stretching happened in uncertain times or painful seasons. It seems like my faith was stretched between my desire to earn God’s favor or God’s desire for me to trust Him and live by faith.
Three years ago, I was stretched almost beyond my capacity to bear it when I realized that my marriage was going to end and there wasn’t a thing that I could do about it. I was stretched to believe that God had more for me and that He had put more in me beyond experiencing the death of my hopes and dreams for the future.
God stretched me, but in that stretch I was blessed to experience more of Himself.
What does standing firm look like for you? How do you stay intentional in what you listen to, read, or allow to influence your faith?
Standing firm in the faith is ruthlessly believing God’s promises. Standing firm isn’t about us doing God’s work for Him. He is transforming us according to his perfect promises, but we stand firm when we cooperate with what God is doing and not guarding ourselves against false messages and messengers that try to weaken our willingness to let God work.
One of my favorite standing firm tools is my God Morning Technique. Each morning, I repeat five promises to God before I open my eyes and get started with the day. Like everyone else, I can have a million thoughts, but I am standing firm when I choose to fix my mind on Jesus.
Who are two friends who encourage you and point you toward living the gospel?
In the Breakthrough Bible study on the book of Galatians, I talk about Paul’s friends, Barnabas and Titus who traveled with him to share the gospel. Barnabas is specifically known as an encouragement to Paul.
Thankfully, I have many close friends traveling with me as a speaker and author. These ladies are like Barnabas to me. These friends see me on the long stretches of road when I’m tired, when I’m frustrated, when I’m stuck and they share God’s truth, hugs and hold my hand.
It’s not easy finding Barnabas friends, but long ago, I prayed that God would send me those kinds of friends and He did.
A prayer from Barb for you
God, we are so grateful for Your unconditional love for us. As I picture my friend, I pray that she knows that Your grace is for her right now. I pray that she experiences Your freedom from any of the prisons of her pain, her past or her problems. I pray that Your peace, mercy and grace flow in abundance in her life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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