Captivating by John Eldredge & Stasi Eldredge
Week 2: Chapter 1 — The Heart of a Woman
Read Chapter 1 of Captivating. Key Scripture: Proverbs 4:23; Song of Solomon 3:1–4.
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Chapter 1 lays the foundation for everything that follows: a woman's heart — with all its longings, wounds, and beauty — is exactly where God wants to begin his work.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.The Eldredges argue that the heart is the 'core of a woman's being' — that the longings we feel as women are not peripheral but central to who we are. How does that compare to how you have typically thought about your own desires and emotions?
2.The authors describe the three universal desires of the feminine heart: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to have a beauty to unveil. Walk through each one:
a.To be romanced — not just by a man, but pursued and delighted in. Where do you see this longing show up in your own life?
b.To play an irreplaceable role — to matter, to be needed in a story larger than yourself. Does your daily life feel like it holds that kind of significance? Why or why not?
c.To have a beauty to unveil — not just to look beautiful, but to be beautiful in a deep, soul-level way. How do you honestly feel about this desire? Does it feel safe to want this?
3.The chapter points to fairy tales, romantic films, and the stories women are drawn to as evidence that these three desires are universal and deep-seated. What stories, films, or books have always moved you most deeply — and what do they reveal about your own heart's longings?
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