Redeeming Love Discussion Questions

1. Which character in the book do you identify the most with and why?
2. What insights did you have about the love of God upon reading the book?
3. Did any part of this story incite anger in you? If so which part and why?
4. To whom or what do you run when you feel rejected or betrayed?
5. Did any part of this story incite gratitude in you? If so which part and why?

"The Lies We Believe" Questions Chapters 1-6

1. Why do you think we tend to believe the most negative things?
2. Are there any lies in these first 6 chapters that you personally have believed? Which ones?
3. What are some other things you believe that you now find yourself questioning the validity of, after reading these chapters?
4. What do you think about the "ABC Model?"
5. Out of these chapters which lie that people believe did you find most fascinating and why?

Questions Chapters 13-18
1. How did reading this book affect your faith? Does it change, challenge, strengthen your image of God?
2. Does the book's ultimate message satisfy you? Is it possible to let go of control and certainty in life?
3. Did The Shack change any of your opinions about God or Christianity?
4. What were some of the things The Shack teaches about God, faith and life that you disagreed with?

Questions Chapters 7-12
1. In chapter 11 Mack meets Sophia (wisdom) and is asked to judge. He is told to choose two of his kids for heaven and three for hell. Mack says he can't do it, he will only love them. Then he says he will go in their place. Sophia then says, "That is how Jesus loves." Did this section help you to understand God's love for the world? How so? How does this help you think about Jesus?

2. Do you think suffering makes people closer to God or causes them to distance themselves from Him? What has been the pattern in your life?

3. Were you satisfied with God's answers to Mack about suffering? Do you struggle with believing God is good in light of all the tragedy in the world?

4. Which of God's interactions with Mack in these chapters spoke to you the most and why?

5. Page 130 reads, "To force my will on you," Jesus replied, "is exactly what love does not do."
Have you ever wished that God would take charge and make you do the things He wants? Why do you believe He does not do so?

Questions Chapter 1-6
1. Does the idea of God a character in the book, or God's first-person voice, bother you? Why or why not?

2. Why is God portrayed as a woman, what reasons does God give Mack?

3. Why do you think Mack's encounter with God took place at the shack? If God were to invite you somewhere, where would it be? (In other words, where is the center of your doubt and pain)?

4. How is Young's description of God different from your concept of God? What parts of his description did you like and what parts didn't you like?

5. How do you reconcile a loving God in a world full of evil, like that which happened to Missy?