Week 1
God's One-of-a-Kind Plan

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10b

   It is vital that I come to an understanding of the specific purposes for which God created me, as well as each person and relationship in my life. Every aspect of life is affected by how we view ourselves.
     If we misunderstand or reject the way God designed us, we will be unable to fully trust and appreciate the Lord.
     In seeking to accept our design, it is important to realize that there are two distinct sides to ourselves. First, we have a sinful nature that is evil; there is no good in our flesh, and our hearts tend toward wickedness (see Jeremiah 17:9). On the other hand, God made each of us in His image and designed us skillfully.
     It is important that we learn to accept God’s wonderful design for us, but at the same time fight against the evil lusts of our flesh. “For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world.” – 1 John 2:16.
     Look up the following Scriptures and list insights and truths to apply from each one:
Isaiah 43:1
 

Malachi 3:17

1 John 3:16

Key Truths:
     God loves and values me, desires a relationship with me, and offers me complete acceptance and forgiveness.
     Romans 15:7, "Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God."  If this verse were to guide my attitudes and actions toward other Christians, what changes would that involve?





     Many ladies have found that the people who are the hardest for them to accept and love are people right in their own families. Has this been your experience? If so, why?





     How can you apply 1 John 3:16 and Romans 15:7 specifically to your relationships with each member of your family? (Remember these are some of the most important people for us to love and seek to understand!)





     God created me and specially designed my physical features to fit His specific purposes for my life.
     Many people have not yet learned to trust God and to wait for Him to reveal His plan for them. They have been told that God created them and loves them, but when they look in the mirror, they are not happy with what they see. They may think, “If what I see in the mirror is an example of God’s love and design, I cannot trust Him” -- and so they resist God and refuse to dedicate themselves to Him.
     But God says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” – Jeremiah 1:5. God designed you the way you are on purpose because He has a great and unique plan for your life! “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11.
     Look up the following Scriptures and list insights and truths to apply from each one:
Psalm 18:30
 

Psalm 139:13-16

Jeremiah 1:5-8

1 Corinthians 15:10

Ephesians 1:11-12

     What are the unchangeable characteristics in your life?
     * parents
     * siblings
     * race/nationality
     * gender
     * mental capacity
     * time of life and death
     * physical features
     * other: ________________________________
     * other: ________________________________

     CONCEPT TO THINK ABOUT: Comparing ourselves with others in unchangeable areas leads to feelings of inferiority.

     Physical features may be some of the most difficult things to accept about ourselves. List some of your distinctive physical features:





     Unchangeable features that make us different from other people frame and highlight God’s unique message through us.
     He has designed a one-of-a-kind plan for each of our lives, and so He designed a one-of-a-kind frame to go with that unique design. We must trust God that He picked the right frame to perfectly complement the message that He is designing in each of our lives.
     “…be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'  So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.…'” – Hebrews 13:5-6. God will not forsake us, but will continue to develop in us the character of Christ.
     Look up the following Scriptures and list insights and truths to apply from each one:
Romans 8:28
 

2 Corinthians 12:9

1 Peter 1:24

     God allows our weaknesses in order to show His strength through us.
     What are some areas in which you feel particularly weak?





     Some ladies view their female gender as a defect. Truly, there are some "defects," including possibly a weaker constitution, a tendency to reject male authority, and a widely misunderstood role. The weaker constitution is not correctable, and is for God’s glory. The tendency to reject male authority and the widely misunderstood role are correctable by accepting God’s principles and choosing to live according to them.
     What are some benefits of being a woman?





     We should thank God for making us women. What are some practical ways that we can demonstrate gratefulness for God's design? (Example: wearing feminine clothing, etc.)





     Week 1 memory work: Choose at least one verse from the following list. Memorize the verse(s) that you think will be the most helpful for you to remember.
     Psalm 139:14
     Jeremiah 29:11
     Hebrews 13:5-6

     Kaitlin remembers the happy days when she was the same height as all her friends. Then, shortly after she turned eleven, she started growing taller. She outgrew her favorite clothes. Soon her best friend came up only to her shoulder — and didn’t weigh nearly as much, either.
     Kaitlin felt ugly and fat. Her friends looked petite and sweet, and she felt huge and awkward, always bumping into things or being in the way. She didn’t fit in anywhere.
     What should Kaitlin do? How could understanding the principle of design help in her situation?