Consider these scripturally probing questions to enrich NEXT Sunday’s (3.1.09) message:


The Shack Series (chapters 11):  

The Showdown: Sophia vs. The Great Sadness

Day 1         In chapter 11, Mack confronts the core of his great sadness in an encounter with Sophia 
(which is Greek for "wisdom"). The Gnostics (ancient philosophers considered heretical by the church) 
worshiped Sophia and taught salvation as radical escapism from the material (evil) world to the spiritual 
(good) by a secret knowledge possessed as an inward mystical illumination, a "spark" in the soul which 
could be nurtured by knowledge unto salvation. Any "sparky" elements in this chapter? The Bible tends 
to speak of wisdom not as a god but as being with God and given from God (James 1:5). The book of 
Proverbs is classified by Biblical scholars as "wisdom literature" with insights for effective living from the 
practical to the profound. Compare the depiction of wisdom in Proverbs 4:1-9 and that in The Shack. Is 
the Shack promoting gnosticism? Explain.

Day 2         Literally, why is Sophia a better choice than Papa, Jesus or Sarayu for working through the 
judgement in this chapter? Who is the judge? Who is on trial? For what does Mack blame God 
(make a list)? Do you agree with Sophia that "this is what fuels the Great Sadness" (p. 161)? Where in 
your own experience have you thought that God failed you (make a list)? Are you stuck there like Mack? 
Where would you say in Chapter 10, Mack finds a release from the Great Sadness? What prompted that
 turning point?

Day 3         "What misjudgment of the Father (p. 162) is revealed as Mack is challenged to be judge of 
which of his children  must go to hell? What makes it difficult for Mack to judge his own children to hell?
 How does he propose to resolve the delimma? How did God similarly resolve it? How does John 3:16-21 
connect the ideas of God's love and judgment? Why does "the judgment continue" (p. 164) even after 
Mack's revelation of God's love? Maybe it's not in general, but in the specific and personal wounds that 
we get stuck judging God. How does the book's argument that God allows things He does not necessarily 
desire, help with that impasse? How does the rejection of evil as only a fanciful force in life confuse it? Can 
you "embrace his love in the midst of your pain" (p. 165)? Explain. 

Day 4         What do you suppose i the veil that separates Mack from Missy on page 166? Could it be death?
 Could it be a place of crossing into the kingdom of God? In what ways could this scene be akin to the 
veil-scene in Matthew 27:51?

Day 5         Mack is granted a glimpse of the redemptive glories of heaven. What effect does that have on 
him? How does Philippians 3:20-21 confirm the promises inferred about heaven? What do you suppose is
 meant by Sophia's words to Mack (p. 169) "judgement is not about destruction but about setting things 
right?" How would this help Mack?