Summer Siesta Gathering III

Beth has four discussion questions for our third gathering. The first two are from Week 3.

1. On p.62, Kelly quoted Michael Wells: “Satan will tell us what’s true, but he never tells us the truth.” Let’s have some examples of that.

How has Satan ever told you something that was true but wasn’t the truth?

2. Kelly’s discussion about King Hezekiah and the attack on his faith on p.66 reminded me of a quote that I’d recently seen in the devotional classic, Streams in the Desert. “Genuine faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go. Distrust, however, holds on to a corner of the envelope and then wonders why the answer never arrives.” (p.168)

What envelope have you been most prone to hold the edge of?

The last two are based on Week 4.

3. Reread the first couple of paragraphs from Kelly’s intro to Week Four on p.76 concerning people-gods. Then, look up Phil. 1:9-10 and read it.

How can these two Scriptures become a huge help to us in finding the balance between loving people and idolizing them?

Beth says on her blog, "This came after I did the video: We did something in our small group that I found very encouraging. We shared some examples from our personal lives of idolatrous relationships that, with God’s intervention, actually transitioned into healthy relationships. These transitions are often rare because the relationship was fed by the idolatry and often can’t exist without it."

Have any of you experienced one of those wonderful occasions when a relationship endured that positive transition? If so, share it!

4. Lastly, review p.87 and reflect on the whole Leah and Rachel madness. Reread the bold-print section at the top of the page.

What are a few costs of desperation that you yourself have paid? And what is the solution?

Session 4: The Problem with Idols

Days 1-5
GOD Wasn't Their Ultimate Thing. . .

Why has this week's lesson been the most difficult for me to get through? Perhaps because it hits a little too close to home for my own comfort? But, I am working through it and hope you have been patient with me.

The Discussion questions for this week are not my own – I've pulled them out of the back of the book in the Leader's Guide because I didn't want my personal struggles with this week to interfere with posing the driving questions that needed to be asked and discussed. So, here they are. . . choose the ones that impact you the most when sharing.

• Have you ever created scenarios in your head that allowed you to believe lies about yourself? If so, what lies do you believe because of this inclination?

• Why do you think GOD often tells us what to do and then shows us why? Where do you see examples of this in the Bible? in your life?

• Did you answer yes or no to the following question from page 81 – "...are the cravings that often cause us pain or get us into trouble necessarily desires for wrong or evil things? Share examples to explain your answer.

• After reviewing the question and last two paragraphs on page 83, how do you feel about James' use of the word "adulteress" in this passage?

• If you feel comfortable, share responses to the writing prompt on the bottom of page 84 that challenges, "write about an area of your life where you have been double-minded."

• In regards to the names of Leah's children, what do you think of the meaning of Judah's name? Keep in mind that Jesus is from the line of Judah. Based on what you know of the rest of the story, do you think Leah was truly healed and rid of her idol when she had Judah?

• As you are willing, discuss your response to the prompt from page 87 that reads, "Write about a time where you were willing to give yourself to someone for merely crumbs in return."

• Share your response to the question posed on page 89: "Describe a time when you finally got the very thing/person you had longed for and it didn't make you as happy as you thought it would."

• On page 93 your read, "People will do far crazier things when something threatens their ultimate thing." Can you think of examples from the Bible or from current news?

• From day five, discuss what you found insightful from each reading of Colossians 3:1-17. Discuss what stands out to you from each translation and what new insights God has given you.