Chapter One discussion

From the discussion guide: [please read Bonnie's personal note at the bottom of this]

Has anyone had a friend or relative who has ever served in combat? Tell us what you have heard about being in battle. What did it take to wage and win a battle?

GOING DEEPER
1. What evidences do you see of nature being "surrendered" to God's control? Why do you think God gives human beings the freedom to submit to or resist His control? What limiations has He placed on that freedom, both here and now, as well as ultimately?
2. Did you relate to any of the fictitious scenarios at the beginning of this chapter (pp. 31-33)?
What is one example of a recurring battle you have experienced in your Christian life? How could that struggle actually be a battle for control?
3. "Count on it - the very points on which you refuse to surrender will become 'enemies' that rule over you" (p. 42).
What are some practical examples of how this principle could take place in someone's life?
4. What is one area of your life that has ended up ruling you as a "tyrant" (either in the past or in the present) because of a lack of surrender to God?
5. Lynda's testimony (pp. 40-44) illustrates the truth of Romans 6:16 - "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?"
Share one particular area of your life where you have experienced (or currently experience) a sense of being enslaved to sin or ungodly desires. How could surrender to God set you free from that slavery?
6. Take time to pray for each other in relation to any specific battles for control or surrender issues that have been shared.

FOR NEXT TIME
With regard to any "unsurrendered" areas you have identified in your life, reflect on the effects of being enslaved to these areas. List the bad fruits of being submitted to these desires, so you can see more clearly the cost of your lack of surrender.

GRACE NOTE
Surrender brings peace and a foretaste of the "paradise restored" that every believer will enjoy one day in heaven. You can begin to enjoy those benefits now by saying yes to God. As the familiar song says, "There's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Ladies,
You can comment on any of the questions above or just say what you have to say without it being in direct answer to one of these questions from the discussion guide. It's just a guide.

This may be way too personal to where you live to really open up and share. But, it would be good to just know who is reading the book with us each week. If you could get on and blog to let us know that, it would be appreciated.