At the time of this post, there are over 5 million copies of The Shack in print and no signs of it slowing down. If you enjoyed reading The Shack, please help me make a useful study guide for small groups and personal study. I've categorized sections of the book, and now I'm asking you to suggest questions and make comments under each section.
Thanks,
John Sawyer
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The power of forgiveness
The power of forgiveness
1. In the chapter, Festival of Friends, pages 209-217, Mack experience just the visual aspects of heaven, sees the glory of Jesus, experiences the depths of Jesus’ love for him and has a tear-filled reunion and reconciliation with his father. “’We are coming full circle. Forgiving your dad yesterday was a significant part of your being able to know me as Father today (Papa changed from an African American woman to a dignified older man). ‘” (pg. 221)
Q. Have you been deeply offended by a family member, friend, or someone you trusted? If so, what would it take for you to completely forgive them?
Q. Would it help if they were punished? If they said they were sorry? If they tried to make it up to you with some kind of compensation?
Q. What if someone else took the full punishment in their place and then offered you the priceless gift of eternal life?
Q. Jesus said, "’If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.’ The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’" (Luke 17:3-5) Why is this so hard to do? Don’t we run the risk of enabling someone to continue in sin by forgiving all the time? Why or why not?
2. Papa asked Mack to forgive Missy’s killer. ‘Mackenzie, don’t you see that forgiveness is an incredible power – a power you share with us, a power Jesus gives to all whom he indwells so that reconciliation can grow? When Jesus forgave those who nailed him to the cross they were no longer in his debt, nor mine. In my relationship with those men, I will never bring up what they did, or shame them, or embarrass them.’
‘I don’t think I can do this,’ Mack answered softly.
Q. In your opinion, how is forgiveness ‘an incredible power’ that we share with God?
Q. Mack doesn’t think he is capable of ever forgiving the man who murdered his daughter. Papa reminds him that he knows how hard forgiveness can be. When Jesus was murdered on the cross he said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) And his Father did forgive them. But even with Jesus’ example, how could a person ever forgive an unspeakable crime committed against them?
Q. Papa told Mack that the power to forgive comes from Jesus indwelling him. The Apostle Paul writes, “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you…” (Romans 8:9-10) So, as a believer in Jesus, how do I access this power to forgive?
3. ‘I want you to (forgive the murderer). Forgiveness is first for you, the forgiver,’ answered Papa, ‘to release you from something that will eat you alive; that will destroy your joy and your ability to love fully and openly.
Q. The Bible says, “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) How has God forgiven you (us)?
Q. Jesus said, “Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37) When we hold a grudge against someone who has offended us, who is usually hurt the most by it? How does my lack of forgiveness affect those I love?
Q. Jesus said, ““So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matthew 5:23-24) How does my grudge against someone affect my relationship with God?
4. Do you think this man cares about the pain and torment you have gone through? If anything, he feeds on that knowledge. Don’t you want to cut that off? And in doing so, you’ll release him from a burden that he carries whether he knows it or not – acknowledges it or not. When you choose to forgive another, you love him well.’
‘I do not love him.’
‘Not today, you don’t. But I do Mack, not for what he’s become, but for the broken child that has been twisted by his pain. I want to help you take on that nature that finds more power in love and forgiveness than hate.’
Q. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord. Instead, ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:19-21) When someone injures or offends us, what is the difference between a legitimate desire for justice and an sinful desire for revenge?
Q. Loving our enemies is counterintuitive, but, according to Paul, it is the most powerful thing we can do. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Love Wins?” Is it possible to conquer evil by doing good – by forgiving and loving our enemies ? Why or why not?
Q. Papa is asking Mack to empathize with the man who murdered his daughter because he was “twisted by his pain.” Do you think that those who victimize others are usually victims themselves? How should the abuse of those who have abuse others factor into our forgiveness?
5. “’So forgiveness does not require me to pretend what he did never happened?’
‘How can you? You forgave your dad last night. Will you ever forget what he did to you?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘But now you can love him in the face of it. His change allows for that. Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation. And sometimes – and this may seem incomprehensible to your right now – that road may even take you to the miracle of fully restored trust.’ (pg. 224-226).
Q. When we forgive someone, it feels like we’re just ‘letting ‘em off the hook.’ We want them to suffer for what they’ve done – to know it wasn’t right and never will be okay. God isn’t asking us to “pretend…it never happened.” What is God specifically asking of us when he tells us to forgive others?
Q. Sometimes the idea of reaching out so someone who has injured or offended us seems foolish because we just become vulnerable to get hurt again. People don’t really change, right? Consider the story of the Apostle Paul. He was part of the group that was violently persecuting and killing Christians (Acts 7:57-60). After his conversion he writes, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-17) Based on this passage, is there anyone that is hopeless? Is it possible for God to change the heart of even the worst sinner? Who do you know that is least likely to change? Could you restate this passage into a prayer for that person?
1. In the chapter, Festival of Friends, pages 209-217, Mack experience just the visual aspects of heaven, sees the glory of Jesus, experiences the depths of Jesus’ love for him and has a tear-filled reunion and reconciliation with his father. “’We are coming full circle. Forgiving your dad yesterday was a significant part of your being able to know me as Father today (Papa changed from an African American woman to a dignified older man). ‘” (pg. 221)
Q. Have you been deeply offended by a family member, friend, or someone you trusted? If so, what would it take for you to completely forgive them?
Q. Would it help if they were punished? If they said they were sorry? If they tried to make it up to you with some kind of compensation?
Q. What if someone else took the full punishment in their place and then offered you the priceless gift of eternal life?
Q. Jesus said, "’If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.’ The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’" (Luke 17:3-5) Why is this so hard to do? Don’t we run the risk of enabling someone to continue in sin by forgiving all the time? Why or why not?
2. Papa asked Mack to forgive Missy’s killer. ‘Mackenzie, don’t you see that forgiveness is an incredible power – a power you share with us, a power Jesus gives to all whom he indwells so that reconciliation can grow? When Jesus forgave those who nailed him to the cross they were no longer in his debt, nor mine. In my relationship with those men, I will never bring up what they did, or shame them, or embarrass them.’
‘I don’t think I can do this,’ Mack answered softly.
Q. In your opinion, how is forgiveness ‘an incredible power’ that we share with God?
Q. Mack doesn’t think he is capable of ever forgiving the man who murdered his daughter. Papa reminds him that he knows how hard forgiveness can be. When Jesus was murdered on the cross he said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) And his Father did forgive them. But even with Jesus’ example, how could a person ever forgive an unspeakable crime committed against them?
Q. Papa told Mack that the power to forgive comes from Jesus indwelling him. The Apostle Paul writes, “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you…” (Romans 8:9-10) So, as a believer in Jesus, how do I access this power to forgive?
3. ‘I want you to (forgive the murderer). Forgiveness is first for you, the forgiver,’ answered Papa, ‘to release you from something that will eat you alive; that will destroy your joy and your ability to love fully and openly.
Q. The Bible says, “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) How has God forgiven you (us)?
Q. Jesus said, “Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37) When we hold a grudge against someone who has offended us, who is usually hurt the most by it? How does my lack of forgiveness affect those I love?
Q. Jesus said, ““So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matthew 5:23-24) How does my grudge against someone affect my relationship with God?
4. Do you think this man cares about the pain and torment you have gone through? If anything, he feeds on that knowledge. Don’t you want to cut that off? And in doing so, you’ll release him from a burden that he carries whether he knows it or not – acknowledges it or not. When you choose to forgive another, you love him well.’
‘I do not love him.’
‘Not today, you don’t. But I do Mack, not for what he’s become, but for the broken child that has been twisted by his pain. I want to help you take on that nature that finds more power in love and forgiveness than hate.’
Q. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord. Instead, ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:19-21) When someone injures or offends us, what is the difference between a legitimate desire for justice and an sinful desire for revenge?
Q. Loving our enemies is counterintuitive, but, according to Paul, it is the most powerful thing we can do. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Love Wins?” Is it possible to conquer evil by doing good – by forgiving and loving our enemies ? Why or why not?
Q. Papa is asking Mack to empathize with the man who murdered his daughter because he was “twisted by his pain.” Do you think that those who victimize others are usually victims themselves? How should the abuse of those who have abuse others factor into our forgiveness?
5. “’So forgiveness does not require me to pretend what he did never happened?’
‘How can you? You forgave your dad last night. Will you ever forget what he did to you?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘But now you can love him in the face of it. His change allows for that. Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation. And sometimes – and this may seem incomprehensible to your right now – that road may even take you to the miracle of fully restored trust.’ (pg. 224-226).
Q. When we forgive someone, it feels like we’re just ‘letting ‘em off the hook.’ We want them to suffer for what they’ve done – to know it wasn’t right and never will be okay. God isn’t asking us to “pretend…it never happened.” What is God specifically asking of us when he tells us to forgive others?
Q. Sometimes the idea of reaching out so someone who has injured or offended us seems foolish because we just become vulnerable to get hurt again. People don’t really change, right? Consider the story of the Apostle Paul. He was part of the group that was violently persecuting and killing Christians (Acts 7:57-60). After his conversion he writes, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-17) Based on this passage, is there anyone that is hopeless? Is it possible for God to change the heart of even the worst sinner? Who do you know that is least likely to change? Could you restate this passage into a prayer for that person?
