Daily Devotional Guide
12.28.08
Consider these scripturally probing questions to enrich NEXT Sunday's (1.4.09) message:

The Shack Series:
Everyone's normal til you get to know them!

Day 1	We'll be reflecting on the first two chapters of book, The Shack, and some scriptures 
that might be helpful in those reflections.  How do you most identify with Mack?  Who do you 
know that is like his wife, Nan, and could just as naturally refer to God as "Papa?"  Are you 
more like Nan or Mack?  What do you think makes people as different as Mack and Nan effective 
friends through life?  

Day 2	Genesis 37-45 tells a story of Joseph, a Biblical character whose life was as full of 
particular peculiarities as Mack's.  Isn't everyone's life full of particular peculiarities - 
isn't that part of the new "normal" once we get to know anyone?  What would you say was Joseph's 
"great sadness?"  In what ways could he have viewed God because of it?  Why do you think so many 
through the ages have found inspiration in Joseph's story?

Day 3	 What do you make of Willie's statement on the top of page 11; "since most of our hurts 
come through relationship, so will our healing?" Jesus was once asked what God cared about most.  
His answer had everything to do with relationships.  You can read it for yourself in Matthew 22:36-39.  
Do you think Jesus would agree with Willie?  Do you?

Day 4	Have you ever had a moment like Mack does at the lake, under the stars, his treasured children
 under each arm realizing "I am a rich man in all the ways that matter" (p.29)?  Describe it.  How would
 you describe the attitude of your heart in those moments?  How is it different from your usual attitude?  
What do you think Mack was getting at on the next page when he notes the worship song of the stars but 
then says "his reluctant heart joined in?"  According to Isaiah 61:1-3, what does God desire to give 
such reluctant hearts?

Day 5	What do you think is so enchanting about the story of the Multnomah Indian Princess in chapter 2?  
Why would it capture a child's imagination?  Why would it scare them? Do you like the way Mack responds 
to his little girl when she asks, "will I ever have to jump off a cliff?" Has the story of Jesus and 
his sacrificial death ever raised similar suspicions for you about God and what He might ask of you? 
Like what? How does Romans 8:31-39 attribute to God a father's heart akin to Mack's?