Questions to prod your personal thinking and processing or for use in group discussion and are arranged by article title.

​​“The Secret of Relishing God” Article

REFLECT ON:​​​

1. Mary DeMuth writes about three Jesus-followers who were the kinds of leaders she wants to emulate, those whose passion for God spilled over not only to those they directly ministered to, but to everyone who crossed their paths. Do you have anyone like this in your life? If so, who. And what can you learn from them?

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2. Is it possible that you’re this kind of leader to someone else? If so, what is it you’d like for them to see when they look at you?

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3. Aslan the Lion from Prince Caspian (by C.S. Lewis) tells Lucy “every year you grow, you will find me bigger.” Is this true in your own walk with God. Are you finding him bigger? How?

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4. What do you think of the concept of “abstaining so that you can enjoy the feast?” Does this seem like a far-fetched notion? Why or why not?

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5. Mary quotes Henri Nouwen: “My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted until I discovered interruptions were my work.” In light of your own life, how does this quote strike you?

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“Soul Flow” Article

REFLECT ON:​​

1. Solitude and community seem to be mutually exclusive but author Keri Wyatt Kent challenges us to find a balance between the two. How are you personally doing in this regard? Which do you naturally prefer and how can you move closer to the other?

2. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” What do you make of the fact that we are to draw near to God first–and then he will come to us?

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3. Think about Keri’s words and answer the question she poses: “Just like other relationships, friendship with God requires time. This may seem obvious, but our hurry and busyness are often starve our souls. What would happen to your soul if you had time to just enjoy God?”

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4. Keri writes, “It may be that in order to say “yes” to God, and to feeding our souls, we may have to say “no” to the frantic pace of our lives.” Looking at your own life, does this even feel possible? Even if it’s not easy, how could you begin the practice in a small way?

5. Keri quotes Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Only as we are within the fellowship can we be alone, and only he that is alone can live in the fellowship … Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. Let him who is not in community beware of being alone.” What does this mean to you?

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“A Leader of Leaders” Article

REFLECT ON:

1. Laurie first recognized she was a leader on a playground in her youth. At what point did you realize you were a leader? Are you comfortable with the title? If not, what needs to happen in order for you to feel at ease with your skill in this area?

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2. Laurie encourages leaders to be able to state their mission in a single sentence. Are you able to do this? What do you think about her statement that, “So often discouragement comes because we have forgotten the clarity and power of our focused purpose.

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3. Laurie confesses that the place she’s felt most misunderstood is with herself. Where have you felt the most misunderstood and what feelings does that raise for you?

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4. Laurie’s friend showed her how “power could show up in women in the most amazing ways.” In what ways have you seen power show up in your life?

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5. Laurie refills be going to the beach most days with her journal and Starbuck’s® gift cards. How do you refill? And when was the last time you did it?