6.17.2008

~Do Hard Things Book Study~

Ok, so I think now is a good time to finally start our book study of Do Hard Things. Of course, everyone is familiar with this book, written by Alex and Brett Harris and based off their conference, which most of us went to. I would like to do this book study for a couple of reasons, first because this is a good book. It is not the most amazing book ever written, but I think it is a book that will help us realize what God is doing right now through us. I hoping that the truths that Alex and Brett share in the book will inspire me and you to shoot for something more out of our little collection of youth and strive to make a difference in Mooresville and Kannapolis and everywhere in between and around. So although this is old material, try to read with an open, expectant heart that God will do great things as we do hard things. The second reason is to give us an opportunity to share with each other about our lives and what we struggle with and what we are growing in. That's what a church is all about.

That being said, know that I look forward to what all of you have to say and I know that God will use it to serve me as well. Please spread the word (if you enjoy the study!) to your friends- the more, the merrier.

For the first discussion: Read chapters 1-3. I know this is review and basically word-for-word from the conference, so you can read fast, but read it! Read the little blurb I wrote a couple months ago about things to think about. Post here what God is speaking to you. Comment on what others are saying. Suggest questions of your own for others to think about. Try to finish the section of the book by June 30th.

My thoughts:
I think we'll start our book study by reviewing the conference. So we'll start with the first and second sessions. The first session was about the Harris' twins' experiences. Feel free to post whatever thoughts you had about these. However, I want to focus on the second session, taught by Alex. The topic was low expectations, and how our culture artificially set expectations low for teenagers. In times past, people of our age were accomplishing the work of adults. Today, all we're expected to accomplish is having our beds made, and not even completing a chore until we become 16. So my questions are:
- What are your expectations for yourself?
- What are your parent's expectations of you? Do you meet them? Are their standards too high or too low?
- What do you require from yourself?

3 comments:

Mel said...

I have really high expectations for myself in school and any academic related things. But for chores and serving others, I get pretty slack.
My parents have God's expectations for me and that helps me to keep God the focus everything I do.
I require myself to please God and stretch my comfort zones, it's just difficult sometimes because of the flesh's fighting against me.
I know one thing: God gives me the grace and strength to keep pressing on and obeying Him.

Aly said...

My expectations for myself are, shall we say, on hold for the summer. I don't want it to be that way though. I'm trying(with God's help) to be more diligent. It helps when my parents have high expectations, too, which they do. It also helps when you have good accountiblity. Knowing that someone will ask me how I'm doing with chores and school work will motivate me to work harder(Do Hard Things!).

Charlie Mulligan said...

I really fluctuate between having great expectations for myself and going easy on myself when the rubber hits the road. That's where do hard things comes in.

You're right Aly, having accountability is crucial- not just with your parents but with friends as well.

My expectations for myself are that I excel at school, consistently grow (by God's grace) in obeying God and live an orderly, organized life. That's what I think I should be doing.

But what I am more interested in is what I don't expect myself to do.

I don't expect myself to plan far enough ahead to get enough sleep for the next day. I don't expect myself to be in prime physical shape all the time. I don't expext myself to be good at relating to NASCAR fans. So my next question is, what do you not expect of yourself?