Questions to prod your personal thinking and processing or for use in group discussion and are arranged by article title.

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“Friend O’ Mine”

REFLECT ON:

1. Tracey Bianchi writes, “I’d been doing my best for Jesus since 8:00 a.m.” She turned to a friend when her best didn’t feel good enough. Who are the friends who help encourage you in your faith and reassure when you are discouraged?

2. “Friends offer candor.” Who among your friends is the most candid with you? And who do you feel you can be the most candid with? How does this strengthen or weaken your friendship?

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3. Tracey also writes, “The sheer velocity of our lives is perhaps the greatest barrier to developing Connections.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? If the velocity of your life is keeping you from investing in your friends, how can you slow it down?

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4. Tracey suggests looking for friends in the places you are: whether the trenches of motherhood or the boardroom--or both. Think about the women you come in contact with on a regular basis. Could any be friends-in-waiting?

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5. Who is someone in your sphere of influence who needs a friend? Could you be the person God has chosen for this task? Why or why not?

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”Accidental Abolitionist”

REFLECT ON:

1. It’s amazing that something as simple as a bra can create social change in a different part of the world. What other simple ideas have you seen that make a difference for someone somewhere? And what does the idea of simplicity tell you about your own ministry on a daily basis?

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2. What touches your heart deeply enough that you could become an “accidental abolitionist” about?

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3. Kimba advises, “Never underestimate your gifts and what you can contribute.” Take five minutes to make a list of the things you can easily do in the coming month to help a cause you believe in.

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“Soul Space”

REFLECT ON:

1. What season are you in personally? And how does that affect the time you have to respond to God’s call?

2. Carla writes that she’s using her current season “to fill some spaces in my soul and to be open to what God might want to do in and through me.” How can you adapt this idea for your own life?

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3. She also writes, “In looking back, it would have been best to wait on God for direction and slowly fill the spaces.” How has hurrying into what’s “next” affected you personally?

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4. “The push to fill space is a constant battle, whether it’s big spaces on the calendar or the small times waiting in line or between appointments.” As you wage this battle, are you filling your spaces with meaningful and relevant things?

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5. How are you building in “reflecting, thinking, wondering, praying, meditating, and pondering” time into your life?