Great Desires, Humility, and Peace: Ch 5 - I Believe in Love

For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the fifth chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss the desires of our hearts, how are we to follow and discern those desires, and how the Lord has given us gifts to build the kingdom. Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).

For the Book Study (or for going deeper):
This book, "I Believe in Love," is a personal retreat based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux written by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee

1. Read Chapter 5 (pgs. 115-140)
2. Listen to this discussion of Conference 5 between Fred and Kara from [Draw Near](drawnear.me)!
3. Discuss the following discussion questions with a friend OR in the "discussion" feed within the book study on Suscipe You can also click on this link to join the study! It's not too late!

For your convenience, here are the questions:

1. Chapter 5 opens with the words, "Nothing great ever comes about without great desires... If they are lacking, everything is dull and lifeless." Was there a time you were driven to achieve a desire only to discover that it did not bring fulfillment or glory to God? How did that impact you?

2. "'When we decide on some action, nine times out of ten we keep asking ourselves, "What are people going to think? What will So-and-so think if I do that?' and not, "What will Jesus think?" (pg.128). Have you ever made a decision based on what others would think? Have you made a decision for God? Which one brought greater peace/ joy/fulfillment or the like?

3. Reflect on the reality of God's grace at work in your life, and the desires he has placed in your heart; attainable desires according to St Therese! In what way might the Lord be calling you to use your natural gifts, talents, and the desires he placed in your heart, to bring him glory and build the kingdom?

4. "A ravishing form of humility is simplicity. It is the charm of those who know how to put themselves in their proper place and are not puffed up in their own eyes" (pg 130). Who is someone in your own life that you would describe in this way--simple humility? How might you follow that person as they follow Christ, and imitate their witness?

5. Building on the discussion about how the Lord speaks to us, and reflecting on being an "angel of peace," as Fr D'Elbee describes it, how is the Lord calling you to be a messenger ("angel") of peace in your home? In your work? In your relationships? In the world around you?

Learn more about (or purchase) the book, I Believe in Love here!

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