GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life March 13, 2012 Week 8 – Our Journey of Sisterhood Review Scripture Memory – Proverbs 17:17, 1 Corinthians 12:25-27, Romans 15:13, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 126:6, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 91:1, Ephesians 6:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 143:8, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Isaiah 26:3-4, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:33 Review Homework – Our Journey of Sisterhood Hard to believe this is the last night of The Bonds of Sisterhood. Isn’t it? Here’s the good news––it may be the last night of our Sisterhood gathering, but it’s not the last night of our journey! We’re just beginning. As we saw back in Week 1, A friend loves at all times, and a [sister] is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) A sister is born for adversity. That means we’re in it for good times and bad. We’re ready to face challenges side-by-side, through thick and thin. And we’re always up for a victory celebration! Each week over the last 8 weeks we looked at a different aspect of sisterhood. Let’s do a quick review of our journey. Week 1 – Sisterhood – we’re created to share life in sisterhood. And no matter where we are or where we’ve been, Jesus changes everything. An encounter with Him draws us out of isolation and into community with our sisters. Week 2 – Our Story and the Body of Christ – each of us is unique and our story has significance. We looked at our life map READ – key relationships, memorable experiences, achievements and disappointments/frustrations. Week 3 – Walking Together: Compassion and Grief – the story of Job has so much to teach us about: being a good friend and blessing others through the ministry of presence; how our words and judgmental attitudes can hurt others, even those we love; and how God is working behind the scenes for good even though we don’t understand the “why”. Week 4 – The Armor of God – each part of the armor protects us and equips us to stand firm, with Him and each other. God also strengthens us by giving us two very important weapons: His Word and prayer. It’s important to suit up every day and continually practice wielding our weapons so we’re ready for battle––ours and our sisters’. Week 5 – Prayer and Praise – prayer unleashes the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise turns our focus from ourselves (and our circumstances) to God. Both prayer and praise are imperative as we grow in our relationship with Jesus and come alongside our sisters in Christ. Week 6 – Forgiveness – bitterness is a cancer that keeps us from God and others. We cannot move forward to healing and the joys of new life until we release our claim for justice. We have to trust God and His righteousness. 1

GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

Week 7 – Sharing Life Together – it’s hard in Western culture to share life together the way God intended it. So we have to be intentional. We cannot allow ourselves to believe the lie that we don’t need sisters in Christ. We do need them. Often more than we recognize. Sisters fill our God-given desires for unconditional love, emotional and spiritual intimacy, encouragement and friendship. We also have God-given strengths and spiritual gifts to contribute to the body of Christ. Week 8 – Our Journey of Sisterhood – It’s time to promote building new bonds of sisterhood. Like any meaningful relationship, growing in sisterhood takes time. It takes effort. And it is so worth it! Climbing the mountains of life, navigating the wilderness, hunkering down in the bunkers while storms and battles rage. This is the journey of life. And sharing it with sisters in Christ brings love, joy, and eternal purpose to every challenge and victory! The Bonds of Sisterhood study may be coming to a close, but our journey of sisterhood is just beginning. My prayer is that we will continue to grow the bonds of sisterhood within our group. And I also pray that we will follow Christ’s lead by reaching out and honoring others. As we take the lead in loving and serving others, we’ll be amazed at how God knits us together and begins growing new bonds of sisterhood. Many of us have been praying that sisterhood would come to us. But God says, “Go, sow the seeds of sisterhood, and you will reap a harvest.” It’s time, my dear sister. Time plant a new garden. Time to sow the seeds of sisterhood into new friendships. Time to enjoy the blessings of life in Christ with other sisters who have been praying for someone to come to them. That someone is you. Even though you may have special friendships with roots that go deep, I pray you will continue to cultivate new relationships with other sisters in Christ. Blessings to you, my friend. May your garden be full of the beautiful blooms and sweet fragrance of loving sisterhood.

John 13:3-5, 12-17 3

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. 12

When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. 13 “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” 2

GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life March 13, 2012 Week 8 – Our Journey of Sisterhood Share stories from our Sisterhood Journey

Book Review: Plan B by Pete Wilson

Each week’s lesson will also be posted on the Rising Above Real Life website www.RisingAboveRealLife.com – go to the Freebies page

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GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

March 13, 2012 Week 8 – Our Journey of Sisterhood

PRAYER REQUESTS:

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GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

March 13, 2012 Week 8 – Our Journey of Sisterhood Homework: Where do we go from here? Continuing the bonds of sisterhood. The homework for our last week of The Bonds of Sisterhood is simple, but not always easy. Write down three things that you commit to do in each of the next three weeks that will help grow your bonds of sisterhood. For instance, you may commit to call a new sister each week for three weeks. That could mean that you call the same sister each week, or that you call three different sisters over the next three weeks. Or, you may commit to having coffee with three different people in the next three weeks. Or that you will email an encouraging message each week to someone the Lord places on your heart that week. You decide. But I encourage you to truly pray about this and stick with it. Growing in sisterhood with new ladies takes effort and commitment. Take a chance. Get out of your comfort zone. Pour into others, even if you’re not sure you have anything to offer. Here’s truth: Blessing others becomes a blessing to us regardless of the outcome. And when we are able to connect with others in sisterhood, we experience the special blessing of lasting bonds of love, devotion, and friendship with our new sisters in Christ.

Week 1: 1. 2. 3.

Week 2: 1. 2. 3.

Week 3: 1. 2. 3. 5

GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life March 13, 2012 Week 8 – Our Journey of Sisterhood

EVALUATION: Name (Optional): ________________________________________ Please take a few minutes to write your answers to the questions below. And please be honest! Your candid responses will help me change and improve the study for other sisters 

1. Overall, what did you like the most about The Bonds of Sisterhood study and why?

2. Overall, what did you like the least about The Bonds of Sisterhood study and why?

3. What else would you like to have done or studied in our group?

4. What would you change or improve?

5. What would you remove?

6. Which week’s study did you like the most and why?

7. Which week’s study did you like the least and why?

8. What is the main takeaway you have from The Bonds of Sisterhood study?

9. Would you recommend this study to others? Why or why not?

10. What is another topic or study you would like to see offered at Bent Tree in the future?

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