DWYL, Chapter Seven

We barely got into chapter seven today, so we will plan to study the balance on Monday, December 11. I told the local group that if you have read nothing of this book so far, read chapter seven! This chapter puts in biblical language what Piper started out saying in chapter one.

If most American Christians hope in the same things American non-Christians do (and I think he is right in saying this) then it is no wonder people rarely ask the reason for the hope that we have. If I value the same things as my unbelieving neighbors it is not because the Bible is unclear about what it means to follow Jesus.

I am particularly burdened by this chapter because I have too often fallen into what Piper calls an "avoidance ethic." I ask "What's wrong with it?" instead of "How will this help me treasure Christ more?"

Rather than answering my discussion questions, I prefer to play off of the things you underline or highlight in this chapter. Please mark up your books, especially noting the things that make

you uncomfortable.

Loving People and Glorifying God, DWYL chapter six

In this book you have gone from finding the ultimate purpose in life to glorifying God in trials to risking loss for Christ. Now the focus turns to the way finding joy in God affects the way you treat others. Think about these questions and comments for our November 27th discussion:

1. What are some of the things you personally enjoy about God?


2. How can you help others enjoy those things with you?


3. What are the best reasons you should forgive people who have hurt you?


4. List some bad reasons to forgive someone who has hurt you.


5. Think about the Robert Murray McCheyne quote on page 102. How is showing mercy related to being a Christian?


6. Is it possible to be a Christian and hateful?


7. How does 1 John 2:9 support your answer to the last question?
   

DWYL, Chapter 5

We are enjoying our study, but could use some new blood in the discussion. Any takers? Let's try to polish off chapter five for next Monday (11-20). If you are behind, just jump ahead and join us in chapter five. We'll look forward to seeing some of you in church Thanksgiving week.

1. Why is uncertainty about personal prosperity and safety a good thing for us?
2. How would you distinguish between the risk of gambling at a casino and the risk of planting a seed in the ground? Where does motivation enter into the picture?
3. You have your dream job, your dream spouse, your dream house, your dream church and your dream family. You are all healthy and life is good. At what point do these blessings get in God's way?
4. List some of the apparent risks involved in doing loving deeds for others.
5. Consider Piper's discussion of Israel's refusal to take the land right away. When is it riskier to refuse to take risks? Compare what Israel worried about (Numbers 14:3) with what actually happened because they refused to take the risk (Numbers 14: 31-33).
6. How can God keep his promise to "supply all your needs" and to not let a hair of your head perish when some people who have claimed those promises starve or get martyred?

We are half-way through DWYL after this chapter. Looking ahead to January, we will be starting Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and possibly changing our meeting place to one that is "riskier."

DWYL, chapter 4

Chapter four messes with your comfort zone. Think about these discussion points:

1. Read Exodus 6:1-9; 7:1-7; 9:13-16. Why did God allow Israel to remain in slavery under the Egyptians?


2. How does learning to die make you "ready to live" (68-69)?


3. How does Piper's definition of faith on page 70 differ from others you have heard?


4. Explain the difference between sacrifice and suicide (74-75). How did John Bunyan recommend we decide whether to run or fight?


5. You are John the Baptist awaiting your execution at the hands of Herod Antipas. What counsel do you have for Christian college students struggling with personal sins?

DWYL, chapter 2.75

O.K. So you're busy. No comments on the last post as of this afternoon. Try again this week. Those of you who feel Left Behind (not the fiction series) are blessed that we did not finish chapter two, so there is time to catch up.

Thanks for jumping into the local group today at the RLBC Starbucks, Dani T.

Thanks for the French Press so we could savor our Starbucks, Lil' Rabbi.

For next Monday (10-23-06) we will discuss pages 36-41. Do not be afraid to mark up your book. Here are some thoughts to prime your pump:

1. Read Romans 8:18-21 and note the first paragraph under the heading Are You Being Used? on page 36. Give some examples of what God might need to do to liberate you from the "bondage of self regard."


2. With that in mind, what is the reaction that most glorifies God when you fall prey to hard times or evil people in this world? How does understanding Romans 8:29 help you react in ways that focus the telescope on God?


3. Ponder the art gallery illustration on pp. 36-37. What are some examples of the "paintings" we should be admiring? What are examples of distractions that keep you from enjoying the "paintings" and make you bored with the gallery?


4. Look again at the last half of page 39. Consider all the non-Christians around you and how many Postmodern Christians have sought to appease them by flattering them and admiring their religions. Put yourself back in "the gallery." What is the most loving thing you can do for those who stand there as bored with the paintings as you used to be? Consider Paul's words on Mars Hill in Acts 17.

I understand that the Phellowship is invited to the Lancaster farm (pharm?) for the Christian Combat youth activity at 6:00 P.M. on Friday (10-20-06). Taking the younger kids into the "paint gallery" has rewards that outweigh losing a Friday night, right?

See you online or in church.
Sls

DWYL, chapter two

You'll need your Bible next to your book for this discussion. Two questions I asked last week about evaluating worldviews were:

• Is it based on objective truth?
• Does it produce lasting joy?

This time we are talking about that joy. That the Bible makes the offer of happiness cannot be argued (Revelation 20:4; 1 Peter 1:8-9; 1 John 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:23-24; John 15:11; 6:35; Matthew 5:11-12).

1. Discuss these texts. Does God really want us happy? What is the difference between what these texts teach and the "name-it, claim-it," prosperity gospel?
2. Discuss what you think of Jonathan Edwards' resolution #22 on page 29. Is it biblical? Could you live by that resolution?
3. Examine Psalm 90:14. What does Moses ask to be satisfied with? How long does he expect it to last?
4. Examine Psalm 16:11. Where does David say joy can be found? What is the extent of that joy?
5. Examine Psalm 43:3-4. Who is "exceeding joy" according to the psalmist?
6. If you know the first question and answer to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, call that to mind. Now you know where they got it. Praise him.

We may need more than a week on this chapter, but make sure you you enjoy it!

DWYL, chapter 1.75

We have met twice at the RLBC coffee shop with 100% local attendance (Meg, Steve, Ian, Ande, Alex and me). We are looking forward to comments from "abroad." Because we did not get through chapter one yet, I will ask you to consider and comment on pages 18-22 (starting with the heading "The Man Who Taught Me to See") for our October 2 meeting (noon power lunch).

Here are some thoughts to reflect (or comment) on from this section:

1. From John Lennon to C.S. Lewis, what is Piper arguing to be an essential and foundational step in not wasting your life? Don't blow this question off. Think about it.
2. How does "realness" (objective truth, p. 19) change the way you look at the exams you are preparing for and the pile of writing assignments that are due next week? How does it affect the way you treat roommates, classmates, siblings and parents?
3. Examine your own worldview. Does it offer lasting happiness? Is it based on objective truth? Apply these two questions to "existentialism."
4. What value, if any, is there in investigating worldviews that are in opposition to a Christian worldview?

Here is a link to a website maintained by two young men (twin brothers) who are not wasting their lives: http://www.therebelution.com/

Don't Waste Your Life, chapter one

Welcome to our study. This blog gives us some interaction beyond Barron County. At this point we are "leaving the doors open" for any who want to post comments.

I plan to use some study guide material from Piper's website and my own observations as we work our way through this book. If you have asked me for DWYL but do not have it yet, you can read it online.

Chapter one gives us some of Piper's background (and dates him), but also lays the foundation of the book. Simple "trolling" question to get us started:

Considering the C.S. Lewis quote on page 20, what in your opinion are some specific examples of things in our world that need to be "seen through" and what is "real"?