In the sixth and final week of Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer we are hit with possibly the hardest idea for a Christian to absorb, and that is our behavior when things do not go as we had hoped or planned. As Priscilla noted, we plan things out and just ask God for His blessing on it. We feel that what we want to do for God should be good enough. One of the main reasons for this is personal comfort. We do not like to do things that make us uncomfortable, so we seek out things that are within that realm, even though they may not be what God has called us to do. When things do not go our way, we get angry and throw a fit.   God often likes to get us out of our box because then, His glory can really be seen. When we do things that are beyond us, it is not us; it’s God. We need to stop throwing fits and be happy that He has chosen lowly, sinful to use in this world for His plan and His glory.

Things are going to happen in life that we do not like. We may hurt, or we may feel like we are missing out. We may never know this side of Heaven as to why God allows some of these things to occur. We can only cry out to Him and trust that He has our best interests at heart, because He really does. God loves you, and wants you to be happy. The thing is, He is the one that knows what will truly be best for us in the end. We just need to trust His divine plan. No matter what happens, God is still on the throne. He always has been, and always will be. I loved this quote from Priscilla concerning the ending of her prayers, “Do what I’ve asked you to do, or do something better.” I pray that becomes your heart and prayer as well. Trust God in all things, not just the things you want. He will work all things for His good (Romans 8:28). He will do grand things with a woman yielded to God.

Prayer Requests

We’re updating the prayer wall for the next study. Feel welcome to post a prayer request at any time, just contact us.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• You can’t play games with God and expect to win.
• The only way we can be slow to anger is if God’s Spirit is compelling us in that direction.
• Be willing to agree with God about what you find hiding in your heart.
• Like the eye of a storm, peace prevails in God’s presence, even when chaos ensues all around.

This Week’s Scripture Verses-NASB

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Romans 11:33

Final Lesson

• Listen to the Session Seven Audio (optional)
• Listen to the Session Seven Video (optional)

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. What marks the difference between having head knowledge of God and heart knowledge of God? (page 136)
2. If you were sharing your own Jonah story of your life, what represents the plant God placed in your life? (page 139) Has God ever taken away something you enjoyed in your life? (page 143)
3. Why is it important to see our own needs in the lives of those we are helping? (page 141)
4. Why do you think the enemy tries to disguise hardship as a punishment from God? (page 144)
5. Share your favorite lesson learned from this study.

Laying Down My Life,

Shannon

Week five of Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer is certainly one that makes us think. It should make us prayerfully take a look at our own lives to see if we are obeying God, even in the seemingly small things. As I watched the video and worked through the material, I felt God pressing on me the urgency of this message. God does not look for perfect people that can handle things on their own. If that was the case, we would all be in big trouble. God looks for people who are willing to be obedient in both the large and small things. When God has someone who is obedient, He works supernaturally to do great miracles! It is God’s grace and power that should be seen in a situation, not ours.

God allows us to be in seemingly impossible circumstances facing impossible challenges. Not because He wants to hurt us or watch us fail. It is the opposite. He wants to use our weakness and our messes for His glory! Isn’t that an incredible thought? That Divine Interruption you are facing; God will use it. His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). All He asks is that you are obedient. When other people see God’s power in us and through us, it is an amazing testimony of God. I pray this week that you will seek God and ask for His help so that His power will be made perfect in your weakness. Let your life be a living testimony!

Note: These Carol Kent books, mentioned by Priscilla Shirer in the audio/video session, are highly recommended:

A New Kind of Normal (currently on sale $8.00 at Amazon!)

When I Lay My Issac Down

Prayer Requests

We welcome any prayer needs from the group and ask that you will print a copy of the prayers, place them, in your workbook and pray for these women. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Evangelism is not something we do, it is a way to live.
• I’ve become used to God’s allowing me to be outmatched. It seems that this is His way: putting regular people in circumstances that are beyond their own capabilities.
• Your Father has enough GRACE to sustain, keep and use you.
• He paves a pathway to victory as long as we simply walk in obedience.
• My insecurities don’t absolve me of responsibility.
  

This Week’s Scripture Verses-NASB

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matt 28:19 (The Great Commission)

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness ” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Cor 12:9

The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut 31:8

and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 2 Chron 20:15

For Next Week

• Read Week Six, pages 129-150 in the workbook
• Listen to the Session Six Audio (optional)
• OR…Listen to the Session Six Video (optional)

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. On page 107, you listed some ways you can make disciples as you go about your daily routine. What can you intentionally do during the day to make disciples?
2. As you consider your own group of Ninevites, what challenges or difficulties do you face? (page 110)
3. What are your concerns about sharing God’s word with others? (page 119)
4. On page 120, Priscilla created a list of scripture verses for ministering to others. What verses do you use in similar situations?

