The Hard Good Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video: Showing Up When You Want to Shut Down

By Lisa Whittle

Lisa Whittle will inspire you to see the hardships in your own life as opportunities to discover your purpose in God's perfect plan.

"In this world you will have trouble," Jesus says to his disciples in John's Gospel. It's not an if statement, but a when statement. Hard times come in this life, and some of us may even wonder how God's plan could work for our good...But Jesus immediately follows with these words: "But take heart! I have overcome the world."

The Hard Good Study Guide is for anyone who wants to take heart, who wants Jesus to be their present reality as much as their future hope. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including:

• The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, Bible reading, video notes, and a leader's guide.
• An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!).

This six-session video Bible study (video streaming included) is focused on two kings: David and Saul. Their lives went down very different roads, and one of their greatest differences was in how they handled hardship and how they trusted God with their lives. As you take the "hard good" road, you'll learn to:

• Accept things you wish were different.
• Apologize and forgive first.
• Give up the now for the best.
• Cheer for someone who has what you want.
• Open your heart, even when it's been hurt.

At our very core is the desire to be God's people—faithful, fulfilling the potential God created in us. To reach that point, sometimes we must endure hard things, things God has designed for our ultimate good, to shape us into the people he wants us to be. When we choose to accept the "hard good," in faith we discover our life's purpose.

Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Sep 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9780310138655

Lisa Whittle

Lisa Whittle is the author of nine books and several Bible studies, including Jesus Over Everything and The Hard Good. She is a sought-out Bible teacher for her wit and bold, bottom-line approach. She is the founder of two online communities: Ministry Strong for ministry leaders and Called Creatives for writers and speakers, and host of the popular Jesus Over Everything podcast. She's a wife, mom, lover of laughter, good food, and the Bible, and a self-professed feisty work in progress.

Book preview

Thanks for Showing Up

(A Message from Lisa)

My friend, I do not take it lightly that you are here for this study in the midst of your busy schedule. Life gives us plenty of opportunities to push necessary healing aside by providing overload and weariness, but I’m so glad you have chosen this pursuit. My prayer is that this study will not deplete you, but instead, strengthen you. With God, hard things in life aren’t for nothing if we stay in the process of transformation with Him.

Good news! We have a lot of incredible progress ahead of us in the next six weeks. I am so excited about what God is going to do in our midst. We are going to look at two kings, predominately: Saul and David—and in each of them, there is so much us. But I ask you not to be afraid if you find yourself resonating with Saul, more than you even hoped. While David may be the person we wish to be, Saul is much more often a picture of how we are. The amazing thing about having examples in the Bible we can identify with is for this very purpose: reflection, that we might be able to spot important places to become more, better, different with the help of God.

As we start this study, know that you are not alone. We are a tired bunch, and I don’t just mean needing sleep. We are worn down by life. We are brokenhearted and yet still, trying our best. We share that same frustration of dealing with growth-stunting internal issues, over and over without getting anywhere. We all want to get close to God or we wouldn’t be here. I take those things seriously. I wouldn’t dream of wasting your valuable time if I didn’t think this study could truly help you.

The struggles to live in this world full of hardships, including the battle within our own minds and hearts, is real.

But even as we share that community, I want us to look forward with hope: to learn the true, biblical definition of good. To be able to see our hard places and instead of letting them overtake us, let God do a work inside of us to help us live the future-focused words, what now? To watch us become God’s woman in a new way—more Kingdom usable than we’ve ever been before.

These are the things (and more) The Hard Good study is here for.

I am praying, even now, that this study will serve you well—in the difficult places of your past you struggle to reconcile . . . the current tough spots you find yourself in . . . and the things you so deeply want to break free from that chip away at the abundance of life God offers you but you can’t seem to grab onto.

May He meet you here, from the very start.

Jesus is Everything.

How to Use This Guide

RESOURCES

• All-in-One Study Guide/Video Access: For your greater convenience with this study, you will only need The Hard Good study guide because it includes streaming video access (look on the inside cover). Your group can still use the DVD to watch the videos if you choose, but each participant will have access to all the video teachings with her study guide—for catch-up, refreshers, or those times months after a study has ended that you wish you could go back and hear that one session teaching again!

• Book: The Hard Good: Although optional, you are encouraged to have a copy of The Hard Good book, as the book and guide were designed together to help you with deeper insights.

GROUP DISCUSSION

Because real growth in any study happens during your small-group time, in addition to Lisa’s video teaching, each session includes group discussion. You’ll be able to process what you’re learning, ask questions, and learn from group members too. In addition, you’ll have an opportunity to pray as a group and read Scripture together. This study guide includes group discussion elements we think will be a bonus to your group dynamics.

1. Group prayers. Your whole group can read aloud the prayers, which encourage and equip women to value prayer and learn to pray out loud.

2. Scripture reading from select Psalms. Since most of this study will be on the life of Saul and David, we’ve chosen a psalm of David that can be read together as a group before the video teaching as a way to unify our hearts as we prepare to study.

3. Prayer blessings. At the end of each session, you’ll see a prayer for the group leaders to pray over all the group members. This is an opportunity for you to experience what it is like to receive blessings prayed over you. According to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the blessing served as a guide and motivation to pursue a course of life within the blessing.¹

PERSONAL STUDY

The personal study lessons are designed to get you into God’s Word to study the life of Kings Saul and David from the book of 1 Samuel. Your three-part Bible lesson can be completed between group sessions. Each lesson will take approximately 45 minutes of total individual study time divided into three 10–20-minute parts. It’s up to you whether to work through the material one part at a time over the course of a few days or all in one sitting. Do what’s best for your schedule and learning style.

RED THREAD REALITY

Every personal study session will end with a few notes about the passages you’ve been reading and studying. This will offer some deeper biblical insights, context, and background to help define that red thread that connects all of God’s Word to Jesus as well as connecting us to it.

GROUP LEADERS

Check out the leader’s guide in the back of this book for tips on creating environments where every group member feels safe to be honest and to grow spiritually.

SESSION 1

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Group Time

PRAY

Pray aloud as a group.

Lord, I want to show up for my life, even when things are hard. I need Your peace and strength. Be near to me when things get uncomfortable. Assure me of Your love. Use this time with my sisters to build my faith.

Spirit of God, be my counselor as I study the Bible.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

SHARE

Take a few minutes to go around and allow group members to introduce themselves and answer the questions below.

1. What brought you to this group?

2. What do you hope to gain from this study?

READ

Invite someone to read aloud as group members prepare their hearts for Lisa’s teaching.

Psalm 25

Theme: A prayer for defense, guidance, and pardon.

A Psalm of David

¹ In you, L

ORD

my God,

I put my trust.

² I trust in you;

do not