It’s Week Six — the last week of Virtual VBS for GrownUp Girls® 2017! Can you believe how the time has flown by? We’ve learned so much, savoring the Scripture together…
Here are the highlights from our Facebook group, where we’ve been meeeting this year.
This week’s assignment: Choose one more translation you haven’t used before…and read the book of 2 Peter straight through. (You can access dozens of translations and paraphrases free at BibleHub or BibleGateway.com.)
Memory Verse: 2 Peter 1:8.
Remember as you read to underline key words and phrases, and ask the 5 Ws and an H (who, what, when…). Ask yourself: What do these verses mean? Why is this important? How does it apply to MY life today?
You may want to record your thoughts in a notebook or journal — or share them here!
Wednesday in the Word: (mini post)
Talk about “too good to be true!” Thomas said he wouldn’t believe it. Not til he saw it with his very own eyes.
And then Jesus was standing there, right in front of him, inviting him to put his fingers in the wounds in His hands and His side — and see for himself that it was true.
Then Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” (John 20:29)
That’s you and me.
It reminds me of a scene from “Prince Caspian,” the sequel to “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis. In the story, a small remnant of Narnian creatures eagerly await deliverance from the foreign oppressors who conquered their ancestors. These true believers have been driven underground for hundreds of years, during the occupation of their homeland. Some begin to lose hope that they will ever be free again.
When their savior, the great Lion Aslan does not appear immediately in response to their desperate appeals, the dwarf Nikabrik questions the truth of the old stories. He suggests that perhaps Aslan never really rose from the dead and that much of what the Narnians have believed is nothing more than myth or fairy tale.
Ever since the cross, unbelievers have brought those same accusations against Christians. Matthew 28:11-15 tells us how the soldiers who witnessed Jesus’ resurrection conspired to say that He did not rise from the dead – that His disciples merely stole His body: “And this story has been widely circulated…to this day.”
But the Apostle Peter insisted, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16)
To those of us who did not have the opportunity to walk with Jesus as he and the other disciples did – and yet still believe, Peter said:
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
One day, just like the faithful creatures in Lewis’s story, we will have the privilege of meeting the One in whom we have believed face to face!
It won’t be long now…
Questions for Reflection and Journaling:
1) According to 2 Peter 3:11-14, what should characterize our lives? What words should describe us? What does that look like for you, specifically, in this season of your life, in the world you live in today? Can you give an example? What do you personally, actively, choose to do or not to do?
2) What has helped you “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”? What would you recommend to another sister who is struggling?
Our summer Bible study is coming to a close, but it’s been such a sweet time of fellowship together! Thank you for being a part of our Virtual VBS for GrownUp Girls® this year…
Blessings,
