Chapter 16: Addressing Deeper Fears About God
1. How have you overcome the reluctance to once again come to God with the ‘same sin’?
2. “This fear (that God isn’t good or fair) affects everything around us – our ability to get along with others, our sense of worth, our capacity to serve, our desire to talk to God.” (p. 111). Comments?
3. “Trying to understand God is a futile goal. Trying to control Him guarantees frustration.” (p. 111). What is your reaction to this quote?
4. In what ways does the author say we do not understand God’s goodness, anger, or mercy? (p. 112-114).
5. What does the author say on page 115 regarding how negative self-talk begins and the steps to overcome it?
6. Do the Questions to Ponder on pages 116-117.
Chapter 17: Believing God Loves Me
7. Have you wondered if God is compassionate enough to ‘put up with you’ or that he might ‘force you to go to Mongolia’? Where do these thoughts come from and how do you refute them? (p. 119).
8. “If you find yourself reluctant to enjoy God’s presence in certain moments of life, that might be a signal that you have fears about whether God loves you.” Does this resonate with your experience?
9. What are some ways God has used in your life to help you understand his love? When do you feel most loved by God?
10. “Believing God loves us equips us with a clear eyed acceptance of who we are.” Read the rest of this paragraph on page 121. Reaction?
11. How does totally accepting God’s love give you freedom?
Chapter 18: Revamping the “Quiet Time”
12. The author describes Duckworth’s facedown position of seeking God. Have you taken this or a similar position? Thoughts?
13. How is quiet time like batting practice (p. 126). Is there another simile comparison that fits your experience?
14. How do times of solitude with God change one? (p. 127). Have you experienced this? How can you create times of solitude in your life?
15. “Anytime we sense an anxious emptiness inside, this becomes a signal to spend time with God. . .” (p. 128). Comments?
16. Are there ways you currently worship God in your solitude with Him? Do you have favorite Psalms or passages that are pictures in your mind?
17. Do Questions to Ponder on page 131.
Epilogue: Read through and note significant points
Personal Challenge/Group Challenge
- Study Questions, Discussion, Comments from the Ladies' Bible Studies at Nampa Bible Church
11/14/10
Enjoying the Presence of God, Chapters 13, 14, 15
Chapter 13: Hearing God
1. Can you share a recent experience of God speaking to you through his Word?
2. When have you seen in yourself either ‘Bible deism’ (p. 89) or the habit of coming to the Bible “searching for what we already understand or agree with ”rather than with “what do I need to know?’ (p. 88).
3. When have you had a reoccurring thought or heard an insight coming to you from several different directions that was a “candle of the Lord”?
4. Through what unconventional means, such as those listed on pages 90 – 92 has God spoken to you?
5. Which of the potential difficulties of hearing God have you struggled with? (p. 92-94).
6. In what ways do you need to obey, meaning listen, better?
Chapter 14: Being Present for Others
7. “Enjoying God’s presence as we interact with people teaches us to be present for people and to focus on who they are and what they are saying. It’s also more fun than working the crowd and more calming for anyone with a trace of shyness.” (p. 98). Comments? Amens from the introverts?
8. How would you change if you take seriously the idea of being a “subversive Christian whose outward role is a cover for the true role of prayer”?
9. How does viewing people as Jesus did change us and our prayers? (p. 99).
10. In what way is listening for others’ needs counter cultural? (p. 100).
11. Read and answer “Questions to Ponder” on page 101.
Chapter 15: Removing Stones in the Path
12. “If God is to dwell in our hearts with no rival, we have to look deeply at our passions and motives. If we do, we will often find that we seek God and something else. Before long this something else takes over.” Thoughts?
13. As you look through the lists on pages 103-107, have you fallen into any of these substitutes for God?
14. What are the four areas the author says are “static that interferes with God’s voice”? Which of these areas is God speaking to you about?
15 “One of the greatest helps in conversing with God is to weave confessions of our inner neediness in and out of our moment by moment conversations with God.” (p. 107). What are some of these confessions for you?
16. What begins to happen as we ‘dig the stones out of the path’? (p. 108).
17. Consider the prayer of confession by John Baillie on page 108, 109.
Personal Challenge/Group Challenge
1. Can you share a recent experience of God speaking to you through his Word?
2. When have you seen in yourself either ‘Bible deism’ (p. 89) or the habit of coming to the Bible “searching for what we already understand or agree with ”rather than with “what do I need to know?’ (p. 88).
3. When have you had a reoccurring thought or heard an insight coming to you from several different directions that was a “candle of the Lord”?
4. Through what unconventional means, such as those listed on pages 90 – 92 has God spoken to you?
5. Which of the potential difficulties of hearing God have you struggled with? (p. 92-94).
6. In what ways do you need to obey, meaning listen, better?
Chapter 14: Being Present for Others
7. “Enjoying God’s presence as we interact with people teaches us to be present for people and to focus on who they are and what they are saying. It’s also more fun than working the crowd and more calming for anyone with a trace of shyness.” (p. 98). Comments? Amens from the introverts?
