| Captivating John & Stasi Elderege Chapter 12 "An Irreplaceable Role" Outline & Handout property of FLUFF Ministries (c) 2006 |
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Example of Cinderella
“Then, word from the Prince arrives- an invitation to a ball. It is at this point that all hell breaks
loose. Her longings are awakened. Her enemies become enraged. And her life is never the same.”
202
As a woman, you don’t need to strive or arrange; you don’t need to make it happen. You only
need to respond.
Example: Mary (Luke 1:38)
It all starts with an invitation.
“Your lover has written something on your heart. It is a call to find a life of Romance and to protect
that love affair as your most precious treasure. A call to cultivate the beauty you hold inside, and
to unveil your beauty on behalf of others. And it is a call to adventure, to become the ezer the
world desperately needs you to be.” 203
Women have played essential roles in every great move of God upon the earth: Moses had a
mother…Rehab, Esther, Ruth, Elizabeth, Mary, Lydia, Priscilla, Others…
“To try and give honor to women in the sweep of history is impossible here. It would be easier to
think of any of the great or small turning points in God’s rescue of mankind and try to find one
where women were not irreplaceable. From the beginning, Eve was God’s gift to the world = his
ezer kenegdo for us. History is still unfolding, and your existence on this earth as a woman is proof
that you have an irreplaceable role to play.” 205
You have an important role to play, but offering what God has created you for to the world
involves risk, and trusting His intentions.
In relationships
Although responding to the invitation to play an irreplaceable role in the world you are in is risky,
even scary,
“security is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of Jesus.” 206
“Eve is God’s relational specialist given to the world to keep relationship a priority.” 209
Men can let things slip. Women are needed to keep things in check.
“What does it look like to offer my Beauty, my fierce devotion, my love? How do they need me to
be their ezer? You have an irreplaceable role in your relationships. No one can be to the people in
your life who you can be to them. No one can offer what you can offer. There are many things
God calls us to do, but loving well always comes first… [Your relationships must be fought for].”
210
Satan knew how to take out Adam, all he had to do was take out Eve - his ezer kenegdo. It
worked, and he hasn’t abandoned this plan ever since.
“God desires that wherever and however you offer yourself to the Body of Christ, you’ll have the
protection of good men over you. Not to hold you back, but to set you free as a woman. Christ
made man as his warrior, to offer his strength on behalf of Eve so that she might flourish.” 211
We want to offer ourselves to those who thirst for what we have. Ask God to help guide you
towards those who need what you have to offer. As a believer. As a friend. But more specifically
as a woman. Do not give way to fear. Responding to God’s invitations feels like the riskiest thing a
person could do. 1 Peter 3:6
Jesus had to trust his father profoundly, with his very being. 1 Peter 2:21-23 But he did, he
entrusted himself to his father, and did what no one else could do, but everyone desperately
needed him to.
Jesus lived a life of love and he invites us to do the same. Regardless of the response.
“We cannot have intimacy with God or anyone else if we stay hidden and offer only who we think
we ought to be or what we believe is wanted. We cannot play the ezer role we were meant to play
if we remain bound by shame and fear, presenting only to the world the face we have learned is
safe. You have only one life to live. It would be best to live your own. What have we to offer, really,
other than who we are and what God has been pouring into our lives? It was not by accident that
you were born; it was not by chance that you have the desires you do. The Trinity has planned on
your being here now, “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). We need you.” 216
John 13:3-5
“You are a woman. An image bearer of God. The Crown of Creation. You were chosen before time
and space, and you are wholly and dearly loved. You are sought after, pursued, romanced, the
passionate desire of your Fiancé, Jesus. You are dangerous in your beauty and your life-giving
power. And you are needed. As a woman who has been ransomed and redeemed, you can be
strong and tender. You speak to the world of God’s mercy, mystery, beauty, and His desire for
intimate relationship. You are inviting; you can risk being vulnerable, offering the weight of your
life as well as your need for more because you are safe in God’s love…The eyes of his heart are
ever upon you. The King is captivated by your beauty.” 217
“Jesus is extending his hand to you. He is inviting you to dance with him. He asks, “May I have this
dance…every day of your life?” His gaze is fixed on you. He is captivated by your beauty. He is
smiling. He cares nothing of the opinion of others. He is standing. He will lead. He waits for your
response… ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me’ (Song of Solomon 2:10).” 218
Take a few minutes to think about what your role is right now. How are you playing an
irreplaceable part of a story? Where are you ministering that only you can? What is your role in
the story?
Since this is the last of the Captivating chapters, take a minute and think about what you have
learned through the book, and through the outlines this semester. This would be a good time to
hand out the "So What?" sheets. These are primarily for your students, if you have time, or feel it
would be beneficial, ask them to share a little of what they wrote down.
