Where do I begin? This has been an INCREDIBLE few months!!Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I am proud of you. You have worked so hard! Even if you have not yet completed every week’s homework, you set your heart on gaining wisdom and knowledge and have been faithful to do it. I pray that through this study you have grown closer to the heart of God and that you have experienced Him in new and fresh ways that have changed and transformed your hearts and lives forever.

Time and time again, your comments have brought tears to my eyes. They show how far you have come since the first day we opened His Word. For just a moment, let me pray over you,

Abba Father, thank You for instructing us and teaching us in the way we should go. Thank You for taking each one of us deeper still with You. Thank You that each of these women is a display of Your splendor. I am humbled beyond words for the privilege of walking alongside these beautiful women. As we end our time together, I ask that You continue to counsel and watch over these precious sisters in Christ. Thank You that even now You rejoice over them with singing, You celebrate their faithfulness. Father, I thank You that Your eyes will be upon them and Your ears attentive to their cry. Thank You that You will remain close to those who are brokenhearted, that You will comfort those who are crushed in Spirit. Thank You that though they will encounter troubles, You will deliver them from them all. May they continue to hunger and thirst for Your Word. Bless them as they faithfully continue their journey with you. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Many of you have said that you do not want this study to end, and neither do I!! That God could work this way in the lives of women who have never met face to face reveals the majesty of our God and the power of His Holy Spirit. He connected hearts from Hawaii to Seattle to Canada to Texas to Panama to Florida to the United Kingdom to Austria to Africa to Malaysia and everywhere in between. Although our study is ending, please do not let it be the end of your daily time with the Lord. You have spent this year nurturing your relationship with the Lord. I encourage you to continue cultivating it by daily reading this love letter written just for you. He has fanned the flame in your heart, now continue to fuel it.

I want to celebrate your hard work with The Great Giveaway. To be eligible to win one of our fun prizes listed below, please share your thoughts to one or more of this week’s questions. I will choose five winners. If you REALLY are drawn to one of the prizes, leave that in your comment as well as your e-mail address so I can contact you.

A Starbuck’s Giftcard

A copy of my dear friend (and INCREDIBLE cook), LeAnn Rice’s cookbook, Sharing Grace

A Proverbs 31 Giftcard

A copy of my book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner (to read a sample chapter, click here)

A copy of my new Proverbs Study, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God’s Word to Everyday Life.

My new study will be available soon. Many of you have already e-mailed me about it, and I have you on a waiting list. Please e-mail me at deuteronomysix@aol.com if you would like would like to learn more.

Below you will find questions to reflect on what you have learned. Please take time this week to prayerfully answer these questions.

Questions for the Week:

1.Paul ends Ephesians chapter six calling his audience to “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” This refers to praying out of a heart indwelt, illuminated, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Spending time in God’s Word illuminates our hearts and minds with the things of God. It is what teaches us to pray God’s will rather than our own. We learn to “pray” the Bible and plead God’s promises. If you have never done this, here are some hints on how to begin.

a.First Read Romans 8:26-27. Share what this verse speaks to you. Have you ever experienced this in your own life?

b.Invite the Lord to join you as you open the Bible to read His Word. For example pray Jeremiah 29:13 and Jeremiah 33:3: “Lord, You promise that when I seek You with all my heart, I will find You. I want to find you and hear You today. Please reveal to me great and unsearchable Truths and Promises I do not know.”

c.Search the Scriptures, asking God what direction to take in His Word. Perhaps you are struggling with a particular issue. Look for Scriptures addressing that issue in your concordance. For every hurt, burden, trial, need, and circumstance, God has a promise or Truth that speaks to it. Pray from Psalm 119:18: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart that I may see the wonderful Truths and Promises in Your Law.”

d.Write out the verses you find. I challenge you to memorize a few. Pray another verse from Psalm 119:11, “Lord, I am hiding your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.” God delights to fulfill His Word!! Read the following verses and state the promises:

1. John 15:7

2. John 14:13-14

3. 1 John 5:14-15

4. Ephesians 3:20

2.Read 1 Peter 1:4. Share how this summarizes what we have learned this semester in Ephesians.

3.How will your life change or what will you do differently as a result of the time you have spent in this study, immersed in the book of Ephesians?

Let me close our time together in prayer:

Father, thank You for my salvation. Thank You for the great love You lavish upon me… unconditionally. Thank You that You are my Redeemer and Savior, my Deliverer and Provider, my All in All. Thank You that in You I am a new creation having the mind of Christ.