The effects of the fall
The effects of the fall
1. “’When something happens to you, how do you determine whether it is good or evil?’
‘Mack thought for a moment before answering. ‘Well, something is good when I like it – when it makes me feel good or gives me a sense of security. Conversely, I’d call something evil that causes me pain or costs me something I want.’
‘So it is pretty subjective then?’
‘I guess it is.’”
Q. What if everyone determined good and evil the way Mack does? What would the results be?
Q. How would you answer Papa’s question? How do you decide when something is good or bad?
2. “‘And how confident are you in your ability to discern what indeed is good for you, or what is evil?’
‘To be honest,’ said Mack, ‘I tend to sound justifiably angry when somebody is threatening my ‘good,’ you know, what I think I deserve. But I’m not really sure I have any logical ground for deciding what is actually good or evil, except how something or someone effects me. …All seems quite self-serving and self-centered, I suppose. And my track record isn’t very encouraging either. Some things I initially thought were good turned out to be horribly destructive, and some things that I thought were evil, well, they turned out …’
Sarayu interrupted, ‘Then it is you who determines good and evil. You become the judge. And to make things more confusing, that which you determine to be good will change over time and circumstance. And then beyond that and even worse, there are billions of you each determining what is good and what is evil. So when your good and evil clashes with your neighbor’s, fights and arguments ensue and even wars break out. And if there is no reality of good that is absolute, then you have lost any basis for judging. It is just language, and one might as well exchange the word good for the word evil.’
‘I can see where that might be a problem,’ Mack agreed.
‘A problem?’ Sarayu almost snapped…’Indeed! The choice to eat of that tree tore the universe apart divorcing the spiritual from the physical. They died, expelling in the breath of their choice the very breath of God. I would say that is a problem!’ (pg. 134-135)
Q. What powerful ability do we share with God? How does God want us to use our ability to discern between good and evil? What do we need from God to use this ability to help others rather than harm them?
Q. How does our culture feel about an absolute moral guide?
Q. Is it really wrong for us to judge? Don’t we have to make judgments about people and situations to determine if they are good for us or our family? What is the difference between appropriate ‘discernment’ and inappropriate judging?
Q. Mack is being honest about his judgment. He realizes it is “self-serving and self-centered.” Jesus said, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1-2) Based on this passage, how should be approach the evaluation of others?
Q. How did Adam and Eve’s choice to eat the forbidden fruit – the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil – “divorce the spiritual from the physical” and “expel the very breath of God?” (See Genesis 3) How would our lives be different if they hadn’t made this decision?
3. “You imagine. Such a powerful ability, the imagination! That power alone makes you so like us. But without wisdom, imagination is a cruel taskmaster. If I may prove my case, do you think humans were designed to live in the present or the past or the future?’
‘Well,’ said Mack, hesitating, ‘I think the most obvious answer is that we were designed to live in the present. Is that wrong?’
‘Jesus chuckled. ‘Relax, Mack; this is not a test, it’s a conversation. You are exactly correct, by the way. But now tell me, where do you spend most of your time in your mind, in your imagination, in the present, in the past, or in the future?’
‘Mack thought for a moment before answering. ‘I suppose I would have to say that I spend very little time in the present. For me, I spend a big piece in the past, mot most of the rest of the time, I am trying to figure out the future.’
‘Not unlike most people. When I dwell with you, I do so in the present – I live in the present. Not the past, although much can be remembered and learned by looking back, but only for a visit, not an extended stay. And for sure, I do not dwell in the future you visualize or imagine. Mack, do you realize that your imagination of the future, which is almost always dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me there with you?
‘Why do I do that?’ asked Mack.
‘It is your desperate attempt to get some control over something you can’t. It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn’t even real, nor will ever be real. You try and play God, imagining the evil that you fear becoming a reality, and then you try to make plans and contingencies to avoid what you fear.’ (pg. 141-142)
Q. Do you find yourself living mostly in past, present, or future? Why is this? What problems does this focus on the past or the future create in our lives?
Q. Like Mack, do you find yourself fearing the future? Especially during these times of financial turmoil, it’s hard not to give in to anxious thoughts about the future. How can we overcome this ‘bad habit?’
Q. Have you ever tried to “play God” by making contingency plans for the future? How has it worked for you? Can you remember times when you were able to trust God with the future? What was the result?
4. “Why do I have so much fear in my life?’ responded Mack.
‘Because you don’t believe. You don’t know that we love you. The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love. I am not talking about rational fears regarding legitimate dangers, but imagined fears, and especially the projection of those into the future. To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe I am good nor know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it; you talk about it, but you don’t know it.’ (pg. 142)
Q. How would you answer Mack’s question? “Why do I (we) have so much fear in my life (our lives)?”
Q. Paul wrote, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) How does it help to know that no matter what happens in the future, you’ll always be loved by God?
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) How does God want us to view the future? (See 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7, and Matthew 6:25-33)
5. “’…Can you imagine this scene if the earth was not a war, striving so hard just to survive?’
‘And you mean what, exactly?’
‘Our earth is like a child who has grown up without parents, having no one to guide and direct her.’ As Jesus spoke, his voice intensified in subdued anguish. ‘Some have attempted to help her but most have simply tried to use her. Humans, who have been given the task to lovingly steer the world, instead plunder her with no consideration, other than their own immediate needs. And they give little thought for their own children who will inherit their lack of love. So they use her and abuse her will little consideration and then when she shudders or blows her breath, they are offended and raise their fist at God.’
‘You’re an ecologist?’ Mack said, half as an accusation.
‘This blue-green ball in black space, filled with beauty even now, battered and abused and lovely.’
‘I know that song. You must care deeply about the Creation,’ smiled Mack.
‘Well, this blue-green ball in black space belongs to me,’ Jesus stated emphatically.” (pg.144-145)
Q. The Bible says we humans were given responsibility to care for the earth. “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26) How are we doing? Why?
Q. Jesus quotes a lyric from the Bruce Cockburn album Humans, “This blue-green ball in black space, filled with beauty even now, battered and abused and lovely.” In your opinion, who is abusing the earth and why? Is there anything the average person can do to stop the abuse?
Q. What responsibility do we have to protect the earth? What should God’s children be doing personally, corporately (as a member of the church), nationally (as a citizen)?
1. “’When something happens to you, how do you determine whether it is good or evil?’
‘Mack thought for a moment before answering. ‘Well, something is good when I like it – when it makes me feel good or gives me a sense of security. Conversely, I’d call something evil that causes me pain or costs me something I want.’
‘So it is pretty subjective then?’
‘I guess it is.’”
Q. What if everyone determined good and evil the way Mack does? What would the results be?
Q. How would you answer Papa’s question? How do you decide when something is good or bad?
2. “‘And how confident are you in your ability to discern what indeed is good for you, or what is evil?’
‘To be honest,’ said Mack, ‘I tend to sound justifiably angry when somebody is threatening my ‘good,’ you know, what I think I deserve. But I’m not really sure I have any logical ground for deciding what is actually good or evil, except how something or someone effects me. …All seems quite self-serving and self-centered, I suppose. And my track record isn’t very encouraging either. Some things I initially thought were good turned out to be horribly destructive, and some things that I thought were evil, well, they turned out …’
Sarayu interrupted, ‘Then it is you who determines good and evil. You become the judge. And to make things more confusing, that which you determine to be good will change over time and circumstance. And then beyond that and even worse, there are billions of you each determining what is good and what is evil. So when your good and evil clashes with your neighbor’s, fights and arguments ensue and even wars break out. And if there is no reality of good that is absolute, then you have lost any basis for judging. It is just language, and one might as well exchange the word good for the word evil.’
‘I can see where that might be a problem,’ Mack agreed.
‘A problem?’ Sarayu almost snapped…’Indeed! The choice to eat of that tree tore the universe apart divorcing the spiritual from the physical. They died, expelling in the breath of their choice the very breath of God. I would say that is a problem!’ (pg. 134-135)
Q. What powerful ability do we share with God? How does God want us to use our ability to discern between good and evil? What do we need from God to use this ability to help others rather than harm them?
Q. How does our culture feel about an absolute moral guide?
Q. Is it really wrong for us to judge? Don’t we have to make judgments about people and situations to determine if they are good for us or our family? What is the difference between appropriate ‘discernment’ and inappropriate judging?
Q. Mack is being honest about his judgment. He realizes it is “self-serving and self-centered.” Jesus said, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1-2) Based on this passage, how should be approach the evaluation of others?
Q. How did Adam and Eve’s choice to eat the forbidden fruit – the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil – “divorce the spiritual from the physical” and “expel the very breath of God?” (See Genesis 3) How would our lives be different if they hadn’t made this decision?
3. “You imagine. Such a powerful ability, the imagination! That power alone makes you so like us. But without wisdom, imagination is a cruel taskmaster. If I may prove my case, do you think humans were designed to live in the present or the past or the future?’
‘Well,’ said Mack, hesitating, ‘I think the most obvious answer is that we were designed to live in the present. Is that wrong?’
‘Jesus chuckled. ‘Relax, Mack; this is not a test, it’s a conversation. You are exactly correct, by the way. But now tell me, where do you spend most of your time in your mind, in your imagination, in the present, in the past, or in the future?’
‘Mack thought for a moment before answering. ‘I suppose I would have to say that I spend very little time in the present. For me, I spend a big piece in the past, mot most of the rest of the time, I am trying to figure out the future.’
