The assignment for our next class on Dec. 7 is to read pages 155 to 171 in Chapter 9 and finish through day three of Lesson 9.
December 1, 2008
Assignment for Dec. 7
The assignment for our next class on Dec. 7 is to read pages 155 to 171 in Chapter 9 and finish through day three of Lesson 9.
November 18, 2008
Assignment for Nov. 23
This week's assignment is read as much of Chapter 8 as you can, and finish Day 1 through 3 of Lesson 8.
November 3, 2008
October 29, 2008
Assignment for Nov. 2
Sorry for the delay in this folks! During your review of chapters 4 thru 6, please take some time to ponder the questions below, and bring your answers to class with you on Sunday.
Assignment for Nov. 2
Chapter 4 - Magnifying Christ Through Pain and Death
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 4, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Chapter 4 talks about paradoxes. On page 63 Piper writes that making much of Christ is both a consequence and a means of making much of him. On page 64 he says that if we know how to die well, we will know how to live well, and on page 65 he says being shamed for Christ brings honor to Christ. How can being shamed bring honor to Christ?
Question 3. In the light of this, do you agree that being shamed brings honor to Christ? Are you willing to be shamed for Christ, or have you been shamed for Christ?
Chapter 5 - Risk is Right
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 5, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Please look up and read Isaiah 41:23, 42:8-9, 44:6-8, 45:21, 46:8-11, 48:3 (we read these one day in class, but ran out of time to discuss them). My study Bible notes call these chapters, "the book of comfort," where God is describing the restoration of Israel after Babylonian rule. Piper mentions these passages on page 80, where he says there would be no risk without ignorance. In light of these verses, if God knows the outcome of our risky lives, does this change or influence your thoughts about risk? Can God take a risk? Write down some of your thoughts about this.
Question 3. On page 89 of the book, Piper writes: "Risk is right. And the reason is not because God promises success to all our ventures in his cause. There is no promise that every effort for the cause of God will succeed, at least not in the short run." Does this mean that God asks us to serve causes and missions that might end in failure?
Question 4. Write down an example of a person from the Bible who risked something for God and experienced failure.
Question 5. Is it possible to be "more than a conqueror" over failure?
Chapter 6 - The Goal of Life
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 6, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Piper writes on page 101 that the goal of forgiveness is "infinite joy in his fellowship." When you forgive others, or ask for forgiveness yourself, what are you hoping for as a result of forgiveness?
Question 3. Read "Making Others Glad In God is a Massive Thing" on page 104-105. What are the six components to gladness in God? Do you see yourself striving for gladness in God? Are (or were) these six components present in your life?
Assignment for Nov. 2
Chapter 4 - Magnifying Christ Through Pain and Death
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 4, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Chapter 4 talks about paradoxes. On page 63 Piper writes that making much of Christ is both a consequence and a means of making much of him. On page 64 he says that if we know how to die well, we will know how to live well, and on page 65 he says being shamed for Christ brings honor to Christ. How can being shamed bring honor to Christ?
Question 3. In the light of this, do you agree that being shamed brings honor to Christ? Are you willing to be shamed for Christ, or have you been shamed for Christ?
Chapter 5 - Risk is Right
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 5, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Please look up and read Isaiah 41:23, 42:8-9, 44:6-8, 45:21, 46:8-11, 48:3 (we read these one day in class, but ran out of time to discuss them). My study Bible notes call these chapters, "the book of comfort," where God is describing the restoration of Israel after Babylonian rule. Piper mentions these passages on page 80, where he says there would be no risk without ignorance. In light of these verses, if God knows the outcome of our risky lives, does this change or influence your thoughts about risk? Can God take a risk? Write down some of your thoughts about this.
Question 3. On page 89 of the book, Piper writes: "Risk is right. And the reason is not because God promises success to all our ventures in his cause. There is no promise that every effort for the cause of God will succeed, at least not in the short run." Does this mean that God asks us to serve causes and missions that might end in failure?
Question 4. Write down an example of a person from the Bible who risked something for God and experienced failure.
Question 5. Is it possible to be "more than a conqueror" over failure?
Chapter 6 - The Goal of Life
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 6, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Piper writes on page 101 that the goal of forgiveness is "infinite joy in his fellowship." When you forgive others, or ask for forgiveness yourself, what are you hoping for as a result of forgiveness?
Question 3. Read "Making Others Glad In God is a Massive Thing" on page 104-105. What are the six components to gladness in God? Do you see yourself striving for gladness in God? Are (or were) these six components present in your life?
October 27, 2008
Assignment for this week.
Another recap week is upon us, so take time this week to review Chapters 4-6, read the parts you might have missed or skimmed. I will post some questions tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!
October 23, 2008
DWYL Blog: Virtue Requires Courage and Risk
One of the staff members at Desiring God Ministries has written a blog post regarding some of the things we've been reading and talking about lately.
Click here to read the blog post.
Click here to read the blog post.
Scripture in Chapter 6
Scripture links from Chapter 6 are below. www.BibleGateway.com is our source.
