I Give Up Bible Study Guide

Most of us long to be in control—of our schedule, our relationships, and our future. Newlywed Laura Story thought she had control over the great life ahead of her. After all, she followed Jesus and had a promising new job as a worship leader. Why would God not want to fulfill her dreams? But when Laura and her husband, Martin, faced a brain tumor, infertility, and a son’s birth defect, she realized she’d been looking for a happiness that comes from circumstances, rather than a deeper joy that comes from God. Again and again, Laura had to surrender her vision for her life so she could embrace God’s vision. And again and again she learned that even in the midst of shattered dreams, God’s plan brought greater joy than she could have imagined. Now the Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter known for such hits as “Blessings,” “Indescribable,” and “Mighty to Save” shares her powerful story of finding blessing in her deepest pain. In, I Give Up, Laura explores: How to delight in God’s gifts no matter your circumstances. Why waiting on God is a daily decision, not a step-by-step process. The strength we find from meditating on God’s Word. Why surrendering to God leads to reconciliation with others. How the things we consider to be losses are ways for God to display his glory. As Laura writes, she no longer wants to be in control of her life. She wants to be rooted in the God who is in control. I Give Up will help you Discover a deeper life of worship, a fuller life of joy, and a freer life of true surrender as you open your hands to God. And give up.

Recording artist and bestselling author Laura Story demonstrates the unexpected joy found when we surrender it all to God and simply give up. It's natural to want to be in control. Most of us can't easily accept the idea of giving up that control. But when your need for peace surpasses your desire to be in command of your life, God—who truly uses all things for our good—demonstrates how much we can trust him. The very act of completely surrendering our will to his can become the one act that will change your life forever. In the I Give Up Bible Study Guide (DVD/digital video sold separately), Laura uses a combination of Bible stories and personal experiences to teach you and your group what true surrender is—and what it's not: Surrender does not come naturally to any of us. Surrender is not acquiescing to an enemy who wants to dominate us. Surrender is not "My will be done!" Surrender makes it impossible for you, and the people around you, to stay the same. Though surrender sometimes flies in the face of our instincts, hopes, and dreams, it's never without benefit as God leads us into his peace that surpasses understanding. As Laura found in her own life, a surrendered life includes the surprise of a truly full and satisfying existence where trust is reasonable, reconciliation possible, and relationships can finally heal. Sessions include: What Is Surrender Anyway? God's Character Matters Giving In and Up Being Transformed The Ripple Effect of Surrender Designed for use with the I Give Up Video Study available on DVD or streaming video, sold separately.

Have you ever gotten to the place where you just couldn’t take it anymore? Dreams. Programs. Jobs. Relationships. There are so many different areas where we feel like calling it quits. It’s time for an honest conversation on how not to give in to the temptation to give up. Nicki Koziarz is a woman who has thrown in the towel a time or two. In fact, she’s quit just about everything in her life. But with God’s help, she’s discovered a few habits that have helped her and others conquer the choice to quit. 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit will enable you to: Evaluate the internal personal struggles that make you want to quit. Cultivate consistent habits to help you progress toward your goals. Receive a fresh dose of perspective from the Bible that will help you develop perseverance. You are not made to quit! Join Nicki as she identifies five habits to help you keep going no matter what struggles may come your way.

In the shifting (or even collapsing) of everything familiar in life, you don’t have to wring your hands in fear. Push past the loss of your “normal” with bestselling author and Bible teacher Laura Story, and step into the new story God is writing for you. You've been faced with circumstances beyond your control. Your plans are altered. But you have the blessing of a Father who loves you enough to take off the training wheels and place his beloved child in the best possible scenario for your good and growth. So Long, Normal guides you to leave behind the idols of comfort, caution, and routine so you can live strong and well, even when life takes an unwelcome turn. In her confessional, conversational style, worship leader, Bible teacher, and Christian recording artist Laura Story weaves her own personal stories with examples from Scripture of characters whose lives were upended by unexpected (and undesired) change. So Long, Normal will help you: Process the trauma of the loss of your “normal” Learn to rest in God’s plan for you instead of trying to control your circumstances Find true community and encouragement in your struggle with uncertainty Discover three great comforts and three gifts to steady you on your journey Face the future with fresh spiritual eyes and find joy in the unwavering strength of Christ Losing your “normal” is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new adventure. It is possible to grow with grace through tough times, navigating the unknown secure in the knowledge that God is with you—every step of the way.

Is it possible that good things can come out of our broken dreams? Worship leader and recording artist Laura Story’s life took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Their lives would never be the same. Yes, with God all things are possible. But the devastating news was that no cure existed to restore Martin’s short-term memory, eyesight, and other complications. The fairy-tale life Laura had dreamed of was no longer possible. And yet in struggling with God about how to live with broken dreams, Laura has found joy and a deeper intimacy with Jesus. In When God Doesn’t Fix It, Laura helps you understand that: We aren’t the only ones whose lives have taken unexpected turns Even heroes of our faith experienced brokenness Despite our flaws and stories, God can use us in extraordinary ways God may not fix everything. In fact, although your situation might not ever change or get better, with Jesus you can. Not because of your faith, but because of the faithfulness of God.

After losing her husband to cancer, bestselling author and Bible teacher Brestin shares her own grief experience and spiritual recovery in this 10-lesson Bible study. She demonstrates how these handpicked psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs can calm a grieving heart.

Louie Giglio helps you find encouragement, hope, and strength in the midst of any valley as you reject the enemy voices of fear, rage, lust, insecurity, anxiety, despair, temptation, or defeat. Scripture is clear: the Enemy is a liar who will stop at nothing to tempt you into poor decisions and self-defeating mindsets, making you feel afraid, angry, anxious, or defeated. It is all too easy for Satan to weasel his way into a seat at the table intended for only you and your King. But you can fight back. Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table outlines the ways to overcome those lies so you can find peace and security in any challenging circumstance or situation. With the same bold, exciting approach to Scripture as employed in Goliath Must Fall and his other previous works, pastor Louie Giglio examines Psalm 23 in fresh ways, highlighting verse 5: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." You can find freedom from insecurity, temptation, and defeat--if you allow Jesus, the Shepherd, to lead the battle for your mind and heart. This spiritual warfare book for those who are leery of spiritual warfare books will resonate with Louie's core Passion tribe as well as with Christians of all ages who want to live a triumphant life in God.

But I don't want to surrender Have you ever felt those words bubbling up so deep inside you want to shout? It's normal. It's natural. It's human to want to be in control. But when your need for peace surpasses your desire for control, God-who truly uses all things for our good-demonstrates how much we can trust him. The very act of completely surrendering our will to his can become the one act that will change your life forever. In this five-session video Bible study, recording artist and bestselling author Laura Story demonstrates the ironic joy found when we surrender it all to God and simply give up. Surrendering expectations and power is not a step-by-step process but a willful, daily decision worth every single ounce of effort. Though surrender sometimes flies in the face of our instincts, hopes, and dreams, it's never without benefit. A surrendered life includes the surprise of a truly full and satisfying existence where trust is reasonable, reconciliation is possible, and relationships can heal. Sessions include: What Is Surrender Anyway? God's Character Matters Giving In and Up Being Transformed The Ripple Effect of Surrender This pack contains one study guide and one DVD.