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?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Posted by Dean Madrigal at 10:30 AM
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3 comments:
Did anyone else feel that chapters 7-12 were a lot to handle? I certainly did but I believe the message in a lot of it is something we definitely need to take second, third and even fourth looks at.
What did you think about the characters used to represent God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Did it make you uncomfortable or was it refreshing?
My favorite part so far has been when Mack went on a gardening adventure with Sarayu. When they were digging up the garden that first was so intricate and beautiful, I was confused. However, I soon learned that it represented how beautiful we are as God's creation. However, throughout our lives we are "dug up" only for God to rebuild and regrow our lives one step at a time. What were your favorite parts?
I think that suffering can either bring someone closer to God, but I have seen many cases where it pushes people farther away. In Mack's case, he struggled with his relationship with God because of all the suffering that he went through as a child and because of what happened to his little girl Missy. I know within my own life, I would distance myself from God, because I would always be asking the question "Why did this happen?" or feeling as if God couldn't be trusted. Has anyone else felt the same way?
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