1. Against the Odds – Overcoming the Fact That Life Isn’t Fair Against the Odds – Overcoming the Fact That Life Isn’t Fair Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits By Bishop T. D. Jakes Rev. Dr. Shelia Yvette Smalley Bible Study Instructor Macedonia CLG

2. Introduction Read Colossians 4:1 (CEV) Read Colossians 4:1 (CEV) No one is immune from the adversities of life. No one is immune from the adversities of life. This chapter is for those of you who feel like your backs are against the wall. This chapter is for those of you who feel like your backs are against the wall.

3. Introduction Bottom line: Life is not fair. Bottom line: Life is not fair. However, you can overcome life’s difficulties if you adopt a new way of seeing, say no to giving up hope, daily sharpen your vision of who you really are. However, you can overcome life’s difficulties if you adopt a new way of seeing, say no to giving up hope, daily sharpen your vision of who you really are.

4. Chapter 4 How do you view statistical data and experimental probabilities? Pg. 59 How do you view statistical data and experimental probabilities? Pg. 59 Point: We cannot base our lives on demographic probabilities, because data can say whatever you want them to say. Pg. 60 Point: We cannot base our lives on demographic probabilities, because data can say whatever you want them to say. Pg. 60 Key: Do not let other people control your destiny. Pg. 60 Key: Do not let other people control your destiny. Pg. 60 Discuss the issues on page 61 (1 st paragraph) Discuss the issues on page 61 (1 st paragraph)

5. Chapter 4 Our forefathers paid a great price for the freedom we enjoy today. Our forefathers paid a great price for the freedom we enjoy today. Discuss your opinion about who should take responsibility for the quality of our lives, the individual or the society? Pg. 64 Discuss your opinion about who should take responsibility for the quality of our lives, the individual or the society? Pg. 64 What will it take to establish a future of prosperity and success for the black community? Pg. 64 What will it take to establish a future of prosperity and success for the black community? Pg. 64

6. Chapter 4 Life is not fair and there will always be some parts of your life that will appear to restrict you. Pg. 65 Life is not fair and there will always be some parts of your life that will appear to restrict you. Pg. 65 However, we cannot afford to give up the power to make decisions and choices for our lives. Pg. 65 However, we cannot afford to give up the power to make decisions and choices for our lives. Pg. 65 What is your interpretation of beating the odds? Pg. 66-67 What is your interpretation of beating the odds? Pg. 66-67 Answer the questions at the top of page 68. Answer the questions at the top of page 68.

7. Chapter 4 We must learn to rebound to rebuild a solid base. Pg 69 We must learn to rebound to rebuild a solid base. Pg 69 Sometimes we have to lose some battles to win the war. Pg 69 Sometimes we have to lose some battles to win the war. Pg 69 Discuss the importance of surrounding ourselves with successful role models? Pg. 70-71, 73 Discuss the importance of surrounding ourselves with successful role models? Pg. 70-71, 73

8. Chapter 4 Discuss what it means and what is involved in becoming a student of your own success on pg. 73-74 Discuss what it means and what is involved in becoming a student of your own success on pg. 73-74 Complete the recommended assignment on page 75 Complete the recommended assignment on page 75 You must never give up on your hopes and dreams, even when you face obstacles. You must never give up on your hopes and dreams, even when you face obstacles. Forget about the past and keep moving forward to reposition yourself to life without limits. Forget about the past and keep moving forward to reposition yourself to life without limits.