Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
Week 6: Chapters 11–12 — Letters, Longing, and the Discipline of Desire
Read Chapters 11–12 of Passion and Purity. Primary Scripture: Psalm 37:4–5; Lamentations 3:24–26.
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In these chapters, Elliot draws more deeply from the actual letters she and Jim exchanged — letters that are achingly honest about longing, uncertainty, and the effort of trusting God with what felt unresolvable. Read them slowly.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.What strikes you most about the letters between Jim and Elisabeth? What do they reveal about the nature of their love and their shared commitment to God?
2.Elliot describes the discipline of desire — the practice of choosing not to fantasize, not to pursue, not to manufacture what must be given as a gift. What does she say makes this discipline possible? What makes it so hard?
3.She distinguishes between longing that draws us toward God and longing that pulls us away from Him. How do you tell the difference in your own experience?
a.What does it look like when a longing for love is drawing you closer to God?
b.What does it look like when that same longing is becoming an idol?
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