‘Not unlike most people. When I dwell with you, I do so in the present – I live in the present. Not the past, although much can be remembered and learned by looking back, but only for a visit, not an extended stay. And for sure, I do not dwell in the future you visualize or imagine. Mack, do you realize that your imagination of the future, which is almost always dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me there with you?
‘Why do I do that?’ asked Mack.
‘It is your desperate attempt to get some control over something you can’t. It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn’t even real, nor will ever be real. You try and play God, imagining the evil that you fear becoming a reality, and then you try to make plans and contingencies to avoid what you fear.’ (pg. 141-142)
Q. Do you find yourself living mostly in past, present, or future? Why is this? What problems does this focus on the past or the future create in our lives?
Q. Like Mack, do you find yourself fearing the future? Especially during these times of financial turmoil, it’s hard not to give in to anxious thoughts about the future. How can we overcome this ‘bad habit?’
Q. Have you ever tried to “play God” by making contingency plans for the future? How has it worked for you? Can you remember times when you were able to trust God with the future? What was the result?
4. “Why do I have so much fear in my life?’ responded Mack.
‘Because you don’t believe. You don’t know that we love you. The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love. I am not talking about rational fears regarding legitimate dangers, but imagined fears, and especially the projection of those into the future. To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe I am good nor know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it; you talk about it, but you don’t know it.’ (pg. 142)
Q. How would you answer Mack’s question? “Why do I (we) have so much fear in my life (our lives)?”
Q. Paul wrote, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) How does it help to know that no matter what happens in the future, you’ll always be loved by God?
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) How does God want us to view the future? (See 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7, and Matthew 6:25-33)
5. “’…Can you imagine this scene if the earth was not a war, striving so hard just to survive?’
‘And you mean what, exactly?’
‘Our earth is like a child who has grown up without parents, having no one to guide and direct her.’ As Jesus spoke, his voice intensified in subdued anguish. ‘Some have attempted to help her but most have simply tried to use her. Humans, who have been given the task to lovingly steer the world, instead plunder her with no consideration, other than their own immediate needs. And they give little thought for their own children who will inherit their lack of love. So they use her and abuse her will little consideration and then when she shudders or blows her breath, they are offended and raise their fist at God.’
‘You’re an ecologist?’ Mack said, half as an accusation.
‘This blue-green ball in black space, filled with beauty even now, battered and abused and lovely.’
‘I know that song. You must care deeply about the Creation,’ smiled Mack.
‘Well, this blue-green ball in black space belongs to me,’ Jesus stated emphatically.” (pg.144-145)
Q. The Bible says we humans were given responsibility to care for the earth. “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26) How are we doing? Why?
Q. Jesus quotes a lyric from the Bruce Cockburn album Humans, “This blue-green ball in black space, filled with beauty even now, battered and abused and lovely.” In your opinion, who is abusing the earth and why? Is there anything the average person can do to stop the abuse?
Q. What responsibility do we have to protect the earth? What should God’s children be doing personally, corporately (as a member of the church), nationally (as a citizen)?
The mystery of God’s grace
1. “’ Well, I sort of feel obligated to go in and talk to him, uh, her.’ ‘Oh,’ now Jesus was serious. ‘Don’t go because you feel obligated. That won’t get you any points around here. Go because it’s what you want to do.’” (pg. 89)
Q. Do you ever go to church, pray, give your tithe, or read your Bible out of a sense of duty or obligation? If we don’t genuinely want to do these things, should we just wait until our desire for God is real?
Q. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:21-22) Is your hesitance to meet with God ever a result of a guilty conscience? If so, what can you do to remove this barrier?
Q. Do you go to God to talk with him about your questions and problems? If so, could you share with the group an experience you’ve had of God responding to you?
2. “’Have you noticed that in your pain you assume the worst of me (Jesus)? I’ve been talking to you for a long time, but today was the first time you could hear it, and all those other times weren’t a waste either. Like little cracks in the wall, one at a time, but woven together they prepared you for today. You have to take the time to prepare the soil if you want it to embrace the seed.’
‘I’m not sure why we resist it, resist you so much,’ Mack mused. ‘It seems kind of stupid now.’
‘It’s all part of the timing of grace, Mack,’ Jesus continued. ‘If the universe contained only one human being, timing would be rather simple. But add just one more, and well, you know the story. Each choice ripples out through time and relationships, bouncing off of other choices. And out of what seems to be a huge mess, Papa weaves a magnificent tapestry. Only Papa can work all this out, and she does it with grace.’
‘So I guess all I can do is follow her,’ Mack concluded.
‘Yep, that’s the point. Now you’re beginning to understand what it means to be truly human.’” (pg. 176-177)
Q. When pain comes into our lives, why do we automatically assume the worst of God – that he allowed the situation, that he doesn’t care, won’t help, etc.? Why do we tend to push away the one who can help us most?
Q. Stephen accused the Jews, “You continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you're just like your ancestors.” (Acts 7:51, The Message) Do you think God is trying to get a message to you right now? What or who might he use? How can you prepare your heart to hear his voice?
Q. What do we learn about God by His persistence in trying to speak to us?
Q. How would you define ‘grace?’ How should we respond to it?
Q. Jesus tells Mack that God is able to take all of the good and bad choices we humans make and “weave them together in a magnificent tapestry” by his grace. Paul wrote, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) When we all see this “tapestry” of random events, what will our response be? (See Revelation 5)
3. “’Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.’” (pg. 185)
Q. Some Christians believe that God is ‘sovereign’ – that he rules over every circumstance. Nothing happens without his permission and plan (Daniel 4:35). Others believe he is behind the scenes working good out of bad situations (Romans 8:28) but allowing circumstances to happen but not causing them. Which do you think is taught by the Bible? Why? What are the implications of these two different viewpoints?
Q. If, like Mack, you lost a child or grandchild to a deranged murderer, how would you reconcile the tragedy with your belief in a loving God? (See Job 1:18-22)
Q. How have you discovered the ‘many facets and colors’ of God’s grace during your dark times?
Q. Sometimes we develop doubts and wrong ideas about God during our trials. What will keep us from ‘the great sadness’ that Mack was trapped in? (See James 1:2-4)
Q. Do you ever go to church, pray, give your tithe, or read your Bible out of a sense of duty or obligation? If we don’t genuinely want to do these things, should we just wait until our desire for God is real?
Q. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:21-22) Is your hesitance to meet with God ever a result of a guilty conscience? If so, what can you do to remove this barrier?
Q. Do you go to God to talk with him about your questions and problems? If so, could you share with the group an experience you’ve had of God responding to you?
2. “’Have you noticed that in your pain you assume the worst of me (Jesus)? I’ve been talking to you for a long time, but today was the first time you could hear it, and all those other times weren’t a waste either. Like little cracks in the wall, one at a time, but woven together they prepared you for today. You have to take the time to prepare the soil if you want it to embrace the seed.’
‘I’m not sure why we resist it, resist you so much,’ Mack mused. ‘It seems kind of stupid now.’
‘It’s all part of the timing of grace, Mack,’ Jesus continued. ‘If the universe contained only one human being, timing would be rather simple. But add just one more, and well, you know the story. Each choice ripples out through time and relationships, bouncing off of other choices. And out of what seems to be a huge mess, Papa weaves a magnificent tapestry. Only Papa can work all this out, and she does it with grace.’
‘So I guess all I can do is follow her,’ Mack concluded.
‘Yep, that’s the point. Now you’re beginning to understand what it means to be truly human.’” (pg. 176-177)
Q. When pain comes into our lives, why do we automatically assume the worst of God – that he allowed the situation, that he doesn’t care, won’t help, etc.? Why do we tend to push away the one who can help us most?
Q. Stephen accused the Jews, “You continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you're just like your ancestors.” (Acts 7:51, The Message) Do you think God is trying to get a message to you right now? What or who might he use? How can you prepare your heart to hear his voice?
Q. What do we learn about God by His persistence in trying to speak to us?
Q. How would you define ‘grace?’ How should we respond to it?
Q. Jesus tells Mack that God is able to take all of the good and bad choices we humans make and “weave them together in a magnificent tapestry” by his grace. Paul wrote, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) When we all see this “tapestry” of random events, what will our response be? (See Revelation 5)
3. “’Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.’” (pg. 185)
Q. Some Christians believe that God is ‘sovereign’ – that he rules over every circumstance. Nothing happens without his permission and plan (Daniel 4:35). Others believe he is behind the scenes working good out of bad situations (Romans 8:28) but allowing circumstances to happen but not causing them. Which do you think is taught by the Bible? Why? What are the implications of these two different viewpoints?
Q. If, like Mack, you lost a child or grandchild to a deranged murderer, how would you reconcile the tragedy with your belief in a loving God? (See Job 1:18-22)
Q. How have you discovered the ‘many facets and colors’ of God’s grace during your dark times?
Q. Sometimes we develop doubts and wrong ideas about God during our trials. What will keep us from ‘the great sadness’ that Mack was trapped in? (See James 1:2-4)
The mystery of God’s love
The mystery of God’s love
1. “’Consider our little friend here (blue jay),’ she (Papa) began. ‘Most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around. You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation, not the other way around. Living unloved is like clipping a bird’s wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something I want for you.” (pg. 97)
Q. “You were created to be loved.” The Bible describes us as, “Those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:1) Why is it important to know, and really believe, that we were created to be loved? Why do we live as if we are unloved?
