The Proposal (Part 1)

This week as we journey further into our topic of "The Question!" of believe, we will be looking at God's proposal. Please take some time to consider the discussion questions below. Be prepared to share your thinking with others in the group.

• At various times from the late 1800's through the mid-1900's, the phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST" has appeared and disappeared from our US currency. Describe what you think this phrase meant to our nation then and what it means to you now. How is our nation's response different today from what you believe this phrase means?
• After reading Psalm 73:25-28 - especially, the last sentence - how has God become your shelter and what wonderful things or works has God done?
• If time, money, physical ability and any other necessary resource was available in unlimited amounts, describe what you would do.
• In Genesis 9:13-16 (NCV) it states "I am putting my rainbow in the clouds as the sign of the agreement between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and a rainbow appears in them, I will remember my agreement between me and you and every living thing. Floods will never again destroy all life on the earth. When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and I will remember the agreement that continues forever between me and every living thing on the earth." Describe what this means to you and what you think of when you see a rainbow.
• In reading Romans 4:19-25 about Abraham, Sarah and their offspring, verse 21 (NLT) states "He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises." Based on what you know about Abraham and his actions, share something that might be similar in your life.
• In Woodie Guthrie's song God's Promise, there is a line: "All that I promise is strength for this day." How does this line up with what the Bible says that God promises? (Hint: see Psalm 138:3 and Matthew 6:34)
• When you consider what 1 Corinthians 10:13 says about God keeping His Word, how do you see the actual fulfillment of the promise working?
• According to Titus 1:2 (MSG) "… life without end. This is the life God promised long ago—and he doesn't break promises!", God doesn't break His promises. Briefly describe how you have been caused harm by another because of a broken promise. Have you kept all of your promises?
• How does 2 Corinthians 1:20 change your thinking on the concept of God's promises? How does it change the way respond to God's promises?
• God's supply to you is partly described in Philippians 4:19. What does this mean to you in your daily living for Him?
• It has been said that a person's promises reflect his or her character. Describe how this is true in your own life. How does this reflect God's character?

Blessings!!



"… O brave new world ..."
- The Tempest, Act 5, scene 1, 181–184

The Agreement

In our continuing exploration on "The Question!" of believe, we will be looking at agreements this week.  Please take some time to consider the discussion questions below.  Be prepared to share your thinking with others in the group.

• How close is what you believe to what you think? Explain your answer.
• How does the "heart" differ from the "mind"? How are they similar?
• On a scale from 1 to 10, with descriptors identified below, how to you rate yourself? Why?
       (10) A person who makes a snap decision.
       (5) A person who takes time and considers many angles before making a decision.
       (1) A person who seems to never make a decision, no matter how much time, information, or resources they have.
• Do you have to agree with someone for them to be right? Why or why not?
• Can you agree to disagree with man? With God? Explain your answers.
• Describe a situation where you didn't agree with God. How did it turn out?
• How many agreements can you have at one time? Explain your answer.
• Describe an agreement that you have made with God. Is the agreement fulfilled?
• How is your decision-making influenced by God?
• What is a decision you have made without considering God? How did it turn out?
• After reading James 2:19, how do you explain the difference between the intellectual acknowledgement of God and to believe God?
• It is claimed that Socrates said: "No man voluntarily pursues evil …". Describe why you agree or disagree with this.
• The latter part of Romans 14:23 states "If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. (NLT)" and "If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong. (MSG)". How does this portion of scripture line up with the way you think and the way you live?

I'm looking forward to our time together!!



"… the marriage of true minds ..."
- Sonnet 116

The Contract

Ok, here we are, meeting to begin a process to evaluate our thinking on the topic of "contracts".  We'll be spending some time on this topic over the next couple of weeks, so don't worry that you'll miss something as we dig into this concept.

Below are the questions which will be used during our small group breakout.

