Discussion
11-8-24
In the Beginning
Page 14 After all was in place - the earth was prepared to support a variety of complex living creatures each according to their kind. One building block on another - in an orderly progression - and over measured time: The earth was prepared for humanity, and only then did God create a living being as an expression of himself.
What does this intentional preparation say about God's unchanging nature of his purpose? (Review ‘In the Spirit’ page 80)
Page 15 Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
When do you see the image of God reflected in yourself or those around you?
Page 15 God elevated mankind when he breathed the breath of life into Adam and the man became a living being in lieu of a living creature.
Do you believe God’s Breath is hovering in your soul?
Does how we think of God change what God thinks of us?
Is God's image in me limited by my image of him?
If my picture of God is the judgment throne, dose that influence the way I respond to those around me - reflecting my image of God and not his image in me?
If there is more to God than we have seen - is there more of God in us than we have shown?
Page 19 With our first breath, we inherit what Adam received - God’s spirit seeking to guide us - before we learn to seek his guidance. A Methodist might call this Prevenient Grace.
Can you think of a time when you received grace and may not have deserved it?
Page 19 Our jars of clay came from the dust of the ground and will return. In the meantime, we have this treasure of God's all-surpassing power in the temple of our souls. The question has always been what do you want to do with it?
What do you want to do with it?
Page 22 The last building block of creation - the seventh day God blessed and made it holy.
Do you feel like you are living in a blessed and holy time?
How could God bless you that would make you feel more holy?
Page 22 Deuteronomy 30:14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
Is God’s word in your mouth and heart what makes you a Living Being?
Page 22 How we respond to God's word “within us” determines how we interact with the world “around us”.
What other factors influence how we interact with the world around us?
In the Garden
Page 24 The tree of life and the tree of knowledge were totally accessible in the middle of the garden, ripe for the picking. I have to think that at some point God hoped to share fruit from the Tree of Life with mankind.
Does the Tree of Life represent what the Apostle Paul called Fruits of the Spirit?
What else could the Tree of Life represent?
Page 25 Scripture did not say the Tree of Knowledge possessed all knowledge - it said, the knowledge of good and evil.
Did the knowledge of good and evil provide the wisdom Eve desired? (see Gen 3:6 Page 27)
Page 25 Job 32:8 But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
Are understanding and wisdom the same thing?
Page 27 Each of us faces the temptation to accept knowledge as wisdom.
Is there wisdom to be gained from the knowledge of good and evil?
Page 27 The Internet is like taking a bite out of the Apple, opening our eyes to the global actions of others. And like Adam and Eve, we are struggling to define the difference between good and evil. We should guard against using definitions to mold our conscience.
How do you describe the difference between good and evil?
Page 27 The snake questioned Eve’s understanding of God's word - did God really say? We all want to know more about God without him knowing more about us.
Have you ever questioned another's understanding of God's word?
Page 29 This passage sums up the spiritual journey for many of us: God called to the man - he answered I heard you - I was afraid - so I hid.
Has your soul been stirred with compassion and thought to yourself - someone should help?
Are you sometimes reminded of opportunities lost?
Page 33 God said in his heart, that as long as the earth endures, the rhythm of creation will never cease. I assume mankind is included in never again will I destroy all living creatures. We often act more like living creatures instead of living beings.
When do your survival instincts overshadow Kingdom thinking?
In the Camps
Page 37 Matthew 18:18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
What binds you from releasing God's presence on earth?
Page 38 As with Adam in the garden, God asked Noah to be actively and emotionally engaged - from each man I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.
Is this mankind’s foundational relationship with each other?
How are believers accounting for the life of their fellow man?
Page 38 Each time we kill a man made in the image of God or let one die for no damn good reason like the lack of fresh water and food, God's Kingdom on Earth is lessened.
Do you believe that each human houses God's Spirit on earth?
Page 39 Abram was tasked with sharing God's blessings. I consider that a worthy purpose for life.
What would you consider a worthy purpose for your short time on Earth?
Page 40 God has used many people as if it were their destiny. Does that mean they were the only ones who heard the call - or are they the only ones who answered?
Do you find joy when you are the one who answers the call?
Page 42 God asked Abram to go to the land I will show you - I will bless you and you will be a blessing.
Is this mankind’s foundational relationship with God?
Page 46 No discernment in them stems from a listening problem. Discernment is how we balance the reality of good and evil. Something to be sought as the boy Solomon asked of God when he became king Solomon.
How would you describe discernment?
Page 47 1st Corinthians 10:11 These things happen to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
What examples from our spiritual ancestors should become warnings for us?
In the Desert
Page 51 A circumcised heart was not something they could hold in their hands, nor could they see it changing their lives. They saw God's directions as a way to live - not as a way of life.
What comes to mind when you think of a circumcised heart?
Page 52 Deuteronomy 30:14 No, the word is very near you; It is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
Is this what it means to have a circumcised heart?
