WOMEN'S MINISTRIES
Soul Sister Questions for November 2011
Juliet:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
1. Check in with each other: what was good, bad, beautiful since you last met?
2. Do you like your name? Why or why not?
3. What are the best and worst nicknames (or labels you or others have placed upon you) you have had?
4. Have you ever tried to change your name (or the nickname or label that you have gotten)? Why?
5. God has such a powerful, holy name that the Hebrews did not even utter it as it was considered blasphamous. It was only written; we know it today as Yahweh. Then this unnamed God came down to Earth in human form and allowed us not only to speak His name but to perform miracles, make requests, speak, and love all in His name to Glorify His father.
Read the following verse and then read/listen to the following song by Natalie Grant.
Revelation 15:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”[a]
Your Great Name
by Natalie Grant
Lost are saved
Find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned; feel no shame,
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear; has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy; he has to leave;
At the sound of Your great name
(Chorus)
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up;
That all the world will praise Your great name
All the weak, find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name
The fatherless, they find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
Sick are healed, and the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name
(Chorus)
Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty
My Savior, Defender,
You are my King
Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty
My Savior, Defender,
You are my King
Jesus, the name of Jesus
You are high and lifted up
And all the world will praise Your great name
6. What is your favorite line in that verse?
7. Names had meaning to the Hebrew culture, but God the redeemer that He is often renamed people.
Genesis 32:28
New International Version (NIV)
28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Footnotes:
Genesis 32:28 Israel probably means he struggles with God.
8. So whether your name means bitterness as Mary's did or Jabez meaning bringing pain, or perhaps you have tainted your name with your own bitterness or your behavior has brought others pain, God will rename you and redeem you. Read the following:
Revelation 2:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
9. If God gave you a white Stone, what name would you want it to say? Hope, Beauty, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindess, Gentleness, Goodness, Love, Forgiving?
10. Challenge: Find a rock this month and on it write your new name. Perhaps even write the name you were once known as (bitter, selfish, harsh, judgemental) on a dark rock and throw it in a lake. Or take your white rock, write the old name and then paint over the old name with the new name.
John 16:23-25
New International Version (NIV)
23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Luke 10:19-21
New International Version (NIV)
19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
11. Pray together