Q. What has God done to show his love to us? (See John 3:16, Ephesians 5:25, 1 John 4:10)
Q. What has made you question God’s love? How do circumstances in your life affect your belief in God’s love?
Q. How do humans (family, friends, other Christians) affect your confidence in God’s love for you?
Q. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) If you could fully accept the truth of these words, how would it change your identity? How could it help you ‘fly?’
2. “’You do understand,’ she continued, ‘that unless I had an object to love – or more accurately, a someone to love – if I did not have such a relationship within myself, then I would not be capable of love at all? You would have a god who could not love. Or maybe worse, you would have a god who, when he chose, could only love as a limitation of his nature. That kind of god could possibly act without love, and that would be a disaster. And that is surely not me. …The God who is – the I am who I am – cannot act apart from love.’” (pg.102)
Q. Why is it so important that one of God’s attributes is love? How might this world be a different place if God could only love ‘as a limitation of his nature’ rather than as a essential part of who he is?
Q. What is love? Webster defines it as “unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as in the fatherly concern of God for humankind.” We usually think of a loving parent as someone who provides everything we need and protects us from harm. How does this compare to your experience of God’s love in your life?
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” (1 John 4:7-9) Based on God’s gift of his son to this world, how does God define love?
Q. How does the assurance that God ‘cannot act apart from love’ affect your relationship with him?
3. “’ I’m so sorry that you, that Jesus, had to die.’
She walked around the table and gave Mack another big hug. ‘I know you are, and thank you. But you need to know that we aren’t sorry at all. It was worth it. Isn’t that right son?’
‘Absolutely!’ He (Jesus) paused and then looked at Mack. ‘And I would have done it even if it were only for you, but it wasn’t!’ he said with an inviting grin.” (pg. 103)
Q. Why did Jesus have to die?
Q. What does every person for who Jesus died have to realize to benefit from his sacrifice?
Q. The Prophet Isaiah wrote about Jesus’ death on the cross in Isaiah 53:11, “When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.” Jesus looks at those who have been delivered from eternal judgment by his tortured sacrifice on the cross and says we were worth it - worth the anguish, the pain, the awful judgment of God for our sins, worth death. How does knowing that God values you this much make you feel about yourself?
4. “’Why do you love us humans? I suppose, I…’ As he spoke he (Mack) realized he hadn’t formed his question very well. ‘I guess what I want to ask, is why do you love me, when I have nothing to offer you.’
‘If you think about it, Mack,’ Jesus answered, ‘it should be very freeing to know that you can offer us nothing, at least not anything that can add or take away from who we are…That should alleviate any pressure to perform.’
‘And do you love your own children more when they perform well?’ added Papa.
‘No, I see your point.’ Mack paused. ‘But I do feel more fulfilled because they are in my life – do you?’
‘No,’ said Papa. ‘We are already fully fulfilled within ourself. You are designed to be in community as well, made as you are in our very image. So for you to feel that way about your children, or anything that ‘adds’ to you, is perfectly natural and right.”
Q. Why does God love us humans?
Q. How does a clear understanding of God’s love ‘alleviate any pressure to perform?
Q. Is there anything we can add to God when we respond to his love? Why or why not?
Q. How is our love different from God’s love?
Q. Is it possible for us to be completely fulfilled by experiencing God’s love more deeply? (See Ephesians 3:14-20)
1. “’Consider our little friend here (blue jay),’ she (Papa) began. ‘Most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around. You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation, not the other way around. Living unloved is like clipping a bird’s wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something I want for you.” (pg. 97)
Q. “You were created to be loved.” The Bible describes us as, “Those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:1) Why is it important to know, and really believe, that we were created to be loved? Why do we live as if we are unloved?
Q. What has God done to show his love to us? (See John 3:16, Ephesians 5:25, 1 John 4:10)
Q. What has made you question God’s love? How do circumstances in your life affect your belief in God’s love?
Q. How do humans (family, friends, other Christians) affect your confidence in God’s love for you?
Q. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) If you could fully accept the truth of these words, how would it change your identity? How could it help you ‘fly?’
2. “’You do understand,’ she continued, ‘that unless I had an object to love – or more accurately, a someone to love – if I did not have such a relationship within myself, then I would not be capable of love at all? You would have a god who could not love. Or maybe worse, you would have a god who, when he chose, could only love as a limitation of his nature. That kind of god could possibly act without love, and that would be a disaster. And that is surely not me. …The God who is – the I am who I am – cannot act apart from love.’” (pg.102)
Q. Why is it so important that one of God’s attributes is love? How might this world be a different place if God could only love ‘as a limitation of his nature’ rather than as a essential part of who he is?
Q. What is love? Webster defines it as “unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as in the fatherly concern of God for humankind.” We usually think of a loving parent as someone who provides everything we need and protects us from harm. How does this compare to your experience of God’s love in your life?
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” (1 John 4:7-9) Based on God’s gift of his son to this world, how does God define love?
Q. How does the assurance that God ‘cannot act apart from love’ affect your relationship with him?
3. “’ I’m so sorry that you, that Jesus, had to die.’
She walked around the table and gave Mack another big hug. ‘I know you are, and thank you. But you need to know that we aren’t sorry at all. It was worth it. Isn’t that right son?’
‘Absolutely!’ He (Jesus) paused and then looked at Mack. ‘And I would have done it even if it were only for you, but it wasn’t!’ he said with an inviting grin.” (pg. 103)
Q. Why did Jesus have to die?
Q. What does every person for who Jesus died have to realize to benefit from his sacrifice?
Q. The Prophet Isaiah wrote about Jesus’ death on the cross in Isaiah 53:11, “When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.” Jesus looks at those who have been delivered from eternal judgment by his tortured sacrifice on the cross and says we were worth it - worth the anguish, the pain, the awful judgment of God for our sins, worth death. How does knowing that God values you this much make you feel about yourself?
4. “’Why do you love us humans? I suppose, I…’ As he spoke he (Mack) realized he hadn’t formed his question very well. ‘I guess what I want to ask, is why do you love me, when I have nothing to offer you.’
‘If you think about it, Mack,’ Jesus answered, ‘it should be very freeing to know that you can offer us nothing, at least not anything that can add or take away from who we are…That should alleviate any pressure to perform.’
‘And do you love your own children more when they perform well?’ added Papa.
‘No, I see your point.’ Mack paused. ‘But I do feel more fulfilled because they are in my life – do you?’
‘No,’ said Papa. ‘We are already fully fulfilled within ourself. You are designed to be in community as well, made as you are in our very image. So for you to feel that way about your children, or anything that ‘adds’ to you, is perfectly natural and right.”
Q. Why does God love us humans?
Q. How does a clear understanding of God’s love ‘alleviate any pressure to perform?
Q. Is there anything we can add to God when we respond to his love? Why or why not?
Q. How is our love different from God’s love?
Q. Is it possible for us to be completely fulfilled by experiencing God’s love more deeply? (See Ephesians 3:14-20)
The mystery of God’s justice
The mystery of God’s justice
1. “’Why do you think we came up with the Ten Commandments?’
‘I suppose, at least I have been taught, that it’s a set of rules that you expected humans to obey in order to life righteously in your good graces.’
‘If that were true, which it is not,’ Sarayu countered, ‘then how many do you think lived righteously enough to enter our good graces?’
‘Not very many, if people are like me,’ Mack observed.
‘Actually, only one succeeded – Jesus. He not only obeyed the letter of the law but fulfilled the spirit of it completely. But understand this, Mackenzie – to do that he had to rest fully and dependently on me.’
Q. How many of the Ten Commandments can you recite from memory? (See Exodus 20: 1-17) How have you done at keeping them?
Q. The Apostle Paul wrote, “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13) How does it make you feel to know that God cancels the record of your failures through the death of Christ?
Q. Is it possible for us to keep God’s commandments if we ‘rest fully and dependently’ on him? (See Romans 8:1-11)
2. ‘They why did you give us those commandments?’ asked Mack.
‘Actually, we wanted you to give up trying to be righteous on your own. It was a mirror to reveal just how filthy your face gets when you live independently.’
‘But as I’m sure you know there are many,’ responded Mack, ‘who think they are made righteous by following the rules.’
‘But can you clean you face with the same mirror that shows you how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake. That’s why Jesus fulfilled all of it for you – so that it no longer has jurisdiction over you. And the Law that once contained impossible demands – Thou Shall Not… - actually becomes a promise we fulfill in you. But keep in mind that if you live your life alone and independently, the promise is empty. Jesus laid the demand of the law to rest; it no longer has any power to accuse or command. Jesus is both the promise and its fulfillment.’
Q. Why do you think God gave us the Ten Commandments? (See Galatians 3:10-23)
Q. If no one but Jesus has successfully obeyed God’s law, does that mean we just throw up our hands and stop trying? (See Romans 3:9-31)
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “The law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) How would it change your relationship with God if there was no ‘mercy or grace’ – just rules to keep?
3. ‘Are you saying I don’t have to follow the rules?’
‘Yes. In Jesus you are not under any law. All things are lawful.’
‘You can’t be serious! You’re messing with me again,’ moaned Mack.
