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
Week 4 – Part 1- The Virtue of Fortitude
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Fortitude includes both kinds of courage—the kind that faces danger as well as the kind that ‘sticks it’ under pain. ‘Guts’ is perhaps the nearest modern English. You will notice, of course, that you cannot practice any of the other virtues very long without bringing this one into play.” (Mere Christianity)
Life’s tough and let’s face it, an uphill battle is never pleasant, but here’s the thing, if you want to see change, and if you want to live a victorious life, be persistent, courageous, and strong.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; – 2 Peter 1:5
Looking to this verse in its original context, we see the word ‘diligence’ translated from the Greek word spoudē which is an earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything.
Perhaps a modern translation of the word diligence might further add to its clarity: constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken. (Dictionary.com)
When I think of fortitude, I can’t help but think of Paul’s letter to the Philippians in chapter 3. He’s a runner in a spiritual race, leaving anything behind that might weigh him down. He gave all diligence to the race before him and threw aside anything that stood in the way.
When I look to Paul, I see a man of virtue. I see a man full of grit who exercised inner strength to win Christ.
He writes, “This one thing I do…”
This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14
In Acts chapter 27 we read an interesting story about the apostle Paul and several other prisoners who were sailing to Italy under the supervision of Julias the centurion.
After making a stop and transferring ships, the winds were so rough that it was impossible to stay on course. They docked at the Island of Crete. By this time the stormy autumn weather made it impossible to continue on. Paul warned them that they should stay put, but they ignored him and continued the journey en route to a better harbor.
Here’s where the life lesson comes in. While out at sea, they lost control, and in order to survive, they had to lighten the ship. On the first day they threw out the anchors, on the second day the cargo, and on the third day they threw out their tackle and provisions.
And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. – Acts 27:20
It wasn’t until they were fully reliant on God that they found a glimpse of hope. Hope was there all along, but sometimes we need to come to the end of our rope before we realize that we’re resting in the palm of God’s hand.
Paul advised them that God would rescue them, but that they must remain together.
In a final act of faith, they lightened the ship yet again and threw their food into the sea.
The ship and everything in it was destroyed, but every one of those men made it safely to shore.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-3
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!
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.
STUDY QUESTIONS
Click here to download this week’s study questions.
COLORING PAGE
Click here to download today’s coloring page.
FREE BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
click the image to view and download, or click here
PRAYER JOURNAL
(an OPTIONAL addition to the study)
Click here to peek inside on Amazon (affil link)
Peek inside 30-Day Prayer Journal Virtue Edition:
SCRIPTURE CARDS – 7 per week – 28 in total
Click here to view and print this weeks cards:
Week 4 – Page 1 | Week 4 – Page 2
Debbie says
I think fortitude is what we have when we stand in the gap for others who may not be able, it is keeping on going looking ahead and looking above for direction, guidance and purpose.
Ada says
You should get involved in a competition for one of
the best blogs on the net. I will recommend this site!
Darlene Schacht says
Thanks so much!