8. How would you change if you take seriously the idea of being a “subversive Christian whose outward role is a cover for the true role of prayer”?
9. How does viewing people as Jesus did change us and our prayers? (p. 99).
10. In what way is listening for others’ needs counter cultural? (p. 100).
11. Read and answer “Questions to Ponder” on page 101.
Chapter 15: Removing Stones in the Path
12. “If God is to dwell in our hearts with no rival, we have to look deeply at our passions and motives. If we do, we will often find that we seek God and something else. Before long this something else takes over.” Thoughts?
13. As you look through the lists on pages 103-107, have you fallen into any of these substitutes for God?
14. What are the four areas the author says are “static that interferes with God’s voice”? Which of these areas is God speaking to you about?
15 “One of the greatest helps in conversing with God is to weave confessions of our inner neediness in and out of our moment by moment conversations with God.” (p. 107). What are some of these confessions for you?
16. What begins to happen as we ‘dig the stones out of the path’? (p. 108).
17. Consider the prayer of confession by John Baillie on page 108, 109.
Personal Challenge/Group Challenge
11/6/10
Enjoying the Presence of God, Chapters 10, 11, 12
Chapter 10: Enjoying God Between the Big Moments
1. What are some of your ‘in-between’ moments that you can invite God into?
2. “Our problem is not lack of time, but failure to value the moment and see God at work in it.” (p. 70). Is this true for you?
3. Are there ways you can live in the present moment with God “listening to a steady inner tempo instead of the drumbeat of circumstances” (p. 70).
4. How would the idea of tiny Sabbath’s work into your schedule? (p. 71, 72). Or do you have a rhythm of prayer in place already?
Chapter 11: Asking God Questions
5. “Submission to God is never easy to learn, but when we start asking God questions, we embark on a radically different way of life.” (p. 75). Comments?
6. “What is it within me that needs to change?” Why is this a foundational question to all other questions? (p. 77).
7. How does the asking and seeking shape our desires? (p. 78).
8. When we are alert to God’s answers what happens around us that we might have ordinarily missed? (p. 78).
9. Think about Questions to Ponder on page 80.
Chapter 12: Dreaming God’s Dreams
10. What is a question you can begin asking God about his dreams/plans for you?
11. Have you prayed for your ‘own agenda’ or used God as a ‘vending machine’? How can you change those prayers?
12. What is the process of knowing God’s will for your life?
13. “The Loving Presence does not burden us equally with all things but considerately puts upon each of us just a few central tasks.” (p. 84). Thoughts?
14. “What breaks your heart that breaks the heart of God?” “The inner sense of compassion is one of the clearest indications from the Lord that this is a prayer project for you.” (Quotes from page 85). What is God telling you?
Personal Challenge:
Group Challenge:
1. What are some of your ‘in-between’ moments that you can invite God into?
2. “Our problem is not lack of time, but failure to value the moment and see God at work in it.” (p. 70). Is this true for you?
3. Are there ways you can live in the present moment with God “listening to a steady inner tempo instead of the drumbeat of circumstances” (p. 70).
4. How would the idea of tiny Sabbath’s work into your schedule? (p. 71, 72). Or do you have a rhythm of prayer in place already?
Chapter 11: Asking God Questions
5. “Submission to God is never easy to learn, but when we start asking God questions, we embark on a radically different way of life.” (p. 75). Comments?
6. “What is it within me that needs to change?” Why is this a foundational question to all other questions? (p. 77).
7. How does the asking and seeking shape our desires? (p. 78).
8. When we are alert to God’s answers what happens around us that we might have ordinarily missed? (p. 78).
9. Think about Questions to Ponder on page 80.
Chapter 12: Dreaming God’s Dreams
10. What is a question you can begin asking God about his dreams/plans for you?
11. Have you prayed for your ‘own agenda’ or used God as a ‘vending machine’? How can you change those prayers?
12. What is the process of knowing God’s will for your life?
13. “The Loving Presence does not burden us equally with all things but considerately puts upon each of us just a few central tasks.” (p. 84). Thoughts?
14. “What breaks your heart that breaks the heart of God?” “The inner sense of compassion is one of the clearest indications from the Lord that this is a prayer project for you.” (Quotes from page 85). What is God telling you?
Personal Challenge:
Group Challenge:
10/28/10
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.
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.
10/23/10
Enjoying the Presence of God, Chapters 4,5,6
Chapter 4: Talking to You Means Praying For You
1. Page 29 quote: “ I saw that even though my official task was to . . . . my real task was to bring God’s presence to everyone I met.” Thoughts?
2. Page 30 quote: “Being aware of God’s presence helps us focus on the other person so deeply that it’s nearly impossible to avoid praying for him or her.” Thoughts? Experiences to share?
3. Jan writes, pages 30 and 31, on praying to see someone’s heart. How can you do this in your life? Can you describe an experience of being caught up in your own thoughts and plans and unwilling to hear others?
