Sweet Relationships: Chapter 1

Today we are going to begin looking at Chapter 1 of Teri Maxwell's book, Sweet Relationships.  If you have not yet read this book (or at least the first chapter), I encourage you to purchase it!  It's only $10.00 and you can purchase it here.  This book will encourage wives and moms to have better relationships with our family by taking a look at Titus 2:4-5.  I will write a post for each chapter of the book, so if you haven't gotten it yet, go purchase it today, and come back here when you've read the first chapter!

Chapter 1:

The first chapter is primarily an introduction to what we will be looking at throughout the book, as well as requirements in order for us to take this task seriously.  If we really want to stop nagging at our husband and children or if we want to learn to control our anger, we must first begin with these three things:

Salvation-  If you are in any way uncertain of your Salvation, or if you are a Lukewarm Christian, I encourage you to make that right before moving forward.

Daily Bible Time-  I know that for many years as a Christian, I was not daily in the Word of God.  But if you're not currently, you cannot expect to benefit much from this book.  In order for our relationships to grow, we must be learning from God's Word.  If you're struggling in this area, Teri recommends her book Sweet Journey.  This book will guide you through in getting started with daily Bible and Prayer time.

Daily Personal Prayer-  Teri also encourages you to be praying daily with God.  She's not just referring to praying when you have a need, or throughout the day even (although these can be good), but to pray for a designated time during a specific time everyday.  If you are not currently do this, she encourages you to find a place to start in her book Sweet Journey.  I, personally, have found great benefit in a prayer journal.  Not only do I remember to pray for everything I need to, I can see my prayers being answered on a daily basis, which helps with discouragement.  Teri offers a great and simple way for making a prayer notebook here.

If you can currently check off each of the three keys above, then you are perfect for reading this book.  If you lack in any area, I encourage you to make these three keys your priority.  No checklist of things to do and not do will bring long-term effects for your relationships.

After getting through the introduction, this chapter encourages us that the basis of this book is to memorize 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Philippians 4: 6-7.  She has us memorize this Scripture because she knows that once we decide to make a change in our relationships at home, the devil will attack us.  He may do it with our self-worth, with our confidence, or with our failures.  During these times, it's important to be able to throw back these verses (and it's important to say them aloud). 

I will not get into the answers to the questions this time as they were pretty basic from the Scripture.  However, I hope that you are writing them down and personalizing them to your life.  There is something powerful about writing and saying aloud Scripture. 

In the following Chapters, Teri will begin to dissect each of the characteristics of the older women.  In Chapter 2, she will look at what is means to be sober-minded.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to wait until I am older to be a Titus 2 woman.  I may never get there in my lifetime, but I want to daily strive for that everyday.  By doing so, I am giving my children a head start on their path.

I hope you'll join me in a few days for Chapter 2!  I look forward to hearing your comments throughout this book.  Was there anything that struck you in Chapter 1 that you want to share?  You can always choose to comment "anonymously."   Let's start a discussions on our weaknesses and help edify one another into making wise choices in order to strive toward being a Titus 2 woman!


I hope you'll share this page with your sisters in Christ so that we may all be an encouragement to one another.

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Book Club

 

I am starting an online Book Club via this blog!  It is 100% free with no commitment.  How it works:

I will give a list of books to be read about every month (yes you get an entire month to read the book).  I will then give the next month's book in advance in order for you to be able to purchase it on time.

I will write a blog post throughout the month on each chapter (this way, if you're ahead or behind, we can all comment on the post about that chapter and not spoil the rest of the book for others).

We can encourage one another through our comments on the posts.  Even for those who read the posts years from now, they can benefit through your comments of encouragement as they begin to read the book.

Books that will be chosen will not be fiction.  This is not a book club about entertainment.  The books that will be chosen will be books that will encourage us in our Christian walk and help us to better fit our roles as Christian mothers.


                                  

                                February 2014 Book

The first book that I have chosen will begin for February 1st.  The book is Sweet Relationships by Teri Maxwell.  This book will encourage us to delve into the Bible in study of the Titus 2 woman.  Here is a description from the website:

Sweet Relationships is a powerful Bible study on Titus 2:4-5. This book will guide you toward sweet relationships with those you love the most. Teri’s personal writing style, intertwined with Scripture and study questions, practically breaks down these verses that are vital to Christian women.

Through this exciting book, you’ll discover what it takes to be a Titus2 woman. How does one learn to treasure the most precious relationships the Lord has entrusted to us? What does it take to be a keeper at home? How does one learn joy in the midst of difficult circumstances? What does it mean to be discreet, or chaste, or good? Read More...

Our children want to hear the love in our hearts spoken through our words, communicated via our attitudes, and expressed on our faces. In addition, our husbands need to feel loved and respected. It thrills Teri (mom to eight, grandma to four, and wife to Steve for almost forty years) to share with other Christian ladies how to practically attain this.
This is a hands-on book that has Bible-study questions interspersed throughout the text, allowing space to write your answers. At the end of each chapter, you’ll find homework assignments. It’s a perfect individual Bible study, mother-daughter study, friend-to-friend study, or large-setting group study.
Come and join Teri in this journey to sweet relationships! You won’t want to miss it!

The book is only $10.00 on the website and can be purchased here.  You may also choose to find it used on Amazon or Ebay.

If you get behind or can't start with everyone else, please feel free to start when you can!  The great thing about online book clubs is that you can do it at your own pace, on your own time, and STILL be encouraged by other Christian women!

I ask that you share this post via the social media links below (Facebook, Twitter, Google, Email, Blogger).  You can also share it via Pinterest (just hover your mouse over the picture above to see the "pin it" button).  Let's get together and encourage one another to be Titus 2 women!

Comment below and let me know who's in!!!

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