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Becoming a Woman of Simplicity
Copyright 2009 by Cynthia Heald. All rights reserved.
A NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Visit the authors website at www.cynthiaheald.com.
NAVPRESS and the NAVPRESS logo are registered trademarks of NavPress, The Navigators, Colorado Springs, CO. TYNDALE is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Absence of in connection with marks of NavPress or other parties does not indicate an absence of registration of those marks.
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Cover vintage border copyright Vintage Style Designs/Creative Market. All rights reserved.
Cover typeface and floral illustration copyright Lisa Glanz/Creative Market. All rights reserved.
Cover font by Laura Worthington/Creative Market. All rights reserved.
Author photograph by Shelly Han Photography, copyright 2016. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the Good News Translation in Todays English Version, Second Edition, copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with the permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN 978-1-60006-663-4
Build: 2017-01-27 14:20:46
Preface
SIMPLICITY A WORD THAT EVOKES wistful sighs and earnest longings for a more ordered and peaceful life a life where time is considered to be a gift from a benevolent king and not a burden from a harsh taskmaster. Often the demands and challenges of each day spill over into weeks and years lived all too quickly, leaving us spent and sighing for rest, for quiet, for simplicity.
Can life in this multitasking, instantaneous, technologically driven age be tamed? Is it possible to live unpretentiously in a world that clamors for constant communication? Does Gods Word address the intricacies of our world? Is it possible to live simply?
Perhaps it is only because I am older that a more tempered pace of life has become appealing, but years spent living on a merry-go-round that tended to never stop has given me a desire to encourage others to live life the way God intended. God invites us to enter into His rest, to receive His peace, and to be still. It doesnt mean that life is not difficult or sometimes overwhelming, but it does mean that we can live with a deep, abiding sense that all is well with our souls.
I believe that simplicity must come from within. When we are inwardly simple at rest, free, willing to trust then we can step into a chaotic world and be at peace. A continual growing knowledge and intimacy with God is essential to being able to live a life that can at once be simple but profound enough to confront the recurrent challenges of daily life. Trusting and resting in God grants us inward simplicity that can then lead to an outward simplicity obtained by making wise choices in a complex world.
As you explore this whole idea of simplifying your life, you will discover that God wants you to know His perfect peace, to choose the best, and to live in the present. You will find biblical principles that will teach you to live simply and purely in devotion to Christ so that you can say with the psalmist, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mothers milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me (Psalm 131:2).
Blessings as you join me in becoming a woman of simplicity.
Cynthia Heald
Suggestions
for Using This Study
THIS STUDY IS DESIGNED FOR both individual as well as small group use, and for women of any age or family status.
Many of the questions will guide you into Scripture passages. Ask God to reveal His truth to you through His Word. Bible study references such as commentaries and handbooks can help you understand particular passages by providing historical background, contexts, and common interpretations. (In a few cases you may want to access a standard dictionary for general word definitions.)
Other questions will ask you to reflect on your own life. Approach these questions honestly and thoughtfully; however, if youre doing this study in a group, dont feel that you must reveal private details of your life experiences. Use the reflection questions at the close of each chapter to help you work through significant issues raised by your study. If you keep a personal journal, you might want to write these reflections there rather than in this guide.
Each chapter begins with a foundational Scripture passage for you to memorize. You may memorize the verse before or after doing the chapter study, in any Bible translation you choose. Write the memory verses (from your favorite version) on a card or Post-it, put it in a place where you will see it regularly, and memorize it. Thank God for who He is and for what He is doing in your life.
The quotes from classic thinkers and writers have been carefully selected to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the content in Becoming a Woman of Simplicity. The references for these quotations (see the Notes section at the back of the book) will also furnish an excellent reading list for your own devotional reading and study.
There is no leaders guide, but most facilitators stimulate discussion by moving through each chapter section by section and by using the personal application questions placed throughout the study. Providing time for prayer along with a loving and safe environment for women to share their personal insights and challenges will hopefully encourage, unite, and bless each member of the group.