Homeword for Week 5 - Acceptance

Next Monday we are going to do our study on God's sufficiency in our need
for acceptance. This one is huge. HUGE. We all suffer from this onion in
various ways. Here is what you can be working on over the next week and be
prepared to discuss on Monday night. Even if you don't write out your
answers, at least read through the questions and verses and reflect on them.
This is not a test to see if you know how you should answer these questions,
it is a personal assessment of what your life is like now.

1. In what ways do I feel rejected and or ostracized?

2. How much time do I spend each day feeling like I don't fit in or
those around me dislike me or aren't concerned with me?

3. How much of my life is dominated by insecurity?

4. What is my reaction when I feel rejected or ostracized?

5. What am I compelled to do to seek validation and acceptance?

6. Do I believe that God's love and acceptance is enough, even if I am
rejected by those around me? Why or why not?

I am going to include a list of scripture verses to reflect on. Find some of
your own if you like as well. Record (or at least be cognizant of) your
thoughts and feelings, both doubtful and liberating. Try to fill out an
onion. Come prepared to share. Feel free to add to these scriptures and
share.

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great
delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you
with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

1 John 3:1
See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be
called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him.

EPHESIANS 3:16-21 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen
you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and
established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp
how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this
love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all
the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all
we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him
be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for
ever and ever! Amen

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an
everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).

Isaiah 41:9-10 9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are my servant';
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I Corinthians 4:8&9: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down,
but not destroyed.

Jeremiah 29:11-14: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen
to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your
heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD

Heb. 13:4b-6: because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I
forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not
be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"