Consider these scripturally probing questions to enrich NEXT Sunday's 
3.8.09 

Living Loved...with Papa
The shack Series - Chapter 13

Day 1          In chapter 13 MACK HAS A POST-Sophia, un-shack-eled, visit with Papa.  In
General, do you notice any changes in the way Mack relates to Papa now that the weight
Of the great Sadness has Lifted?  How has Mack?s ?good cop/bad cop? assumptions (p.186)
About Jesus and Papa changed?  What point does Paul make assuming the unified intent of
Jesus and Father god in Romans 8:31-39?  Do you rob yourself of the deep assurance of God's
Love for you due to a suspicion that it is still conditional in some way?  Explain. 

Day 2         On pAGE 187 their conversation turns to hiding inside lies.  What would you say
were some of the lies Mack had been hiding inside?  Think of the last time you really yielded
to temptation.  what lies did you tell yourself to make it easier?  What attitude does Papa 
portray when responding;  "Honey, you're a survivor.  No shame in that."  What does she mean by
it?  What similar empathies do you hear in Romans 7:17 - 8:1

Day 3         How did Mack's fears contribute to his choice to keep the invitation to the Shack 
from Nan?  Why does Papa reject Mack's justification of how he handled things with Nan?  What 
secrets has you withheld even from those who love you most with the same sor of justifications?  
How would you describe your progress as a truth-teller as a described in the top paragraphs of page 
189?  Can you recall a time you took a big step forward in this regard?  What happened?  Was it a 
season when your faith grew?  Explain.  Does the Bible describe this kind opf communication as the 
common currency of true Christian fellowship  (see Ephesians 4:15 & 25 and 1 John 1:15-10)?  What do
you think happens to authentic Christian fellowship when it becomes unsafe to talk this honestly?

Day 4        On page 190 what answer (and it's been a recurring one in the book) is given to the question:
"Why do You not stop every evil?"  Is that answer consistent with the meaning of Jesus' parable of the 
wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30)?  Tares are a weed that are difficult to tell from what in the 
finest detail until the season of harvest.

Day 5        On page 192 Papa describes the work of reconciliation with Papa done by Christ's death
on the cross as a "two-way street."  Is that consistent with the Biblical concept of reconciliation with 
god described in 2 Corinthisans 5:14 - 6:2?  According to this Bible passage, what does God do in 
reconciliation?  What do we do?  Would you describe the state of your relationship with God as one-way or 
two-way?  What would you say is your next step in bringing your relationship to god up to date?