‘Mackenzie,’ Sarayu continued, ‘those who are afraid of freedom are those who cannot trust us to live in them. Trying to keep the law is actually a declaration of independence, a way of keeping control.’
‘Is that why we like the law so much – to give us some control?’ asked Mack.
‘It is much worse than that,’ resumed Sarayu. ‘It grants you the power to judge others and feel superior to them. You believe you are living to a higher standard than those you judge. Enforcing rules, especially in its more subtle expressions like responsibility and expectation, is a vain attempt to create certainty out of uncertainty. And contrary to what you might think, I have a great fondness for uncertainty. Rules cannot bring freedom; they only have the power to accuse.’
Q. Why aren’t Jesus followers under the law? (See Galatians 5:18)
Q. Why do some of us prefer to be under the law? What does our addiction to rules say about us?
Q. Sarayu says, “Trying to keep the law is actually a declaration of independence, a way of keeping control.” What do you think she meant by this? How do we twist God’s law to accomplish our purposes?
Q. One reason many people are turned off by religion is the tendency of Christians to judge others. Have you ever experience the condemnation of someone who thinks they are better than you? How did it make you feel? What does the Bible say about judging others? (See Matthew 7:1-3, Romans 14, and James 4:11-12)
Q. Paul wrote, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24) Is God giving us the freedom to decide what is beneficial for us? How are you doing at this?
Q. In his letter to the Galatian (5:13-14) Christians, Paul wrote, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” Instead of the 10 commandments, what is the new guide for our behavior? Give yourself an honest evaluation. How are you doing at loving your neighbor? (See Jesus definition of ‘neighbor’ in Luke 10)
4. ‘Whoa!’ Mack suddenly realized what Sarayu had said. ‘Are you telling me that responsibility and expectation are just another form of rules we are no longer under? Did I hear you right?’
Sarayu…began to speak slowly and deliberately. ‘Mackenzie, I will take a verb over a noun anytime.’
Mack wasn’t at all sure about what he was supposed to understand by her cryptic remark and said the only thing that came to mind. ‘Huh?’
‘I,’ she opened her hands to include Jesus and Papa, ‘I am a verb. I am that I am. I will be who I will be. I am a verb! As my very essence is a verb,’ she continued, ‘I am more attuned to verbs than nouns. Verbs such as confessing, repenting, living, loving, responding, growing, reaping, changing, sowing, running, dancing, singing, and on and on. Humans, on the other hand, have a knack for taking a verb that is alive and full of grace and turning it into some dead noun or principle that reeks of rules: something growing and alive dies. Nouns exist because there is a created universe and physical reality, but if the universe is only a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless ‘I am,’ there are no verbs, and verbs are what makes the universe alive.’
Q. Why does Sarayu prefer a verb over a noun? What does it mean that ‘God is a verb?’
Q. If the universe were only a ‘mass of nouns’ what would the problem be? How does God, the great ‘I AM,’ make the universe alive?
Q. How do we take God’s verbs and turn them into nouns that ‘reek of rules?’
Q. Does Sarayu mean that we don’t need to concern ourselves with ‘responsibility and expectations’ in our relationships with God and others? What is her point?
5. ‘And,’ Mack was struggling, although a glimmer of light seemed to begin to shine into his mind. ‘And, this means what, exactly?’
‘For something to move from death to life you must introduce something living and moving into the mix. To move from something that is only a noun to something dynamic and unpredictable, to do something living and present tense, is to move from law to grace. May I give you a couple examples?’
‘Please do,’ assented Mack. ‘I’m all ears.’
‘Then let’s use your two words: responsibility and expectation. Before your words became nouns, the were first my words, nouns with movement and experience buried inside of them; the ability to respond and expectancy. My words are alive and dynamic – full of life and possibility; yours are dead, full of law and fear and judgment. That is why you won’t find the word responsibility in the Scriptures.’
‘Oh boy,’ Mack grimaced, beginning to see where this was going. ‘We sure seem to use it a lot.’
‘Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive. I give you an ability to respond and your response is to be free to love and serve in every situation, and therefore each moment is different and unique and wonderful. Because I am your ability to respond, I have to be present in you. If I simply gave you a responsibility, I would not have to be with you at all. It would now be a task to perform, an obligation to be met, something to fail. Let’s use the example of friendship and how removing the element of life from a noun can drastically alter a relationship. Mack, if you and I are friends, there is an expectancy that exists within our relationship. When we see each other or are apart, there is an expectancy of being together, of laughing and talking. That expectancy has no concrete definition’ it is alive and dynamic and everything that emerges from our being together is a unique gift shared by no one else. But what happens if I change that ‘expectancy’ to an ‘expectation’ – spoken or unspoken? Suddenly, law has entered into our relationship. You are now expected to perform in a way that meets my expectations. Our living friendship rapidly deteriorates into a dead thing with rules and requirements. It is no longer about you and me, but about what friends are supposed to do, or the responsibilities of a good friend.’
Q. How are nouns like the law and verbs like grace?
Q. Sarayu says, “Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive.” Have you heard of or experienced examples of this in your life? What does want his people to represent?
Q. What if all of the responsibilities and expectations were removed from the church you attend? What would happen to attendance? What about the offerings?
Q. Is there a place for ‘duty’ in our relationship with God and others? If so, what is it? (See Luke 17:10 and 1 Corinthians 7:3)
Q. What happens if God changes an expectancy of being together with him into an expectation of something we have to do? How does it affect our relationship with him?
6. ‘Or,’ noted Mack, ‘the responsibilities of a husband, or a father, or an employee, or whatever. I get the picture. I would much rather live in expectancy. But if you didn’t have expectations and responsibilities, wouldn’t everything just fall apart?’
‘Only if you are of the world, apart from me and under the law. Responsibilities and expectations are the basis of guilt and shame and judgment, and they provide the essential framework that promotes performance as the basis for identity and value. You know well what it is like not to live up to someone’s expectations.’
Q. What does it mean to you to ‘live in expectancy?’
Q. How have you experienced the guilt and shame associated with legalistic religion? What affect did it have on your relationship with God?
Q. How can we be freed from living under the laws, responsibilities, and expectations of other people?
Q. What is the basis for your identity? When someone introduces you to a friend do they refer to your performance (occupation, role in the church, etc.), your relationships (father/mother/sister/brother), or your essence as a person (characteristics of compassion, integrity, etc.)?
7. “(Mack) paused briefly, a new thought flashing through his mind. ‘Are you saying you have no expectations of me?’
‘Papa now spoke up. ‘Honey, I’ve never placed an expectation on you or anyone else. The idea behind expectations requires that someone does not know the future or outcome and is trying to control behavior to get the desired result. Humans try to control behavior largely through expectations. I know you and everything about you. Why would I have an expectation other than what I already know? That would be foolish. And beyond that, because I have no expectations, you never disappoint me.’
‘What? You’ve never been disappointed in me?’ Mack was trying hard to digest this.
‘Never!’ Papa stated emphatically. ‘What I do have is a constant and living expectancy in our relationship, and I give you an ability to respond to any situation and circumstance in which you find yourself. To the degree that you resort to expectations and responsibilities, to that degree you neither know me or trust me.’
‘And,’ interjected Jesus, ‘to that degree you will live in fear.’”
Q. Is it true that God has no expectations of us? If so, what does he provide instead of expectations? (See John 15:4-5)
Q. What about the expectations of people we work for, our families, and our government? Can we disregard them?
Q. What does living in bondage to the expectations of others produce in our lives?
Q. Do you think God is ever surprised or disappointed by our actions or words? (See Romans 3:10-20)
Q. Why does living with expectations and responsibilities make us live in fear? The Apostle John wrote, “As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” (1 John 4:17-18) What is the ‘fear factor’ in your relationship with God?
8. ‘But,’ Mack wasn’t convinced. ‘But don’t you want us to set priorities? You know: God first, then whatever, followed by whatever?’
‘The trouble with living by priorities,’ Sarayu spoke, ‘is that it sees everything as a hierarchy, a pyramid, and you I have already had that discussion. If you put God at the top what does that really mean and how much is enough? How much time do you give me before you can go on about the rest of your day, the part that interests you so much more?’
Papa again interrupted. ‘You see, Mackenzie, I don’t just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you - all of every part of you and your day.’
Jesus now spoke again. ‘Mack, I don’t want to be first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life – your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities – is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being.’
‘And I,’ concluded Sarayu, ‘I am the wind.’ She smiled hugely and bowed.” (pg. 202-207)
Q. Shouldn’t we have priorities? (See Matthew 6:32-33) What do you think Sarayu is driving at with her statement?
Q. What does it mean to give God all of us – to make him the center – not just give him the ‘biggest piece?’
Q. Is your life arranged more like a pyramid or a mobile? How would it change your life to connect everything with Jesus?
Q. How does Sarayu, as ‘the wind’ effect the movements of the ‘mobile’ of our life? (See Galatians 5:17-23)
1. “’Why do you think we came up with the Ten Commandments?’
‘I suppose, at least I have been taught, that it’s a set of rules that you expected humans to obey in order to life righteously in your good graces.’
‘If that were true, which it is not,’ Sarayu countered, ‘then how many do you think lived righteously enough to enter our good graces?’
‘Not very many, if people are like me,’ Mack observed.
‘Actually, only one succeeded – Jesus. He not only obeyed the letter of the law but fulfilled the spirit of it completely. But understand this, Mackenzie – to do that he had to rest fully and dependently on me.’