Thank You, Father, for Your mighty weapons. Thank You that You have already won this battle. Thank You that in You I am a VICTOR. Thank You that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank You that You who live in me is greater than he who lives in the world. Today I live in complete and utter dependence on You and You alone. Father, fill me with the fullness of Your Spirit. Father, use me to do Your Kingdom work. Father, show me Your Glory!!! I ask all this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Since we have She Speaks this weekend, I will not be able to get a post up by Monday morning. So please check back in the middle of next week to learn the winners. I am speaking Friday morning and covet your prayers!

Although our study has ended, I hope you will continue to stop by my blog. I plan to host a Proverbs study, using my new curriculum soon!

Blessings to you,

CONGRATULATIONS my sweet sisters in Christ!! You have completed or are in the process of completing five weeks of lessons and homework. You should be so very proud of yourselves. You truly inspire me. It would have been easy to blow off this study because you have no small group leader holding you accountable. But you have been faithful. You have spent many hours mining the riches you learned in the very first chapter. Your comments reflect that you have done your work, listened for God’s voice, heard what He said, and obeyed what you heard. You will now be recipients of His wonderful promise that blessings follow obedience. He is changing you. He is growing you. He is making you more like Him.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL CELEBRATE YOUR WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT! Tune in to check out the celebration and the giveaway.

Below you will find our last week of homework. Dig in and dig deep. This is one of my favorite chapters in Scripture because Paul teaches us about the Armor of God. Every night since my children were young, we have prayed the Armor of God. First, I prayed it over them, but when they were old enough to pray, they prayed it over themselves. Bo, my twelve year old, still ends his prayers with it every night! If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or siblings, I encourage you to share this chapter with them. Teach them to pray God’s Armor over themselves. It is a powerful visual of God’s promised protection.

Below please find the fifth lesson and the homework and reading assignment for next week.

In addition to our celebration next week, I will post some closing thoughts, questions, and a special prayer on the Armor of God written specifically for this study.

Reading Assignment: Ephesians Chapter Six

Homework Questions: Please do as many questions as time allows. It is in your reading and studying that God will do His greatest work.

Prayer:

Father God, this is my last week of Bible Study. Thank You for all that You have taught me these past few months. Thank You for opening the eyes of my heart to see the wonderful things in Your Law. Thank You for teaching me new Truths that have changed my life. Father, I give You my heart this week. Take Your Word, the double-edged sword, and pierce my heart. Mold me and change me to be more like You. Use me, Lord, to do great things that will bring glory and honor and praise to You. Teach me to stand strong in my faith, to be a Light in this dark world. Give me courage to live out my faith no matter the cost. I love You, Lord, lead me down paths of righteousness, fill me with everlasting joy, use me, Lord, use me for your glory!! I ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN

1.AUTHORITY. This word makes me think of the lyrics in the song by John Mellencamp: “I fight authority. Authority always wins.” Are you someone who finds it easy or difficult to obey someone in authority over you? Does it depend on the person? The situation? If you struggle with authority, share your reasons.

2.Before we move on, please remember what Paul said in Ephesians 5:18, “…be filled with the Spirit.” Everything we are talking about presupposes a Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled life. Philippians 4:13 says, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God has established patterns and principles by which parents are to raise their children. Obedience plays a huge part in God’s plan. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord. Read Ephesians 6:1-4.

a.Read Colossians 3:20. What does it say?

b.Read Ephesians 6:1b. What is the reason children are to obey their parents?

c.Read Exodus 20:12. What is it? What does it say?

d.According to Ephesians 6:2-3, what is unique about this Commandment? What is the specific promise?

e.What about compliant obedient children whose lives are taken in childhood? How do you reconcile this verse with their deaths? Do you think perhaps it states a more general principal? If so, what is it?

f.Read 1 Samuel 2:12-34. Relate this to our discussion. What does this speak to you about parents’ responsibility to raise their children to respect God and respect them?

3.I am sending you to a passage in Deuteronomy 21 that is very hard to read, but I want you to see how important this concept is to God. He made it one of His Ten Commandments, and He enforced it with the most severe of punishments. Read Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

a.How does Moses (the author) describe the son?

b.How does the son respond to his parents’ discipline?

c.What did the law instruct the parents to do with their son?

d.What additional information does verse 20 reveal about their son?

e.According to verse 21, why does the law require such a severe punishment?

4.Read 1 Samuel 15:10-23.

a.What does this teach about obedience?

b.What descriptive words appear in Deuteronomy 21:18 and 1 Samuel 15:23?

c.What happened to Saul in this story?

5.Why do you think God is so consistent about the sin of disobedience and rebellion?

