To Be, Or, Not To See … That Is The Question! (March 15 - Chapters 17 thru 19)

Below are the questions that you'll use for your small group discussion. Additionally, we'll be taking some time out of this session to have a "white board" group discussion. I'm getting more excited as we delve further into this topic and begin to press our own personal boundaries, both present and future.

• In the 1871 published book "The Happiness of Heaven", the story is told of a blind, destitute orphan boy being taken in by kindhearted king as his son. At age 20, the boy's sight is returned via surgery. Imagine being blind for 20 years and then receiving sight … describe your personal experience and response.
• Using the concept of "sight restored", describe what it will be like to see God face-to-face?
• Romans 1:20 NLT says "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." As a group, create a list of "invisible qualities" of God. How do these qualities help you personally begin to understand what Heaven, or being present with God, will be like?
• Describe a few hindrances you have that keep you from imagining what seeing God face-to-face will be like. Of these hindrances, what do you need to "own" versus what you can attribute to Satan putting in your way? During your group prayer time, ask God to help you remove and overcome these hindrances.
• What does "worship" mean to you?
• After reading Revelation 5:11-14, discuss as a group what aspects of individual and corporate worship you've enjoyed, not enjoyed, want more of, and want less of.
• Read Hebrews 10:25 and as a group discuss the various ways we meet together and describe what we do when we meet.
• How might the interaction on earth between Christians be the same or different than what will take place in Heaven?

Blessings!!

Hmmm, What's In Store?? (March 8 - Chapters 14 thru 16)

I'm still waiting for direction from God on the course He'd like to take on Monday. Until then, please read through the assigned chapters for this week and be prepared for His plan!!

Blessings!!

Let The Games Begin!! (March 1 - Chapters 11 thru 13)

We'll be changing things up this week … in addition to rotating small group members, we'll be having a little friendly team competition! There will be prizes for each member of the winning team, so let's come prepared to WIN!

Competition Rules:

• Read the chapters for the week as the competition questions will come from the book.
• Alternately, each team will be presented with a question.
• For each correct answer, the team gets 1 point.  The team with the most points wins!
• There will be tie-breaker questions as well and they probably won't be easy. :)
• The prize each member of the winning team will receive is a secret, but it's real.

Blessings!!

Back To The Future (February 22 - Chapters 8 thru 10)

Below is a list of questions for the group sharing time. Generally speaking, you'll have a few minutes to share your thoughts and perspective for each question and still allow others to share theirs.

• The author cites another book phrase "homesick for Eden". Explain your understanding of the connection between what Eden was like before the fall to what Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT states "… He has planted eternity in the human heart …".
• Using the "Three Eras Of Mankind And Earth" chart on pages 82-85, select three sets of "Past | Present | Future" points and share why they strike you as new information that will change your thinking about Heaven.
• Given that the words "restored", "renewed", "redemption" have some similarities in definition, how do you understand and explain the importance of the restoration of the Earth? List other things that will be restored in God's creation. How does the Earth's restoration relate to the restoration of the items on your list? Is there something wrong with the idea of disposing of everything and starting over? Why?
• To the best of your ability, describe what the Garden of Eden was like - include elements of plants, animals, humankind, God, etc. and their interaction. How will the "re-linkage" of Earth and Heaven relate to, and, be like, the Garden of Eden. How will it differ?
• Describe the relationship of the curse on mankind and the resulting curse on the Earth (Genesis 3:17). What have been the effects of the curse upon mankind and his existence? Describe what happens when the bible in Revelation 22:3 says "no more curse"?
• In the book "Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview", the author, Albert Wolters, states "Redemption in Jesus Christ reaches just as far as the fall". Describe what this means to you.
• Imagine yourself at the deathbed of a loved one, how would you answer these two questions when asked: What is Heaven like? How can I know that I'll be going there?

 Blessings!!

This vs That vs The Other (February 15 - Chapters 5 thru 7)

Below is a list of questions ... the first one is a "required" question to share your thinking with the group. Along with it, please select two additional questions, of your choice, for the group sharing time. Generally speaking, you'll have a few minutes for each question to share your thoughts and perspective and still allow others to share theirs.

• Required: How does the author's presentation of the "temporary nature" of the present Heaven differ from what you think Heaven is?
• How does the illustration of your "flight to Santa Barbara" change your understanding of the present Heaven and the eternal Heaven?
• Describe the difference between the "judgment of faith" and the "judgment of works". Upon which are you relying? Why?
• The author coins the term Christoplatonism and defines it as "an unbiblical belief that the spirit realm is good and the material world is bad". How might your thinking be influenced by the concept of Christoplatonism?
• What does giving an "account of your life" using an "improved mind" to receive "eternal rewards" mean to you and how does it change who you are today?
• The author offers thinking about those in Heaven knowing what is going on here on Earth. What are your thoughts about those in Heaven knowing what you're doing? Describe what it would be like to be in Heaven and knowing what is taking place here on Earth.

Blessings!!

Let The Learning Begin! (Chapters 1 thru 4)

Well, as we approach our first meeting, we should be at a point of either reading the first assignment or, perhaps, even finished with it. My intention is to get a series of questions posted early enough so that you can consider them during your book time. The purpose for sharing your thoughts to the questions is less about "having the right answer" and more about learning from others and sharing with others. If we can enter into this topic with an attitude that I know a little and the other person knows a little, we'll leave each session having learned something.

Below is a list of questions ... the first one is a "required" question to share your thinking with the group. Along with it, please select two additional questions, of your choice, for the group sharing time. Generally speaking, you'll have a few minutes for each question to share your thoughts and perspective and still allow others to share theirs.

• Required: In sixty seconds or less, describe what you imagined Heaven to be like BEFORE starting this book.
• How much time per day do you think about Heaven? Why? Share some Heaven thoughts you consider.
• Explain how you might be influenced by "naturalism" (dictionary.com: "the view of the world that takes account only of natural elements and forces, excluding the supernatural or spiritual").
• How important is "imagination" (based on truth) in forming our understanding of Heaven? Why? (dictionary.com: "the faculty of imagining, or of forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses")
• How would you practice setting your heart and mind on Heaven? (Colossians 3:1-2 MSG or NLT)
• Explain how you understand Hell differently now that you've been reminded of what Jesus said about it. Add to your explanation any thoughts about the author's comment: "Hell is not Heaven's equal opposite".

I'm looking forward to our time and learning together!

Blessings!!

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!!