• In your understanding, what is a legal contract?
• What are the elements of a contract?
• How many parties are involved in a simple contract?
• What validates a contract?
• What is a breach of a contract?
• What constitutes a breach of a contract?
• Who commits the breach of a contract?
• The Bible speaks of an Old and a New Testament. What does this mean to you personally?
• What does one have to do acquire faith?
• Does the unbeliever have faith?

I'm so excited to continue our discovery on this whole topic.  We've talked about the scripture in Romans 12 about "changing the way you think".  Another scripture to consider is Proverbs 4:23 (NCV) "Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."

 

"I'll not budge an inch ... "
- The Taming of the Shrew

The Question!

OK!  Here we are again, getting ready to start another season of growth in our journey with Jesus!  I'd like to welcome back those who have been in this group before.  Additionally, I'd like to welcome those who are new!  First, a little background - this will be old news to the prior attendees: This group is all about getting the Bible out of the box - both literally and figuratively. We challenge our thinking using a combination of the Bible, questions, and discussion. We actively pursue the Bible in "changing the way you think" - Romans 12:2 (NLT).

Our subject title for this season will be "The Question!" ... to adapt that well known quote in William Shakespeare's Hamlet: "To believe, or not to believe: that is the question!"  Our challenge of walking as a Christian while on this earth, is to believe or not to believe that what God says is true.

I have a emerging conviction that believe and faith differ.  And, as we'll discover together, I think it is in the action part of our response.  We'll be digging deeper into what it is to believe and what it will take to put the verb back into faith.  So, hang on to your feather quill and let the discovery begin!!

Our first time together this season will be Monday, October 4, 2010, 6:00pm for dinner followed by the meeting beginning at 7:00pm.  The menu is to be determined, but please bring a salad or dessert to share with the group.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (via email, or via comment to this blog).

With bated breath!

It Is Finished! (But, Wait!! There's More Fun Activities)

THANK YOU!!!
First of all, we thank each of you for joining the Bible: Out Of The Box small group this season. You have contributed a significant and eternal element to other people's lives. Reading the Heaven book has given us an opportunity to challenge our thinking and lives both for the near term and the long term. We each cause a "ripple effect" upon every person we contact during our earthly journey. Make a BIG splash in life!

Second, we again thank you for the precious gifts you have given us. Though they are very nice and we will treasure them, they pale in comparison to the gifts each of you are to us and the impact you've each had in our lives. We are blessed and better people because of you.

Finally, here is a list of the "fun activities" which have been selected by the group. All are invited and more information will be sent out (I am more than happy to assist in passing along any email information you'd like to the group members - please send me the email and instructions). Thanks to the folks organizing these activities!!

June

• Hubble 3D at Pacific Science Center (TBD) :: Mike/Cindy
• Lunch And A Movie (TBD) :: Lori/Chuck

July

• Concert In Pioneer Park (July 8th) :: Jessica
• BBQ And A Movie (July 24th?) :: Mike/Cindy

August

• Bonfire (TBD) :: Sara
• Game Night (TBD) :: Peggy/Warren

God Bless each of you and the Jesus Journey you walk with Him!!

"The Ripple Effect" (May 10 - Chapters 44 thru 46)

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!!

• Do you experience joy in using your knowledge, skills, services, and products to help and please others? Why or why not?
• The author has challenged our thinking a number of times during this book on the topic of separating those things which are part of the Curse from those which are not part of the Curse. How has your thinking changed on this? Describe how you have been able to distinguish between the two in your world.
• Will there be new inventions or refinements of old inventions? Why or why not?
• Realizing the author is attempting to stretch our concepts and boundaries of thought, he states the following: "God hasn't exhausted His creative resources. He never will … I anticipate an eternity of delight in watching and discovering what He creates to reveal more of Himself to us." Share your reaction to these statements in regard to space/time travel and other, non-earthly life in creation.
• In the last chapter, there is a section called, "Questions In Light Of Heaven", select two questions from that list and share your thinking with the group.

Come prepared with suggestions for summer fun activities - we'll list and multi-vote on them!!

"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!!!