Finding God - Softcover

Dr. Larry Crabb is a well-known psychologist, conference and seminary speaker, Bible teacher, popular author, and founder/director of NewWay Ministries. He is currently Scholar in Residence at Colorado Christian University in Denver and Visiting Professor of Spiritual Formation for Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta. Dr. Crabb and his wife of forty-six years, Rachael, live in the Denver, Colorado area. For additional information please visit www.newwayministries.org

God has responded to him, "You cannot control your life. You are therefore free. You are not trapped by the need to arrange things as you want. Trust me more fully than you ever have before. Do what I am leading you to do even though the risks from your perspective are enormous. I am thoroughly good, and I am good enough to trust thoroughly."

As you go through this discussion guide to Finding God, may you too learn how to trust God with your life.

Here are some tips on how to use this discussion guide:

Prepare. The questions flow directly out of the context of the chapters of this book. If you do not become familiar with the material, your discussion is likely to be stilted and artificial.

Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Don’t feel like you have to answer each and every question. Because of the different dynamics of individuals and groups, some questions will spark intense discussion, while others will generate yawns. Pay attention to the levels of passion, volume, and interest in the group.

Maintain a balance between structure and spontaneity. It’s important that the group choose a leader, preferably one who has gifts of leadership and discernment. The leader should take responsibility for guiding discussions, determining relevance, and making sure that everyone participates.

Practice openness to God and others. Don’t just accept something because the book or someone in the group says that it’s true. If you have a question, ask it—no matter how "ignorant" or "unspiritual" you might think it will make you seem. If you have trouble formulating questions, ask short ones like "What do you mean by that?’ "Can you give an example?" or "I’m troubled by that statement; could you please help me understand it?" Remember that the path to finding God often starts with a question.

Develop accountability. In addition to sharing in the group discussions you might want to consider establishing a relationship with a person within the group. This one-on-one relationship would be an opportunity to "tell your stories" and pray for each other in your continuing journey toward finding God. Introduction: Solving Problems Isn’t the Point 1. Up to this point in your Christian experience, what has drawn you toward finding God? What hinders you from finding him? 2. Dr. Crabb states that in today’s world we have shifted away from finding God toward finding ourselves. How have you seen this shift in yourself? your Christian community? How do you feel about this shift? 3. How does the shift from finding God to finding self affect you? 4. This introduction presents three options for dealing with our lives: (1) being completely absorbed in understanding how our souls have been wounded and how to be healed; (2) obeying God with a resolve that completely ignores our pain; or (3) a combination of sensitivity to our struggles with an insistence that God matters more than how we feel. Which of these has been the way you have mostly dealt with life? Explain. 5. Which of these three options would you choose to be the way you deal with life? Explain.