Real Loyalty Summary

Thanks to all that could make it last evening to our ladies class. For those of you who could not and are checking in to the blog - YEAH for you. I would love for this to be a consistent place to check for thoughts. We really can communicate more than twice a week! :) I thought our discussion went well and I want to apologize for not yet having the hang of the difference between the student and leader books. I truly have never taught from a leader's book before - so maybe I was giving the wrong answers in the past, either way this is a learning experience for us all. I wanted to touch again on the ideas we went through last night on loyalty. You will of course recall that the scripture was from the book of Ruth 1:1-18. I thought our dramatic readers did quite well and even matched the ages too!

If we want loyalty that will stick by us even when it is not beneficial or fulfilling we have to show that loyalty to others. In this fast paced drive through culture we have to be willing to sit down through several courses, some of which you may not even find palatable (I refer now to the current trend of serving asparagus with everything at restaurants!). However, asparagus may be required of me if I am to walk along side those in my life in a committed and loyal way.

We discussed that loyalty sometimes breaks blood ties, cultural ties, and the bonds of self-fulfillment. Remember Christ's examples as He walked His life out for us to bear witness. He showed the willingness to show loyalty outside His blood ties (Mk3:34), outside His cultural ties (John 4:4-7), and to break the bonds of self-fulfillment (Luke 22:42). God does not ask of us anything He has not done Himself.

The practical home works were good again this week. For those who did not furiously write them down I will give them again:

• Make a list of instances when others stuck by you when not to their advantage - This should be motivating to us to return the favor
• Write a vow of loyalty to someone you are in a relationship with - this can be a spouse, friend, child, parent, sibling - you pick!
• Thank God daily for His faithfulness - The Bible is chock full of examples of His faithfulness, never a promise made that is not kept

Be sure to check in again on Tuesday for the teaser - although now that you have the books I may need to get a bit more creative....