Finding God

by Larry Crabb

Overview

In today's psychological culture, we have become a people more concerned with solving our problems than finding God. Suffer low self-esteem? Get counseling. Unfulfilled in life? Join a recovery group. But solving problems is not the point, argues Dr. Larry Crabb. In fact, whenever we place a higher priority on solving our problems than on pursuing God, we are being immoral!

Dr. Crabb demonstrates that our deepest problem and worst sin is doubting God. When we doubt God's goodness, when we think that god cannot be trusted with the things that matter most, we will quietly, but with tight-lipped resolve, take over responsibility for our own well-being--with disastrous results.

In his most compelling book since Inside Out, Dr. Crabb upsets the cozy Christianity of the modern believer. He reveals anew God's top priority: not our comfort and gratification, but His glory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310205449
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	10/24/1995
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.63(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

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

Read an Excerpt

Discussion Guide
Larry Crabb reports in his epilogue to this book that his answered prayer for a clearer glimpse of Christ has intensified to, 'Lord, unless you reveal yourself to me in a way that draws me to you more than to anyone or anything else, I'd rather die.'
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.

Table of Contents

Contents Acknowledgments9 A Personal Note Introduction: Solving Problems Isn’t the Point I. THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING GOD 1. APersonal Journey 2. There’s More to Life Than Merely Living 3. Natural Passions 4. Supernatural Passion II. THE OBSTACLE TO FINDING GOD 5. Something Is Seriously Wrong 6. When God Won’t Let Us Find Him 7. The Foundation of the Fallen Structure: Doubting God 8. Why God Won’t Let Us Find Him 9. The Foundation of a Solid Structure: Trusting God 10. First Floor: I Need You 11. Second Floor: I Hate You 12. Third Floor: I Hate Me 13. Fourth Floor: I Will Survive 14. Fifth Floor: Here's How I Will Survive III. THE PATHWAY TO FINDING GOD 15. Darkness Before Light 16. Mistakes People Make 17. Our Good Passions Are Too Weak 18. The Nature of Good and Bad Passions: Toward Disrupting the Bad and Releasing the Good 19. Telling Our Stories 20. Stories That Disrupt and Entice 21. Coming Home Again Epilogue About the Author Discussion Guide

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From the Publisher

'I know of no Christian writer since Bonhoeffer whose ruthless honesty and personal faith inspire his literary work.' — Brennan Manning, Author