Say to wisdom, “you are my sister” and make understanding your closest friend. For they will keep you from the immoral woman... Proverbs 7:4-5a

Women's Discipleship Group – 2006
ON-LINE BIBLE STUDY
SPIRITUAL LIFE SERIES
LESSON #1: MAKING JESUS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE
Website: www.terrimcfaddin.org
Presented by Terri McFaddin Solomon

Definitions: Helpmate – Handmaiden – Harlot
Helpmate: A married woman who is committed to the well being of her husband.
Handmaiden: An unmarried or married woman who is committed to serving the Lord.
Harlot: An unmarried or married woman who sells her soul or body for personal gain.

Scripture Focus:
Helpmate: Luke 8:3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support Jesus and his disciples out of their own means.

Handmaiden: Acts 16:14 One of the listeners was a woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira whose job was selling purple cloth. She worshiped God, and he opened her mind to pay attention to what Paul was saying.

Harlot: Acts 16:16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.

OPENING STATEMENT:
My Story: One Sunday morning (long ago) I was sitting in church listening to the choir sing and waiting for the pastor to break the bread of God's word. Suddenly, I felt someone looking at me. When our eyes met, he was the finest Michael-Jordan-looking-brother that I had ever seen. He smiled at me with those perfect white teeth and caramel lips and from that moment on, God was on the back burner. Soon we starting dating and the late night phone calls took the place of late night prayer. I had just started teaching a bible study at my church and I sensed that the Lord was calling me to the ministry, but the more involved I became with Mr. Right, the more my spiritual life was washing down the drain. In time, the Lord showed me that I was really with Mr. Wrong and it took the heavenly host to free me and get me back on track with the Lord.

Your Story: So what's your story? Have you ever been in a situation where your education, job, business, romance or husband came between you and your relationship with the Lord?

What did it take for you to get back on track?

Are you still out there wondering how you managed to get so far away from the Lord?

Perhaps you trying to get to closer to the Lord, but things keep getting in the way?

I believe that sharing our stories, comments and questions with one another will strengthen our existing relationship with the Lord, and/or help us to find a way to make the Lord “first” in our lives.

The Message In The Story: I'm telling you my story because there are times when the enemy will send in “special forces” to keep you from making the Lord first in your life. His plan is to get you to worship anything but the true and living God. If he can't use big things like false religions, sex, money, fame, big trouble, etc. then he uses the little things. One of his favorites is a little demon called Distractions. You meant to pray, go to church or bible study, but you got distracted – something came up – you got busy – too tired and, well... you know how the story goes. I want to confess that when I was dating Mr. Wrong, I wouldn't allow anything to get in my way of spending time with him. He was “first” in my life. When you really fall in love with Jesus, if you stay away from church, prayer and the Word too long, you will miss Him so much that you will find a way to make room and keep the Lord “first” in your life.

The Solution: Let me tell you a story I once heard. A man was busy cutting a tree log with a big saw. He sawed back and forth until his arm was tired, aching and numb. A friend came by and looked at him and laughed. “Why are you working so hard to cut the wood? Don't you know it's a power saw? All you have to do is turn on the motor and you'll be done cutting wood in no time!” Prayer is a like a power saw. Life can become more difficult than God meant it to be because you won't turn on the “power.” We find that power with a consistent prayer life and by making time for God's Word.

Observation:
Read Acts 16: 13-19 Both Lydia and a slave girl followed Paul and Silas. What are the differences between these two women:

Lydia:

Slave girl:

How Women's Discipleship Group Got Started

The Women's Discipleship Group was organized in 1999 by Terri McFaddin and Janet Bailey. The purpose of the discipleship group was to assist women in becoming rooted and grounded in their Christian faith. It was designed to also help women reach the level of spiritual maturity that would enable them to use their gifts and talents in various arenas of service and ministry.

We move toward these goals by implementing the following principles:

1. Building spiritual strength by a systematic study of the Word of God, including prayer; memorizing scriptures and weekly meetings.

2. Building strong relationships within the discipleship groups. This includes encouraging one another and being sensitive and supportive of one another's needs.

3. Training women to become servants and ministry leaders in their churches, mission fields, communities, schools, businesses or wherever God has called them to serve.

What We Believe

The women of WDG are a mixture of many different Christian denominations. But we all believe that we have eternal life through our personal confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that the entire Word of God is true and we govern our actions by the counsel of the Holy Bible. We believe that we are called by God to be examples of godliness by loving one another and ministering to those who are in need of our help.

About Terri McFaddin Solomon

Terri is an ordained minister, author, speaker and songwriter with two Grammy Awards to her credit. Terri co-wrote two theme songs for the movies: Big and Men In Black . She authored three books: God Made Me Beauty-full ; Only A Woman and Sapphires And Other Precious Jewels.

Terri was born and raised in Philadelphia, where she attended Temple University. She holds a Masters Degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.

In 1999 she and close friend Janet Bailey, founded WDG, which prepares women for service in various areas of ministry. There are currently five WDG bible studies taking place in various locations.

In October, 2005, Terri married Charles Solomon and resides in Los Angeles. She is a member of Faithful Central Bible Church and the mother of two adult daughters, Roslyn and Theresa who are also in the ministry.