4. How can you bring Christ’s presence to a situation? What does it mean, “prayer is the greater work”? (p. 32).
5. Think through and answer the Questions to Ponder on pages 33, 34.
6. Anything else of significance in this chapter?
Chapter 5: Weaving Prayer With Activity
7. Have you ever found yourself busy and occupied and suddenly realized you were ‘missing God’?
8. Is there a symbol – like lighting a candle – that could help you remember to focus on God in busy/difficult times?
9. How can you include God in the everyday, mundane tasks?
10. How can you go against the hurry, hastiness, and greed of a culture that urges us to pack as many useful tasks into a day as possible? (p. 39).
11. How does your body show signs of needing to slow down and be aware of God’s presence? (p. 39). What can you do about it?
12. Think about and answer the Questions to Ponder on page 41
13. What other significant points did you underline in this chapter?
Chapter 6: Praying Without Words
14. How have you served/loved/prayed similar to the example Jan gives on pages 42,43. What ideas does this give you?
15. How can you incorporate your physical body movements into prayer, praise, surrender?
16. When have you experienced God’s presence in physical activity?
17. How do active prayers get us closer to Romans 12:1?
18. Answer Questions to Ponder on page 47.
19. What else did you note in this chapter?
Group Challenge:
1. Page 29 quote: “ I saw that even though my official task was to . . . . my real task was to bring God’s presence to everyone I met.” Thoughts?
2. Page 30 quote: “Being aware of God’s presence helps us focus on the other person so deeply that it’s nearly impossible to avoid praying for him or her.” Thoughts? Experiences to share?
3. Jan writes, pages 30 and 31, on praying to see someone’s heart. How can you do this in your life? Can you describe an experience of being caught up in your own thoughts and plans and unwilling to hear others?
4. How can you bring Christ’s presence to a situation? What does it mean, “prayer is the greater work”? (p. 32).
5. Think through and answer the Questions to Ponder on pages 33, 34.
6. Anything else of significance in this chapter?
Chapter 5: Weaving Prayer With Activity
7. Have you ever found yourself busy and occupied and suddenly realized you were ‘missing God’?
8. Is there a symbol – like lighting a candle – that could help you remember to focus on God in busy/difficult times?
9. How can you include God in the everyday, mundane tasks?
10. How can you go against the hurry, hastiness, and greed of a culture that urges us to pack as many useful tasks into a day as possible? (p. 39).
11. How does your body show signs of needing to slow down and be aware of God’s presence? (p. 39). What can you do about it?
12. Think about and answer the Questions to Ponder on page 41
13. What other significant points did you underline in this chapter?
Chapter 6: Praying Without Words
14. How have you served/loved/prayed similar to the example Jan gives on pages 42,43. What ideas does this give you?
15. How can you incorporate your physical body movements into prayer, praise, surrender?
16. When have you experienced God’s presence in physical activity?
17. How do active prayers get us closer to Romans 12:1?
18. Answer Questions to Ponder on page 47.
19. What else did you note in this chapter?
Group Challenge:
10/16/10
Enjoying the Presence of God, Chapters 2, 3
Chapters 2 and 3; Note: questions are for discussion purposes. Please underline and star important points to share and challenge your group.
Chapter 2: Practicing the Presence of God
1. “An awareness of God can flow through our day the way blood circulates through the body” (p. 14). Have you practiced God’s presence and not realized it? Have you longed to experience it? How does this awareness during a normal day change things?
2. Read Psalm 37:4. Think about Jan’s comments on this verse. Thoughts?
3. “It isn’t a matter of achieving God’s presence, but surrendering to God’s presence..." (p. 16).
“Oddly enough, a practiced awareness of God’s presence doesn’t pull people into themselves..."(p. 17).
Think about these quotes and give your reaction. What else did you underline on page 17?
4. Jan says that western Christians tend to approach God only through facts and information or inspiration and feelings. What is she suggesting that we need to start doing?
5. From the train story on pages 20, 21 comes this quote: “Something of this kind is an everyday occurrence with us who pray for everybody we meet. It never happens unless we are praying.” Thoughts?
6. Think about the two questions on page 21.
7. Other important points from this chapter?
Chapter 3: Thinking About You Becomes Praying for You
1. What is a breath prayer?
2. As you read through example breath prayers, what are some of your thoughts?
3. How do scriptures and breath prayers intersect?
4. How can you use breath prayers when you don’t know how to pray or when your thoughts are turning in a negative direction?
5. What breath prayers do you already pray?
6. What favorite scriptures could you turn into breath prayers?
7. What events or situations in your life do you think about but have never prayed for?
8. Other thoughts?
Group Challenge: (So what are you going to do about it?)
Chapter 2: Practicing the Presence of God
1. “An awareness of God can flow through our day the way blood circulates through the body” (p. 14). Have you practiced God’s presence and not realized it? Have you longed to experience it? How does this awareness during a normal day change things?
