Welcome to our first week of Breaking Free Updated Edition at the Women’s Bible Study Cafe. We are repeating this study because so many women missed it when we hosted it before! This is a ten-week Bible study and one of the most powerful you’ll ever read. In this 10-year anniversary edition of Breaking Free, author Beth Moore shares her personal journey of breaking free from captivity. As you read the workbook, you’ll discover Beth is a woman who is transparent, honest, Godly, spirit-filled and passionate about helping other women break free. Beth does not use words of gentleness, she uses words of truth and experience. She does not allow insignificance or unimportance in our life experiences. As we participate in the study, we begin to understand that Beth Moore has been in our shoes. She is an ordinary woman like us, and she knows how to capture the spirit of the Bible. Beth Moore will not baby talk us to earn our trust, she will kick us in our stagnant thoughts and pull us out from a pit. As Beth will remind you, she’s not a hero; she’s a simple woman after the heart of God. And she wants you to know His heart too!
As I write this tonight, my heart is breaking and the image above brings tears to my eyes. The image reminds me that we can break free from depression, spiritual bondage, overwhelming addictions and anything else that has held us captive…and we can do so only through knowing God. We can’t break free by allowing others to tug on the ropes or push us into freedom…we can only break free of our own free will. We can choose to live in bondage and suffer years and years with strongholds, or we can choose freedom. Through our our desire we can break the ropes that bind our hearts, minds and souls. When we break these ropes…we find freedom in releasing the strongholds and covering ourselves in the Truth of God’s Word.
Breaking the ropes will not be easy and you will experience resistance. I’ve completed the Breaking Free study three times now and I can say with certainty there is freedom for those who finish the study, not for those who start the study and put the book away after a few weeks. Decide now to live in bondage with the strongholds you are permitting in your life…or decide now to break free and reclaim your identity in Christ. I’m on a journey to discover my strongholds and break free…and I hope you’ll join me in this life-changing bible study by Beth Moore.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NKJV
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If This Is Your First Bible Study- How to Participate
Here is what you can expect from your participation in the Breaking Free the Journey Bible study
- Pray before you begin reading. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to wisdom.
- This online Bible study provides flexibility and convenience for you. Just read your daily lessons, five total, lasting about 30-45 minutes each day. A good plan is to read each morning Monday through Friday, allowing the weekend to make up any lesson you missed during the week.
- Visit the Bible Cafe anytime on Tuesday and join in the group discussion by posting a comment.
- Optional audio or video lessons are available online from Lifeway at a minimal cost. If this is your first Beth Moore study, I encourage you to listen to at least ONE audio or video lesson to connect with the energy and personality that Beth Moore fans learn to love.
- Seek truth. God uses the most ordinary people for his extraordinary purpose. Listen to each other and be willing to share, just remember to allow judgment and healing for God.
- If this is your first bible study, you may enjoy using highlighter markers. I start with a blue highlighter and mark the scripture verses, such as John 3:16, in my workbook. I’ll mark all the verses for week one, before I start my reading. This way, when my eyes leave the pages of my workbook to find a reference in my bible, I can quickly go back and locate my place in the workbook. The blue highlighter is a “place marker” when I study. I then use a yellow highlighter to mark my favorite words. If I like what the author is saying, I will mark the letter “Q” next to the sentence, and this reminds me I’ll want to quote the author and post it on Facebook or Twitter.
For Next Week
- Write a letter to God on the inside cover of your workbook. Put today’s date inside your book and tell Him where you are in your life right now, and where you hope He leads you during your 10-week study of Breaking Free.
- Read Week One in your workbook.
- Download the answers to the viewer guide (look in Leader Kit under “support materials”)
- Listen to Audio Session One or Video Session One (optional due to cost)*
- Listen to Audio Session Two or Video Session Two (optional due to cost)*
- Check in with your Small Group Leader. Contact us if you have not heard from your leader.
*As a reminder, the Bible Cafe is not affiliated with Lifeway, Beth Moore or its companies and we do not profit or benefit from these materials. Like you, we purchase our own books and materials for the study.
Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like
- What area(s) of bondage do you want to break free from during this 10-week bible study?
- Beth says “If we do not seek freedom we will seek shelter.” How do you seek shelter?
- If you were sitting in a room with the other women participating in this study, what words of encouragement would you say to them?
Sharon, I am also having a hard identifying mine, but I am going to keep with it and pray that God will help me identify them.
1. What area(s) of bondage do you want to break free from during this 10-week bible study?
I want to break free from the bondage of feeling like a failure. Feeling like I’ve disappointed people in my life. I want to be free from feeling like a people pleaser. I want to be free from the fat I carry on my body because I feel that is the only way I can feel satisfied is in eating.
2. Beth says “If we do not seek freedom we will seek shelter.” How do you seek shelter?
I tend to seek shelter in food, eating until I feel totally satisfied. I also distancing myself from family and friends. I close in and watch tv and just let life pass me by.
3. If you were sitting in a room with the other women participating in this study, what words of encouragement would you say to them?
Today is a new day. Even though we’ve fallen short, God still loves us.
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1. I want to break free of anxiety / obsessive thoughts over events which I do not have control. I want to give these up to God and trust that I am in His care.
2. I seek shelter in moving far from God and acting as if I am in control at all times. I also seek shelter by emotional eating.
1.What area(s) of bondage do you want to break free from during this 10-week bible study? I want to break free from insecurity and doubt.
2.Beth says “If we do not seek freedom we will seek shelter.” How do you seek shelter? I seek shelter in reaffirmations and within myself. I tend to be forthcoming but when I’m dealing with personal issues, I become my polar opposite and revert within myself. I refuse to ask for help, thinking that I can deal with it on my own.
1. I would like to break free from my impulses. I am an impulsive speaker and eater, and these impulses are keeping me in bondage! I know God wants me to keep my body strong and healthy and to speak in a way that glorifies Him.
2. I seek shelter in my excuses and tendency to procrastinate. For me, tomorrow is always the more desirable time and option.
1.What area(s) of bondage do you want to break free from during this 10-week bible study?
I want to break free from “worry” and “doubt.” In both cases, worrying about what cannot control and doubting God’s soverign ability has led me to unwise decisions and unhealthy life (emotional eating, stress, etc). I’m ready to live the abundant life that God promised me, so I want to be set free from all things (known and unknown) that are preventing me from enjoying the life, promises and purpose that God has for me. And I know I have to first let God change me.
2.Beth says “If we do not seek freedom we will seek shelter.” How do you seek shelter?
I seek shelter in comfort food, constant desire and search for reassurance by others, overwhelming and overworking myself because I want other’s approval or seeking earthly success. Just too busy trying to achieve impossible perfection and too prideful to surrender to God and live the live He desires for me. Help me Lord!!
3.If you were sitting in a room with the other women participating in this study, what words of encouragement would you say to them?
God loves us more than we can imagine…and He has a specific plan and purpose for your life. Do not let fear, doubt, worry, self-consciousness, unforgiveness or any other ploy by the enemy keep you from all that God has for you!! You are not your circumstances, but a covenant daughter of the most Hight God! That’s worthy celebrating!!