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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I feel invited to climb the mountain, I feel encouraged. In the beginning I did not feel so invited or worthy to climb. I have a sense or both excitement and dread. Excitement because I get to grow my relationship with our loving Father. The feeling of dread because I feel as though I am stumbling trying to climb the stair and even falling back a few steps at some points. I do not want to let God down. Jesus sacrificed his life for our sins because he loves us so deeply and I struggle with basic things. He payed the ultimate price so I wish to keep my gaze fixated upon Him and never look away but I am like Peter at times.
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this letecture was very powerful to me involving movement toward God, Climbing up Jacobs ladder is a great way of explaining it, I look at this walk by faith is one step at a time, we all have fallen short of the glory of God. We are imperfect people trying to better our lifes around ourself. Instead of letting go and letting God.
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The ascent makes sense to me. God’s ways are higher, He is higher. I do not have a sense of dread. I am excited about the climb, rough as it may be.
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I actually feel quite impacted by the metaphore of “ascent” – and find it a useful way of visualising Spiritual growth. I actually read this in the book last night, and have just now listened to it on the lecture, and have really appreciated the different perspective it has provided. I tend to think of Spiritual growth & formation in terms of going deeper into God’s Heart, and their is sufficient validity in that thinking to continue, but the concept of “ascent” supplies a different perpective to it which I will continue to reflect upon.
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I think it is a good metaphor for the most part. I don’t see it as a smooth uphill walk, but times when I might actually descend into a valley, before tackling the next hill. Tonight, at least, I have a sense of peace about it. God is faithful, even when we make complete idiots of ourselves. God’s love is not conditional on whether or not we do the right thing, or say the right thing. He may send correction into our lives, but if we have truly accepted Christ, and what He did for us, then He will never disown us. That is what brings peace.
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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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I feel a genuine lack of understanding. I wish to know more and hunger for more. I am excited because I think that this is going to be a great step forward in my journey, but I am also fearful. Fearful that I might not live up to expectations and not fulfill the plans God has for me.
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I believe I do have a good understanding but also feel a sort of fear. I fear I may not be good enough in Gods eyes. I know I shouldn’t feel that way, but it is a thought that lurks in my mind from time to time. I’m extremely excited to see what God has planned for my life. I’m extremely excited to see the next changes of my life. I leave it in God’s hands.
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I feel like I have a pretty good understanding already when it comes to the spiritual aspects of life. I am so excited about the possibilities of change and seeing how God is going to work in my life and how that might lead to new discoveries.
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I think I have a moderate understanding about spiritual things and where it impacts the journey of my life. In my church internship many years, we had a module on leadership which covers some concepts similar to this course.
However, my journey of life is on-going and I have not, for a long time, gone back to review that course and to update the map of my life. When I do so in this course, the new discoveries should be exciting, I believe.
#mapping -
Since I don’t know what will be revealed I can only say that I am optimistic that uncovering previously unrecognized aspects of my spiritual self is something that I look forward to accomplishing here, and armed with that, I’ll hopefully have a more profound understanding of this course and the others.
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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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I have forgiven all that may have sinned against me. I’ve let all that go and placed it in God’s hands. I do want to know how everyone ties into my story and me into theirs.
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Yes, over a very long period of time spanning several decades I can see how even those who caused ther greatest pain have played a significant part in shaping who I am today. On the whole, having worked through some serious forgivenss issues, I can on the whole walk free from offence towards some People, however, on the odd occasions I do stumble and pick up offences again I am able to process it far more quickly. I have come to realise that “nursing” offence at the People who have sinned against me is something as a Chuch Leader I can not afford to get caught up in.
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If I am not perfect (and I am definitely not perfect) why should I expect other people to be perfect? I have forgiven them, and myself for not being perfect. I am hesitant about digging back into past memories that I visited when I worked through forgiving everyone (including myself) for every sin or mistake that happened in my life. I would prefer to focus on the journey ahead. But for the sake of the spiritual journey/formation, I am willing to try it, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
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That’s an intriguing question. As painful as it might be to revisit old wounds, it would be interesting to see how those people and events shaped my life.
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The people who have failed me and sinned against me I want nothing to do with. While I know I must forgive, I would rather keep my distance from them. And while I’m also open to seeing how even they are important parts of my story, I find it difficult to see how they can be redeemed, even though I know with God all things are possible.
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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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Ovder the years there have been many People who have been placed in my life by God – their effect, the mark they have left on my life has been a diverse as the different types of People. They also correspond to what The Lord was doing in my life at the time, and what He was trying to shape into my character in each particular season.
Currently there are People who are very affirming and encouraging, and there are People who are down right critical and negative. The People who have been negative and critical have had the greatest impact on my life in terms of Godliness in the season I am currently walking in, a season which has been characterised by my learning who I really am in Chrsit, and learning to live in the light of my Heavenly Fathers approval.
I am currently in a season of transition, and a major move in terms of Geography & Ministry is unfolding. I am greateful to God for the people He has placed under my care, all of them, including the ones who have made life very difficult at times.
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Some kind and gentle souls. Some people who know what they know, and if you don’t agree with them, then you just don’t understand.
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– Bully – abusive – manipulative – hateful – disrespectful – deceitful – untrustworthy.
– Nice – kind – friendly – considerate – trustworthy – loving
– Knowledgeable – intelligent – skilful – smart
– Sense of humour – funny – optimist
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God has put some many people in my life most of them are good Christian people, but then hes put people in my life that are not the greatest influence to me but i have to that as a opportunity to spend the word and show them what God has done. Most of my friends make me feel really good about myself and encourage me, but then other dont care and only care about themselves but they will be there to listen.
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He has placed good and bad so that I can see the difference. Right now I have good people in my life. Good: actually talk to you and interact with you, nice, and loving. Bad: use you, make you think y’all are friends but to them you are nothing, and mess with your head.