Discussion guide questions:
- What are some of the storms of your life? Is it raining now?
- Do you think God intentionally puts us through trials? Isn't there an easier way for us to learn?
Rob Bell said, "God says to us, 'When you come to me, come to me with all of your junk, your problems, come to me all screwed up, all messed up. Let me take care of it.' "
- What does your junk look like? Is it stopping you from crying out to God?
- Do you have anyone in your life who you would do anything for?
- Do you think that's how God feels about you?
When you're going through really hard times, do you still trust that God knows the way and you're going to make it?
There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way until you reached this place. - Deuteronomy 1:31 (NIV)
Action items for this week:
- Turn some of your "junk" that you might have been holding on to over to God.
- Can you remember a time when God got you safely through a stormy time?
- Share the sunny walks with God, too.
Video note: the filming of this first Nooma began on September 11, 2001.
3 comments:
Thinking of God carrying us as a father carries his child- up close and tight through the heaviest of storms was a great image for me.
I also really liked the question, "Is there any better way for us to learn" when we were talking about hard times, "rain".
This was forwarded to me by one of my sisters-in-law. I thought it was appropriate to share in conjunction with our discussion about why bad things happen to good people, does God punish us, etc. I apologize for all the >>>...I don't have time to remove them!!
> >> "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began,> >> "I'll open up your heart..."> >>> >>> >> "You'll find Jesus there," the boy> >> interrupted.> >>> >>> >> the surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll> >> cut your heart open," he continued,> >> to see how much damage has been> >> done..."> >>> >>> >> "but when you open up my heart, you'll> >> find Jesus in there," said the boy.> >>> >>> >> The surgeon looked to the parents, who> >> Sat quietly. "When I see how much> >> damage has been done, I'll sew your> >> heart and chest back up, and I'll plan> >> what to do next."> >>> >>> >> "But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The> >> Bible says He lives there. The> >> hymns all say He lives there. You'll> >> find Him in my heart."> >>> >> The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell> >> you what I'll find in your heart.> >> I'll find damaged muscle, low blood> >> supply, and weakened vessels.> >> And I'll find out if I can make you well."> >>> >> "You'll find Jesus there too. He lives> >> there."> >>> >> The surgeon left.> >>> >> The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the> >> surgery,> >> "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle> >> degeneration.> >> No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy:> >> painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:> >> here he paused, "death within one year."> >>> >>> >> He stopped the recorder, but there was> >> more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud.> >> "Why did You do this? You've put> >> him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an> >> early death. Why?"> >>> >> The Lord answered and said, "The boy,> >> my lamb, was not meant for your> >> flock for long, for he is a part of My> >> flock, and will forever be.> >> Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as> >> you> >> cannot imagine.> >>> >> His parents will one day join him here,> >> and they will know peace, and> >> My flock will continue to grow."> >>> >> The surgeon's tears were hot, but his> >> anger was hotter. "You created that> >> boy, and You created that heart. He'll> >> be dead in months. Why?"> >>> >> The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb,> >> shall return to My flock, for He has> >> done his duty: I did not put My lamb> >> with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."> >> The surgeon wept...> >> The surgeon sat> >> beside the boy's bed; the boy's> >> parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you> >> cut> >> open> >> my heart?"> >>> >> "Yes," said the surgeon.> >> "What did you find?" asked the boy.> >>> >> "I found Jesus there," said the> >> surgeon.> >>> >> Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2007
Jackie,
That was beautiful.
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