2. Read Psalm 37:4. Think about Jan’s comments on this verse. Thoughts?
3. “It isn’t a matter of achieving God’s presence, but surrendering to God’s presence..." (p. 16).
“Oddly enough, a practiced awareness of God’s presence doesn’t pull people into themselves..."(p. 17).
Think about these quotes and give your reaction. What else did you underline on page 17?
4. Jan says that western Christians tend to approach God only through facts and information or inspiration and feelings. What is she suggesting that we need to start doing?
5. From the train story on pages 20, 21 comes this quote: “Something of this kind is an everyday occurrence with us who pray for everybody we meet. It never happens unless we are praying.” Thoughts?
6. Think about the two questions on page 21.
7. Other important points from this chapter?
Chapter 3: Thinking About You Becomes Praying for You
1. What is a breath prayer?
2. As you read through example breath prayers, what are some of your thoughts?
3. How do scriptures and breath prayers intersect?
4. How can you use breath prayers when you don’t know how to pray or when your thoughts are turning in a negative direction?
5. What breath prayers do you already pray?
6. What favorite scriptures could you turn into breath prayers?
7. What events or situations in your life do you think about but have never prayed for?
8. Other thoughts?
Group Challenge: (So what are you going to do about it?)
Enjoying the Presence of God, Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Trying Too Hard (page 7-12)
1. When Jan gave up trying to have the perfectly organized quiet time, what habits did she take up? (pg. 8). Can you identify with this? What habits do you tend to fall into when you give up extreme self discipline?
2. Take some time and think through what your have done in your quiet time over the years? How do you feel about your quiet time? Are there highs and lows? Any patterns?
3. Do you tend to “work” at your relationship with God? If so, in what ways?
4. Do you have a favorite Psalm that is “honest and gritty”? How has this Psalm helped you be more real with God?
5. What does Jan mean by “being”, not “doing”? (pg. 9) Describe what this means in your own life.
6. What did Jan learn from Brother Lawrence’s life and writings?
7. As you contemplate these thoughts, what is your desire?
1. When Jan gave up trying to have the perfectly organized quiet time, what habits did she take up? (pg. 8). Can you identify with this? What habits do you tend to fall into when you give up extreme self discipline?
2. Take some time and think through what your have done in your quiet time over the years? How do you feel about your quiet time? Are there highs and lows? Any patterns?
3. Do you tend to “work” at your relationship with God? If so, in what ways?
4. Do you have a favorite Psalm that is “honest and gritty”? How has this Psalm helped you be more real with God?
5. What does Jan mean by “being”, not “doing”? (pg. 9) Describe what this means in your own life.
6. What did Jan learn from Brother Lawrence’s life and writings?
7. As you contemplate these thoughts, what is your desire?
4/5/10
Prodigal God, Chapter 7
Chapter 7 - The Feast of the Father
1. How is salvation ‘experiential’? (p. 106…)
2. What is the difference between believing in the abstract idea of God’s love and knowing it at the deepest level of your heart? How does this affect your daily life?
3. “(Jesus) love can become more real to you that the love of anyone else. It can delight, galvanize, and console you” (p. 108). How has Jesus’ love delighted, galvanized, or consoled you or someone you know?
4. How is salvation ‘material’? (p. 110…)
5. What does the author say on page 112 is the “inevitable sign that you are a sinner saved by grace”? In what ways can you live this truth out?
6. How is salvation ‘individual’? (p. 112…)
7. Do you agree with Martin Luther that ‘religion’ is the default mode of the human heart? In what ways can ‘religion’ be an obstacle for us as we seek to obey Christ? (p. 115)
8. “Behavioral compliance to rules without heart change will be superficial and fleeting” (p. 119). How have you found this to be true in your own experience? How then is real lasting change possible?
9. What was Bonhoeffer’s view of grace? (p. 122, 123).
10. How is salvation ‘communal’? (p. 124…)
11. “There is no way you will be able to grow spiritually apart from a deep involvement in a community of other believers” (p. 127). Is this true?
12. The book mentions four things we need in order to have a foretaste of future salvation now – prayer, service to others, changes in our inner nature through the gospel, and healed relationships that Christ can give. Which of these do you hunger for the most and why?
13. Summarize the key teachings for you from the Prodigal God book.
1. How is salvation ‘experiential’? (p. 106…)
2. What is the difference between believing in the abstract idea of God’s love and knowing it at the deepest level of your heart? How does this affect your daily life?
3. “(Jesus) love can become more real to you that the love of anyone else. It can delight, galvanize, and console you” (p. 108). How has Jesus’ love delighted, galvanized, or consoled you or someone you know?
4. How is salvation ‘material’? (p. 110…)
5. What does the author say on page 112 is the “inevitable sign that you are a sinner saved by grace”? In what ways can you live this truth out?
