Yesterday, my women’s Bible study group completed our study on Biblical fasting. In this post, I will share some concluding thoughts and a free downloadable Bible study guide.
At the onset of this study I never anticipated the depth of riches I would gain throughout this learning experience. The sentiment that best expresses what I feel is, “I once was blind but now I see.” I was spiritually blind by my ignorance about the significance of fasting as part of the Christian life.
Final Lesson
During prayer and preparation for the final lesson, the image of a three-legged stool came to mind. I was reflecting upon Jesus’ pattern for living the Christian life. The one he shared in Matthew 6. Imagine each one of the duties Christ spoke of giving, prayer, and fasting representing one of the legs of the stool. If one leg is missing the stool’s designed function is nearly useless—it’s unstable. All three legs must be present for stability and for a person to set upon it in confidence.
The stool metaphorically represented my life. Unfortunately, I was missing a leg. Not anymore, I’ve met with the Creator. He opened my eyes, showed me my need, and did repair work. I’m on three legs! Oh, what solid confidence and surety to set upon all three.
A Tinge of Sadness
I feel a tinge of sadness wrapping up this topical study. There is still much to learn and experience, but it’s time to move on to new pastures where my Shepherd leads.
As mentioned above you can download a modified version of the study my women’s group used for the past six weeks, click the large green button to get yours. What did I modify? We did this study by searching the Scriptures in conjunction with reading Fasting by Jentezen Franklin. I changed and omitted questions that I had drawn specifically from the text of the book. I created a downloadable version, of our study that anyone can do using the Bible as their only reference source. Would I recommend other supporting resources? Absolutely, there are a number of excellent options available and I’m sharing a list of my favorites here. Two I discovered while preparing this post. The lists are alphabetical not by personal preference.
Favorite Websites:
“10 Biblical Purposes for Fasting.” The NIV Bible,
www.thenivbible.com/blog/10-biblical-purposes-fasting. Accessed 22 February 2022.
Hendrix, Chris. “The Discipline of Fasting.” Devotions by Chris, 06 January 2022,
www.devotionsbychris.com/2022/01/06/the-discipline-of-fasting-2. Accessed 22 February 2022.
Hurt, Bruce. “Matthew 6:6-18 Commentary.” Precept Austin, 26 April 2020,
www.preceptaustin.org/matthew_616-18#f. Accessed 07 March 2022.
“How to Begin Fasting.” Navigators,
http://www.navigators.org/resource/how-to-begin-fasting. Accessed 07 October 2018.
“The Place of Fasting in the Christian Life — Full Article.” C.S. Lewis Institute, 25 April 2018,
www.cslewisinstitute.org/The_Place_of_Fasting_in_the_Christian_Life_FullArticle. Accessed 07 March 2022.
Favorite Books:
Franklin, Jentezen. Fasting. Charisma House, 2008.
Wallis, Arthur. God’s Chosen Fast. CLC Publications, 2016.
Dear Reader, if this series has sparked an interest or curiosity about Biblical fasting follow that unction. Make it a priority to look into the Scriptures asking God to show you the truth.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thank You for opening my eyes and revealing this discipline. Holy Spirit, I pray You will grant wisdom and insight to those wanting to learn more. Thank You for purifying Your bride. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Author Bio
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, foster care parent, and trauma survivor. I enjoy sipping tea, writing devotionals, prayers, short stories, and unburdening my heart to the Lord. Check the About page if you want to read more of my story.
Would you like to know more about the afterlife and how you can be assured of eternity in Heaven? Check the Questions page.
Check the Free Gifts page for downloadable/printable study guides and resources.
Copyright © 2020-2023 Musings of Manette Kay™ All rights reserved. Requests to the author and publisher, Manette Kay, for permission.
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Thankyou for providing these resources Manette.
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You’re welcome, Jo. It is truly my pleasure to offer others what has blessed me.
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A very fitting ending to what has an insightful series Manette, thank you sister.
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Thank you, Alan. I have about double the notes of what became this series. Those notes do not have the organization or cohesiveness needed for a polished post. I appreciate your encouraging words. God bless you.
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Thank you so much Manette for the recommender resources and for the study guide. I am definitely downloading it.
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Manu, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share. It’s an honor. The Bible study can be worked through as a private personal study. However, I encourage you and other readers, if at all possible go through it with a group of other believers you can meet with.
So, much of the richness I gained was do to meeting with other women weekly for discussion. During the week, we individually worked through the lesson, then gathered to discuss our answers, our struggles, and our victories.
The weekly meetings bring to life the words of Paul, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. . . but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
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Thanks Manette. I agree that discussing with others does add so much to our learning.
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I can identify with your taste of sadness. There have been so many studies in my life where a sense of sadness followed its ending, knowing the joys I experienced during the journey. I feel your pain. Yet, it says much about the subject, the treasures, and you. God’s grip – Alan
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I’m glad you understand, Alan. I was reluctant about writing that “feeling” not sure if people would get it, but you did. The afterthought, which wasn’t documented in the post, is that the tinge of sadness is more like longing. A longing to know Christ–the insatiable hunger for more of HIM.
It is a good thing. We ought to have that sort of longing until face-to-face with Christ in Heaven. If anyone can discover everything there is to know about the living God–Jehovah, then he would not be the infinite, immutable, omnipotent, holy, El-Shaddai that I do know and am continuously learning more of. Blessings!
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I wrote a post about fasting this morning, and a number of my readers including Alan from devotional treasures and David‘s daily dose recommended I check out your series on the same subject.
I’m very much looking forward to reading it. Thank you
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Glad to hear it, Andy. I did a six-week Bible study on the topic and my series were somewhat of a summary of what we were learning. The first in the series is titled Wildfire Contagion and each subsequent post up to this one is part of the series.
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