When to Walk Away Study Guide: Finding Freedom from Toxic People

Description

In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus "became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (1:14 NIV). Jesus literally came down from heaven to walk among us. But what we often overlook in the Gospels is that Jesus often walked away from certain people . . . or let them walk away from him. In this six-session video Bible study (DVD/digital downloads sold separately), bestselling author Gary Thomas draws on Jesus' example to show how the best course of action for us to take with some relationships is to walk away . . . or let the other person walk away. In the Gospels, we read that when Jesus spoke a hard truth, sometimes the other person chose to walk away (see Matthew 19:16-30). Other times, the person asked Jesus to leave-and he complied (see Luke 8:26-37). There were also times when people begged Jesus to stay, but he walked away so he could remain completely focused on the mission God had for him (see Luke 4:42-44). Jesus never gave chase to those who left. He didn't run after people who rejected him and try to change their minds or bargain with them so they would again follow him. He did not feel obligated to try to convince unreasonable people to see the truth that he was provided. And, perhaps most important, he didn't allow anyone to distract him or interfere with the mission that God had given to him. Most of us have run across toxic individuals who drain us of our joy and peace-people who resent the grace we share and will never change. However, as Gary will show in this study, we don't have to pour our time and energy into these people. Instead, we can follow Jesus' example to walk away from toxic people and walk toward healthy relationships that will encourage us, strengthen us, and build us up. And as we do, it frees us to focus completely on the purpose that God has established for our lives. Designed for use with the When to Walk Away Video Study (sold separately).

Gary Thomas is a writer in residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston, Texas. He is the author of 19 books, including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Cherish, Sacred Parenting, and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith. He has a master's degree from Regent College, where he studied under Dr. J.I. Packer, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity from Western Seminary. Gary has spoken in 49 states and 10 different countries. He has appeared numerous times on various national radio and television programs, including CBN, Focus on the Family and Family Life Today.