Consider these scripturally probing questions to enrich NEXT Saturday?s and Sunday?s 
(3.21.09 and 3.22.09

                                           New Freedoms
                               The Shack Series chapters 14 and 15


Day 1          As you read in chapter 14,underline the evidences of new freedoms Mack is
discovering as a result of his new trust in God. As Mack lets the wall he had erected between
him and God crumble, what othat good things does he now seem to receive that before he was
shutting out? Sarayu explains that Mack is free from the tyranny of his own emotions and the
rigidity of rules to the guidance that emerges from "learning to hear my thoughts in yours" (p.
195). Later she says "my ability to communicate is limitless...and will always be turned to Papa's
goodness and love" (p. 198). Does that sound consistent with John 10:27, 14:21, and 16:13- 
15? Describe in your own words the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Day 2         Reference the second full paragraph page 198. Why is simply living by rules and 
scriptural principles insufficient? Is that what Jesus was saying in John 5:39-40? On page 202
the purpose of the Ten Commandments is refuted as a guide to become self righteous on your
own. What was the purpose of the famous ten according to The Shack? Is that consistent with
Paul's statement of the purpose of the Old testament Law in Galatians 3:21-26 and Romans
8:2-4? Sarayu says we choose rules over relationship with God for the sake of 1) a false sense
of personal control or superiority, 2) to have the power to accuse (control) others, and 3) to
attempt to rule out uncertainty. Can you relate?

Day 3         How do you understand the difference between what The Shack calls living with 
expectancy versus living with expectations? Paul wrote (Galatians 5:25), "If we live by the Spirit,
let us also walk by the Spirit/" Are these sayings not getting at the same idea? How do you
sometimes neglect to "walk by the Spirit?"

Day 4        In the following chapter (16) the author describes the events of the next chapter
(15) with these words: "Forgiving your dad yesterday, was a significant part of your being able
to know me as Father today." The root work of "salvation" (sozo) is "to make whole." What got
healed in this vision for Mack? What effect an the lope of that wholeness hve on believers
now according to 1 John 3:2-3? Could this chapter be less about who gets to heaven (i.e. what
Mack's Dad doing there?) and more about how trusting in the fullness of God's salvation,
however he works it out, can be healing right now? What "unreasolevable" relationship have you
yet to trust to God for your healing?

Day 5       Imagine participating in the scene that starts unfolding on the bottom of p.216.
Read the paragraph slowly in which Jesus invites you along with the others saying. "come!" Is
this like Matthew 11:28-30? The good news is that you are not awaiting this invitation. The One
who's already given his invitation is awaiting you. Why not respond right now?