Chapter 10 Surrendering Your Daily Life To God

1. Does Surrendering to God frighten or excite you?

2. How do you feel about this general concept? God owns all creation, including you and me. Our lives are simply on loan to us. We are stewards of what is on loan to us.

3. Describe some modern day idols that seem alluring to you. (Idols include anything that takes a higher priority than God in your life - anything you hold tightly in your fist.)
What are some ways to overcome such idolatry?

4. Read the story of the angel Gabriel's visit with Mary in Luke 1:26-38 (see page 179) Discuss any insights and applications about surrender that you gain from this scripture passage.

5. Why do you think it is important to surrender what you dream of doing for God?

6. How does the spiritual practice of surrender prepare you for your future assignments from God?

7. In what way is waving a white flag of surrender to God a victory?

8. When did you first realize that surrender was a distinct, tangible, assigned purpose for today? What impact does that realization have on you?

9. Talk about a time when you or someone you know surrendered something to God and then had the Magnificent Counselor guide his or her next steps.

10. Would you still love God and follow him if he actually took everything that you surrendered to him?

11. Which of the following action steps would you like to take this week (pages 175-177)? Why?

• Seek the truth
• Do your footwork and homework
• Count the cost
• Think with the mind of Christ
• Publicly give up control of your will
• Prayerfully begin
• Take a "one-day surrender challenge"

Chapter 9 Expect The Desires of Your Heart

We are going to try something different for the last few chapters. I am going to post the questions from the group discussion guide for everyone to ponder and comment on. We are hopeful this will make it easier for everyone to comment and feel a part of the conversation. It seems like is always easier to answer a question atleast for me :-)

1. What is your understanding of the meaning of Psalm 37:4? Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Read the context of David's' words in Psalm 37: 1-6.

2. In what way do you struggle with any of these feelings?

• I don't deserve to receive the extravagant reward of living passionately.
• Passions are one of Satan's traps to coach me into wanting secular rewards.

3. What is your overarching view of God: Intimidating ruler of the universe? Righteous judge?Powerful king? Abba/Pappa? Other? How does your view of God help of hinder your ability to live with healthy passions?

4. What response would you give to someone who asked you these questions:

• Why would God allow me, a serious sinner, to do what I love doing?
• What if God doesn't approve of my deepest, healthy desires?

5. How do healthy passions help protect you against addictions?

6. What do you believe is the connection between a woman's healthy passions and God's purposes in her life? Discuss on of your passions and any connections you see to God's purposes for you.

7. Which of the following action steps would you like to take this week (pages 158-160)? Why?

• Use some basic hints from chapter nine to get started
• Guard against jealousy of others
• Daydream
• Go for it - experiment