Taking Notes
When you see the pencil icon above, you may want to fill out your answers on a separate piece of paper or use the Notes functionality on your eReader.
If you are using a touch-screen reader or app, simply hold your finger over the first word in the line and then select Note to create a note and begin typing your answer.
If you are using a non-touch-screen reader, move your cursor up to the line where you want to enter an answer and then begin typing to create a new note.
You can then reference your answers anytime you are reading the eBook as they will be stored as notes on your device.
Stop Waiting for Permission Study Guide
All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. (www.zondervan.com). The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica Inc.
Copyright 2022 by Stephen Chandler
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by WaterBrook, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
WaterBrook and its deer colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.
Portions of this work originally appeared in Stop Waiting for Permission by Stephen Chandler, published in the United States by WaterBrook, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC in 2022.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Chandler, Stephen, author.
Title: Stop waiting for permission study guide: harness your gifts, find
your purpose, and unleash your personal genius / Stephen Chandler.
Description: First edition. | Colorado Springs: WaterBrook, [2022]
Identifiers: LCCN 2022015090 | ISBN 9780593194263 (paperback) | ISBN
9780593194270 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Chandler, Stephen, Stop waiting for permission. |
Self-actualization (Psychology)Religious
aspectsChristianityTextbooks.
Classification: LCC BV4598.2 .C433 2022 | DDC 158.1dc23/eng/20220407
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022015090
Ebook ISBN9780593194270
waterbrookmultnomah.com
Book design by Diane Hobbing, adapted for ebook
Cover design: Pete Garceau
Cover image: Dotun Ayodeji
ep_prh_6.0_140999378_c0_r0
Contents
INTRODUCTION
I believe with all my heart that God designed you for a purpose and filled you with potential. I also believe that by living your purpose and working to realize your potential, you can attain greatness. I wrote my book, Stop Waiting for Permission, to inspire people like you to reach for your God-given greatness.
As much as I enjoy inspiring people, however, I want more: I want you to actually become great! This guide is designed to take you step by step through a process of soaking in Gods Word, reflecting on your pursuit of greatness, and living into the principles of Stop Waiting for Permission. I wrote it with you in mind, in prayerful hope that youll be intentional about setting aside time, mental energy, and spiritual space to begin your journey toward greatness.
You can work through my book and this guide on your own, but just like the quest for greatness itself, its work that is best done in good, godly company. Whether its with your significant other, a family member, a couple of close friends, or a book group, youll find that dialogue, feedback, and encouragement from othersnot to mention their prayerswill amplify your efforts. I recommend reading each chapter of Stop Waiting for Permission on your own, working through the corresponding session in this guide either on your own or with another person, and then coming together to share what youre discovering along the way.
Dont rush through it. I truly believe that prayerful, thoughtful, intentional engagement with the process Ive laid out here will launch you toward the purpose you were created for. I cant wait to see what our great God does in, for, and through you!
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This guide is a companion to the book Stop Waiting for Permission, and it can be used individually or in book clubs, discussion gatherings, and other kinds of small groups. Using this guide alongside the book will help you (and your group, if youre part of a discussion group) to get the most out of this content.
This guide consists of ten study sessions, and each session can be completed in a week, as is common for small groups. However, if you prefer to work through this guide on your own, you can certainly take the journey at your own pace.
READING SCHEDULE FOR STOP WAITING FOR PERMISSION
If you havent already read the book Stop Waiting for Permission, do so as you work your way through these sessions. The book chapters flow with the sessions. So youll read chapter 1 before session 1, chapter 2 before session 2, and so on, ending with chapter 10 and session 10 (there isnt a session for chapter 11).
Session Format
Every session will begin with a brief introduction (or re-introduction, if youve already read the book) to the topic for that session.
Soak It In
Read the biblical passage referenced in this section in the Bible translation of your choice. Then try reading the same passage in at least one additional version such as The Living Bible or the New King James Version. You can access multiple versions online or through an app such as YouVersion.
Each time you do this, first read the passage silently, then read it aloud a second time, and if you feel so inclined, rewrite it in your journal. Sometimes repeating a passage and then writing it down can help you retain it. Once youve read the passage and thought about it, respond to the questions or prompts that follow.
Reflect on It
The deeper questions in this section will encourage you (and your group) to dive into the core theme of the session in a way that might stimulate further thought and discussion.
Live into It
Every session will give you space to start thinking about how to apply the lessons to your life. This section might include an activity, questions to consider, or prompts to do something about what you learned.
Pray It Out
Every session will end with a prayer that you can read and pray individually or with your small group.
LEADING A SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION
If youre working through this study in a group setting and youre the facilitator of your group, here are some simple guidelines that can help make this ten-week journey through Stop Waiting for Permission more rewarding. Each session has enough content for sixty to ninety minutes of group time, depending on how long your group likes to spend in deeper discussion of each topic, Scripture passage, question, and application.
If youre part of an established small group going through