Bible: Out Of The Box

Sunday, May 2, 2010

"When You Painted On Earth" (May 3 - Chapters 41 thru 43)

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 looking forward to seeing you!!

When people (you, perhaps?) talk about Eternity being boring … from where do you suppose this thinking originates? Please give an example.
How does a boring Heaven reflect upon God as being boring?
Other world religions have a concept of Heaven (Eternity). Share an example of that concept, either from personal knowledge or through knowledge shared by another person.
How does that concept of Heaven compare with what the author is portraying?
The author states, "Every day on the New Earth will be a new opportunity to live out the dreams that matter most." What activity, task, or dream are you looking forward to doing in Eternity?
Discuss, as a group, the differences/similarities of the "lifeboat" theology vs the "ark" theology.
Discuss, as a group, the concepts of entertainment, arts, sports, etc. in Eternity. Specifically, if they will exist or not. Explain your answer.
The author states, "God wired us this way" in describing various activities we'd experience in Eternity. He further states, "We were made to live vibrant lives." Describe what this looks like to you and how it may differ from another person's understanding.

PLUS ULTRA

Blessings!!!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Dr. Doolittle: "You talkin' to me?" (April 26 - Chapters 38 thru 40)

The author talks about the ethnic diversity in the New Jerusalem and how it will be united by a common worship of Jesus. What does this look like to you?
How does the statement "racism is not only an injustice toward people, but also a rejection of God's very nature" differ in reality in today's world versus Eternity?
In regard to racism, how does the dynamic of a "unifying loyalty to the King Jesus" affect what our world could be like now and into Eternity?
Discuss what Acts 17:26 means to you in regard to the existence of different races.
How does the diversity of nations, languages, and cultures testify of God's own diversity and bring Him glory?
What is the significance of God's preservation of the animals from the flood during Noah's time?
Proverbs 12:10 (NLT) states how the "godly are concerned for the welfare of their animals." What does this mean today as well as Eternity? Who do the animals belong to? (See Psalm 50:10-11 NLT) Why is this important?
Do you think that Adam and Eve regarded animals differently than we do today? Why is this important?
We've talked about Romans 1:20 and the invisible qualities of God being clearly seen in creation. How does God's invisible qualities manifest themselves in the animals He created?
What are your thoughts of expressing grief over the loss of a pet? Please explain your thinking about the attachment people have to a pet and whether it's a result of Creation or the sin factor.
Would you like to see pets in Eternity? Why or why not?

Blessings!!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Hey - I Know You!! (April 19 - Chapters 34 thru 37)

The author uses Genesis 2:18 as a basis of there being human relationships in Heaven. How do you see this scripture relating to that? Do you agree/disagree with the author? Why?
There are at least two ways in which it is not good for (hu)man to be alone - they are "loneliness" and "self-centeredness". Why is God concerned about either/both of these?
Of the people you've known on this Earth, who are you looking forward to seeing in Heaven? Why?
Out of all of the people in history, if they were in Heaven, who is one person you would like to meet and become friends with? Why?
In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus refers to a "big family" containing brothers, sisters, etc. How has this impacted your life in this present world? How might it impact your life in the world to come?
What is the eternal purpose of close relationships (like marriage)?
How has your thinking changed, regarding relationships in eternity, after reading this book?
What excites you about continuing to pursue and develop relationships in eternity? Likewise, what, if anything, scares you about it?
What disturbs us about losing people we currently love to eternal seperation from God (hell)? Why?
How does our perspective differ from God's truth about Hell and what His creation deserves? How does this compare to 2 Peter 3:9?
The author states, "Not all disagreement is rooted in sin." Explain how you may agree or disagree with this statement.
What is your thinking about individualism (skills, name, possessions, etc.) compared to a socialistic mindset (everything belongs to everybody, everybody is like everybody else)?

