Book Study: Heaven by Randy Alcorn

Happy New Year to all! I'm so excited about starting our 2010 Season 1 small group meetings. Here is the meeting information:

Begins Monday, February 8th
6:00pm-7:00pm Dinner
7:00pm-8:30pm Meeting
(If needed, contact me for location)

Topic Study
As far as topics go, we had two books suggested and each book deals with a topic that can influence our present world view. Of the two books suggested, I've selected the book called "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. My reasoning for this was due to its broader scope dealing with our future and how it impacts our present and the people with which we have influence. However, the book is quite a heavy read and will require some dedicated time each week to read and be prepared to have a small group discussion. Now, I don't want to cause any undue concern, but at the same time, I wish to encourage us to challenge ourselves and deepen our roots in keeping with our 2010 Word Of The Year: Discipleship. A definition for discipleship, as it's based upon the word disciple, would be "a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; a follower", for example a disciple of Jesus Christ.

This is the first time this small group has done a book study, so we'll see how it works out. My caution for ever doing a book study is that "the book" can sometimes override "The Book" (aka the Bible). However, I am confident that, based on what I've heard about "Heaven", we'll be exposed to a lot of Bible. Additionally, Randy Alcorn, the author, specifically states in his Preface that, based on biblical grounds he is "open to correction - in fact, I seek it …". Given this, and our own personal charge by the Apostle Paul to be like the Bereans who "examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true" (Acts 17:11), we will be well served through this book in our growth journey with Jesus.


Reading/Study schedule
(average of ~35 pages a week; 5 pages a day; 1 page every 4.8 hours):

• Monday, February 8 - Chapters 1 thru 4
• Monday, February 15 - Chapters 5 thru 7
• Monday, February 22 - Chapters 8 thru 10
• Monday, March 1 - Chapters 11 thru 13
• Monday, March 8 - Chapters 14 thru 16
• Monday, March 15 - Chapters 17 thru 19
• Monday, March 22 - Chapters 20 thru 22
• Monday, March 29 - Chapters 23 thru 27
• Monday, April 5 - Chapters 28 thru 30
• Monday, April 12 - Chapters 31 thru 33
• Monday, April 19 - Chapters 34 thru 37
• Monday, April 26 - Chapters 38 thru 40
• Monday, May 3 - Chapters 41 thru 43
• Monday, May 10 - Chapters 44 thru 46

Prior to each week's meeting, I will post a series of questions on the blog for you to consider during your reading/study time. This will help us in our overall group discussion.


Purchasing the book
I have no affiliation with, nor compensation by, Amazon.

If you have any questions, please comment back. I look forward to the journey with you!


Blessings!!