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FAQ: How do I participate in this study? 

It’s simple. If you haven’t done so already, download a copy of the FREE Bible study guide. You’ll find the download further down this page.

On Mondays I’ll have new printables for you (see links below) including scripture cards, questions, week-at-a-glance, and a coloring page. Friday is a recap of the week, and my thoughts on the study.

During the week, you’ll study at home, following the outline of the study guide.

In addition to my posts here, you can find me on Facebook. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I’ll post my journal entries and share my thoughts. I’ll also open up the discussion for you to share your thoughts.

Here is a link to my facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/timewarpwife

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Week 2 – Part 1- The Virtue of Temperance

We live in a modern, self-centered society that encourages people to be happy at any cost. We’re fed this idea that people are strong and in control because they do what they want, they say what they want, and they live anyway that they want to.

Assuming that someone is strong because they do whatever they want to or whatever they feel like doing in the moment is foolish. It takes strength to bring your flesh under subjection to your spirit.

Whether we’re getting up early to dig into the Word, controlling our appetite because it’s the right thing to do, or breaking off a relationship that’s detrimental to our life, we’re going to feel the sting that comes with refinement.

The Bible compares the refinement of our faith to fire. It hurts. It stings. It’s difficult to endure… But once you come out on the other side, you see that “joy unspeakable” is yours for the taking.

Temporal happiness could never compare to the inner peace that comes from serving the Lord.

There’s an old Cherokee legend about two wolves at war. It’s good food for thought on the topic of self-control.

One night a grandfather was teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The boy paused to think for a moment before looking up at his grandfather. “Which wolf will win?” He asked.

The wise man simply replied, “The one that you feed.”

Hearing that story, I’m reminded of the scripture that says,

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. – Galatians 5:24

Those who walk in the Spirit walk according to the wisdom that they’ve been given. In other words, they make choices day after day to put away sin.

When we fall, we praise God for His unfailing grace, but we stand up again and get back in the race.

Putting away sin starts with a decision, and then it calls for self-control.

Scripture after scripture talks about the virtue of self-control. It talks about controlling our appetites, about greed, and how our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost. It talks about crucifying the flesh and anything else that controls you.

Many of our habits are okay in an of themselves, but the overuse of them can be detrimental to our walk of faith.

Remember, a virtuous person isn’t ruled by their passions—they passionately pursue an incomparable God.

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife

P.S. See the colouring page below? Come back here on Friday to continue our study on “A Virtuous Life.” I’ll have another colouring page for you then!

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ONLINE RESOURCES: 

These are my favourite online Bible study tools!

Bible Gateway – Every version you can imagine is online
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
Looking for an easier commentary? Here’s the Concise Version
Other commentaries you might prefer
Interlinear Bible – I love this one!
Blue Letter Bible – Dig into the Hebrew and Greek
Bible Word Search


THIS WEEK’S RESOURCES

WEEK AT A GLANCE

Click here to download this week at a glance.

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STUDY QUESTIONS

Click here to download this week’s study questions.

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COLORING PAGE

Click here to print and download today’s coloring page.

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FREE BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

click the image to view and download, or click here

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PRAYER JOURNAL
(an OPTIONAL addition to the study) 

Click here to peek inside on Amazon (affil link)

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Peek inside 30-Day Prayer Journal Virtue Edition:

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SCRIPTURE CARDS – 7 per week – 28 in total

Click here to view and print this weeks cards:

Week 2 – Page 1  |  Week 2 – Page 2

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