Ripened on the Vine Workbook
An Interactive Workbook for Individual or Small-Group Study
by
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Ripened on the Vine Workbook
Lesson One
1. Fill in the blanks: John 10:10—
“The _____________comes only to ____________, ______________ and _______________, I have come that they may have ____________, and have it to the ________________.”
2. List the three things Satan has come to do.
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
3. What has God come to do according to John 10:10?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Name three things Satan has tried to steal from you or has stolen from you.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________
5. Mark the statement True or False:
__________ Satan tries to sets traps.
6. Read 1Timothy 3:7.
Read 2 Timothy 2:26.
I want to address three traps Satan sets for us:
1. The mouse trap
2. The lion trap
3. The ape trap
The first trap is a mouse trap. The mouse trap has been baited with whatever bait will work on you. For example, if it is the bait of distraction, then let’s take a look at technology. We have everything from home phones to cell phones, to Facebook to texting, Twitter and Skype. We have desk tops, lap tops, television, iPods and radio. Technology has bombarded our society; it has overwhelmed our minds and thoughts. In many ways, it has helped us stay connected with people, but in other ways, it has distracted us from the very throne room of God. For example, I have heard of many adultery incidents that have started out on Facebook. It starts out innocent enough—you find an old flame on Facebook and ask to be his or her friend. They accept. You start reminiscing and then one day you find yourself anticipating messages from your old flame. You start desiring to see your old flame. You start wondering how your life would have been different had you taken a different path. One thing leads to another and you find yourself meeting for dinner. At first the distraction starts in your mind, and soon after, your body follows. This is exactly what happened to Eve in the Garden of Eden. She ended up at the forbidden tree because her mind went there first. The trap of distraction is a dangerous trap. It’s small, evasive, and sneaks in most of the time without being noticed. It is hidden in a dark area like a mouse trap where the bait sits undisturbed until the right situation presents itself. Then out of what appears to be nowhere, you have been caught in the trap of adultery.
As the bait changes, the victims remain the same— God’s precious children.
Another piece of bait that can be found in the mouse trap is the “ I can’t” bait— I can’t get a job, I can’t lose weight, I can’t stay in my marriage, I can’t cook, I can’t hear from God, I can’t read my Bible. Listen to me— it’s not that you can’t do these things, it’s that you won’t. You won’t lose weight, you won’t work on your marriage, you won’t cook, and you won’t read your Bible. The truth is you won’t make time to spend with God or read your Bible. You have to prioritize your life. If it is important to you, you will find the time. The time it takes for you to look for an excuse is the only time the enemy needs to give you one. Make a commitment and make a plan today that whatever the cost, you will dedicate time to the Lord every day. Get a plan to lose the weight. Seek counsel for your marriage. Spend as much time looking for a job as you would if you were working at a job. Take some cooking lessons. Do not fall for the bait of “I can’t.”
What are three ways you can spend time with God?
1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________
Name three people who could mentor you with your marriage.
1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
List three attributes you have to qualify for job opportunities.
1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
What are some ways you could expand your growth in the kitchen?
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________
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About the Book
Forgiveness is a choice….
This workbook companion to Ripened on the Vine, is a tool to be used among the broken hearted, to emerge hope in the hopeless, and to bring restoration to the souls of the neglected. My aspiration for you is by the time you finish the study, you will have grown in ways you never knew you needed to grow, that you would be planted firmly in the Word of God without excuses, but with boundaries used as a hedge of protection. I pray for a complete and divine healing in your life. To freely forgive as you are freely forgiven. The insight can help inspire you to become who you were born to be instead of who you’ve become. Although sometimes intrusive, know that each aspect is a vital part of moving forward in your restoration and shifting from being a victim to becoming victorious in Christ.
About the Author
Michele graduated from Biblical life Seminary in 2009 with Magna Cum Laude in Biblical Studies. Michele Davenport is the founder of Faith Builders Ministries Inc. She is an innovative speaker, teacher, and student of God’s Word. She is actively involved in Prison Fellowship Ministries, where she takes her book, Ripened on the Vine into the prisons teaching the healing power of forgiveness. She motivates her listeners to walk a walk worth repeating, to move forward, to forget about the past and press into the things of God. Michele also writes a weekly column called, Choices are for the living. Michele has been married to Marty for twenty-four years; they have two wonderful daughters where they reside in Raymore, Missouri.