In Chapter 9, Chan gave us stories of so many different people who lived their lives obsessed with the Father, obsessed with following Jesus.....no matter the cost, full force. What common threads did you see across all of these stories? Did one or two stand out to you more than the others? If so, what was it about those stories that spoke to you personally?
Read more...In Chapter 8, Chan touched on many different characteristics of those who are obsessed with Christ...lovers, risk takers, friends of all, crazy ones, humble, servers, sojourners, engrossed, unguarded, rooted, dedicated, sacrificers. What did God show you through this chapter? What stood out to you as you read a profile of the obsessed? I am being rather vague in the discussion starter because this chapter touched on so much. What is God asking of you or where does He seem to be leading you?
Read more...What is your response to Chan's chapter on "Your best life....Later"? On page 115 he writes, "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." Have you ever felt this way before....that if people think that you are different, that is a good thing. Do you tend to "play it safe" or are you a risk taker?
What did James 5:17 speak to you? "Elijah was a man just like us". (on page 116) Chan writes, "When you pray, your prayers are heard by the same God who answered Moses' prayer for water in the desert, the God who gave Abraham and his barren wife a son, and the God who made the slave Joseph second in power only to Pharaoh." Is this something that you are conscious of often? Do you look at the Bible as a book of only the extraordinary or as examples?
How has Father shown you his provision in the past when you have stepped out in faith? Share with others some of the amazing ways that He has come through for you and strengthened you when you have taken risks for Him.
What is your response to Chan's writings about being called out of our comfort zone? What else did this chapter show you?
Share with us some of the things that popped out at you in this chapter. What was your instinctive response when you read the quote from John Piper's book at the bottom of page 100? (You don't have to answer that in the comments section, but at least read it again and think about it.)
Many people seem to have a misconception or seem "blurred" on the difference between obedience and service that stems from love and obedience and service that is born out of obligation. On page 102 Chan references Paul: " 'The ony thing that counts if faith expressing itself through love', (Galatians 5:6). Is loving God--and, by extention, loving people-what you are about? Is it what being a Christian means to you? Do you live as though faith, demonstrated through love, really is the only thing that counts?" What did you think about this section? If it is clear to you, what would your response be to those who obey and serve strictly out of fear and/or obligation?
What did you think about the section on "Help! I Don't Love You"? What else jumped out at you in this chapter?
In Chapter 5, Chan references many scriptures that point to the conclusion that a "lukewarm Christian" is an oxymoron. On page 85 he writes, "The thought of a person calling himself a "Christian" without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd." Although, many of us have read Revelation 3:15-18 (...."I am about to spit you out of my mouth.....") and other verses referenced, was this chapter an eye opener for you? What has God shown you through this chapter?
What is your response to Chan's statements about the state of our hearts when we ask such things as "If I do x, y and z...will I still go to heaven?" On page 86 he writes that the question quickly becomes, "Can I got to heaven without truly and faithfully loving Jesus?" How about his reminder that His grace covers us....His "extravagant grace"?
Did anything pop out at you in his section on "offering leftovers" and how Father measures everything by the way that we love? Respond to this chapter to share what God is revealing to you with the group...whether it has been mentioned in this post or not.
Chan reminds us in ths chapter about the parable of the sower. Where do you feel that you are in this parable? Chan writes more than once, "Do not assume you are on good soil." He then goes on to describe many profiles of lukewarm individuals. What did these profiles and the scriptures that follows them stir in you? Were you able to take a hard honest look at yourself and not focus on those around you? How is God moving in you through the book at this time?
Read more...What did you think about the way Chan describes God's love for us in this chapter? Can you, or could you ever relate to what he wrote between how our relationships with our earthly father impacts the way we view our relationships with our heavenly Father? If so, has that changed and do you remember what brought about that change? Did it seem to be a barrier or did it lay the foundation for a stronger early relationship with the Father---or maybe a little of both in different areas? How did this chapter speak to you directly? What other areas of Chan's writting popped out at you?
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