Friendship, love and discipleship

Eight months ago, I didn't think I was ready to lead others along their journey toward Christ, yet God presented me with the opportunity to disciple two young woman. I was excited yet nervous. The two girls knew each other and went to the same school but were not close friends. I saw this as an opportunity for the 3 of us to grow closer to Christ together and in turn develop a close friendship. 

During our first few months of meeting, I opened and closed us in prayer at our local meeting spot of Panera Bread. I would lead us in a discussion on the Bible study, Multiply. But as the months passed, I saw each of them growing in their love of Christ and in turn The Lord was empowering and equipping each of them. Soon they would take turns closing us in prayer and engage in great discussions on our lessons. They had become great friends, meeting up outside of our scheduled Bible studies too. One night we swapped places and the girls taught me what they learned at the Secret Church event at MCC! 

Titus 3:2-5 (ESV)

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

God has placed several mature Christian women in my life who have guided me and continue to provide wisdom, guidance and love. I now see that God has given me a new life that I may share it with others.

Now, 8 months later I cannot imagine my life on this earth without Narissa and Charissa. I do not know if they will ever realize how much their friendship, love, and time spent together has impacted my life. Narissa is going to be a senior. Charissa is going off to college. Though her college is here in town, I know from experience she will be very busy. While I may meet with the girls one on one as our schedules conflict, I know God has blessed us with a friendship that will last for eternity. We are sisters in Christ. We will forever be united when we meet our Father in Heaven. 

Photo: Birthday dinner. The presents were copies of Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love, a Christian novel based on the book of Hosea. This summer we are studying Hosea then reading Francine's book!

Encouragement at Panera

Every Monday night I meet with two high school girls, Charissa and Narissa. We have been meeting since last Fall and our Bible study is focused around Francis Chan and David Platt's book titled Multiply. Learning how being a disciple of God means we are to make disciples.

When we were first getting ready to meet I wasn't sure where I wanted to get together with the girls. I had never held a Bible study in a public setting before. Even in college we tended to have a room to meet in or even went to someone's apartment. But I talked with the girls and we decided to meet at Panera Bread. It was a courageous step for all of us, taken in faith, to show those around us that we are not ashamed to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior in public.

Each time we meet, I open our study in prayer asking God to bless our time together. I know that our bowed heads, closed eyes and me praying out loud may draw attention, but I continued to ask God to use our Bible studies at Panera as a witness to those around us.

A few months ago, a group of women was sitting next to us. After one of the girls closed our study in prayer, one of the women turned to us and asked what we were studying. I excitedly shared Multiply and the Bible. They attended another church nearby. We chatted for a bit before they left. It was great encouragement to meet others interested in learning more about Jesus Christ!

But where God is building His people up, the Devil is ready to strike. Not shortly after that night of encouragement did we have a night of discouragement. A neighboring table over heard our talk of Jesus and began to say some mocking words. I instantly heard them though the girls didn't notice until after a few minutes. I smiled at the girls and we continued on with the Holy Spirit guiding us through Scripture. It was hard for me to refocus because I felt discouraged. I was being tempted to doubt my Bible study in a public setting.

What should I do in a situation like this? Pray! God reminded me that we WILL be persecuted for following Him but we will also have eternity in Heaven with Him! We continued to have our Bible studies at Panera.

Tonight we were discussing how we can trust that God is always working in our lives. We trust in Him with our faith. When we come to Him in prayer, He always answers, though we may not always see His answer right away. I remembered that I must surrender my live to Christ, asking for His will to be done, not mine (Mark 14:36). I have been praying that God would continue to use our Bible study to encourage those around us.

Tonight God boldly answered my prayers! Not once, but TWICE, two women stopped by our table to say we were such an encouragement. Each woman had a huge smile on their face. We exchanged a few words before they moved on. God worked through those two women to show me that yes, He is listening to prayers and He getting the glory!