1. Listen to the Podcast
2. Questions for 9/30/2018
Emotional Healthy Spirituality: Knowing Ourselves that We Might Know God
1. Who am I?: Augustine asked, “How can you draw close to God when you are far from your own self?” What does his question mean? What is it teaching? How can you be ‘far from yourself’? How would this attitude inhibit your approach to God?
2. A “Feeling” Workout: The premise of chapter 2 is that God speaks to us through our emotions. God uses our anger, fear, and sadness to direct our attention to areas in our life which need healing. Is it right or even safe to use our feelings as a gauge to discerning God’s will? Rehearse a difficult situation from this last week: “In situation X, I felt Y.” Why did I react that way? Was this right? Does this line up with God’s truth?
3. David’s Battle(s): David didn’t just battle a nine foot Philistine in 1 Samuel 17. He faced a barrage of belittling voices tempting him to doubt the promises of God (vv. 26, 45). How did the voices of David’s brothers (v. 28), Saul (vv. 33, 38), and Goliath (vv. 41-45) seek to defeat him before he even began to fight? What are the voices saying which seek to defeat you? Are you wearing armor that doesn’t fit? Who told you to put it on?
4. Your True Self: Peter Scazzero wrote that “the greatest gift we can give the world is our true self living in loving union with God.” However, we often withhold this gift by suppressing our true self and hiding behind a mask. In what situations do you find it difficult to be your true self (to speak honestly, not wear a mask, not be afraid of what others think)? What might these situations teach you about the composition of your iceberg and where you still need to surrender wholly to God?
