Enjoying the Presence of God, Chapters 7, 8, 9

Note: Remember the author’s aim is “to introduce you to so many possibilities for enjoying God’s presence that you will find your own.”

Chapter 7: Focusing on What’s in Front of You
1. What is in front of you right now that provides a topic of conversation with God?
2. What is the idea behind missionary Frank Laubach’s ‘game with minutes’? (p. 49). How could you adapt this idea?
3. Which leaders in the fields that you care about would you like to pray for?
4. How can you practice God’s presence while you engage in the world?
5. How do you become more attentive to God’s presence plus deal with mind wandering?
6. From the prayer on pages 62 and 63, what expresses some thoughts you have wanted to say to God, but haven’t?

Chapter 8: Finding God in Irritating Moments
7. So, what is irritating you and how are you going to handle it now?
8. Why is offering God our questions and irritations wise?
9. How do imprecatory Psalms help? Can you give an example?
10. “In order to abide in Christ and enjoy God’s presence, we must learn not to pretend to be okay.” (p. 59). Comments?
11. Think through “Questions to Ponder” on page 60.

Chapter 9: Loving God in Anguished Moments
12. The author writes of sitting in the posture of her hurting friends and praying for them. Are there ways you could use this idea?
13. “Times of anguish can transform us if we push away self pity and put our energy into longing for God.” Comments? Experiences to share?
14. What are some ways you can practice God’s presence in temptation?
15. Let’s put Psalm 63 on our summer memorization possibilities list. ☺
16. Quote from page 65, “In these distressing moments, we lay our brokenness before God. This advances us toward the goal of knowing him because a broken spirit dissolves the wall of self-sufficiency that separates us from God.” Read the rest of this paragraph. Comments?
17. Think through “Questions to Ponder” on page 66.

Group Challenge: Discuss what you can hold each other accountable for this week.