First Baptist Cleveland



Lesson 4 – Becoming Vulnerable – Identify the IssueWhat does the word “vulnerable” mean?Suspectable to physical or emotional attack or harmIn need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability or risk of abuse or neglectHow does this word apply to those of us in Act 3?Have you experienced the feeling of being vulnerable?If not, can you project a time that you will?John 21:18 describes such a time!!!Lesson 4 – Becoming Vulnerable – Identify the IssueAging brings with it many changes that require emotional and mental adaptation BUT our loving, caring, compassionate God is still in control!For most of our time in Acts 1 and 2 of our lives, we seem to feel that we have some control over our lives but, as we age, events seem to dictate that we have to adapt (e.g., relocating to be nearer children, retirement community, assisted living, skilled care, or in-home care)Science and technology have made us feel as if we are left behind; have you ever felt technologically challenged???Since our minds and bodies can no longer provide us correct information to do for us what we used to take for granted, we are forced to make transitions that will lead us into obedient trusting and knowing God in a deeper, closer way!1 – Identify the IssueSomeone once said, “growing old is NOT for the faint of heart”Aging brings with it challenges at a time that we feel least equipped to deal with them – what are some of these challenges?1 – Bombarded with new mind-boggling medical advances, we often search for the right health-care or medical solution for us2 – Trying to get someone on the phone (who can speak good Southern English!) for assistance leaves us pushing a bunch of buttons for the right extension (e.g., ever heard, please listen carefully as our menu options have changed?)3 – Text messaging, facetime and Zoom are often confusing and mysterious leaving us feel alienated from a once familiar environment4 – Economic systems often appear failing – high unemployment, retirement accounts are volatile, money market or savings accounts pay little to no interest, Social Security threatened by being overextended; many on fixed incomes have to choose between medicine and food!!1 – Identify the Issue5 – Mental capacities appear to decline – ever go into a room and ask: why did I come in here? What once were familiar names and faces, words to favorite hymns, Scripture verses, many other things escape us leaving us open to mistakes, worry over dementia, or embarrassment6 – Bodies are no longer able to do what they used to; breakdown in physical systems – digestion, vision, hearing, elimination and/or the onset of a disease or degenerative problemSo what must we do in reaction to all these changes?Begin the process of LETTING GO!The Serenity PrayerGod grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;Taking as He did the sinful world as it is, not as I would have itTrusting He will make all things right, if I surrender to His will that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.1 – Identify the IssueMuch of our life in Act 3 is learning and adapting to accept the fact that we face things we can no longer control It is not that during Acts 1 and 2 we never experienced lack of control in our younger years but that now it is a more constant fact of lifeSo what do we do? Learn to let go and depend on the faithfulness and goodness of God in deeper ways than ever beforeRemember what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 – 30Then, each day can become one of praise for God’s lovingkindness and gratitude for the many victories that come our wayRemember the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness”Questions to PonderIn what ways are you feeling vulnerable?What do you notice about yourself that indicates the aging process has begun?What things do you believe you can control?What things are beyond your control?How do you plan to prepare for the process of letting go?2 – Discover the Eternal Principles1 – Vulnerability is part of everyone’s life. As we age, we become more acutely aware of our inability to control our environment.Reading Esther 2:1 – 9; 4 and Ruth 1:1 – 17, you can see that Esther and Naomi, although different ages, demonstrated vulnerabilityEsther, living during time of King Ahasuerus coming from back from his defeat in his invasion of Greece, sought pleasure by conscripting 400 women into his haremEsther, who was raised by her uncle Mordecai, was one of these women and rose to replace Queen Vashti in the “Miss Persian Empire Pageant” Not allowed to approach the king, but being informed of the king’s decree to kill all Jews, she approached the king making her vulnerable, since without an invitation to approach the king, she would face executionHer obedience to the Lord in a time of vulnerability put her in the right place as she “attained royalty for such a time as this” saving the genocide of the JewsEsther, a young woman, was at the mercy of her culture!In Act 3, are you ever at the mercy of your culture or situations beyond your control?2 – Discover the Eternal Principles – Ruth 1:1 - 17During the 400 years of rule by judges in which “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” and a famine, Elimelech and his wife Naomi, sojourned (meaning they planned to return) to land of MoabThere, Naomi’s husband and her two sons both died leaving her vulnerable and wanting to return to IsraelNaomi was left without support in a culture where women had to have a male family member to provide and protect her leaving her vulnerable in a foreign cultureNaomi encouraged her daughters in law to remain in Moab and yet Ruth saw Naomi’s undying faith in the Lord and said “I want your God to be my God”So, in our vulnerable time during Act 3, our trust in God, and turning towards Him in?tough?times, will often be the thing that draws others to the LORD.Questions to PonderHow can you identify with these women in their vulnerability?Do you think it is still important in our culture for a woman to be connected to a man for protection and provision?How does becoming a widow or widower make one vulnerable today?Do you see Naomi’s trip back to her homeland (Israel) an act of courage or defeat?How was God working in both of these situations to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling?”2 – Discover the Eternal Principles2 – Awareness of vulnerability prompts us to seek out community.Did not both Esther and Naomi realize their need to depend on othersOne of the gifts of vulnerability is that it brings us into contact with othersWe can’t go it alone for God designed us to need each otherRemember Jesus’ words to his disciples in John 13:33 – 35Who did these women have for support?Esther had her uncle Mordecai – who do you have or did have for a mentor?Naomi had Ruth and later Boaz to care for her – can community, church, government and/or friends take the place of family?How might pride keep you from the joy of interdependence?2 – Discover the Eternal Principles3 – Being vulnerable helps us to recognize our dependence on God and His faithfulness toward us.In both stories of Esther and Naomi, we can see how God protected and blessed themMore importantly, we can see how the circumstances in their lives worked out to accomplish God’s plan for the salvation of His peopleCan you think of a time in your life when God has been clearly present and faithful? Has this life story been shared with your family or extended family?Are these times when you tried to go it on your own instead of trusting God and counting on others for support? What were the lessons you learned?Personal Application1 – Be aware of your vulnerability! Difficulties are part of the fabric of living in a fallen world BUT we know Jesus will return and set all things rightUntil then, we must encounter death, disease, and hardships – look at Paul as an example2 – As we accept our vulnerability, we are able to become strong in our own weakness (2 Cor. 12:9)3 – We are able to let go of our need for control4 – Facing our present challenges helps us grow in our belief, trust, and faith in God that He can be counted on in ALL things!Take Away Questions to Ponder1 – Does watching the continuous barrage of bad news coverage contribute to your feelings of fear or vulnerability?2 – What kind of material do you read or watch on TV? Is it dark, pessimistic or uplifting?3 – Have you withdrawn from the support of community? Has pride kept you from accepting help when you need it?4 – Have you noticed you have become more self-focused?5 – Has concern for yourself taken the place of encouraging and demonstrating love and concern for others?What does Hebrews 4:14 – 16 remind us as we ponder living out our days during Act 3?Sources: The New Inductive Study Bible. New American Standard Version. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2000Aging in the Grace of God. Christianity Today International, 2009. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download