Page 53 How much more clearly and not in riddles can you expect God to speak? He is literally asking them to choose life - listen to his voice - and hold fast to him.
Is this part of God's unchanging nature of his purpose?
Page 54 Each generation also adds a new layer to observe, as they strive to discern what their end will be.
What is the next generation learning from watching us trying to discern what our end will be?
Page 56 They were caught in the bondage off survival. Their desires seldom included more than water, food, shelter, and safety. It must be difficult to find hope as an anchor for the soul when his kingdom within you is reduced to survival.
Can you think of anyone whose hope has been reduced to survival?
Page 58 The message for their children and future generations seems clear. When you harvest - you share.
Is the practice of sharing our harvest a sign of a healthy society?
Is sharing necessary for the survival of humanity?
Page 59 Deuteronomy 31:21 “… I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.”
Does God know the choices we will make - or simply the tendencies of our hearts - and our choices remain ours?
Page 60 For centuries worshippers had practiced offering to the Lord. By tradition, a blood sacrifice was required for God’s forgiveness.
Does the blood of Jesus satisfy your requirement for God's forgiveness?
Page 62 John 5:39 You diligently study the scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Does your study of scripture guide you to life, or used mostly to justify your actions?
In the Wilderness
Page 64 Remembering did not encourage believers to look or listen for the sound of the Lord.
What encourages you to look or listen for God’s presence?
Page 66 May service to others be how our living faith is recognized.
When do you recognize living faith in yourself or those around you?
Page 66 The Israelites were given rules to direct them without allowing the Spirit in a man to guide them. You cannot legislate morals - morals are reflected in legislation.
How do the thoughts and attitudes of your heart guide your encounters?
Page 72 God has spoken through many voices over several generations guiding worshippers from sacrificial offerings toward worship being a way of life.
Do you view worship as a sacrifice, or a way of life?
Page 73 Our offering to the Lord is allowing the spirit in a man to influence our daily living.
Does Kingdom thinking influence your daily decisions?
Page 74 In the 4th Century AD “Constantine the Great”, formally recognized Christianity as part of the State, defining a believer with the first Nicene Creed in 325AD. Adding layers of definition will inherently separate people.
What definitions of faith do you use to separate believers?
Page 76 I am always amazed at how men try to define God.
How would you define God?
Page 76 The world is due for a revival. As always, it will start in the pews - when Christians treat other Christians like Christians.
What could spark a revival in your faith journey?
Page 77 Today we remember God's presence in our lives just as Abraham did with bread and wine.
What helps you remember God's presence in your life?
Page 78 Is the healing of the nations not enough purpose for us to justify our living?
If that is our purpose, where do we start?
In the Spirit
Page 79 Is loving your neighbor the manifestation of your worship?
How does your worship manifest your faith?
From the Fire
Page 81 Jesus paused for people. Surely, we can give that much to each other.
What makes me hesitate?
Page 82 The question has never been “What would Jesus do?” We know what Jesus did.
What makes me hesitate?
Page 82 We chase after new understandings of the natural world, but we seem hesitant to consider that spiritual understanding, and application, continue to be a generational story.
How am I applying my spiritual understanding to the next generation?
Page 84 We know repentance is good for the soul – but is it also the door to the Kingdom within.
What makes me hesitate?
Page 85 There are occasions I would appreciate hearing the words spoken, “Whatever grievances I'm holding against you I wish to release and move forward”. Or better yet, maybe I could speak those words to another. Forgiveness is not about right and wrong, it is about hurt and healing.
Should I apply forgiveness to myself as well as to others?
Is forgiveness how I release the hurt and move forward?
Is forgiveness what healing grace looks like?
Page 86 Many of us say things we have not always thought through. Maybe that is when we should pause. Jesus did exactly that when an adulteress was brought to him for judgment.
How often do I seek guidance before responding?
Page 87 Matthew 18:18 I tell you the truth, whatever binds you on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Does this tell me God always has my back?
Does this tell me my relationship with God on earth carries forward?
Does this tell me that God's image in me is sanctioned in heaven?
Page 87 If I am to experience Resurrection Life as a New Creation before my ascension, something within me must die to be reborn.
What thoughts and desires need to be reborn?
Page 88 So, I ask myself, what part of me is actively engaged with the needs of those around me? How sad must it get before the love of God compels me to feel pity?
How sad must it get before the love of God compels me to feel pity?
Page 89 For some, seeing God is witnessing believers share righteousness, peace, and joy. Anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?
Is my faith reflecting righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit?
Page 90 Each new covenant introduced a better hope by which we draw near to God. Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Why do I hope to draw near to God?
Page 90 Maybe the greatest gift we can give our children is to die with peace in our souls. If we can find rest in that moment, the next generation may find rest while living.
Will I find rest before I pass?
Page 92 I cannot change past decisions. I am allowing the spirit in a man more influence in my daily living. If I continue that path, I will have done my best - no regrets - God will care for the rest. That is enough for me.
Why do I feel there is more I can do?
Is that feeling the hope that anchors my soul?