Page 100 - Ephesians 4
Page 101 - Micah 6
Page 102 - Ephesians 2
Page 103 - Galatians 5, 1 Thess. 1, Romans 15, 2 Corinthians 1, 2, 4, 8; Philippians 1, John 15, 16
Page 104 - 2 Tim. 1, Romans 3, John 3, 1 Peter 1, 2 Tim. 2, Acts 3, Philippians 3, Romans 6, 8; Acts 20, Acts 3 again, Romans 8 again
Page 100 - Ephesians 4
Page 101 - Micah 6
Page 102 - Ephesians 2
Page 103 - Galatians 5, 1 Thess. 1, Romans 15, 2 Corinthians 1, 2, 4, 8; Philippians 1, John 15, 16
Page 104 - 2 Tim. 1, Romans 3, John 3, 1 Peter 1, 2 Tim. 2, Acts 3, Philippians 3, Romans 6, 8; Acts 20, Acts 3 again, Romans 8 again
October 19, 2008
October 17, 2008
To live is Christ...even during risk and loss?
This week's chapter and last week's chapter really go hand-in-hand. Suffering (Chapter 4) and risk (Chapter 5) are universal experiences for human beings.
You might be familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, a psychological theory that attempts to describe human motivation and is often visually depicted as the pyramid below:
The basic premise (in my amateur understanding of it) is that for us to be at peak psychological health and reach our full potential our needs must be met on each level of the pyramid. Basic needs (the bottom level of the pyramid) must be met first before the more complex ("higher") needs can be met. When we have all our needs met we are at the top functional level. When our needs aren't met, the theory suggests that we will be incomplete.
I decided to put Christ in this pyramid. Where does he come in in regard to human needs?
Suffering assumes that a need in our lives isn't being met, and we experience physical and psychological consequences as a result.
Acknowledging that this is true, "To live is Christ" means Christ must exist as a need at every level of the pyramid. For our basic needs, Christ is there. For issues of safety and security, we depend on Christ. In regard to love, we consider Christ the source of love and tenderness. In terms of respect and self-esteem, our knowledge that we are heirs to God's kingdom should give us great purpose in life. In regard to morality, creativity, wisdom and intellect, we look to Christ and the Bible to supply those needs, and to be our ultimate authority in issues of wisdom and morality.
You might be familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, a psychological theory that attempts to describe human motivation and is often visually depicted as the pyramid below:
The basic premise (in my amateur understanding of it) is that for us to be at peak psychological health and reach our full potential our needs must be met on each level of the pyramid. Basic needs (the bottom level of the pyramid) must be met first before the more complex ("higher") needs can be met. When we have all our needs met we are at the top functional level. When our needs aren't met, the theory suggests that we will be incomplete.
I decided to put Christ in this pyramid. Where does he come in in regard to human needs?
Suffering assumes that a need in our lives isn't being met, and we experience physical and psychological consequences as a result.
Acknowledging that this is true, "To live is Christ" means Christ must exist as a need at every level of the pyramid. For our basic needs, Christ is there. For issues of safety and security, we depend on Christ. In regard to love, we consider Christ the source of love and tenderness. In terms of respect and self-esteem, our knowledge that we are heirs to God's kingdom should give us great purpose in life. In regard to morality, creativity, wisdom and intellect, we look to Christ and the Bible to supply those needs, and to be our ultimate authority in issues of wisdom and morality.
October 15, 2008
Scripture in Chapter 5
Lots of scripture referenced in Chapter 5. They are below so you can read passages in context, thanks to www.Biblegateway.com.
Page 80 - Isaiah 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 48, James 4
Page 81 - 2 Samuel 10
Page 83 - Esther 4, Daniel 3
Page 84 - Acts 21
Page 85 - 2 Corinthians 11, Acts 20
Page 86 - Acts 14, 1 Thessalonians 3, John 15
Page 87 - 1 Peter 4
Page 88 - Numbers 13, 14
Page 89 - Matthew 11
Page 91 - 1 Peter 4 (again), Romans 8
Page 92 - Psalm 44, Acts 14 (again)
Page 93 - 2 Corinthians 6, Matthew 5, 2 Corinthians 11, Acts 12, Matthew 6, Hebrews 11
Page 94 - Luke 21, Romans 8 (again), 1 Corinthians 10
Page 95 - Philippians 4, Hebrews 13, Romans 8 (again)
Page 96 - Romans 8 (again)
Page 97 - 2 Corinthians 4
Page 80 - Isaiah 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 48, James 4
Page 81 - 2 Samuel 10
Page 83 - Esther 4, Daniel 3
Page 84 - Acts 21
Page 85 - 2 Corinthians 11, Acts 20
Page 86 - Acts 14, 1 Thessalonians 3, John 15
Page 87 - 1 Peter 4
Page 88 - Numbers 13, 14
Page 89 - Matthew 11
Page 91 - 1 Peter 4 (again), Romans 8
Page 92 - Psalm 44, Acts 14 (again)
Page 93 - 2 Corinthians 6, Matthew 5, 2 Corinthians 11, Acts 12, Matthew 6, Hebrews 11
Page 94 - Luke 21, Romans 8 (again), 1 Corinthians 10
Page 95 - Philippians 4, Hebrews 13, Romans 8 (again)
Page 96 - Romans 8 (again)
Page 97 - 2 Corinthians 4
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