Blessings!!!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

So let it be written, so let it be done (April 12 - Chapters 31 thru 33)

The author describes the freedom of choice God has, yet cannot sin. How might that look in your life now and in Eternity?
What is the most basic requirement in humanity that would allow freedom of choice without sin?
Describe what resurrection means to you.
Both the Bible and the author cite the fact that only God is omniscient (knows everything). What does "knowing everything" for us, as humans, really mean?
How long would it take to learn everything about our current viewable creation? How much longer will it take to learn of the creation we cannot yet see?
The author says, "What [God] wants to stop is what prevents us from learning." What things are preventing you from learning currently?
We've heard the statement (perhaps even used it ourselves as an excuse), "But, we're only human." The author makes the bold statement, "If anything, sin makes us less human." Describe how this changes your thinking on the impact of sin on humanity.
It has been said, "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." When the author talks about the "fertile, curious minds" that God made us with, what does that look like to you?
When the author talks about books and documents being kept by God, what does this evoke in you about your life? About another person's life?
Ecclesiastes 12:12 (NLT) states "… for writing books is endless ..." Since we won't have Kindles in Heaven (or, will we?), how do you see the importance of books and documents in Eternity?
Talking about homes, land, friends, and work, the author talks about the eternal similarity to what we experience here on Earth. How do you see your daily life in Eternity being the same or different?

Blessings!!!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Love God And Do As You Please (April 5 - Chapters 28 thru 30)

Take a few minutes each and describe one or more of the following: your personality traits, gifts, passions, preferences, and interests.
As a group, discuss the similarities or dissimilarities represented within the group.
What is the benefit of the dissimilarities?
What emotions do you express now that you'd like to see continue in you in Heaven?
How is your thinking challenged when the author states: "What we should do will at last be identical with what we want to do."
Augustine states in his book (The City of God): "[The body] shall be of that size which it either had attained or should have attained in the flower of its youth." What does this mean to you today as well as your future in the New Earth? For example: Will we be the same age as when we passed from this life to eternity or will we be an ideal age? (Remember, Adam and Eve weren't children when God created them.)
What is your thinking about having new abilities (such as flying, or under water diving without equipment)?
When you are presented with the concept of having a perfect body and perfect mind, what does this look like to you?
Genesis documents at the end of each day of creation that God said, "It is good". Additionally, the author states that no aspect of our God-created physiology (physical and chemical processes or functions) can be bad. How do you see our resurrected bodies working? For example: hunger, eating, etc.
If you could only have one food item in eternity, what would it be? Why?
In past weeks, we talked about "meat". Given what this week's chapter talks about on this subject, how do you like what the author presented (either fully vegetarian, or God will provide "meat" in a way that doesn't require the death of an animal)?
With what has been covered thus far in the book, how has your thinking changed? Are you more solid in what you believed prior to starting this book? Or, are you open to change on the topic of Heaven?

Blessings!!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

More Like The Real Thing (March 29 - Chapters 23 thru 27)

This is a repeat question from our first session: 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")
What attributes of the present creation would you like to see on the New Earth? Why?
In each of the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) describe what your BEST day's activities would include. For example, "During a sunny winter's day, I would curl up in front of a warm, cozy fire with a cup of hot cocoa, and read my favorite type of book."
When the author talks about the New Jerusalem as the capital city of the New Earth, what do you like and/or dislike about the concept of such a city?
What do you understand about the purpose of the Tree of Life and its need both in Eden and the New Earth?
The author, while talking about a first-class upgrade on an airplane, makes reference to the "liabilities of economy class are removed in first class, but the assets aren't" … how does this idea play in your thinking on the transition of God's creation from the "old" to the "new"?
What is your thinking on the opposing concepts of space and time being non-existent versus its continuation?
As a group, discuss the varying aspects of the New Heaven/New Earth and the sun, moon, stars, oceans, seas, weather, etc.
Psalm 37:4 talks about being given the desires of your heart. What desires do you expect to receive and what are the conditions to receive them? Relate them to the New Heaven and New Earth.
Is there anything else from the chapters this week that you'd like to comment on?

Blessings!!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Revisionist Ruling (March 22 - Chapters 20 thru 22)

Read Genesis 1. What is the singular "stand out" point of this chapter? Why? (Hint: in some translations it is repeated up to seven times.)
As a group, create a list of "worldly" things and "earthly" things. Using scripture, how would you describe the difference between them?
Discuss why "land" is so important in God's creation … read Genesis 12:1-7 as the basis of your discussion.
Based on Genesis 1:28, describe the role that humanity was created to be. Be flamboyant in your description and discussion.
How do the words "take charge", "rule", "subdue", "govern", and "authority" play in your imagination about the original creation and the re-creation?
Where Isaiah 9:7 talks about the "increase of His government", what are your thoughts about an "ever-expanding" universe with new worlds being created?
The author states (page 218, or page 226 revised) that "we would exercise the creativity, imagination, intellect, and skills" that would manifest God's attributes. Contrasting your current state (sinful, yet being redeemed) and your fully redeemed state, how does what the author states work in your thinking?

Blessings!!