A Lova' Like No Otha' (26 page)
Chapter One
1. Zoe's plans for a perfect wedding were rained upon by her unfaithful fiancé, leaving her hurt and confused. When has an unexpected turn of events threatened to ruin plans you have made for your life, causing you to reassess everything you believe in? Read
Job 17:11, 42:2
and
Proverbs 19:21.
2. Based on her prayer, Zoe recognized that being sexually active with Devyn was not in God's will, yet she continued to be sexually active before marriage. Why do human beings tend to ignore the will of God in chosen areas of their lives, yet seek His blessings in those same areas? How can we grow to trust in His plan for our lives? Read
Exodus 19:5; Proverbs 16:3; Jeremiah 7:23, 29:11.
Chapter Two
3. Zoe was devastated when Devyn left her at the altar. After her disastrous wedding day, she had to begin picking up the pieces of her life. How can we know that the Lord is with us even as we face the darkest times of our lives? Read
Deuteronomy 31:8; Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 43:2
and
John 14:27.
Chapter Three
4. Being jilted at the altar left Zoe feeling like her circumstances were so bad that not even the Lord could redeem them. How can people gain hope that the Lord can bring glory to Himself even through the worst of circumstances? Read
Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:27; Isaiah 6:57.
5. Chase told Zoe that he wanted God's will to be done in his life more than he wanted the desires of his heart. How can we know that our desires are within the will of God? Read
Psalms 37:4, 23, 31, 119:133; 2 Timothy 2:22.
Chapter Four
6. Zoe blinded herself to reality regarding her relationship with Devyn. Later she acknowledged that Devyn wasn't the kind of man she needed. What happens to believers when we surrender our will and our lives to the will of God? Read
Psalms 4:5, 37:5-7; Proverbs 3:5-6.
Chapter Five
7. For a time, it appeared as though Chase would not be a player for the Seattle Storm although it was his heart's desire to play professional football. How can believers continue to give testimony to the Lord even when it appears as though we may have lost our heart's desires? Read
Psalms 27:14, 130:5; Isaiah 40:30-31.
Chapter Six
8. After Zoe had been wronged at the altar, even more horrible things began happening to her. How can believers know that the enemy is not winning during those times when it feels like we're being kicked when we're already down? Read
Psalms 13, 31:15-24.
9. As Zoe and Chase continued to share the same apartment, Zoe became increasingly aware of her physical desire for him. What should Christians do to keep their hearts and minds focused on things that will not lead them astray? Read
Romans 13:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7.
Chapter Seven
10. Zoe's attraction to Chase continued to escalate, especially as he excelled in his football career and began gaining the attention of fans, the media, and even other women. Furthermore, she was thrilled that he cared deeply, too. How did her actions reveal that Zoe still did not have a full appreciation for the kind of man Chase was or for the kind of relationship God desired for the two of them? Read
1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.
11. Fawn gave Zoe good advice, although it was cloaked in judgment. How can Christians share their godly wisdom and insights with God so that the message will be interpreted as loving and not judgmental? Read
Psalms 116:5; Matthew 9:36; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12.
Chapter Eight
12. Zoe believed her living arrangements with Chase were acceptable, primarily because they were not sleeping together. They failed to consider the temptation brought on by two people in love sharing living quarters before they were married. What are the consequences of believers ignoring the fact that they are stepping into spiritual storms and personal blizzards? Read
1 Thessalonians 5:21-24.
Chapter Nine
13. After their argument in the motel room, Zoe wondered why the Lord would not take away her feelings of desire for Chase. In what way does Zoe's prayer indicate a lack of trust in God? What should believers do when we seem unable to trust God and control our desires and urges? Read
2 Samuel 22:26-37.
Chapter Ten
14. In a more compassionate way Amy was able to express Christian concern for Zoe and Chase's living arrangements. How can believers know when we are involved in activity that offers a flawed witness to the world? Read
Romans 12:1-2.
15. Zoe's sexual advances toward Chase seemed to reveal that she only knew how to show love and compassion through sex. How can Christians appropriately demonstrate love, caring, joy and other positive feelings to others, especially members of the opposite sex? Read
Ruth 2:1-16, 3:3-13.
16. After their breakup, Zoe began to realize that she needed a life of her own and a deeper relationship with the Lord. Why are many female believers prone to throw their energies into a intimate human relationship, rather than an intimate relationship with God? Read
Genesis 3:16b; Song of Songs 5:6-8.
Chapter Eleven
17. Zoe's temporary breakup with Chase gave her the time and opportunity to build a closer relationship with the Lord as well as with her own mother. How can unforeseen or unfortunate circumstances help believers grow closer to the Lord and repair damaged relationships with others? Read
Psalms 73:21-28.
18. Zoe's concern for her own problems blinded her to the fact that others were having problems, too, such as her mother. Mercifully, the Lord allowed the two of them to resolve their issues and grow closer before her mother's death. How can believers be more sensitive to the concerns of others, even as we struggle with our own problems? What spiritual truths can we learn by being alert to the concerns of other persons? Read
Colossians 3:12-17.
Chapter Twelve
19. Although she was hurt that Chase had begun dating someone else, Zoe recognized that the situation was the result of her own creation. How does Zoe's acceptance of the consequences of her actions reveal that she was maturing, both spiritually and emotionally? Read
Ephesians 4:11-15.
20. Devyn reappeared when Zoe was most vulnerable to temptation. How does Satan use our vulnerability to tempt us with things or people that seem to be the solution to our problem? What can believers do to avoid getting in situations that lead them into temptation? Read
Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Colossians 3:1-5.
Chapter Thirteen
21. How did Zoe jeopardize her future by putting herself in a dangerous situation with Devyn? Why do you think she ignored reason and went to his residence despite everything that had happened between them? Pray a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for His grace that has covered you, shielding you from hurt, harm, and danger. Read
Judges 16:20; Psalms 20:1, 30:2-4, 59:1, 69:30.
22. Zoe realized the severe consequences of sin as she watched Aisha lying on the floor injured. What can people do to return to the Lord, despite the consequences of their sinfulness? Pray to the Lord for His forgiveness and mercy in the situations you have created in your life because of your sinfulness and the consequences that resulted. Read
1 Corinthians 15:31-34; Galatians 5:7-9.
Chapter Fourteen
23. Chase attributed his accident to allowing his problems to distract him from being focused on the Lord. How are believers affected when we allow our problems or circumstances to take our attention off of the Lord? Read
1 Chronicles 16:11; Matthew 14:25-32.
24. When Devyn confronted Zoe, his words were hurtful to Chase, yet Zoe could not deny what he was saying. A moment of vulnerability had returned to haunt her and hurt someone she loved deeply. What does this encounter between Devyn, Zoe, and Chase reveal about the need to make careful choices every moment of the day? Read
Proverbs 8:28-30; 1 Peter 3:15-17.
Chapter Fifteen
25. Only a few months earlier when Zoe wanted to marry Devyn she thought she was blessed to be with a not-so-faithful man with an average annual income. Through trial and struggle, the Lord brought her through to blessings beyond her imagination. Ask yourself if the Lord is pulling you through a storm in order to give you greater blessings. Pray and ask the Lord if you are in any way hindering those blessings from coming to you. Finally, pray for strength to endure the journey as you grow to receive the fullness of what the Lord has in store for you. Read
Psalms 142:7; Ephesians 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 9:11; Philip-pians 4:4-9, 19.