6.Think back on your childhood and answer the following questions.

a.Were you raised in a godly home where you received godly training? If not, describe the kind of home in which you were raised?

b.Who did most of the training and discipline in your home?

7.If you have children, answer the same questions above as they pertain to how you have raised/are raising your children? Did how you were raised effect this decision?

8.Dr. David Jeremiah teaches that the primary word in the New Testament for the correction of children is not the word punishment, but paideia, (Greek word for training or discipline), which comes from paidueo – to train children, to chasten, to correct. Scripturally, punishment seeks retribution to right a wrong and is usually directed at those who stand in opposition to God. Discipline also seeks to right a wrong but it is focused on the future…to correct the wrong so it will not happen again. Discipline seeks to correct by means of instruction or discipline NOT punishment. Read Hebrews 12:3-12 and share the Biblical Truths you learn below.

9.To what must our instruction always to be tied? (See 2 Timothy 3:13-17). Why?

10.Do you think it is a coincidence that children are to obey “in the Lord,” and parents are to train and instruct “in the Lord?” Explain.

11.Today we study one of my MOST FAVORITE passages in all of Scripture and truly one of the most powerful and practical.

Read Ephesians 6:10-20. In this passage of Scripture, Paul tells us God has the power, identifies the enemy, instructs us to stand against him, and commands us to put on the full armor of God.

a.What does Paul instruct a believer to do in verse 10?

b.To what does Paul compare a Christian life in verse 12? Read Revelation 12:4, Daniel 10:13-20. How do these verses support Paul’s words?

c.What does Paul tell us to put on in verse 11? Why?

d.What are some of the Devil’s schemes and strategies? What does John 10:10 tell us the devil came to do?

e.Read Romans 8:31-39 and share how this passage relates to these verses in Ephesians.

12.Read James 4:6-10. Read Isaiah 14:12-15 (scholars believe these passages describe Satan’s fall).

a.What fleshly character trait is discussed in these passages?

b.What does God say about that trait in James 4:6?

c.According to James 4:7, when we do humble ourselves and submit to God what will the devil do?

d.According to James 4:10, when we humble ourselves what will God to?

13.Since we are fighting against enemies in the spirit world, Paul tells us that we need special equipment. In Ephesians 6:13-17 God has provided the “whole armor” for us. Paul commands us to put on the armor, take the weapons, stand strong, and pray.

a.Name each piece of armor and explain how each piece helps us in our battle against the devil.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

b.How does the final piece of armor in verse 17, the Sword of the Spirit, differ from the other pieces of armor? (Hint: Read Hebrews 4:12). Also, read Luke 4:1-13 to see how Jesus uses the Sword.

c.When my son, Bo, was just a baby, I began praying the armor of God over him each night. As soon as he was old enough to pray out loud, the very first thing he prayed was the armor of God over himself and our family…every single piece in the armor he recited. He is now 12 years old and prays it over himself every night. Practically, how can you use each piece of armor to help you and your family stand against the devil’s scheme?

14.Read the following Scriptures and share how they relate to this passage in Ephesians.

a.2 Corinthians 10:3-5

b.1 Peter 5:8-9

c1 John 3:8

d.Hebrews 2:14

e.Isaiah 54:17

f.1 John 4:4

Blessings to you,

WELCOME ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TODAY READERS. I am so thankful you stopped by my blog today. Please know how much you girls encourage me each time I write a devotional. I love your comments and look forward to reading them!! They show me how God is at work in and through our lives. And don’t forget if you leave a comment today sharing your story of discipline, I will enter you in the giveaway to win a copy of Lou Giglio’s book.

I have not written a follow-up to my devotional today because I am in the middle of hosting a Bible Study on the book of Ephesians. This is our fourth lesson. Feel free to jump in and join us…past lessons are posted as you scroll down.

If something in my devotional today touches you or you would like prayer, please leave a comment. If you would like to join our Bible Study or would be interested in joining me for future Bible Studies, please leave me your first name and e-mail address so I can register you. You can also contact me via e-mail at my e-mail address listed below. Soon I will have a Bible Study on the Book of Proverbs available for purchase. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me as well.

Sweet Blessings!

Hey Bible Study Friends!

Thank you for your great comments this week! I agree with Tracy (sweltering in South Carolina). I wish I could see all your sweet faces. Even though we are far apart geographically, it is absolutely amazing how close we are in heart…praying for one another, caring for one another, encouraging one another, and even advising one another. God is accomplishing His purposes among us.

My son, Bo, helped me select the winners of Sandy’s artwork contest. He is 12 and a huge Duke basketball fan. He chose two numbers: 12 (for Kyle Singler) and 30 (for John Scheyer). So, the authors of the 12th comment and the 30th comment are the winners of Sandy’s artwork. Congratulations to…..

