Discussion Questions
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Describe your feelings about what is said in the lecture about spirituality involving movement and the metaphor of an “ascent” towards God. Do you feel invited to climb the mountain? Do you have a sense of dread or excitement? Explain.
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18 Replies
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Our spiritual life must always be in a state of moving to ascent closer to God. James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you,,,” If we do not strive to ascent “Jacob’s Ladder” in order to be closer to God he will not descend “Jacob’s Ladder” to be closer to us. Our spiritual grown must always be in movement upwards toward God or our spiritual life will become stagnant and like a pond of stagnant water is repugnant to us, a stagnant Christian walk is repugnant to God.
As Christians we should all be excited to have an upper movement on “Jacob’s Ladder” and we grow closer to God and even more excited knowing that when we truly strive to become closer to him, he will descend “Jacob’s Ladder” to be closer to us.
To me, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was an invitation for me to ascent the mountain or as in the lesson to ascent “Jacob’s Ladder”. What excites me about my journey to ascent the mountain is that I have the Holy Spirit to not only lead and guide me but to pick me up when I stumble and fall along the way.
The journey to ascent the mountain is a lifelong journey that begins when we accept Christ as Lord and Savoir and doesn’t end until the Heavenly Father calls us home. During this journey we must always strive to keep our spiritual walk in an upper angle and never become stagnant and complacent in our current position in our journey.
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This is a great question. I am not a person swayed by emotions however, I do & can recognize them, their start, end, height & even plateau. There a level of excitement unlike anything else when it comes to the WORD and my walk with Christ. I believe it is is the desire and the hunger for more. More closeness, more love, more understanding, more revelation, more growth, more of HIM. Just like John 3:30, where we must decrease and HE increase in our lives. It is in this place that we begin to “ascent” to grow closer to GOD.
I not only do I feel invited to climb the mountain but to conquer it for the Kingdom. I am overwhelmed by the excitement to work for Kingdom expansion to leave it all to give it all and see lives saved and transformed.-
I better understand, spirituality that involves movement. I used to dread movement, because of failure. I thought that I have to do it on my own. Now that I know that God Almighty is the Initiator, my soul yearns for it.
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I do have a sense of excitement about the Spirit, I know it leads me and convicts me. I think we all feel unworthy at times for redemption but the Spirit often reminds me that it is through grace that we can be called children of God. Our movement or ascent is faith and God reveal to us in His own time, what we need to know.
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I definitely feel excited about what god has planned the hard part is feeling un worthy of all his blessing and everything he has for me I have lived a life that didn’t follow him and all it got me was hurt and pain
so I am excited to follow him in any way possible
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I feel excited but also feel a sense of dread. I am exited to see the things revealed as I climb higher and get closer to God. The dread I feel is due to the me not feeling worthy, and due to being afraid to fail or give up when the climbing gets hard. Since it’s God who invites me to “ascent”, I know its possible when I spiritually focus on Him, and He encourages me.
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Do you genuinely feel a lack of understanding on your part about spiritual things, or do you feel like you have a pretty good understanding already? (It is important to be absolutely honest here.) Are you excited about the possibilities of new discoveries about yourself and God that might forever change your life and take you in directions that you could never have thought possible? Explain.
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20 Replies
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There are many spiritual things that I feel like I have a good understanding of but there are also many things that I that I am still learning. As Christians we must never be content on where we are but must be continuously striving to grow in our knowledge of spiritually things.
I am exciting about learning new things about myself and about God in my daily walk. I never thought I would be one to teach Sunday School, help fill in when we are without a Pastor, to teach at VBS or to officiate at funeral services, yet God has led me to do all of these. At almost 70 years of age, I am excited of what door God opens for me next.
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Long ago, I thought that I knew a lot of things. But, now, I see that I didn’t even scratch the surface. I need a real understanding of myself and God. I need to worship Him in Spirit, and in truth.
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I feel as though I have a pretty good understanding however, I have not arrived and there is will always be unknows and need for growth and revelation. New things are a thrill, especially when coupled with the ability to go deeper. I have walked through self discovery and forgiveness through the years sometimes more than others. Every new lesson must first be applied inwardly before it can be taught.
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I feel Spirit reveals in time the things I don’t understand
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“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” -Romans 8:6
I have some understanding of the Spirit and the spiritual things but I haven’t seen/experienced the things behind the veil that covers the spiritual realm. Jesus compares everyone with the Spirit to wind; I don’t know where It’s coming from and where It’s going, but I am excited to see God transforming my life.
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How do you feel about people who have failed you or even sinned against you? Are you open to see how even they are important parts of your story?
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16 Replies
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Far too often I feel vengeful against those who have done me wrong or hurt me. I all too often feel mistrust towards those who have failed me.
There have been times when God has used these people to strengthen my walk with him by allowing him to take care of the conflict. Later I came to see that these people were used by God to rely on him more and to also show me some of my short comings as well.
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When people failed me, I took them out of my agenda. Thank God for His goodnes, and His love. Now I see that they are an important part of my story. I need them.
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I used to be a lot different but now adays I’m more forgiving because that’s what Jesus teaches us. I usually try to remember that I have failed people and sinned against them
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I’m open to see how people who have failed me or even sinned against me are important parts of my story. Everyone has sinned. Jesus forgave me, so how can I not forgive them.
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I like to feel as though I have no grudge or anything against people who have failed me or sinned against me. I feel as though I have forgiven them. Sometimes it does still linger in the back of my mind when I see them or hear from them, but I do my best to not let it get to me or interfere with what is happening now. I always remind myself that no one is perfect, and Jesus died for our sins, and I strive to emulate that same kind of love, so others will come to Christ like I have. Yes, I am open to see their importance in my story.
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What sort of people has God placed in your life? Make word sketches of both the good and the bad characteristics.
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14 Replies
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God has put some very God fearing, loving, caring, Bible believing and strong Christians in my life that have helped me in my Christian walk.
Before I was saved there were people in my life that had problems with alcohol and drugs and who didn’t believe anything in the Bible. There were people who didn’t believe in heaven or hell and some who thought Earth was hell.
I have learned through these groups how to follow the Lord and what to stay away from.
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I have all kinds of people in my life. People who go to church for decades, but don’t know God.Also people whose joy in life is to genuinely love others, and serve God.
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Good: loving, caring, prayerful
Bad: destructive, bad influence
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Good Characteristics: caring, selfless, available, spiritual, wise.
Bad Characteristics: careless, selfish, gossiping. deceitful.
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