the Sacred echo / session 6

Watch session 6 at RightNow Media Bring Them to Me and answer the following questions for class.

>If you could ask God only one question, what would you ask Him? >Do you have any questions that you’re hesitant or afraid to ask God?

Read Mark 9:14-29.

>What are some of the lessons you see in this story?

>Which are the most meaningful to you? In Mark 9:20, they brought the boy to Jesus. But he was not the only one brought to Jesus.

>Look up each passage below and identify who was brought to Jesus as well as the result: Matthew 4:24, Luke 5:18-25, Luke 18:35-43

In the video, Margaret says, “Sometimes it feels like I’m asking God a million ‘Why’ questions, why doesn’t He intervene, why doesn’t He act, why does He allows good things to happen to bad people and bad things to happen to good people?”

>Make a list of five “Why” questions you’ve asked God.

>Have you taken all of your “Why” questions to God? Did you ever get any sort of response to any of them?

In the video, Margaret says, “All too often, people are hesitant to bring their doubts and fears to God, afraid that if they get really gut honest with God that he’ll get mad or withdrawal. But I believe God is bigger than our doubts and questions. I believe that God is strong enough to take it. That he invites us to call out to him— because when we do, we place the burden on him. And in those moments, sometimes God even speaks to us.”

>In what ways do you agree with this statement? Disagree? >Are there any situations you’ve seen or found yourself in that you don’t feel like you can bring to God?

Margaret says that sometimes when we don’t ask God our toughest questions, we end up drawing lines with God suggesting, “You can go here, but no further in my life.”

>Have you drawn any lines in your relationship with God?

>What steps do you need to take to erase the lines you’ve drawn?

Read Revelation 22:1-2.

>When you think about the river that runs through heaven, who do you look forward to seeing on its banks? >When you feel like God has spoken to you, how do you know that it’s God?

In the video, Margaret gave some guidelines in recognizing God’s voice in our lives. Does what I heard line up with Scripture? Does what I heard line up with wise counsel? Does what I heard leave me with a sense of peace? Is what I heard blanketed in love? >Which of these questions are you most likely to consider when you’re trying to figure out whether or not God has spoken to you? >Which ones do you tend to whiz by or not consider as much?

In the video, Bethany talked about her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. In talking about her prayer life she said, “It wasn’t until after I got through some of the worst times that I really started to look back and see how God had answered prayers. If the cancer ever does come back, I still know that God is in control and I still know that there will be a purpose in that. And I just have to trust Him in the process.” >How have situations or circumstances in your life changed how you pray?

As you reflect on this study and The Sacred Echo book, circle the echoes Margaret wrote or spoke about that you feel resonating in your own life? I Love You Sing It Again How Long? Read It Again You Follow Me If You Don’t Wear Your Crown Surrender Take Care of My People Bring Them to Me You Are Not Alone

>What sacred echoes have you recognized in your own life during this study? >In what ways are you better able to recognize God’s voice in your life?

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Going deeper: Select at least one activity below to complete during the next week.

—One way we can challenge others to grow in their faith is to share what God has been doing in our life. Pick at least one person this week to share what you’ve been learning during this study and how you’re growing in your faith. As a bonus, consider emailing Margaret at margaret@margaretfeinberg.com to let her know what God has been speaking to your heart.

—Write John 10:14-15 on an index card and memorize it. Each day this week, pray that God reveals Himself to you in these verses.

—Since the first printing of The Sacred Echo, Margaret shared that readers have been making little handwritten notes in the front of the book of things they’ve learned about God, then passing the book along to someone else. Consider giving your copy of The Sacred Echo to someone you really care about.