6. How is salvation ‘individual’? (p. 112…)
7. Do you agree with Martin Luther that ‘religion’ is the default mode of the human heart? In what ways can ‘religion’ be an obstacle for us as we seek to obey Christ? (p. 115)
8. “Behavioral compliance to rules without heart change will be superficial and fleeting” (p. 119). How have you found this to be true in your own experience? How then is real lasting change possible?
9. What was Bonhoeffer’s view of grace? (p. 122, 123).
10. How is salvation ‘communal’? (p. 124…)
11. “There is no way you will be able to grow spiritually apart from a deep involvement in a community of other believers” (p. 127). Is this true?
12. The book mentions four things we need in order to have a foretaste of future salvation now – prayer, service to others, changes in our inner nature through the gospel, and healed relationships that Christ can give. Which of these do you hunger for the most and why?
13. Summarize the key teachings for you from the Prodigal God book.
Prodigal God, Chapter 6
Chapter 6 – Redefining Hope
1. What positive images come to your mind when you hear the word, ‘home’?
2. Why is the concept of home so powerful, but so elusive? (p. 90).
3. Have you experienced homesickness or a longing for home? How do you handle the fact that sometimes holidays or special days don’t live up to your expectations?
4. Describe some of your longings for a place, a time, a circumstance that you can’t get back to. The author says on page 96, “we have been living in a world that no longer fits our deepest longings.” How does this help you understand your experience?
5. What are some of the examples of exile in the Bible? According to the author, what are the reasons that none of the homecomings of the Israelites in the Old Testament really worked? (p. 99). Comments?
6. What were the Israelite people longing for as Jesus came on the scene? What did Jesus give them? (p. 100,101).
7. How is our longing for home explained by the biblical narrative of:
a. Creation (p. 95-96)
b. Fall (p. 96)
c. Redemption (p. 101-102)
d. Restoration (102-103)
8. In ancient times, a feast had more dimensions to it that eating. It was a time to sing, dance, reunite with long-last friends, renew relationships, celebrate community, and so on. What joys do you anticipate at the feast of the Father?
9. What was the most significant point in this chapter for you?
10. Action Point:
1. What positive images come to your mind when you hear the word, ‘home’?
2. Why is the concept of home so powerful, but so elusive? (p. 90).
3. Have you experienced homesickness or a longing for home? How do you handle the fact that sometimes holidays or special days don’t live up to your expectations?
4. Describe some of your longings for a place, a time, a circumstance that you can’t get back to. The author says on page 96, “we have been living in a world that no longer fits our deepest longings.” How does this help you understand your experience?
5. What are some of the examples of exile in the Bible? According to the author, what are the reasons that none of the homecomings of the Israelites in the Old Testament really worked? (p. 99). Comments?
6. What were the Israelite people longing for as Jesus came on the scene? What did Jesus give them? (p. 100,101).
7. How is our longing for home explained by the biblical narrative of:
a. Creation (p. 95-96)
b. Fall (p. 96)
c. Redemption (p. 101-102)
d. Restoration (102-103)
8. In ancient times, a feast had more dimensions to it that eating. It was a time to sing, dance, reunite with long-last friends, renew relationships, celebrate community, and so on. What joys do you anticipate at the feast of the Father?
9. What was the most significant point in this chapter for you?
10. Action Point:
Prodigal God, Chapter 5
Chapter 5 – The True Elder Brother
1. As the father is pleading with his elder son to come in, what picture comes to your mind of God?
2. Do you find yourself judging the judgers or grumbling about the grumblers? How is Jesus approach to the Pharisees so different than this?
3. “We will never find God unless he first seeks us” (p. 75). How has this been true in your own experience? Where in the Bible can we see this?
4. Quote from page 75: “How can you tell if he is working on you now? If you begin to sense your lostness and find yourself wanting to escape it, you should realize that desire is not something you could have generated on your own.” Can you describe your experience of knowing God is teaching you?
5. What is and is not repentance? (p. 75 and 76).
6. What are the spiritual problems of the Pharisee as described on page 77?
7. “To truly become Christian we must repent of the reason we ever did anything right. Pharisees only repent of their sins, but Christians repent for the very roots of their righteousness too” (p. 78). How is this explanation different from the way most people understand repentance? How does this change the way you repent?
8. What would help you identify the “sin under all your other sins?” (p.78). How can you dismantle that particular sin under all other sins? (As a personal exercise, consider more fully the idols in your heart by thinking through the supplementary material at the end of the questions. Not necessarily for sharing).
9. Who should have gone out and searched for the younger brother? What are some of the characteristics in this person that kept him from searching? Where do you see these characteristics in your own life?
10. “Forgiveness always comes at a cost” (p. 83). How can this truth be seen in the parable? In your own experience?
11. What did it cost the father to bring his younger son home? What did it cost the elder brother? What did it cost to bring us home?
12. “How can the inner workings of the heart be changed from a dynamic of fear and anger to that of love, joy, and gratitude?” (p. 85).
13. If Jesus is our true elder brother, how does this change our relationship with him? Our worship? Our service? Our obedience? Our view of the service?
