THE WILDERNESS WITHIN

Engagement Questions:

• The desert/ wilderness experience takes a different shape for everyone. Reflecting on your life what did or does your wilderness shape look like or consist of?

• God leads ancient Israel into the wilderness to have her full attention. The wilderness where there are no distractions, no deflecting, no pretending, no masking. Alluring her into the wilderness to speak tenderly, not abusively, to love not condemn, to heal not harm. As you contemplate this imagery what surfaces? Is this the way you see God or have experienced God?

• What can the desert mothers and fathers of the 4th and 5th centuries teach us today?

Engagement Questions:

• Take a moment to assess your "inner" life. Which of the eight afflicting thoughts would say tries to take up residence within you?

• How will you choose to "witness" each afflicting thought as it passes along instead of attaching to it?

• The Bible tells us that God is Spirit: everywhere and always present. How does this help you stay consistent?

Engagement Questions:

• What in you may resist the invitation to "go deeper"?

• In what areas of your life do you hunger for wholeness?

• If you were to set aside a daily appointment for personal examination, how would you go about it?

• Which of these align with you right now and why?

Examine and test yourself. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Remember, your life reflects the heart. (Proverbs 27:19)

Plunge into God, leave the surface life for deeper water. (Teilhard de Chardin)

Do not be afraid. (Jesus)

Engagement Questions:

• "Without temptation, no one can be saved." What do you think of this? How does it make you reconsider your times of temptation?

• What does wrestling with God look like in your life?

• Name a wound in your life and how it has changed you.
  What would it look like to be grateful for it?

• Which comforting thought is most natural to you? Which is the least natural?

Engagement Questions:

• Knowing yourself, Checking yourself, Going beyond yourself - if you were to evaluate yourself (shame free) which of these are you hitting and which are needing work?

• Can you recall a time where receiving honest feedback helped you and pushing it away hindered you?

• We can't develop humility alone. Who in your life provides you with helpful and honest feedback. What characteristics are necessary to be that type of friend to someone?