Firstly, I did some revamping around here with the layout — check it out. Feels less cramped in here. 
Now, on with the Bible study… A short excerpt:
Do you ever encounter people and know by their countenance they are believers? A friend of mine went on a mission trip to Africa and while there came in contact with a tribal chief/witch doctor. During her groups’ stay, the man was born again. She has ‘before and after’ photos of him and I am not exaggerating when I say you can hardly tell he is the same man! All of the hard lines of sin were erased and replaced with a gentleness that can only be described as angelic. How amazing that God Himself makes us beautiful!
“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” – Psalm 149:4 (NASB)
Discussion Questions:
What is your initial response when anyone suggests you are beautiful?
Usually I say thank you, but what I feel is surprise. When such a comment comes, I really never expect it. & honestly, sometimes a second feeling that accompanies this is disbelief in their comment.
Do you find you engage in a lot of negative ’self-talk’? How much of your thought life does this form of thinking consume?
Yes, far too often & far too much, not necessarily in regard to negativity toward my outer self, but also inwardly as well, most often when I don’t feel I’m as I should be or what to do better in loving God (which really sums it all up as best as I can…)
What is the most radical transformation you’ve witnessed in an individual after they were born again? It’s okay to tell about your own!
Hmm… that’s a hard one. I don’t really know. For myself, I definitely am much less negative toward myself, especially outwardly, but I still am negative & many times, as friends will say, too hard on myself.
The imagery of being a City Girl has absolutely changed the way I perceive my worth before God. Does it yours? Will you receive this truth and let it boost your righteous confidence?
It reminds me that I need to see myself as God sees me, stop condemning myself needlessly & start trusting & believing Him more, especially in the times when I do make a mistake — to remember that He loves me despite my failings, & that He disciplines gently & knows my heart even better than I do. I need to focus on living in the hope of eternity & what God has done for me through the Cross, not in the could-have-done-betters or should-have-improved-sooners.
…if you haven’t checked out Lisa’s I AM So You Don’t Have To Be Bible study — check it out here! I’ve enjoyed this so far & can already see it growing me in my faith & relationship with God.
Filed under: Christian , Bible Study, I AM Beautiful To God, I AM Bible Study
