Consider these scripturally probing questions to enrich NEXT Saturday's and Sunday's (3.28.09 and 3.29.09) message:

                                          Healing Choices
                                 The Shack Series - Chapters 16-17
 
Day 1           On page 223 Papa describes the hike of chapter 16 as "a healing trail" not just for 
Mack but also for others' sake. What signs of healing are already apparent in Mack as you read 
chapter 16 to this point? What do you imagine Nan and Katie would find healing form Mack's 
experience so far? Healing trails can be cut short because we get "healed enough" for our own 
comfort or satisfaction and decide that further work is not worth the returns. But often that 
conclusion ignores the ripple affects and weighs only oneself as a beneficiary. Who else night 
be cheated if you went no further on the healing trail you're hiking with God? Do you often claim 
them as the inspiration they could be for you to finish strong? Identify who is finishing strong 
and for whose sake he is doing it in Philippians 2:14-17.

Day 2         On page 222 who does Mackenzie discover he does now trust? What key role 
would you say that plays in taking the step to forgive Missy's killer? What would you say are the 
key moments of counsel Papa gives Mack in this conversation that enable him to forgive? 
Where do you think Mack came closest to giving up? What words of counsel do you read in this 
chapter that are of most help to you when you are tempted to withhold forgiveness? What is the 
significance of the words Mack mutters as chapter 16 closes?

Day 3         As you read chapter 17, what do you think is communicated in the detail work of 
Jesus' weekend wood project? Where do they lay Missy's body to rest and what is the 
significance of that for Mack? What phrase do you find most captivating about Missy's song? 
Explain. What meaning do you suppose the "tree of life growing in the garden of Mack's heart" 
conveys (p. 234)? How would it transform our own experiences with grief to consider God this 
attentive and present in the process with us? How do you suppose many imagine it otherwise?

Day 4        What is the choice presented to Mack on pp. 234-235? Do you agree with his 
choice? Would you make the same choice? Would Paul (see Philippians 1:21-26)? What 
purpose may have been served by offering this as a conscious and fully intentional choice to 
Mack? What in this world do you see as more important because of the reality of eternity with 
God?

Day 5       Mack is also given a choice of treasures. Jesus (p. 236) offers him the little tin box 
containing the earthly keepsakes of his life, diminished by the passing of years - but still 
sentimental treasures. How do you make sense of Mack's response? How is it akin to Paul's 
response(Philippians 3:7-12)? What would be in your tin box? I think we most often read the 
choice of Matthew 6:19-21 as difficult and sacrificial. In this chapter that choice seems healing 
and very wise. Do you agree? How does this inform your choice of what you truly treasure?