14. The author states on page 89 “To the degree, ‘we see his beauty’ we will be free from the fear and neediness that creates either younger brothers or elder brothers.” Describe what this means for you.
15. Action Item
Supplementary Material: The following is a list of questions from the Prodigal God discussion guide to help you discern idols/controlling sins:
1. What am I most afraid of?
2. What do I long for most passionately?
3. Where do I run for comfort?
4. What do I complain about the most?
5. What angers me most?
6. What makes me happiest?
7. How do I explain myself to other people?
8. What has caused me to be angry with God?
9. What do I brag about?
10. What do I want to have more than anything else?
11. What do I sacrifice the most for in my life?
12. If I could change one thing in my life what would that be?
13. Whose approval am I seeking?
14. What do I want to control/master?
15. What comfort do I treasure the most?
1. As the father is pleading with his elder son to come in, what picture comes to your mind of God?
2. Do you find yourself judging the judgers or grumbling about the grumblers? How is Jesus approach to the Pharisees so different than this?
3. “We will never find God unless he first seeks us” (p. 75). How has this been true in your own experience? Where in the Bible can we see this?
4. Quote from page 75: “How can you tell if he is working on you now? If you begin to sense your lostness and find yourself wanting to escape it, you should realize that desire is not something you could have generated on your own.” Can you describe your experience of knowing God is teaching you?
5. What is and is not repentance? (p. 75 and 76).
6. What are the spiritual problems of the Pharisee as described on page 77?
7. “To truly become Christian we must repent of the reason we ever did anything right. Pharisees only repent of their sins, but Christians repent for the very roots of their righteousness too” (p. 78). How is this explanation different from the way most people understand repentance? How does this change the way you repent?
8. What would help you identify the “sin under all your other sins?” (p.78). How can you dismantle that particular sin under all other sins? (As a personal exercise, consider more fully the idols in your heart by thinking through the supplementary material at the end of the questions. Not necessarily for sharing).
9. Who should have gone out and searched for the younger brother? What are some of the characteristics in this person that kept him from searching? Where do you see these characteristics in your own life?
10. “Forgiveness always comes at a cost” (p. 83). How can this truth be seen in the parable? In your own experience?
11. What did it cost the father to bring his younger son home? What did it cost the elder brother? What did it cost to bring us home?
12. “How can the inner workings of the heart be changed from a dynamic of fear and anger to that of love, joy, and gratitude?” (p. 85).
13. If Jesus is our true elder brother, how does this change our relationship with him? Our worship? Our service? Our obedience? Our view of the service?
14. The author states on page 89 “To the degree, ‘we see his beauty’ we will be free from the fear and neediness that creates either younger brothers or elder brothers.” Describe what this means for you.
15. Action Item
Supplementary Material: The following is a list of questions from the Prodigal God discussion guide to help you discern idols/controlling sins:
1. What am I most afraid of?
2. What do I long for most passionately?
3. Where do I run for comfort?
4. What do I complain about the most?
5. What angers me most?
6. What makes me happiest?
7. How do I explain myself to other people?
8. What has caused me to be angry with God?
9. What do I brag about?
10. What do I want to have more than anything else?
11. What do I sacrifice the most for in my life?
12. If I could change one thing in my life what would that be?
13. Whose approval am I seeking?
14. What do I want to control/master?
15. What comfort do I treasure the most?
Prodigal God, Chapter 4
Chapter 4 – Redefining Lostness
1. Create a table to help you think about the relationships between the people in the parable.
How does the younger brother view?
Himself? His brother? His father?
How does the older brother view?
Himself? His brother? His father?
2. Keep a running list of ‘elder brotherish’ characteristics as you read through this chapter.
3. “ The first sign you have an elder brother spirit is that when your life doesn’t go as you want, you aren’t just sorrowful, but deeply angry and bitter” (p. 49). What thoughts, feelings and assumptions lead to such anger and bitterness?
4. What is the difference in our thought processes between anger toward God, toward self, and toward others? Share verses on anger and insights that are helpful to you.
5. How do older brothers use superiority and competitive comparison? (p. 53). How does this create an unforgiving, judgmental spirit?
6. Quote, “People who are no longer sure that God loves and accepts them in Jesus, apart from their present spiritual achievements, are subconsciously radically insecure persons” (p. 54). Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?
7. If your motivation to do good is to earn God’s favor, how does this affect the goodness of the action?
8. How does fear based morality strengthen self-centeredness? (p. 60).
9. What might the prayer life of an older brother look like and why? (p. 64, 65)
10. How would the attitude of the older brother make it harder for the younger brother to come home? How can you prevent this from happening to the people around you? (p. 66-67).
11. Do you tend to be more of a younger brother or elder brother? Were there times in your past when you behaved more like one or the other?
12. What else in this chapter was significant to you?
13. This chapter was packed with descriptions of ‘elder brother’ characteristics. Since we all have some of this, what convicted you the most?