Q. How many of the Ten Commandments can you recite from memory? (See Exodus 20: 1-17) How have you done at keeping them?
Q. The Apostle Paul wrote, “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13) How does it make you feel to know that God cancels the record of your failures through the death of Christ?
Q. Is it possible for us to keep God’s commandments if we ‘rest fully and dependently’ on him? (See Romans 8:1-11)
2. ‘They why did you give us those commandments?’ asked Mack.
‘Actually, we wanted you to give up trying to be righteous on your own. It was a mirror to reveal just how filthy your face gets when you live independently.’
‘But as I’m sure you know there are many,’ responded Mack, ‘who think they are made righteous by following the rules.’
‘But can you clean you face with the same mirror that shows you how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake. That’s why Jesus fulfilled all of it for you – so that it no longer has jurisdiction over you. And the Law that once contained impossible demands – Thou Shall Not… - actually becomes a promise we fulfill in you. But keep in mind that if you live your life alone and independently, the promise is empty. Jesus laid the demand of the law to rest; it no longer has any power to accuse or command. Jesus is both the promise and its fulfillment.’
Q. Why do you think God gave us the Ten Commandments? (See Galatians 3:10-23)
Q. If no one but Jesus has successfully obeyed God’s law, does that mean we just throw up our hands and stop trying? (See Romans 3:9-31)
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “The law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) How would it change your relationship with God if there was no ‘mercy or grace’ – just rules to keep?
3. ‘Are you saying I don’t have to follow the rules?’
‘Yes. In Jesus you are not under any law. All things are lawful.’
‘You can’t be serious! You’re messing with me again,’ moaned Mack.
‘Mackenzie,’ Sarayu continued, ‘those who are afraid of freedom are those who cannot trust us to live in them. Trying to keep the law is actually a declaration of independence, a way of keeping control.’
‘Is that why we like the law so much – to give us some control?’ asked Mack.
‘It is much worse than that,’ resumed Sarayu. ‘It grants you the power to judge others and feel superior to them. You believe you are living to a higher standard than those you judge. Enforcing rules, especially in its more subtle expressions like responsibility and expectation, is a vain attempt to create certainty out of uncertainty. And contrary to what you might think, I have a great fondness for uncertainty. Rules cannot bring freedom; they only have the power to accuse.’
Q. Why aren’t Jesus followers under the law? (See Galatians 5:18)
Q. Why do some of us prefer to be under the law? What does our addiction to rules say about us?
Q. Sarayu says, “Trying to keep the law is actually a declaration of independence, a way of keeping control.” What do you think she meant by this? How do we twist God’s law to accomplish our purposes?
Q. One reason many people are turned off by religion is the tendency of Christians to judge others. Have you ever experience the condemnation of someone who thinks they are better than you? How did it make you feel? What does the Bible say about judging others? (See Matthew 7:1-3, Romans 14, and James 4:11-12)
Q. Paul wrote, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24) Is God giving us the freedom to decide what is beneficial for us? How are you doing at this?
Q. In his letter to the Galatian (5:13-14) Christians, Paul wrote, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” Instead of the 10 commandments, what is the new guide for our behavior? Give yourself an honest evaluation. How are you doing at loving your neighbor? (See Jesus definition of ‘neighbor’ in Luke 10)
4. ‘Whoa!’ Mack suddenly realized what Sarayu had said. ‘Are you telling me that responsibility and expectation are just another form of rules we are no longer under? Did I hear you right?’
Sarayu…began to speak slowly and deliberately. ‘Mackenzie, I will take a verb over a noun anytime.’
Mack wasn’t at all sure about what he was supposed to understand by her cryptic remark and said the only thing that came to mind. ‘Huh?’
‘I,’ she opened her hands to include Jesus and Papa, ‘I am a verb. I am that I am. I will be who I will be. I am a verb! As my very essence is a verb,’ she continued, ‘I am more attuned to verbs than nouns. Verbs such as confessing, repenting, living, loving, responding, growing, reaping, changing, sowing, running, dancing, singing, and on and on. Humans, on the other hand, have a knack for taking a verb that is alive and full of grace and turning it into some dead noun or principle that reeks of rules: something growing and alive dies. Nouns exist because there is a created universe and physical reality, but if the universe is only a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless ‘I am,’ there are no verbs, and verbs are what makes the universe alive.’
Q. Why does Sarayu prefer a verb over a noun? What does it mean that ‘God is a verb?’
Q. If the universe were only a ‘mass of nouns’ what would the problem be? How does God, the great ‘I AM,’ make the universe alive?
Q. How do we take God’s verbs and turn them into nouns that ‘reek of rules?’
Q. Does Sarayu mean that we don’t need to concern ourselves with ‘responsibility and expectations’ in our relationships with God and others? What is her point?
5. ‘And,’ Mack was struggling, although a glimmer of light seemed to begin to shine into his mind. ‘And, this means what, exactly?’
‘For something to move from death to life you must introduce something living and moving into the mix. To move from something that is only a noun to something dynamic and unpredictable, to do something living and present tense, is to move from law to grace. May I give you a couple examples?’
‘Please do,’ assented Mack. ‘I’m all ears.’
‘Then let’s use your two words: responsibility and expectation. Before your words became nouns, the were first my words, nouns with movement and experience buried inside of them; the ability to respond and expectancy. My words are alive and dynamic – full of life and possibility; yours are dead, full of law and fear and judgment. That is why you won’t find the word responsibility in the Scriptures.’
‘Oh boy,’ Mack grimaced, beginning to see where this was going. ‘We sure seem to use it a lot.’
‘Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive. I give you an ability to respond and your response is to be free to love and serve in every situation, and therefore each moment is different and unique and wonderful. Because I am your ability to respond, I have to be present in you. If I simply gave you a responsibility, I would not have to be with you at all. It would now be a task to perform, an obligation to be met, something to fail. Let’s use the example of friendship and how removing the element of life from a noun can drastically alter a relationship. Mack, if you and I are friends, there is an expectancy that exists within our relationship. When we see each other or are apart, there is an expectancy of being together, of laughing and talking. That expectancy has no concrete definition’ it is alive and dynamic and everything that emerges from our being together is a unique gift shared by no one else. But what happens if I change that ‘expectancy’ to an ‘expectation’ – spoken or unspoken? Suddenly, law has entered into our relationship. You are now expected to perform in a way that meets my expectations. Our living friendship rapidly deteriorates into a dead thing with rules and requirements. It is no longer about you and me, but about what friends are supposed to do, or the responsibilities of a good friend.’
Q. How are nouns like the law and verbs like grace?
Q. Sarayu says, “Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive.” Have you heard of or experienced examples of this in your life? What does want his people to represent?
Q. What if all of the responsibilities and expectations were removed from the church you attend? What would happen to attendance? What about the offerings?
Q. Is there a place for ‘duty’ in our relationship with God and others? If so, what is it? (See Luke 17:10 and 1 Corinthians 7:3)
Q. What happens if God changes an expectancy of being together with him into an expectation of something we have to do? How does it affect our relationship with him?
6. ‘Or,’ noted Mack, ‘the responsibilities of a husband, or a father, or an employee, or whatever. I get the picture. I would much rather live in expectancy. But if you didn’t have expectations and responsibilities, wouldn’t everything just fall apart?’
‘Only if you are of the world, apart from me and under the law. Responsibilities and expectations are the basis of guilt and shame and judgment, and they provide the essential framework that promotes performance as the basis for identity and value. You know well what it is like not to live up to someone’s expectations.’
Q. What does it mean to you to ‘live in expectancy?’
Q. How have you experienced the guilt and shame associated with legalistic religion? What affect did it have on your relationship with God?
Q. How can we be freed from living under the laws, responsibilities, and expectations of other people?
Q. What is the basis for your identity? When someone introduces you to a friend do they refer to your performance (occupation, role in the church, etc.), your relationships (father/mother/sister/brother), or your essence as a person (characteristics of compassion, integrity, etc.)?
7. “(Mack) paused briefly, a new thought flashing through his mind. ‘Are you saying you have no expectations of me?’
‘Papa now spoke up. ‘Honey, I’ve never placed an expectation on you or anyone else. The idea behind expectations requires that someone does not know the future or outcome and is trying to control behavior to get the desired result. Humans try to control behavior largely through expectations. I know you and everything about you. Why would I have an expectation other than what I already know? That would be foolish. And beyond that, because I have no expectations, you never disappoint me.’
‘What? You’ve never been disappointed in me?’ Mack was trying hard to digest this.
‘Never!’ Papa stated emphatically. ‘What I do have is a constant and living expectancy in our relationship, and I give you an ability to respond to any situation and circumstance in which you find yourself. To the degree that you resort to expectations and responsibilities, to that degree you neither know me or trust me.’
‘And,’ interjected Jesus, ‘to that degree you will live in fear.’”
Q. Is it true that God has no expectations of us? If so, what does he provide instead of expectations? (See John 15:4-5)
Q. What about the expectations of people we work for, our families, and our government? Can we disregard them?
Q. What does living in bondage to the expectations of others produce in our lives?
Q. Do you think God is ever surprised or disappointed by our actions or words? (See Romans 3:10-20)
Q. Why does living with expectations and responsibilities make us live in fear? The Apostle John wrote, “As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” (1 John 4:17-18) What is the ‘fear factor’ in your relationship with God?
