The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife:
18 Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth
While I was on vacation I started reading the book pictured above. Darlene started a Facebook book club 2 weeks ago but I just got the book a week ago so I'm playing catch up. We are reading and discussing 2 chapters per week.
Heres the schedule so far:
March 10-15 discuss Chapter 1 and 2
March 17-22 discuss Chapter 3 and 4
I read the Preface which explains the SOAP method which I love because it helps me to make notes and underline in the books that I read to help me remember and apply the principles in my life.
CHAPTER ONE: "What is Virtue?"
Lesson One Blog link discussion:
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2422
Today’s Challenge: Examine your life to see what temptation you’re facing, and what steps you can take to walk a victorious life. Take this to prayer. - See more at: http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2422#sthash.pXfX6Tag.dpuf
Some things that I underlined and liked in this chapter:
There were a couple sections that really stood out to me. First she stated its not easy to control our temper or exercise patience etc., but the more that we exercise those muscles, (just like training our muscles during exercise), the easier it will get for us. I can definitely relate to that when I visualize how I practice and progress with my muscles and exercising. Great analogy!!
“Virtue is all about our behavior. It’s an act of yielding our lives to our principles, which is not always easy, but always rewarding. There’s a will to do good in every one of us, but whether or not we choose to exercise and develop that goodness determines our character.”
"...we're given a choice to either continue down the path we're going or to make changes that develop stronger character and a happier life."
CHAPTER TWO: A Kind Wife
Lesson Two Blog link discussion:
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2483
Today’s Challenge: Take opportunities as they come up to offer kindness to others both in your marriage and outside the home. And do at least one thing that requires you to go out of your way this week to either help someone else or just brighten their day. - See more at: http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2483#sthash.1Z4yTVSW.dpuf
Some things that I underlined and liked in this chapter:
"After a long day, do I offer his leftovers, or do I put in the effort to be his companion and friend?" (I NEED TO WORK ON THIS ONE!)
"...we have the ability to choose our attitude at any time for the good. When someone gets under our skin, we can be impatient and vindictive or we can exercise the virtue of kindness."
7 habits of a kind wife according to the author:
-she's affectionate
-she's understanding
-she looks to God to sharpen her character
-she's strengthened by prayer
-she knows that a kind word turns away wrath
-she builds her husband instead of tearing him down
-she's not perfect, but she's growing in grace
CHAPTER THREE: A Diligent Wife
Lesson Three blog link discussion:
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2506
Today’s Challenge: Make your own list of things that might be distracting you from your walk with the Lord or putting a wedge in your marriage. Pray for courage, and take the necessary steps to put boundaries in place.
Some things that I underlined and liked in this chapter:
"If you want to see change, give love a constant and earnest effort seasoned with prayer."
"Throw off everything that is weighing you down, and grab hold of the Savior. He'll bring you safely to shore."
"...Diligence is focus."
"A couple is definitely stronger when they're clearly united with the same purpose and the same set of values."
CHAPTER FOUR: A Self Controlled Wife
Lesson Four blog link discussion:
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2560
Today’s Challenge: Look for ways in your life to practice self control, even small ways. Make a decision to change a few things and stick with it.
Some things that I underlined and liked in this chapter:
"If we're only obeying God when it makes sense to us then we're living to serve ourselves, not the Spirit. God's laws don't always make sense to us, quite often they require us to step out of our comfort one or to feel the sting of refinement."
"Temporal happiness could never compare to the inner peace that comes from serving the Lord!"
"Putting away sin starts with a decision, and then it calls for self control."
"A virtuous woman isn't ruled by her passions, she passionately pursues an incomparable God. She is strong because she knows that she can do that she wants, but she chooses to do that which is good."
*********************
About the Book
The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife is
written in the format of an 18-part study for daily or weekly reflection. Not
only is it a powerful tool for personal growth, it’s also an ideal study-guide
for small groups!
Each lesson leads you through one virtue at a time, offering
you applicable and inspiring ways for a wife to grow closer to God and her
husband. The virtues discussed are these:
• Purity
• Self-control
• Love
• Diligence
• Patience
• Kindness
• Humility
• Faith
• Forgiveness
• Joy
• Passion
• Radiance
• Encouragement
• Balance
• Goodness
• Trust
• Courage
• Self-control
• Love
• Diligence
• Patience
• Kindness
• Humility
• Faith
• Forgiveness
• Joy
• Passion
• Radiance
• Encouragement
• Balance
• Goodness
• Trust
• Courage
Virtue calls us to action. As we exercise each one, they
bring our flesh in line with our Spirit.
It’s one thing to know what’s good, and it’s another to walk
in obedience to the knowledge that we have received. Not always easy, but
obedience to our faith is always worth the effort it takes!
Every lesson concludes with the S-O-A-P method of study,
prompting you to dig deeper as follows:
S – Scripture: You’ll be provided with a portion
of Scripture to meditate on.
O – Observation: This is a good chance to
journal your thoughts. What are some personal observations? If you’re in a
group study this might include some things you’d like to share with the others.
A – Application: How can you apply this to your
life? Are there changes you’d like to make? Is God prompting you to focus on
something?
P – Prayer: Each lesson includes a short prayer
in hopes that you will invite God to play a vital role in this personal
journey.
See more at:
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=1734#sthash.IuvGFecM.dpuf
You can purchase the book here:
No comments:
Post a Comment