Barbara (Anonymous) who posted her comment on July 5th at 7:36.

Jerri Frost Bragg who posted her comment on July 7th at 10:02.

Please send your mailing address to deuteronomysix@aol.com, and Sandy will send you your cards. Sandy, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work with us. If you are ever looking for cards, prints, and other wonderful artwork to give as gifts or to treat yourself, please visit Sandy’s website.

We just have a few weeks left. I love hearing how God takes you to new places as you dig deeper in Scripture. That is what I have prayed every week. That He would be teaching you…not me!!! In fact, there are times when I learn from you, and I LOVE IT!!

You girls have been such in inspiration to me to continue writing these studies. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. I am nearly finished with a study on the book of Proverbs. It should be done in the next few weeks. I did a sneak preview of it a few months ago on my blog. I am hoping to have it available for sale soon after we finish this study. If you would be interested in learning more for yourself, your Bible study, or your church, please e-mail me deuteronomysix@aol.com.

Time to get down to business. Below please find the fourth lesson and the homework and reading assignment for next week. Don’t forget you can subscribe by e-mail and receive this post in your in-box each week by clicking on the link in my sidebar. However, you will not be able to see the videos or comments unless you visit my blog directly at http://www.wendyblight.com/.

Reading Assignment: Ephesians Chapter Five

Homework Questions: Please do as many questions as time allows. It is in your reading and studying that God will do His greatest work.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, my heart eagerly awaits what You have to speak to me as I open Your Word again this week. Thank You that Your Word promises that when You send it out, it will never return void but accomplish what You desire and achieve the purposes for which You sent it. Will You show me what Your purposes are for Your Word in my life? Father, will You open the eyes of my heart to see what it is You have to teach me. Give me deep wisdom and understanding to discern what it is You want to change in my life. Shine the Light of Your Word even to the deepest darkest places in my heart…bring to the surface areas in my life where I need to be more like You and less like the world. Break down walls and make my heart tender to receive. Father destroy lies and replace them with Truth. Change me, Lord. May I never be the same after these next two weeks with You in Your Word. Thank You that You are faithful to complete the work you have begun in me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

1.Ephesians 5:1 begins with the words, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do because you are His dear children.” By using “therefore,” Paul takes his audience back to the last verse of Chapter four: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”

Let’s focus for a moment on forgiveness. God calls us to forgive one another just as Christ forgave us.

a.Read Matthew 6:14-15, Hebrews 12:14-15, and Matthew 18:21-35, The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. What Truths do you learn from these verses and this parable?

b.What things in your life do you find it most difficult to forgive? Why?

c.What role does Satan play in unforgiveness? In your own experience, how has he played a role in your decisions to not forgive (feeds you lies, replays the offense in your mind, tells you offense too great for forgiveness, etc.)?

d.According to Ephesians 5:2 and Ephesians 4:31-32, how should we overcome unforgiveness?

e.Is there a name that has come to mind as you have studied this lesson on forgiveness? Remember, forgiveness is a choice. Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-11. God calls us to forgive because He knows that unforgiveness holds us captive to Satan. Will you commit to pray about forgiving this person and allowing God to deal with the wrong? We are never more like Christ when we forgive because we are setting aside our right to be right, our right to avenge. It is truly a place of freedom!!! I invite you to lay down your offenses today. Write a prayer below and watch what God will do!!

2.Read Ephesians 5:1-17 again. In this passage, Paul shares three ways believers can imitate their heavenly Father.

a.The first is to walk in ______________ (5:2). In addition to forgiveness discussed in Question One, what are some practical ways you can imitate God’s love?

b.The second is to walk in _______________ (5:8). How does Paul describe walking as children of the light? What are some ways we can practically do this today?

c.The third is to walk in _______________ (5:15). Practically, how can we walk/live wisely?

3.Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-7

a.Why are unbelievers in darkness?

b.Who is the “god of this age?” (Eph. 2:2, 1 John 5:19, 1 Peter 5:8)

c.How can believers in Jesus shine light on unbelievers?

d.Practically, what can you do in your life to shine God’s Light?

4.In Ephesians 5:3 Paul speaks of immoral acts. Name the three sins that have no place among God’s people. Explain the sins and why they have no place among God’s people.

5.In Ephesians 5:4 Paul moves from immoral acts to impure speech. From what kinds of speech should we refrain? Explain the types of speech and why Paul asks us to refrain from such speech.

6.Over the next two weeks listen to conversations going on around you and measure them against Paul’s standard. Share what you discover. How well did you do in your own conversations? With what did you struggle the most?

