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Hello Rooted Ladies,

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter holiday. We have now entered Week 8 (wow!) of our “Greater” study. Time is flying by. I cannot believe it is now April.

Chapter 8: Trust Fund Baby

This chapter really had me pondering the idea of faith and prayers. I must admit that I’m not sure how I feel about the idea of God having a trust fund for us (and that our prayers are going in our trust fund for later use). And the idea that God is applying prayers for one thing to something else. I don’t know… It just seemed too mechanical and figured out. And maybe we don’t have the same thinking as God and know His plan.  I am not sure I can figure it out because I’m not God. I just finally resolved myself to think that God’s ways are higher than my ways and his thoughts are higher than his thoughts – remembering Isaiah 55:8-9). And I ultimately have to trust in God.

And in thinking about Easter and Jesus on the cross, Jesus had the ultimate faith in God.  He didn’t know everything that was going to happen but he trusted God completely – trust fund or no trust fund. We ultimately must have trust in God to see us through . . . what may look like unanswered prayers.

Furtick states that “in God’s economy, our greatest setbacks in life can be the greatest setups to seeing God’s glory in places we didn’t even know to look.”

1. Furtick puts forward the provocative idea that God has a trust fund for each of us in which He deposits our faith for payouts to come later in ways we do not anticipate. Thus, our faith is never really wasted. What is your reaction to this idea?

2. What effect does this concept of the trust fund have on your attitude toward the setbacks and tragedies – all the seemingly unanswered prayers – you’ve had along the way?

3. What have been some of the most memorable times you’ve experienced God’s blessing or goodness in ways you never expected?

4. Right now, what disappointing situation in your life seems dead and has you feeling defeated? How much trust do you have that Jesus can bring life out of it anyway, just as He brought the Sunammite woman’s son back to life?

5. Furtick says the key to having faith while we are waiting for God to act is to draw near to Him and focus on His faithfulness. How are you doing this? (It could be by worshiping God, memorizing Scripture, praying with a friend, praising God, or something else.)

We can’t wait to hear how God is moving in your life this week.

Many blessings,

Hope (& Karina)