Daily Devotional Guide

Consider these scripturally probing questions to enrich NEXT Sunday's (2.1.09) message:

                                    The Shack Series (chapters 7):  
                                    Reaching Out & Not Letting Go

Day 1	 Chapter 7 begins showcasing, in Mack's words, "God in relationship."  What were 
some key surprises as you read of the way Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu relate to one another?  
How might the scenerio with the spilled batter play out differently in our kitchens?  Why 
so?  Is there anything about the way God had devotions (p. 107) that may reshape the way 
you might spend a devotional time with God?  Mack calls what he was observing "holy" (p.107).  
What do you think he meant by that?  Is that the same meaning you attribute to 'holy?'      

Day 2	Why do you think Mack could relate more confidently with Jesus than Papa or Sarayu?  
What meaning is given to the names Sarayu and Elousia?  The Bible has many names for God, El 
Shaddai, Elohim, Jehovah, Jehovah Nisi, Adonai, all with their own connotations emphasizing 
a facet of God's character.  Do you think God would find these fictional names appealing?  Do 
you?  Explain.  "The ground of all being" is actually a phrase popularized by a modern theologian 
of great weight, Paul Tillich. Don't worry, I don't think anyone in my seminary classes really 
grasped what it meant either, including me.  According to Matthew 1:21, what does the name Jesus 
mean?  Where do you recognize the orthodox theological view that Jesus was fully human and fully 
divine in this chapter?

Day 3	 On page 110 Jesus is quoted as saying, "I am the best way any human being can relate to 
Papa or Sarayu."  In the context how would you put what is being conveyed in your own words?  Do 
Jesus' words here mirror or depart from the following scriptures (read carefully): John 14:6-10, 
Colossians 1:13-20, Hebrews 1:1-4, Titus 3:4-7?  


Day 4	On page 111 Mack says of Jesus, "Somehow I thought you would be the ideal man, you know, 
athletic and overwhelmingly good looking."  Do you agree that what Jesus is saying about appearances 
in this chapter is true?  Once you get to know someone does their appearance fade in significance?  
Explain.  If the author believes it's true, do you think that portraying God as a beaming black woman 
is really something he intends to make a big deal?  Would how Jesus looks matter to you?  The Bible 
gives us no eye-witness descriptions of the historical Jesus' appearance, but how does The Shack's 
portrayal line up with the prophetic words spoken about the coming Messiah in Isaiah 53:2-3?


Day 5	In the closing scene of chapter 7 we read, "a hand (Jesus') reached out and squeezed his (Mack's), 
and did not let go."  What was Mack's concern when Jesus consoled him in this way?  What parallels do you 
note with the closing scene of the cross in Luke 23:39-43?