Being Transformed into a Woman of Purity

Transcription

1 Being Transformed into a Woman of Purity A BIBLE STUDY FOR COLLEGE WOMEN pure ŏ not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material without any extraneous and unnecessary elements free of any contamination wholesome and untainted by immorality, esp. that of a sexual nature *In scripture male references usually refer to man represen3ng the human race. For our purposes the gender references have be feminized. transform verb [ trans. ] make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of This four part Bible study is written by The Navigators at The University of South Carolina 2010

2 The New Self I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 1. What does it mean Christ lives in me? Is it literal and/ or figurative? See John 14:23, Revelation 3:20 2.What is life and godliness? How do we attain life and godliness? His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may paracipate in the divine nature and escape the corrupaon in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3,4 3.What does it mean to participate in the divine nature? 4. How do evil desires compete with participating in the divine nature? 5. When you give into your evil desires where is Jesus in that picture? Does this influence your decisions?

3 The Old Self Use all the verses to answer each question You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceidul desires to be made new in the aetude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: What can you learn about the sinful nature from these verses? Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful woman is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hosale to God. It does not submit to God s law, nor can it do so. Romans 8: What would qualify as misdeeds of the body? 3. How does the culture impact how we as Christian women deal with our sinful nature and misdeeds? Does the culture impact our standards? And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, sisters, we have an obligaaon - but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are daughters of God. Romans 8: What would put off the old and put on the new look like?

4 The Battle battle noun a sustained fight between large, organized armed forces a lengthy and difficult conflict or struggle Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1,2 1.What are things you tend to set your heart on? 2. Why is it important to set your heart on things above? How does it relate to putting off the old and putting on the new self? Finally, sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8 3. From these verses what are you encouraged to do with your minds? What are some practical ways you can live out Phil 4:8? Be self- controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8,9 4. In lesson one we talked about our responsibility to put off our sinful/fallen nature, which is often referred to as our flesh. As we move towards setting our hearts and minds on things above we have an Enemy who desires to disrupt our efforts. What are some ways he attempts to devour us and how can we prevent that from happening?

5 Confession and Forgiveness Talking about purity and areas we struggle in regarding purity can often cause us to experience guilt and shame. God wants to bring freedom from guilt and shame we experience through His provision of confession and forgiveness. As we bring our sin into the light with God and others, God also wants to enter into the broken places of our hearts and bring healing and life. Keeping our sin and areas we struggle in the dark only serves to keep us feeling our guilt and shame and living out of bondage. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from sin Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and jusafied when you judge. Psalms 51:1-4 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous woman is powerful and effecave. James 5:16 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 1. What characterisacs of God move him to forgive us? What is our part in the process? 2. How would you define confession? To whom should you confess to first? 3. When we confess God promises to forgive however, many of us encounter obstacles in experiencing God s forgiveness. What are some obstacles, and why do they exist? 4. How can confession to someone else be helpful? Confession generally should be to a person you have offended and/or to another person who can help you resolve a relational struggle or purity issue. If you feel the need to confess a struggle you are having with a purity issue it is a good idea to confess to an older person and only share in general terms what the struggle is. It is not a good idea to share graphic details. The process of bringing purity issues into the light by confessing to someone begins the process of moving toward health and healing.