Session One- Chapter One
Catch up/Introduce everyone
What struck you about this chapter? Anything stand out? Find yourself nodding at/underlining anything? What was most helpful?
Anything you found yourself disagreeing with?
What do you think of the statement “the problem is not that we do not want to change, nor is the problem that we are not trying to change.”
What do you think of the triangle approach to transformation?
Narrative- changing the stories in our minds
Disciplines-engaging in new practices. Wisdom,not righteousness
Community- in reflection and dialogue with others
Holy Spirit- all under the leading of the Holy Spirit, which requires we learn to hear God and respond appropriately
The Gospel is the engine driving us around the triangle
Which of the three legs (narratives,disciplines,community) do you need God’s help with first/most?
Session Two- CHAPTER TWO
Catch up
What struck you about this chapter? Anything stand out? Find yourself nodding at/underlining anything? What was most helpful?
Anything you found yourself disagreeing with?
Do you ever struggle with the “karma” view of God? Something bad happened- What did I do? I’ve been good- God owes me!
What do you think about the idea that our belief’s about God should be compared to what we know of Jesus? How does that help us?
The author had a very clear experience of hearing God- have you ever had an experience like that?
Augustine said there were some “peculiarly good” consequences that are a part of the lives of those who do good. Do you agree? What are some of them?
Does the fact that God has the final say in all of life offer you comfort? Hope? Frustration? Why?
Session Three- CHAPTER THREE
Catch up
What struck you about this chapter? Anything stand out? Find yourself nodding at/underlining anything? What was most helpful?
Anything you found yourself disagreeing with?
When do you find it hardest to trust God?
Intellectually do you think God is “trustworthy?
Emotionally, do you FEEL he is trustworthy?
A statement Smith makes early in the chapter is: “The God Jesus reveals would never do anything to harm us.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
What does the idea of God as Father bring up for you?
Session Four- CHAPTER FOUR
Catch up
What struck you about this chapter? Anything stand out? Find yourself nodding at/underlining anything? What was most helpful?
Anything you found yourself disagreeing with?
Smith says “Spiritual formation in Christ moves toward a total interchange of our ideas and images for his .” What are some areas where you have found this to be true in your life?
Smith says “Love and forgiveness, acceptance and kindness, are not commodities that diminish in their giving. When we offer forgiveness we do not have less of it, nor do we diminish our capacity to forgive each time we forgive. So why do we so seldom live generously?” What do you think?
Question: What is the chief and highest end of man? Answer: Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever.
What do you think of this? Agree or disagree? How would your life change if you lived this way? By enjoying Him forever…
Session Five- CHAPTER FIVE
Catch up
What struck you about this chapter? Anything stand out? Find yourself nodding at/underlining anything? What was most helpful?
Anything you found yourself disagreeing with?
Have you heard or felt something similar to the swivel chair narrative in your life? When?
How do you think God interacts with your “performance”? Does He care what you do or how you do it? Does He love you whether you perform? Does he accept you whether you perform? What is the basis of God accepting you or not?