Deepening Friendshipsনমুনা

Day 6: Ingredients of a Redemptive Sisterhood

Yesterday we explored what a circle of friends can look like. Today, we will look at some of the ingredients of Redemptive Sisterhood, including what we experience and some crucial beliefs for the group to hold as we move through life together.

What does a Redemptive Sisterhood do?

• It is a place where a woman’s glory is pursued, not her sin. Different from ‘accountability’, her true self is sought out, bringing healing to her false ways of hiding, proving, or moving in fear.
• It is a space where we seek to offer good care to each other. Where we hold space for stories, processing, pain, and grief. Where we listen well and respond with kindness and curiosity, without judgment and without trying to fix or give advice. (Check out our reading plan “Loving through Listening” for more on offering care through listening)
• It is a place where our lives intersect, and how we live in the kingdom together. Where we pray, play, worship, eat, share, and journey together. Ideally, it is intergenerational.
• It is larger than itself. It must be missional and intentional - for others and on behalf of others. To be together in this mission of the heart, with purpose and intentionality, deepening friendships, and guiding the group in building the lives of each other and others.

What does a Redemptive Sisterhood believe?

• It is a place where, at its core, the belief that the redeemed heart is good fuels both acceptance and growth. When we come to faith in Christ, our old heart of stone is replaced with a new heart of flesh; the old is gone, and the new has come. We are new creations in Christ. God redeems our hearts, cleanses them, and renews them with the washing of his blood, with the power of his resurrection, and with the indwelling of the Spirit. When we see each other in this light, it does fuel our ability to accept each other and to look with curiosity to where God is cultivating new growth in each of us.
• It is a place where we understand that the Life and Love of God and of each other is fiercely opposed, and we therefore acknowledge that we are in a battle and have an enemy that comes to steal, kill, and destroy. It is important to realize how opposed this way of living is. The enemy is up to something- he is laser-focused on his purpose to steal, kill, and destroy our lives and relationships. Our eyes need to be opened to how Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” luring us to misinterpret people and situations in our lives. Imagine how significant it is to have friends to invite us up into the observation deck with Jesus to see what is really going on around us.

As you ponder all this today with God, consider asking Him:

Father, would you open my eyes and heart to how you have redeemed my own heart? Could you show me the good that you have begun in me and promise to carry on to completion?

Jesus, how have I experienced opposition in my friendship? Where have I misinterpreted the people and situations in my life?

Spirit, what are you calling me into in this season of life in terms of friendship and community? How are you longing for me to move in my friendships?