“Then, word from the Prince arrives- an invitation to a ball. It is at this point that all hell breaks
loose. Her longings are awakened. Her enemies become enraged. And her life is never the same.”
202
As a woman, you don’t need to strive or arrange; you don’t need to make it happen. You only
need to respond.
Example: Mary (Luke 1:38)
It all starts with an invitation.
“Your lover has written something on your heart. It is a call to find a life of Romance and to protect
that love affair as your most precious treasure. A call to cultivate the beauty you hold inside, and
to unveil your beauty on behalf of others. And it is a call to adventure, to become the ezer the
world desperately needs you to be.” 203
Women have played essential roles in every great move of God upon the earth: Moses had a
mother…Rehab, Esther, Ruth, Elizabeth, Mary, Lydia, Priscilla, Others…
“To try and give honor to women in the sweep of history is impossible here. It would be easier to
think of any of the great or small turning points in God’s rescue of mankind and try to find one
where women were not irreplaceable. From the beginning, Eve was God’s gift to the world = his
ezer kenegdo for us. History is still unfolding, and your existence on this earth as a woman is proof
that you have an irreplaceable role to play.” 205
You have an important role to play, but offering what God has created you for to the world
involves risk, and trusting His intentions.
In relationships
Although responding to the invitation to play an irreplaceable role in the world you are in is risky,
even scary,
“security is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of Jesus.” 206
“Eve is God’s relational specialist given to the world to keep relationship a priority.” 209
Men can let things slip. Women are needed to keep things in check.
“What does it look like to offer my Beauty, my fierce devotion, my love? How do they need me to
be their ezer? You have an irreplaceable role in your relationships. No one can be to the people in
your life who you can be to them. No one can offer what you can offer. There are many things
God calls us to do, but loving well always comes first… [Your relationships must be fought for].”
210
Satan knew how to take out Adam, all he had to do was take out Eve - his ezer kenegdo. It
worked, and he hasn’t abandoned this plan ever since.
“God desires that wherever and however you offer yourself to the Body of Christ, you’ll have the
protection of good men over you. Not to hold you back, but to set you free as a woman. Christ
made man as his warrior, to offer his strength on behalf of Eve so that she might flourish.” 211
We want to offer ourselves to those who thirst for what we have. Ask God to help guide you
towards those who need what you have to offer. As a believer. As a friend. But more specifically
as a woman. Do not give way to fear. Responding to God’s invitations feels like the riskiest thing a
person could do. 1 Peter 3:6
Jesus had to trust his father profoundly, with his very being. 1 Peter 2:21-23 But he did, he
entrusted himself to his father, and did what no one else could do, but everyone desperately
needed him to.
Jesus lived a life of love and he invites us to do the same. Regardless of the response.
“We cannot have intimacy with God or anyone else if we stay hidden and offer only who we think
we ought to be or what we believe is wanted. We cannot play the ezer role we were meant to play
if we remain bound by shame and fear, presenting only to the world the face we have learned is
safe. You have only one life to live. It would be best to live your own. What have we to offer, really,
other than who we are and what God has been pouring into our lives? It was not by accident that
you were born; it was not by chance that you have the desires you do. The Trinity has planned on
your being here now, “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). We need you.” 216
John 13:3-5
“You are a woman. An image bearer of God. The Crown of Creation. You were chosen before time
and space, and you are wholly and dearly loved. You are sought after, pursued, romanced, the
passionate desire of your Fiancé, Jesus. You are dangerous in your beauty and your life-giving
power. And you are needed. As a woman who has been ransomed and redeemed, you can be
strong and tender. You speak to the world of God’s mercy, mystery, beauty, and His desire for
intimate relationship. You are inviting; you can risk being vulnerable, offering the weight of your
life as well as your need for more because you are safe in God’s love…The eyes of his heart are
ever upon you. The King is captivated by your beauty.” 217
“Jesus is extending his hand to you. He is inviting you to dance with him. He asks, “May I have this
dance…every day of your life?” His gaze is fixed on you. He is captivated by your beauty. He is
smiling. He cares nothing of the opinion of others. He is standing. He will lead. He waits for your
response… ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me’ (Song of Solomon 2:10).” 218
Take a few minutes to think about what your role is right now. How are you playing an
irreplaceable part of a story? Where are you ministering that only you can? What is your role in
the story?
Since this is the last of the Captivating chapters, take a minute and think about what you have
learned through the book, and through the outlines this semester. This would be a good time to
hand out the "So What?" sheets. These are primarily for your students, if you have time, or feel it
would be beneficial, ask them to share a little of what they wrote down.