8. ‘But,’ Mack wasn’t convinced. ‘But don’t you want us to set priorities? You know: God first, then whatever, followed by whatever?’
‘The trouble with living by priorities,’ Sarayu spoke, ‘is that it sees everything as a hierarchy, a pyramid, and you I have already had that discussion. If you put God at the top what does that really mean and how much is enough? How much time do you give me before you can go on about the rest of your day, the part that interests you so much more?’
Papa again interrupted. ‘You see, Mackenzie, I don’t just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you - all of every part of you and your day.’
Jesus now spoke again. ‘Mack, I don’t want to be first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life – your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities – is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being.’
‘And I,’ concluded Sarayu, ‘I am the wind.’ She smiled hugely and bowed.” (pg. 202-207)
Q. Shouldn’t we have priorities? (See Matthew 6:32-33) What do you think Sarayu is driving at with her statement?
Q. What does it mean to give God all of us – to make him the center – not just give him the ‘biggest piece?’
Q. Is your life arranged more like a pyramid or a mobile? How would it change your life to connect everything with Jesus?
Q. How does Sarayu, as ‘the wind’ effect the movements of the ‘mobile’ of our life? (See Galatians 5:17-23)
The mystery of human freedom
1. “’Does freedom mean that you are allowed to do whatever you want to do? Or we could talk about the limiting influences in your life that actively work against your freedom. Your family genetic heritage, your specific DNA, your metabolic uniqueness, the quantum stuff that is going on at a subatomic level where only I am the always present observer. Or the intrusion of your soul’s sickness that inhibits and binds you, or the social influences around you, or the habits that have created synaptic bonds and pathways in your brain. And then there’s advertising, propaganda, and paradigms. Inside that confluence of multifaceted inhibitors,’ she sighed, ‘what is freedom really?’”
“’…Freedom is an incremental process. …the Truth shall set you free and the Truth has a name; he’s (Jesus) over in the woodshop right now covered in sawdust. Everything is about him. And freedom is a process that happens inside a relationship with him. Then all that stuff you feel churnin’ around inside will start to work its way out.” (pg. 95)
Q. The concept of human freedom is extremely important to us. But, when you consider all of the ‘confluence of multifaceted inhibitors’ that influence are choices, in your opinion are we really free? (See 2 Peter 2:18-20)
Q. In John 8:32 Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” How does the truth of Jesus’ words deliver us from the deceptions in our own souls and the ones being fed to us by the world around us?
Q. Have you experienced this process of truth ‘churnin around inside’ until the deception works its way out of your life? If so, are you willing to share your story with others in the group?
2. “’We carefully respect your choices, so we work within you systems even while we seek to free you from them,’ Papa continued. “Creation has been taken down a very different path than we desired. In your world the value of the individual is constantly weighed against the survival of the system, whether political, economic, social, or religious – any system actually. First one person, and then a few, and finally even many are sacrificed for the good and ongoing existence of that system. In one form or another this lies behind every struggle for power, every prejudice, every war, and every abuse of relationship. The ‘will to power and independence’ has become so ubiquitous that it is now considered normal.’
‘It’s not?’
‘It is the human paradigm,’ added Papa. ‘…It is like water to fish, so prevalent that it goes unseen and unquestioned. It is the matrix; a diabolical scheme in which you are hopelessly trapped even while completely unaware of its existence.’
Jesus picked up the conversation. ‘As the crowning glory of Creation, you were made in our image, unencumbered by structure and free to simply ‘be’ in relationship with me and one another. If you had truly learned to regard each other’s concerns as significant as your own, there would be no need for hierarchy.’ (pg. 123-124)
Q. Can you think of examples of the value of the individual being sacrificed for the good (or survival) of a larger system?
Q. Can this happen even in religious systems – like churches? If so, how?
Q. In Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul tells us to imitate the attitude of Jesus. How would it change our relationships if everyone actually did this?
3. “’I can see now,’ confessed Mack, ‘that I spend most of my time and energy trying to acquire what I have determined to be good, whether it’s financial security or health or retirement or whatever. And I spend a huge amount of energy and worry fearing what I’ve determined to be evil,’ Mack sighed deeply.’
‘Such truth in that,’ said Sarayu gently. ‘Remember this. It allows you to play God in your independence. That’s why a part of you prefers to not see me. And you don’t need me at all to create your list of good and evil. But you do need me if you have any desire to stop such an insane lust for independence.’
‘So there is a way to fix it?’ asked Mack.
‘You must give up your right to decide what is good and evil on your own terms. That is a hard pill to swallow; choosing to only live in me. To do that you must know me enough to trust me and learn to rest in my inherent goodness.’
‘Mackenzie, evil is a word we use to describe the absence of Good, just as we use the word darkness to describe the absence of Light or death to describe the absence of Life. Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relations to Light and Good; they do not have an actual existence. I am Light and I am Good. I am Love and there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist. So, removing yourself from me will plunge you into darkness. Declaring your independence will result in evil because apart from me, you can only draw upon yourself. That is death because you have separated yourself from me: Life.’
‘Wow,’ Mack exclaimed, …’That really helps. But, I can also see that giving up my independent right is not going to be an easy process. It could mean that…’
Sarayu interrupted, “…that in one instance, the good may be the presence of cancer or the loss of income – or even life.’ (pg.135-136)
Q. How has an ‘insane lust for independence’ ever gotten you in trouble, or caused you to lose a valuable relationship? If so, explain.
Q. Why is it hard – almost impossible – for us to ‘give up our right to decide what is good and evil on our own terms?’ How can we do it? (See Romans 8:5-11)
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7) How have you experienced the difference between this light and darkness?
4. “’Have you ever noticed that even though you call me Lord and King, I have never really acted in that capacity with you? I’ve never taken control of your choices or forced you to do anything, even when what you were about to do was destructive or hurtful to yourself and others’
‘Mack looked back at the lake before responding. ‘I would have preferred that you did take control at times. It would have saved me and the people I care about a lot of pain.’
‘To force my will on you,’ Jesus replied, ‘is exactly what love does not do. Genuine relationships are marked by submission even when your choices are not helpful or healthy. That’s the beauty you see in my relationship with Abba and Sarayu. We are indeed submitted to one another and have always been so and always will be. Papa is as much submitted to me as I to him, or Sarayu to me, or Papa to her. Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect. In fact, we are submitted to you in the same way.’
Mack was surprised. ‘How can that be? Why would the God of the universe want to be submitted to me?’
‘Because we want you to join us in our circle of relationship. I don’t want slaves to my will; I want brothers and sisters who will share life with me.’
‘And that’s how you want us to love each other, I suppose? I mean between husbands and wives, parents and children, I guess any relationship?’
‘Exactly! When I am your life, submission is the most natural expression of my character and nature, and it will be the most natural expression of your new nature within relationships.’
Q. What does the statement, ‘Love does not force its will on others’ mean to you? Don’t we sometimes force our will on our children, removing them from playing in the road, for example, out of love?
Q. In your opinion, would it be more loving if God forcefully kept people from going to hell or let them have the freedom of choice knowing it could lead to their eternal destruction?
Q. In what way is God ‘submitted to me?’ (See Philippians 2:7, Matthew 20:28)
Q. Can you envision submitting yourself completely to God so that you can enter a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with him? Why or why not?
5. “’All evil flows from independence, and independence is your choice. If I were to simply revoke all the choices of independence, the world as you know it would cease to exist and love would have no meaning. This world is not a playground where I keep all of my children free from evil. Evil is the chaos of this age that you brought to me, but it will not have the final say. Now it touches everyone that I love, those who follow me and those who don’t. If I take away the consequences of people’s choices, I destroy the possibility of love. Love that is forced is no love at all.’
Mack rubbed his hands through his hair and sighed. ‘It’s just so hard to understand.’
‘Honey, let me tell you one of the reasons that it makes no sense to you. It’s because you have such a small view of what it means to be human. You and this Creation are incredible, whether you understand that or not. You are wonderful beyond imagination. Just because you make horrendous and destructive choices does not mean you deserve less respect for what you inherently are – the pinnacle of my Creation and the center of my affection.’ (pg. 190)
Q. Papa says, ‘If I take away the consequences of people’s choices, I destroy the possibility of love.’ Do you agree that this is true? Why or why not?
Q. Think back over your life. Have their been times when you ‘reaped the consequences’ of bad choices? What affect did it have on your relationship with God?
Q. When you think of yourself as the pinnacle of God’s creation and the center of his affection, what difference does that make in how you view your life? (See Luke 12:7))
6. “’There is no way to create freedom without a cost, as you know.’ Papa looked down, scars visible and indelibly written into his wrists. ‘I knew that my Creation would rebel, would choose independence and death, and I knew what it would cost me to open a path of reconciliation. Your independence has unleashed, what seems to you, a world of chaos; random and frightening. Could I have prevented what happened to Missy? The answer is yes.’
Mack looked at Papa, his eyes asking the question that didn’t need voicing.
Papa continued, ‘First by not creating at all, these questions would be moot. Or secondly, I could have chosen to actively interfere in her circumstance. The first was never a consideration and the latter was not an option for purposes that you cannot possibly understand now. At this point all I have to offer you as an answer is my love and goodness, and my relationship with you. I did not purpose Missy’s death, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use it for good.’
