Matthew 26:36-42 - Bible Study Challenge Day 1

This morning at church, our minister issued us a challenge: A Seven Day Family Bible Study. I study most mornings and post here on my blog, so this week my blog will serve to answer this challenge.
Each day, my husband John and I will read the verses and answer the questions listed in the study. I challenge you to read along with us and answer the questions for yourself before reading our thoughts. Day one is below.

Question 1 - Why was Jesus sorrowful?
Jesus knew what was about to happen. He knew the pain and agony he was going to feel, physically and spiritually. He knew what he was going to have to deal with, yet he was willing to do God's will.

Question 2 - How does Jesus teach obedience in this passage?
He is willing to do what God requires, even if he doesn't want to. He wants to follows God's will not his. He prays for a way to change the situation, but is accepting of God's plan.

Question 3 - When was a time you prayed to God like Jesus does here?
We both thought of times when we were praying for children. Parents love their children and want good things for them, but sometimes we have to allow God to work in their lives, which may may be hard for them and difficult for us to watch.

Lord, thank you for showing us such an example of obedience from your son. Please help us to always accept your will. Amen.

 

Joel 1:3 - Pass it down

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.

This passage is talking about passing down the story of a devastating locust invasion, but the idea of passing down information to our children is evident throughout the Bible.  This appears to be one of the best ways share our faith, by sharing it with the next generation in our family. If you are a multi-generational Christian who grew up going to church, you may be a little frustrated that you did not have a "great conversion experience". But remember, even if we learn our faith from our parents, we have to make the choice to follow God. If we are still just following our parent's faith without making our own decision, then we have not yet decided to follow God.

Lord, thank you for allowing me to be raised by a Christian parent. Please help all of us to independently decide to follow you. Amen.

Testimony #5 - A parent

I kept putting off this Testimony...I guess the closer you get to something, the more painful it is and the harder it is to express.

I was an married woman without children. My husband and I became houseparents at a children's home. This was extraordinarily difficult. After this we became foster parents to the child of a friend. This also was very difficult. Then we adopted an older child. This was the most difficult.

Then God gave us permission to give up. Church leaders sat us down and told us this was not working and had become a dangerous situation. After countless efforts to help this child, something had to change. We terminated the adoption and this child was adopted by his biological grandfather.

Now I am finding more joy in parenting our remaining foster child than I ever thought possible. And the other child has a devoted prayer warrior who will never stop loving him.