7.Read Galatians 5:16-24.

a.Paul contrasts two ways of living. What are they?

b.How can those who belong to Jesus live victoriously over sin? (Galatians 5:24-26)

8.Read Romans 7:21-24 and Romans 8:1-11.

a.Explain in your own words what Paul says here and how it relates to what we have studied.

b.Explain how you have experienced this battle in your personal life. Do these verses help you understand this struggle better?

c.Reread Romans 8:1. Write it below. What do these words mean to you personally?

9.How do we “become” holy? (Read Romans 12:2-3 and Colossians 1:9-10).

10.Let’s do a bit of calculating. Sorry for those of you who do not like math!! (Hint: there are 365 days in a year). How many days have you lived to date? Let’s estimate you will live to age of 80. How many days do you still have yet to live?

a.Looking over your life thus far, what do you feel you have accomplished for the Lord? If you are struggling to answer this question, do not feel guilty or ashamed. For many of us, we truly have no idea how we can “do” for the Lord. It’s not until He opens the eyes of our hearts that we see how to use all He has gifted us with to serve Him. Do you feel what you have learned in this study has changed your perspective on this?

b.Considering your gifts and talents, list at least one thing, if not more, that you would like to accomplish for the Lord before your 80 years are up.

c.Do you feel you live your life in a way that you are available to serve Him? If not, what is keeping your from being one hundred percent available to hear His call to serve?

11.According to Paul, the way to walk in wisdom is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. “Filled” here means “controlled by.” In Ephesians 5:18, to what does Paul compare being filled with the Spirit? Do you think it a bit odd?

a.Read Acts 2:13-15. What happened?

b.There is something in common here…people being under the influence of something that affects them. Compare and contrast being drunk on wine (if you can…remember…no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!) and being drunk in the Spirit?

c.Read Colossians 3:15-18. How does this relate to Ephesians 5:18-22?

d.We are sealed with the Holy Spirit the moment of our salvation. But being “filled” with the Spirit is not a one-time event and does not happen automatically. It is also not something we fill ourselves, but we must allow the Spirit to fill us. According to Paul, what can we do to be filled with the Spirit?

e.What do you personally do to receive fresh fillings of the Holy Spirit?

BELOW ARE SOME QUESTIONS ON MARRIAGE

1.Before we begin, it is imperative that we remember: MARRIAGE IS A DIVINE RELATIONSHIP, ESTABLISHED BY GOD HIMSELF AT THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. Consequently, for God’s perspective on marriage, let’s go back to the very beginning. Read Genesis 2:18-25.

a.What does God say about man (Adam) in Genesis 2:18a?

b.What is God’s solution in Genesis 2:18b?

c.How did God create Adam?

d.What did Adam say in response to God’s gift to him? (Genesis 2:23).

e.Read Genesis 2:24 and explain what it means for a man to “leave” his father and mother and be united to his wife. Why is this so important? Has this happened in your family?

f.Why does it not discuss a woman leaving her parents?

2.Before Paul addresses the relationship between husbands and wives, he makes this statement in Ephesians 5:21: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Why do think he started with a more general statement of submission before specifically addressing wives in the very next verse: “Wives submit to your husband?”

a.Why does Paul tell women in Ephesians 5:22 to submit to their husbands?

b.To what is the husband’s headship compared?

3.Read 1 Peter 3:1-17.

a.What is Peter’s instruction to wives in 1 Peter 3:1a? Does it come with any exceptions or qualifications?

b.What are your thoughts on this? Do you struggle with what Peter asks of a wife? Explain.

c.What is the rationale for this instruction (1 Peter 3:1b)?

d.According to 1 Peter 3:2, what behavior in a wife will win her husband over to the Lord?

4.Do you believe Peter’s words and Paul’s words were culture-specific meant for that audience in that day, or are they instructions to be followed by wives in every age…even today?

5.What are Paul’s instructions to the husband? (Ephesians 5:25-30). To what does He compare a husband’s love? Explain.

6.Read 1 Peter 3: 7.

a.What does Peter say to husbands?

b.Why do you think women received six verses of instruction and men only one?

7.In summary, Scripture clearly teaches that a man must “love” his wife and a woman must “respect” her husband. Why the difference?

8.Now that you have studied marriage as defined by Scripture, how does your marriage compare? If your marriage falls short, which most of ours will, what is the reason? Where is the struggle? Will you commit that area of struggle to the Lord using the tools you have learned this semester (find verses, write a prayer, journal your progress, invite a friend to pray for you and hold you accountable)?