During this week, we will be reading and reflecting on Chapter 8 of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. In this chapter, Lysa asks us, “What if the worst parts of your life are actually gateways to the very best parts you’d never want to do without?”
Day One:
A.) Reflect on Chapter 8
B.) What heavy weights are hindering you and need to be thrown off?
C.)
Day Two:
A.) What sins are easily entangling you?
B.) Do you tend to pretend that you’re fine when you are really not? If so, when have you done that recently? What is holding you back from “running forward with freedom” and what does that look like to you?
D.) Psalm 51: 1-15 – If you are using the ABC’s of Scripture format, please reflect on what stage of Psalm 51 you are experiencing right now: confession, cleaning, creating, or calling. What do you think needs to happen to move you into the next step?
Day Three:
A.) What is one thing you can do with your hardship or disappointment to make a difference in someone else’s life?
B.) Do you recognize how your suffering is producing perseverance, as Paul promises in today’s scripture? What is one sign of perseverance you see in yourself? What would it look like for you to persevere right now in your disappointment?
C.) Romans 5:1-4
Day Four:
In It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa TerKeurst reflect’s on today’s verses and says the following. “This man’s blindness – his own form of hardship and longsuffering – wasn’t because of choices he made or ones his parents made. This suffering was placed on him. But it was for a reason. He was handpicked to display the works of God. Through his story, Jesus would shine the light of truth and hope for others’ lives to not be so dark.”
A.) What feelings arise when you read “Neither this man nor his parents sinned”? Why is that important for you to hear?
B.) We know from day One that David’s sin was the cause of his problems. Right now, are you more identifying with David or with the blind man? Why?
C.) What if you have been “handpicked to display the works of God”? What if through your story Jesus will “shine the light of truth and hope for others’ lives not to be so dark”? Write down your thoughts about this.
C) John 9:1-7, 35-38
Day Five:
A.) Jesus never lost sight of where He was headed. Yes, He went to the cross, but there was so much waiting for Him on the other side. Look at today’s verses and write out all the good things that were on the other side of His suffering.
B.) What joy has been set before you on the other side of your suffering? How does this help you endure what you’re going through now?
C.) Hebrews 12:1-3 (If you can, read this in The Message Bible or in our chapter for the week.)
All questions are quoted or paraphrased from “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” or the “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Study Guide” by Lysa TerKeurst.
Dandelion Lives 