Welcome back.  As I admitted in Session 1, I struggle a bit with regularity, the kind that Activia cannot help.  Thus, “week 1” has gone on for about 3 weeks, and by now you should have a massive list of what God has provided to everyone.  The list should include things like gravity, vegetation, sunshine, fairly predictable weather cycles, community, an appropriate mix of oxygen and other gasses necessary for breathing… y’know, a really long list of things that are important, but we tend to take for granted.

This time (see, I’m not using the word ‘week’), add to your list those things that God has provided to your family/community.  For starters, if you’re an American Citizen, you share in certain rights and privileges that many other people in other countries do not have: you can participate in making your own laws and choosing your own government members. Your family heritage may have provided cherished blessings or life lessons you can share with others… Consider what it means for you that your life has begun and taken place within this location, this community, this family.  What stories or experiences have you been exposed to because of your neighborhood, school, workplace? Have you seen or heard about God providing food, money, shelter, or rescue in the nick of time?

There is a method to this madness…  I’m helping you build a case, as you would in a courtroom, that this God we speak of has demonstrated both the character and capability of providing for people in a variety of situations.  He is also unselective with many of His gifts, there is much that He provides to all, whether they recognize it or not.  I’m encouraging you to be intentional about noticing, because that’s how we learn to trust Him.

Let me also encourage you to read and consider the Bible as a collection of stories of people.  It is, of course, much more than that, but at this stage, let us take the time to see the recorded evidence of His previous work.

Start your list, and see how He is personally involved with groups of people, especially the groups that you are a member of.  (and don’t forget to say ‘thank you’)

Once this list is complete, you can move on to Session 3.