Laying Down My Life,

Shannon

Week four in Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer, closely follows on the heels of last week’s study where we looked at the messes we make when we stray from God’s plan, and how He can use it for His glory. While God loves us no matter what, His desire for us is obedience. Sometimes that means doing something we do not want to do, other times it means waiting for His timing. Neither is easy, and we often seek to take matters into our own hands, much like Jonah did. We often end up with the same result. While we may not be swallowed by a fish, we end up in situations that are not good for us, and God rescues us. He still wants us to be obedient and do what He has called us to do. Before we can do that though, our hearts must be transformed and we must be willing to obey. Once we are, God will send us out on the path He has called us to. We will not be going alone, but with the Holy Spirit. Nothing we face is too great or difficult because He is empowering us. We should never do things on our own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit so God alone gets the glory. I do not want people looking at what I have done. I want them to stand back from something and say, “Wow! Look what God has done! ” He alone!

When we choose to meander on our own paths, and seek out our own ways, God is not finished with us. He will be there waiting when we are ready to come back and do what He has asked. He will offer his never-ending grace and forgiveness. Just be ready to be obedient, as that is what He truly wants. Instead of writing more for you to read, I really feel the Lord is asking us to spend some extra time searching our hearts for areas of disobedience. If you find some, go to Him in prayer. He is waiting to take you in His arms, clean up the scrapes and bruises, and set you back on the journey He has called you to. If you know He is calling you to something, spend time in prayer and commit to it. He loves you unconditionally and more than you can imagine. Go to Him, and embrace your Divine Intervention.

In audio session four, Priscilla recommends reading the book by Iris Blue. The book is called Iris: Trophy of Grace.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for clarity on how to reach the Ninevites, the people God wants you to serve. We welcome any prayer needs from the group and ask that you will print a copy of the prayers, place them, in your workbook and pray for these women. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Only after we’ve been squeezed by God can we be poured out. (from audio session four)
• The bible bulges with account after merciful account of individuals who’d blown it and yet were offered the clemency that only a compassionate God like ours could give.
• Our second chance brings us full circle to the place where we have to chose full obedience.
• God gave the Spirit to the disciples as an internal compass to help them find their way.
• Obedience necessitates self-denial.

This Week’s Scripture Verses-NASB

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 16:7

No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

For Next Week

• Read Week Five, pages 105-125 in the workbook
• Listen to the Session Five Audio (optional)
• OR…Listen to the Session Five Video (optional)

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Do you see God actively searching for you, or hiding from you? Why? (page 89)
2. What keeps you from moving forward in obedience to God? (page 92)
3. Are you currently at Joppa, the place of decision and the crossroad of obedience? (page 93)
4. Have you ever tried to compensate for your rebellion with God? What did you do to make amends? (page 99-100)

On page 89 Priscilla asks you to write a letter of your second chance story. If you’d like to share it here with the group, email us and we’ll post it for you.

Laying Down My Life,

Shannon

In our third week of Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer, we look at what happens when one disobeys God, and allows her life to get off track. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh. Even worse, he did not want the Ninevites to experience God’s redeeming love and grace. He judged them, and declared them guilty with no means for restitution. God saw them through a different light, and knew they would repent and radically change their lives in order to serve Him. Jonah wanted no part of it, so he ran away not giving a thought to God’s plan or what he may encounter. I doubt Jonah would have counted on being tossed overboard on a ship during a storm and being swallowed by a fish. That is what is so amazing about God. Often, when He moves, it is in such a way that one cannot doubt that it is Him.

That is what happened to Jonah. When the storm raged, he knew it was because of his disobedience to God, and told the sailors to throw him overboard in order to calm the seas. They did just that, but instead of drowning, he was swallowed by a fish. Clearly, God moved in this situation in order to save His servant. Jonah still suffered consequences for his actions, but God saved him. Seeing that, he immediately prayed to the Lord. At that moment, he submitted to God and His plan, even though he did not like it.

We do the same thing as Jonah. We mess up. We seek out our own path because it looks good, feels good, or it seems easier. Sometimes, we think we are doing it for God. In those moments, it is entirely possible for us to be so busy trying to work for God that we forget to seek Him to join Him on what He was planned. We do our work and ask for His blessing instead of asking Him to bless us with His work. Life just works better when we are on the path that God has called us to, doing the tasks that He has told us to.

When we fail to follow God’s plan, things can become a mess. We screw up and hit rock bottom thinking that there is no way that God can use us now. It is in those times that God sometimes uses us the most. Priscilla said this in the video, “God can take the biggest mess and turn it into the greatest miracle.” It is when people see His hand that He gets the glory. God gives us this promise:

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Our mess becomes His miracle. I am a walking testimony to that. I got so busy doing things for God that I did not even stop to consider what He wanted. After a series of events that tore all of my security out from under me, He was the only one I could turn to, and I cried out to Him. The days I lived in darkness before coming to Him were some of the worst days of my life. While I would never want to go through them again, I can see how God has used it for His glory. He has restored my heart, and has given me a clear vision for ministry. The hurts I faced in those days are being used to minister to other women who are walking the same path. God will make good from what was meant as evil.

