When the Soul Listens
First, have them read a chapter each week, except for chapters 13-15. They are short and can all be read in one week. That would be 13 sessions, however. So you might want to have them read two chapters a week for seven sessions: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15.
Then, have them gather and answer these questions in the group. (Paste these questions below on a handout and print it out for each of them.) Give these questions to them ahead of time so they can be thinking about them as they read.
- What stood out to you most in this chapter? Why do you think that stood out to you? What might God be saying to you?
- What did you not understand? Is there someone in the group who understood it who might explain it?
- What does this reading and the group discussion lead you to want to pray?
What does this reading and the group discussion lead you to want to do?
As they’re ready (and they can just pass), have one person at a time answer question 1 (all three parts) below. After everyone’s done that, go to question 2 and have as many as wish answer that. Finally, have them answer question 3.
You can close in prayer in various ways. Maybe someone has recorded the prayers mentioned from question 3 and that person can pray those prayers. Or all can offer their prayers at that time. Some may do so aloud and others silently. Unspoken prayer is undervalued–that’s where people really tell the truth!
Here’s an exception. For chapter 10, have everyone identify at least one of their “committee members” (p. 125). It’s important to know who’s already in our head. This is the voice we mistake for the voice of God–and usually end up not liking God very much because of that.
Enjoy! And may you find yourself surrounded with a sense of God’s presence today.
