Longing - study guide

By Elizabeth McQuoid

I'm longing for God...

* to answer my prayers
* to forgive me
* when my heart has grown cold
* to take me deeper
* to display his glory
* to take me home

The latest in the popular Keswick study guide series matches the banner theme of Keswick Convention 2019: Longing for God. Seminars, Bible readings and evening celebrations will be tightly focussed around this topic.

As in previous years, we want convention-goers and those who don't benefit from Keswick to explore the subject at home, on their own or in a group setting. For the latter, there are leaders' notes on the six standalone sessions. You can find out what the Bible says and what it means in your life, and be encouraged through praying the prayers and digging deeper.

As you interact with this resource, you will find yourself equipped to face life's challenges though knowing the God of the Bible better. We pray that your longing will be satisfied.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IVP
• Release date: Jul 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781783599356

Elizabeth McQuoid

Elizabeth McQuoid is Commissioning Editor for Keswick Ministries. She is married to Jeremy, the Chairman, and they live in Aberdeen. She has written over 20 study guides, including The Transforming Trinity. She edits the Food for the Journey series, and is co-author with husband Jeremy of The Amazing Cross. Elizabeth is a columnist for Evangelicals Now and a former trustee of Keswick Convention.

Book preview

A Christian is not one who has stopped all sinning, but one who has begun to feel a new longing – for the Saviour. A heart that desires Jesus is alive and growing. As Augustine taught us long ago, ‘Yearning makes the heart deep.’ So our theme at the Keswick Convention 2019 is wonderfully profound, and this study guide can help us all go deep.

Ray Ortlund, author and senior pastor, Immanuel Church, Nashville, Tennessee

God has made us for more than just this world, but sometimes our desires can feel overwhelming or even wrong – and, indeed, they may be wrong. In this Keswick study guide, Elizabeth considers some of our God-given longings and shows how only he can satisfy them. Suited for individual or group settings, the studies are rich in biblical truth as well as practical application (with helpful leaders’ notes and further reading). They’re short but powerful, and will minister to both your head and heart.

Emma Scrivener, author, speaker and blogger

Our hearts so easily go astray. We desire things that aren’t good for us – we ‘over-desire’ things that are – and, in the process, we all too often lose sight of the God who deserves our all. In these six clear and accessible studies, we are called to re-orientate and begin to enjoy God again in all his glory. Whether we’re studying alone, with a friend or in a group, there is a wealth of Scripture here to help us long for our Saviour – and keep on longing – until that day we are perfectly fulfilled in him.

Helen Thorne, Director of Training and Mentoring, London City Mission, author and trustee, Biblical Counselling UK

TitlePage_ebk

INTER-VARSITY PRESS

36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4ST, England

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.ivpbooks.com

© Elizabeth McQuoid, 2019

Elizabeth McQuoid has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as Author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (Anglicized edition). Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘niv’ is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number 1448790.

The Bible quotation marked asv is from the American Standard Version of the Bible (1901).

Extracts from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England are copyright © The Archbishops’ Council, 2000, and are reproduced by permission.

First published 2019

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN: 978–1–78359–934–9

eBook ISBN: 978–1–78359–935–6

Set in Warnock

Typeset in Great Britain by CRB Associates, Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire

Printed in Great Britain by Ashford Colour Press Ltd, Gosport, Hampshire

eBook by CRB Associates, Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire

Inter-Varsity Press publishes Christian books that are true to the Bible and that communicate the gospel, develop discipleship and strengthen the church for its mission in the world.

IVP originated within the Inter-Varsity Fellowship, now the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, a student movement connecting Christian Unions in universities and colleges throughout Great Britain, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Website: www.uccf.org.uk. That historic association is maintained, and all senior IVP staff and committee members subscribe to the UCCF Basis of Faith.

Contents

Introduction

1 Longing for God . . . to answer my prayers

2 Longing for God . . . to forgive me

3 Longing for God . . . when my heart has grown cold

4 Longing for God . . . to take me deeper

5 Longing for God . . . to display his glory

6 Longing for God