Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Chapter 1 Discussion questions


Chapter 1:  Our Parched Souls
In this chapter, Craig Barnes lays out the premise of his book: that many people live that is devoid of hope and is full of despair and sadness.  We are searching for something to fill the void, but some are not sure how or where and we are not sure what or whom we are searching for. No matter where we are on this journey, Barnes says “one hundred percent of us thirst for more of God than what we now have.” (page 22)

1.  On page 14, Barnes says that “we can find this sacred river.  But not unless we enter the silent desert.  Discuss the desert metaphor, as it exists in the Bible, and as it exists in our lives.

2.  On page 14, Barnes says, “one of the worst mistakes we can make is to get used to living in the dry places.”  What does this mean?

3.  Read the third paragraph on page 17.  Discuss.

4.  Do you agree that “this sense of despair is one of the prevailing themes of contemporary society?” (page 20)  How about the message of hope further down the page:  “When we arrive at the place…”

5.  On page 24, Barnes says, “The true object of our search is nothing less than an encounter with the Holy One.”  OK, but he doesn’t tell us yet how to have that encounter!  (Be patient… keep reading!)


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