Action Point:
Group Challenge
1. Create a table to help you think about the relationships between the people in the parable.
How does the younger brother view?
Himself? His brother? His father?
How does the older brother view?
Himself? His brother? His father?
2. Keep a running list of ‘elder brotherish’ characteristics as you read through this chapter.
3. “ The first sign you have an elder brother spirit is that when your life doesn’t go as you want, you aren’t just sorrowful, but deeply angry and bitter” (p. 49). What thoughts, feelings and assumptions lead to such anger and bitterness?
4. What is the difference in our thought processes between anger toward God, toward self, and toward others? Share verses on anger and insights that are helpful to you.
5. How do older brothers use superiority and competitive comparison? (p. 53). How does this create an unforgiving, judgmental spirit?
6. Quote, “People who are no longer sure that God loves and accepts them in Jesus, apart from their present spiritual achievements, are subconsciously radically insecure persons” (p. 54). Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?
7. If your motivation to do good is to earn God’s favor, how does this affect the goodness of the action?
8. How does fear based morality strengthen self-centeredness? (p. 60).
9. What might the prayer life of an older brother look like and why? (p. 64, 65)
10. How would the attitude of the older brother make it harder for the younger brother to come home? How can you prevent this from happening to the people around you? (p. 66-67).
11. Do you tend to be more of a younger brother or elder brother? Were there times in your past when you behaved more like one or the other?
12. What else in this chapter was significant to you?
13. This chapter was packed with descriptions of ‘elder brother’ characteristics. Since we all have some of this, what convicted you the most?
Action Point:
Group Challenge
Prodigal God, Chapter 3
Chapter 3 – Redefining Sin
1. Describe the two ways to find happiness (p. 29) and why they are so powerful. Give examples of these two ways. Which is more natural to you?
2. “You can rebel against God and be alienated from him either by breaking his rules or keeping them all diligently.” (p. 36-37). Explain this statement and give examples.
3. How do people seek to control God through their obedience? Can you give a personal example?
4. Create a simple chart showing younger brother characteristics, older brother characteristics, and characteristics shared by both.
Younger Characteristics Shared Characteristics Elder Characteristics
5. Where does the older brother find his significance and happiness? Where do we tend to look for our significance and happiness? Be specific. What is the connection to idolatry?
6. Do you agree or disagree that being an elder brother is a more spiritually desperate condition than being a younger brother? Why? (p. 46-47)
7. If you asked the average person on the street to define the word, ‘sin’, what would they say? How does Jesus challenge this definition in the parable?
8. What else was thought provoking to you in these chapters?
9. What has been the key point for you in this lesson?
10. Action Point:
11. Group Challenge
1. Describe the two ways to find happiness (p. 29) and why they are so powerful. Give examples of these two ways. Which is more natural to you?
2. “You can rebel against God and be alienated from him either by breaking his rules or keeping them all diligently.” (p. 36-37). Explain this statement and give examples.
3. How do people seek to control God through their obedience? Can you give a personal example?
4. Create a simple chart showing younger brother characteristics, older brother characteristics, and characteristics shared by both.
Younger Characteristics Shared Characteristics Elder Characteristics
5. Where does the older brother find his significance and happiness? Where do we tend to look for our significance and happiness? Be specific. What is the connection to idolatry?
6. Do you agree or disagree that being an elder brother is a more spiritually desperate condition than being a younger brother? Why? (p. 46-47)
7. If you asked the average person on the street to define the word, ‘sin’, what would they say? How does Jesus challenge this definition in the parable?
8. What else was thought provoking to you in these chapters?
9. What has been the key point for you in this lesson?
10. Action Point:
11. Group Challenge
Prodigal God, Chapter 2
Chapter 2 – The Two Lost Sons
1. Describe the scene, the actions and emotions of the son and father in the homecoming. What is most impacting to you?
2. When a parent reacts to a child’s behavior with, ‘after all I’ve done for you, how can you do this?’ what is at the core? Contrast this with the father in the parable. What do you learn about God?
3. The younger brother believes he is no longer worthy to be called his father’s son. What does this tell us about his view of what it takes to be loved and accepted? Is this view prevalent today?
4. Parents seen to have an overwhelming temptation to bring up the past failures of their children. (Can you think of an example?) Would the father in the story have the same temptation? Why not?
5. “There is no evil that the father’s love cannot pardon and cover, there is no sin that is a match for his grace.” (p. 24) How can this be seen in the parable, in other stories from the Bible, and in your own life?
6. If God’s grace is absolutely free and we cannot earn it or merit it in any way, what motivation is there to live an obedient life? What Bible verses come to mind?
7. As we turn to the elder brother, what are some of the poisonous thoughts, emotions and attitudes that come from him?
8. Action Point:
1. Describe the scene, the actions and emotions of the son and father in the homecoming. What is most impacting to you?
2. When a parent reacts to a child’s behavior with, ‘after all I’ve done for you, how can you do this?’ what is at the core? Contrast this with the father in the parable. What do you learn about God?
