AVOIDING* THE HALL OF MIRRORS
OR ESCAPING
CHAPTER 9
Malcontents + Covenant: Seriously (1|2)
Pages 109-115 (end reading at: Love gives. Lust takes.)
1 Samuel 18:1-11 (ESV) The beginning of Saul’s downfall is read on page 111.
“Beware pouring all of your time into malcontents, people who are never satisfied. These people will most likely never be content, because for some people, whatever you give, it’s never enough. - You constantly running after them is not going to help them on this journey. Let them be, and instead of letting your actions be determined by fear of their negative kickback, do what you do with your eyes fixed on Jesus; it always ends up better that way.” Have you encountered someone like this? How have/do you handle someone like this?
“This is what covenant does. It creates the kind of relational safety whereby mistakes can be made, forgiven, and then hopefully grown out of. Covenant is binding. Covenant is solemn. Covenant matters.” What is your response to this statement? Where have you witnessed a covenant withheld, and where have you witnessed a covenant broken?
On page 113, Stef describes positive and negative covenants. What stood out to you in both descriptions?
“Our Western world is much more interested in casual relationships than covenantal ones. Covenant speaks of commitment, which is now almost a cultural taboo. Covenant demands dogged longevity, and that scares the life out of secular people. But being faithful to one another is one of the ways that we protect one another from the ravages of the enemy, who loves to sow discord and lies into relationships that they might be destroyed. “ Where have you witnessed a covenant relationship not just survive discord but come through the other side and thrive?