Our book study over Just Do Something will continue as we discuss Chapter 4.

To participate in discussion you must have read these chapters and answered the questions before coming. Here is a PDF of the Study Guide we made if you need another copy of the questions. Just this week’s questions are also posted below.

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Week 4

Chapter Four, Our Magic 8-Ball God

Pages 43-54.

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“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 ESV

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”” James 4:13–15 ESV
Viewing the will of God like a maze, or bull’s-eye or Magic 8 Ball is dishonoring to Christ. (p 43) Why?

Have ever used spiritual feelings for not telling someone how you feel? Do you think the girl saying the Holy Spirit said no to them dating was wrong?

List the 5 problems to the conventional approach to discovering God’s will:

1.

What does he mean when he says, “God doesn’t care where you go to school or where you live or what job you take?” (p 44)

Finish this sentence: “I should spend less time…

And this one: “I should spend more time…

What is most important to God? (p 44)

How can that become more important to you too? (Read Bible more, pray more, doing good, loving others)

What do you want to be when you grow up?

How can you use “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (Michah 6:8) in that profession?

2.

3.

Define “anxious” according to page 47.

“We risk because God does not risk” (p 48) What does this even mean?

4.

Does Scripture command us to find God’s will for life’s choices?

Then what does God’s Word command of us?

5.

“How do you know when an open door is the Lord’s open door or the devil tempting you?”  (p 52)

“How do you know when a closed door is the Lord’s answer to your prayer or the Lord testing your steadfastness and resolve?” (p 52)

“Why did the Lord give us brains and say so much about gaining wisdom if all we are supposed to do is call on the Lord to tell us what to do in a thousand different non-moral decisions?” (p 53)

Does “bad” not also come from the hand of God? (Job ??)

What’s wrong with telling our Christians friends that we made a decision because “God told me to do this” or “It’s God’s will”?

Have you ever been angry with God because He did not tell you His plan? Have you ever been frustrated that God does not make clear his will of direction? If so, when?

Must you be at peace about a decision to be sure it is the right decision?

June 29th: No Summer Gathering due to Oasis Mission Trip, Feel free to draw a picture of an animal that does not exist.

Our book study over Just Do Something will continue as we discuss Chapter 3.

To participate in discussion you must have read these chapters and answered the questions before coming. Here is a PDF of the Study Guide we made if you need another copy of the questions. Just this week’s questions are also posted below.

Our book study over Just Do Something will continue as we discuss Chapters 1 & 2.

To participate in discussion you must have read these chapters and answered the questions before coming. Here is a PDF of the Study Guide we made if you need another copy of the questions. Just this week’s questions are also posted below.

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June 8th 2011 Week 2

Read: Chapter One, The Long Ride to Nowhere

Read: Chapter Two, The Will of God in Christianese Pages 9-26. ******************************************************************

“I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’ ” – Isaiah 46:9–10 (An example of God’s will of decree)

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15 (An example of God’s will of desire)

God’s will of decree means “God always gets His way.” Nothing can stop Him from accomplishing His will. What does that tell you about the nature and qualities of the God of heaven and earth?

In your opinion, is there only one person in the world that you should marry to be in the will of God?

DeYoung says, “We’re not consistent. We’re not stable. We don’t stick with anything. We aren’t sure we are making the right decisions.” (p 12) Do you think you are usually unable to make decisions or that you are unsure of the decisions you do make? If so, why?

4How many times have you had a “great idea” and not stuck with it for longer than 2 weeks? Why don’t we stick to things?

As you begin reading this book, do you believe God has a specific plan for your life? (Be honest in your answer.)Why or why not?

DeYoung said, “I’d like us to consider that maybe we have difficulty discovering God’s wonderful plan for our lives because, if the truth be told, He doesn’t really intend to tell us what it is. And maybe we’re wrong to expect Him to.” (page [location 130]) Does the idea that God may not reveal what you should do in every detail worry you, bother you?

List three three toughest decisions you expect to make in the next four years.

1.

2.

3.

Answer these quickly

a. What should I do this summer?

b. What should my major in college be?

5

c. What career do I want to pursue? d. Should I get married? e. Do I want kids? f. How many kids?

g. What extra curriculars should I do? h. Where should I go to college? i. Should I be a missionary? j. Should I pursue full time vocational ministry? k. How do I know if I should date someone?

Why does DeYoung think we have trouble making decisions? (p 14) 1.

2. Do you agree? Why or why not?

In your own words define God’s: a. Will of Degree:

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b. Will of Desire:

Is 1 John 2:15 – 17 an example of God’s will of

 Degree or  Desire

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15–17 ESV

How about Isaiah 46:9-10?  Degree or  Desire

“remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’” Isaiah 46:9–10 ESV

Can God’s will of degree be prevented?

Can God’s will of desire be disobeyed?

7

Underline where you see the will of desire in this verse. Circle the where you see the will of degree.

““The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV

Read the quote on p 25 to 26 and let that stress you out. Now know that’s not right thinking. Stop stressing now.

DeYoung says, “Stop thinking of God’s will like a corn maze or a tightrope, or a bull’s-eye.” What in the world does he mean by that?

So…Does God have a specific plan for your life?

And…Must God reveal that plan to you?

What is your part in determining it? (last paragraph p 26)

The winner is…. New Pretzel M&Ms!