3. The younger brother believes he is no longer worthy to be called his father’s son. What does this tell us about his view of what it takes to be loved and accepted? Is this view prevalent today?
4. Parents seen to have an overwhelming temptation to bring up the past failures of their children. (Can you think of an example?) Would the father in the story have the same temptation? Why not?
5. “There is no evil that the father’s love cannot pardon and cover, there is no sin that is a match for his grace.” (p. 24) How can this be seen in the parable, in other stories from the Bible, and in your own life?
6. If God’s grace is absolutely free and we cannot earn it or merit it in any way, what motivation is there to live an obedient life? What Bible verses come to mind?
7. As we turn to the elder brother, what are some of the poisonous thoughts, emotions and attitudes that come from him?
8. Action Point:
Prodigal God, Chapter 1
Introduction:
1. Who is the author writing the book for? Why does he think long time church members need this?
2. Why is the traditional name of this parable not the best?
3. What does the word ‘prodigal’ mean? Describe what the concept of a prodigal God means to you personally.
Chapter 1: The People Around Jesus
4. Describe the two groups of people that Jesus is teaching and that are represented by the two brothers in the story.
5. How did each of these groups respond to Jesus?
6. Can you give examples of both groups in current society? How do both of these lifestyles lead to emptiness?
7. Consider these two author quotes about the older brother types:
“Jesus wants to show them their blindness, narrowness, self-righteousness and how these things are destroying both their own souls and the lives of the people around them” (p. 10).
“Religious moralism is a particularly deadly spiritual condition”(p. 14).
Comments? It might be easy to look at other people, let’s look at ourselves.
8. Why is it ‘ironic’ that Christianity has become mostly about religion and morality? (p. 14).
9. In Jesus’ ministry, over and over the outcasts were attracted to him and the religious were angered. As you skim through the gospels, give examples of this. Why were the religious so opposed?
10. Why do you think our Christianity of today is not attracting the broken and marginalized with Jesus’ message of grace?
11. What else did you underline or think about in these chaptaers?
12. What is God saying to your heart through this lesson?
Action Point: Group Challenge
1. Who is the author writing the book for? Why does he think long time church members need this?
2. Why is the traditional name of this parable not the best?
3. What does the word ‘prodigal’ mean? Describe what the concept of a prodigal God means to you personally.
Chapter 1: The People Around Jesus
4. Describe the two groups of people that Jesus is teaching and that are represented by the two brothers in the story.
5. How did each of these groups respond to Jesus?
6. Can you give examples of both groups in current society? How do both of these lifestyles lead to emptiness?
7. Consider these two author quotes about the older brother types:
“Jesus wants to show them their blindness, narrowness, self-righteousness and how these things are destroying both their own souls and the lives of the people around them” (p. 10).
“Religious moralism is a particularly deadly spiritual condition”(p. 14).
Comments? It might be easy to look at other people, let’s look at ourselves.
8. Why is it ‘ironic’ that Christianity has become mostly about religion and morality? (p. 14).
9. In Jesus’ ministry, over and over the outcasts were attracted to him and the religious were angered. As you skim through the gospels, give examples of this. Why were the religious so opposed?
10. Why do you think our Christianity of today is not attracting the broken and marginalized with Jesus’ message of grace?
11. What else did you underline or think about in these chaptaers?
12. What is God saying to your heart through this lesson?
Action Point: Group Challenge
Prodigal God, Intro/Video
Intro Lesson
1. Leader introduces self, book briefly
2. State ground rules of group
a. Confidentiality
b. Limits to sharing
c. Being on time
d. Prepared
e. Other
3. Group members share about themselves – brief testimony, what God has been teaching you recently and what you hope to gain from study
4. Read Parable out loud – Luke 15:1-3; 11-32
5. Watch DVD - 38 minutes (see Crystal for DVD)
6. Discussion questions (taken from Discussion Guide)
a. Was there anything from the DVD that was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you hear anything that raised questions in your mind?
b. Who do you identify with more, the younger brother or the older brother? Why?
c. How close is a great feast to your idea of heaven?
d. Is there anything you would like the group to pray for you personally as a result of the DVD?
7. Prayer Time
1. Leader introduces self, book briefly
2. State ground rules of group
a. Confidentiality
b. Limits to sharing
c. Being on time
d. Prepared
e. Other
3. Group members share about themselves – brief testimony, what God has been teaching you recently and what you hope to gain from study
4. Read Parable out loud – Luke 15:1-3; 11-32
5. Watch DVD - 38 minutes (see Crystal for DVD)
6. Discussion questions (taken from Discussion Guide)
a. Was there anything from the DVD that was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you hear anything that raised questions in your mind?
b. Who do you identify with more, the younger brother or the older brother? Why?
c. How close is a great feast to your idea of heaven?
d. Is there anything you would like the group to pray for you personally as a result of the DVD?
7. Prayer Time