Are you currently walking down a path that you chose in order to get away from God’s call? Have you recently experienced a Divine Interruption? If you have, it is not too late. Cry out to God in prayer. Ask Him to help you turn from your ways and align yourself with His. No matter how far in the depths you feel, God can and will redeem you. There may be discipline, but it is for your good and His glory. Walk with Him. It is the sweetest walk you can take.

Prayer Requests

If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here. Please print a copy of the prayers and pray for the women participating in this study.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• The goal is to revive so that He can realign.
• True repentance requires a change in direction.
• Purposeful prayer must engage our mind, will and emotion.

This Week’s Scripture Verses-NASB

Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; That which I have vowed I will pay; Salvation is from the LORD.” Jonah 2:9

For Next Week

• Read Week Four, pages 81-101 in the workbook
• Listen to the Session Four Audio (optional)
• OR…Listen to the Session Four Video (optional)

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. How do you act when you are going in the wrong direction in life?What spiritual signs can you look for to reveal you are headed in the wrong direction? (page 59-60)
2. Is the Lord allowing divine discipline in your life right now and if so, do you yield or fight? (page 64)
3. Is any comfort or sin keeping you from yielding to God’s divine intervention? Why is this hard for you to let go? (page 66)
4. On the bottom of page 69 you prayed in four key areas. Which of these areas are satisfactory or challenging for you: grace, repentance, obedience or loving Ninevites?

Laying Down My Life,

Shannon

After finishing week one of Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer, there are many thoughts that we are left with and a few challenges to propel us forward. In day one, she points out that there is a great difference between an interruption and a Divine Intervention. When we view something as unimportant, or at the very least, less important than what we are doing, it will be an interruption. When we see the importance of the task and the person, it is a Divine Intervention. Too often we either ignore them or outright run from them. But why run? When we are uncomfortable, we run. When His plans do not suit us, we run. When we want something different, we run. When we are afraid, we run. But we are running from God’s awesome presence and power. This changes the perspective doesn’t it? We are no longer running from something we don’t want to do, but we are running from the power of God. We do it because as humans, we tend to forget that God can do anything, and we do not need to look at things from our standpoint. When God is the one in charge, it will get done.

Shirer goes on to point out that we should not dread a Divine Intervention, but look forward to it! When we have the opportunity to participate with God it is a privilege, and we need to remember that! The God who can do everything, and needs no one, chooses to invite us to be part of something that is so much bigger than us. He wants to work in and through us. Not to pump us up, but to glorify Himself. Our true significance in life begins with a Divine Intervention, but all glory goes to God. We just need to submit ourselves to His will, and mean it. The big question with this involves how we define ourselves. Do we see ourselves as servants of the Lord or are we serving ourselves? We do not own our lives, they belong to God. He simply asks us to manage it. That means listening to and obeying His directions.

Our lives need to point to the living God. It is the greatest testimony we can give, and it may be the only one some see. Divine Interventions matter for eternal significance, not worldly significance. God’s plans may not make sense to us, as they certainly did not make sense to Jonah asked he as being told to witness to his enemies. Making sense of things and having a plan is not required to do great and mighty things. All He wants is for you to submit, and allow Him to work miracles in, through, and around you. We need to ask ourselves, when it comes down to it, are we willing to submit to God’s plan and direction no matter what or will we try to run like Jonah did?

I pray that as we dig into this study, we will confidently submit our lives and surrender our wills in order to do what God has planned for us. There will be no greater joy than walking in God’s plan for our lives and living in His protection. Priscilla asked “How many things are hinging on one woman surrendering to God’s Will? How many things are hinging on you surrendering?” That has stuck with  me, and I pray it will with you as well.

Prayer Requests

Pray that the study of Jonah will profoundly affect your life. We welcome any prayer needs from the group and ask that you will print a copy of the prayers, place them, in your workbook and pray for these women. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Jonah was the only prophet who ever ran from God.
• It is an esteemed opportunity to participate in Kingdom purposes.
• Make sure your life writes a story worth reading.
• Your story starts with God.

This Week’s Scripture Verses-NASB **click on the scripture reference to translate to another bible version

Everything God does is right— the trademark on all his works is love. Psalm 145:17 Message

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving, That which I have vowed I will pay; Salvation is from the LORD.” Jonah 2:9

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it. Luke 11:28

For Next Week

• Read Week Two, pages 35-53  in the workbook
• Listen to the Session Two Audio (optional)
• OR…Listen to the Session Two Video (optional)

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Briefly share your resume from page 19 and your story of divine intervention from page 22.
2. On page 15 of the workbook, you’ll notice the word “Divine” looks similar to the word DIVE. Since we’re studying a fish story about Jonah, what does it mean for you to DIVE?
3. On page 20 you selected two characters of divine intervention. Which two characters did you select and why?
4. Did you write your own declaration of dependence at the bottom of page 22? If so, please share yours with the group.
5. Share one of your navigation tools from the bottom of page 31.

Laying Down My Life,

Shannon