Mack shook his head sadly. ‘You’re right. I don’t grasp it very well. I think I see a glimpse for a second and then all the longing and loss that I feel seems to rise up and tell me that what I thought I saw just couldn’t be true. But I do trust you…’ And suddenly, it was like a new thought, surprising and wonderful. ‘Papa, I do trust you.’
Papa beamed back at him. ‘I know, son. I know.’” (pg. 222)
Q. Papa says, ‘There is no way to create freedom without a cost.’ As you think about the freedoms you enjoy as a citizen of a free country and as a child of God, who paid the cost for your freedoms? Why did they do it?
Q. Could God have prevented the painful circumstances in your life? If so, based on this section of The Shack, why do you think he didn’t?
Q. Are you able to still love and trust in God despite the painful loss you have endured? Why or why not? (Consider the Biblical of Job)
Q. The Apostle Paul wrote, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) Can you see any good that has resulted from the tragic events of your life?
“’…Freedom is an incremental process. …the Truth shall set you free and the Truth has a name; he’s (Jesus) over in the woodshop right now covered in sawdust. Everything is about him. And freedom is a process that happens inside a relationship with him. Then all that stuff you feel churnin’ around inside will start to work its way out.” (pg. 95)
Q. The concept of human freedom is extremely important to us. But, when you consider all of the ‘confluence of multifaceted inhibitors’ that influence are choices, in your opinion are we really free? (See 2 Peter 2:18-20)
Q. In John 8:32 Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” How does the truth of Jesus’ words deliver us from the deceptions in our own souls and the ones being fed to us by the world around us?
Q. Have you experienced this process of truth ‘churnin around inside’ until the deception works its way out of your life? If so, are you willing to share your story with others in the group?
2. “’We carefully respect your choices, so we work within you systems even while we seek to free you from them,’ Papa continued. “Creation has been taken down a very different path than we desired. In your world the value of the individual is constantly weighed against the survival of the system, whether political, economic, social, or religious – any system actually. First one person, and then a few, and finally even many are sacrificed for the good and ongoing existence of that system. In one form or another this lies behind every struggle for power, every prejudice, every war, and every abuse of relationship. The ‘will to power and independence’ has become so ubiquitous that it is now considered normal.’
‘It’s not?’
‘It is the human paradigm,’ added Papa. ‘…It is like water to fish, so prevalent that it goes unseen and unquestioned. It is the matrix; a diabolical scheme in which you are hopelessly trapped even while completely unaware of its existence.’
Jesus picked up the conversation. ‘As the crowning glory of Creation, you were made in our image, unencumbered by structure and free to simply ‘be’ in relationship with me and one another. If you had truly learned to regard each other’s concerns as significant as your own, there would be no need for hierarchy.’ (pg. 123-124)
Q. Can you think of examples of the value of the individual being sacrificed for the good (or survival) of a larger system?
Q. Can this happen even in religious systems – like churches? If so, how?
Q. In Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul tells us to imitate the attitude of Jesus. How would it change our relationships if everyone actually did this?
3. “’I can see now,’ confessed Mack, ‘that I spend most of my time and energy trying to acquire what I have determined to be good, whether it’s financial security or health or retirement or whatever. And I spend a huge amount of energy and worry fearing what I’ve determined to be evil,’ Mack sighed deeply.’
‘Such truth in that,’ said Sarayu gently. ‘Remember this. It allows you to play God in your independence. That’s why a part of you prefers to not see me. And you don’t need me at all to create your list of good and evil. But you do need me if you have any desire to stop such an insane lust for independence.’
‘So there is a way to fix it?’ asked Mack.
‘You must give up your right to decide what is good and evil on your own terms. That is a hard pill to swallow; choosing to only live in me. To do that you must know me enough to trust me and learn to rest in my inherent goodness.’
‘Mackenzie, evil is a word we use to describe the absence of Good, just as we use the word darkness to describe the absence of Light or death to describe the absence of Life. Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relations to Light and Good; they do not have an actual existence. I am Light and I am Good. I am Love and there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist. So, removing yourself from me will plunge you into darkness. Declaring your independence will result in evil because apart from me, you can only draw upon yourself. That is death because you have separated yourself from me: Life.’
‘Wow,’ Mack exclaimed, …’That really helps. But, I can also see that giving up my independent right is not going to be an easy process. It could mean that…’
Sarayu interrupted, “…that in one instance, the good may be the presence of cancer or the loss of income – or even life.’ (pg.135-136)
Q. How has an ‘insane lust for independence’ ever gotten you in trouble, or caused you to lose a valuable relationship? If so, explain.
Q. Why is it hard – almost impossible – for us to ‘give up our right to decide what is good and evil on our own terms?’ How can we do it? (See Romans 8:5-11)
Q. The Apostle John wrote, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7) How have you experienced the difference between this light and darkness?
4. “’Have you ever noticed that even though you call me Lord and King, I have never really acted in that capacity with you? I’ve never taken control of your choices or forced you to do anything, even when what you were about to do was destructive or hurtful to yourself and others’
‘Mack looked back at the lake before responding. ‘I would have preferred that you did take control at times. It would have saved me and the people I care about a lot of pain.’
‘To force my will on you,’ Jesus replied, ‘is exactly what love does not do. Genuine relationships are marked by submission even when your choices are not helpful or healthy. That’s the beauty you see in my relationship with Abba and Sarayu. We are indeed submitted to one another and have always been so and always will be. Papa is as much submitted to me as I to him, or Sarayu to me, or Papa to her. Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect. In fact, we are submitted to you in the same way.’
Mack was surprised. ‘How can that be? Why would the God of the universe want to be submitted to me?’
‘Because we want you to join us in our circle of relationship. I don’t want slaves to my will; I want brothers and sisters who will share life with me.’
‘And that’s how you want us to love each other, I suppose? I mean between husbands and wives, parents and children, I guess any relationship?’
‘Exactly! When I am your life, submission is the most natural expression of my character and nature, and it will be the most natural expression of your new nature within relationships.’
Q. What does the statement, ‘Love does not force its will on others’ mean to you? Don’t we sometimes force our will on our children, removing them from playing in the road, for example, out of love?
Q. In your opinion, would it be more loving if God forcefully kept people from going to hell or let them have the freedom of choice knowing it could lead to their eternal destruction?
Q. In what way is God ‘submitted to me?’ (See Philippians 2:7, Matthew 20:28)
Q. Can you envision submitting yourself completely to God so that you can enter a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with him? Why or why not?
5. “’All evil flows from independence, and independence is your choice. If I were to simply revoke all the choices of independence, the world as you know it would cease to exist and love would have no meaning. This world is not a playground where I keep all of my children free from evil. Evil is the chaos of this age that you brought to me, but it will not have the final say. Now it touches everyone that I love, those who follow me and those who don’t. If I take away the consequences of people’s choices, I destroy the possibility of love. Love that is forced is no love at all.’
Mack rubbed his hands through his hair and sighed. ‘It’s just so hard to understand.’
‘Honey, let me tell you one of the reasons that it makes no sense to you. It’s because you have such a small view of what it means to be human. You and this Creation are incredible, whether you understand that or not. You are wonderful beyond imagination. Just because you make horrendous and destructive choices does not mean you deserve less respect for what you inherently are – the pinnacle of my Creation and the center of my affection.’ (pg. 190)
Q. Papa says, ‘If I take away the consequences of people’s choices, I destroy the possibility of love.’ Do you agree that this is true? Why or why not?
Q. Think back over your life. Have their been times when you ‘reaped the consequences’ of bad choices? What affect did it have on your relationship with God?
Q. When you think of yourself as the pinnacle of God’s creation and the center of his affection, what difference does that make in how you view your life? (See Luke 12:7))
6. “’There is no way to create freedom without a cost, as you know.’ Papa looked down, scars visible and indelibly written into his wrists. ‘I knew that my Creation would rebel, would choose independence and death, and I knew what it would cost me to open a path of reconciliation. Your independence has unleashed, what seems to you, a world of chaos; random and frightening. Could I have prevented what happened to Missy? The answer is yes.’
Mack looked at Papa, his eyes asking the question that didn’t need voicing.
Papa continued, ‘First by not creating at all, these questions would be moot. Or secondly, I could have chosen to actively interfere in her circumstance. The first was never a consideration and the latter was not an option for purposes that you cannot possibly understand now. At this point all I have to offer you as an answer is my love and goodness, and my relationship with you. I did not purpose Missy’s death, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use it for good.’
Mack shook his head sadly. ‘You’re right. I don’t grasp it very well. I think I see a glimpse for a second and then all the longing and loss that I feel seems to rise up and tell me that what I thought I saw just couldn’t be true. But I do trust you…’ And suddenly, it was like a new thought, surprising and wonderful. ‘Papa, I do trust you.’
Papa beamed back at him. ‘I know, son. I know.’” (pg. 222)
Q. Papa says, ‘There is no way to create freedom without a cost.’ As you think about the freedoms you enjoy as a citizen of a free country and as a child of God, who paid the cost for your freedoms? Why did they do it?
Q. Could God have prevented the painful circumstances in your life? If so, based on this section of The Shack, why do you think he didn’t?
Q. Are you able to still love and trust in God despite the painful loss you have endured? Why or why not? (Consider the Biblical of Job)
Q. The Apostle Paul wrote, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) Can you see any good that has resulted from the tragic events of your life?
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