REFLECTION QUESTIONS
For Episode 00 The Pilot of the Things Above Podcast
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2018/08/02/episode-00/
Please read Colossians 3:1-2.
The podcast presenter, James Bryan Smith, introduces the concept of “mind discipleship.” What does he mean by that? The proper use of our minds is key to discipleship! what we think influences everything. It influences our actions. SO OUR MINDS ARE A KEY FACULTY OF OUR BEING DISCIPLES
The late Christian philosopher Dallas Willard (1935-2013) once said, “Wherever your mind goes, the rest of your life goes with it.” Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
What we think influences everything. It influences our actions.
In Colossians 3:1-2, the Apostle Paul uses the expression “things above.” James Bryan Smith gives three examples of what these “things above” might be:
1. Nothing can separate you from the ____Love________ of God. Roman 8
2. You are of sacred _____value___________ and ____worth_____________. And He appeared and soul felt its worth.
3. The kingdom of God is _____unshakable___________________ and never in _______trouble____________. Hebrews 12:28
James Bryan Smith says that these three Biblical truths are powerful in a world that’s pretty scary. How did knowing these things help basketball coach Jane Albright? Do you think knowing these things might be helpful to you in your life? How?
Colossians 3:1-2 draws a contrast between setting one’s mind on “things above” and setting one’s mind on “earthly things.” What’s the difference?
James Bryan Smith says that to set your mind on “earthly things” means setting your mind “on the narratives and values of the ‘kingdoms’ of this world.” What does that mean? What are some of the worldly “kingdoms” he’s referring to?
How does focusing on the values of this world lead to “stinking thinking” (Richard Rohr)?
By contrast, what is produced inside a person who’s “thinking on things above?”
Most weeks, at the conclusion of the podcast, James Bryan Smith will suggest a spiritual practice to do all week long because “transformation involves spiritual practices as well as heavenly thoughts.” He does not do so at the end of this particular episode, however. So, let me invite you to try this spiritual practice this week:
Throughout the day, every day, just randomly stop from time and time and ask yourself: “What’s on my mind? What am I thinking about right now?”
And then, just notice what it is – whatever it is that you’re thinking about at that moment. Don’t judge your thoughts. Don’t try to think only “good” things. Just pay attention to whatever is on your mind at that moment. Notice where your minds tends to wander. Notice what kinds of thoughts your mind tends to dwell on. There’s nothing else to accomplish in this spiritual exercise so just be curious, pay attention, and please be kind to yourself as you observe your mind at work.
This in itself is actually a really deep and ancient Christian spiritual practice called nepsis or “watching the mind.” So this week try it and just see what you learn about your mind…
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
The Things Above Podcast: Mind Discipleship
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2018/08/15/episode-01/
Please read Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Romans 8:1-2, 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Colossians 1:27.
The presenter, James Bryan Smith (JBS), begins by reviewing the concept of “mind discipleship.” Briefly, what is that again?
JBS says that our minds need nourishment, and the nourishment they need is what he calls “soul-nutritious thoughts.” Do you agree or disagree? Are there some thoughts which are more soul-nourishing and life-enhancing than others? Can you think of an example of a soul-nourishing thought of your own?
JBS goes on to say that one particularly important category of soul-nourishing thoughts are “power narratives.” These are truths which have the power to transform us. Has someone every told you something that changed your life in some good way? What did they say to you or about you? That was a power narrative.
God’s power narratives are communicated to us in the Bible. And in this podcast, JBS introduces us to “Power Narrative No. 1.” Which is the statement:
“I am one in whom Christ _________________ and __________________.” In your own words, what does that mean?
JBS tells the story of how that statement transformed the students in one of his classes. Can you think of any ways in which knowing yourself to be a person in whom Christ dwells and delights might transform your own life or someone else’s life?
“We live in a world that shames us,” JBS says. A world, that is, which defines our individual worth based upon our appearance or our accomplishments or our assets. How might measuring one’s life in terms of these “earthly narratives” lead to “shame?” Can you think of a time or circumstance in which you felt worthless or like you just didn’t “measure up?” What kind of “narrative” was running through your mind at that time?
The statement, “I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights” pushes back against the soul-killing narratives this world sometimes tells us. According to JBS, it is a declaration of:
F________________________________________
V_______________________________ and
P_______________________________.
How could knowing we are persons in who Christ dwells and delights bring us freedom?
How could knowing we are persons in whom Christ dwells and delights make us feel our value?
How could knowing we are persons in whom Christ dwells and delights empower us?
A man named Bob George said, “Jesus gave his life for us so that he could give his life to us so that he could live his life through us.” How does knowing that make you feel about yourself? About Jesus? About other people?
JBS gives two examples of this world’s old identity narratives: 1) “I’m not good enough” and 2) “I’m a rotten sinner.” Have you ever felt that like? Where did you get an idea like that from?
The whole point of this episode of the podcast is to replace old narratives like these with an awareness of one’s whole new identity “in Christ” – an identity grounded in the knowledge that “I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights.” And so, JBS prescribes a spiritual practice for us to try this week, involving three 3 x 5 note cards – one on our bathroom mirror, one of our dashboard, and one at our work station. What was it like this week to see that statement and to say it to yourself, over and over again?
How does it feel to know that you are one in whom Christ dwells and delights?
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
The Things Above Podcast: Finality of the Cross
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2018/08/21/finality-of-the-cross/
Please read Ephesians 1:7, John 1:29, Hebrews 9:22, Colossians 2:13-14.
The podcast presenter, James Bryan Smith (aka JBS), begins this podcast by saying that there are certain “false narratives” which, if we let ourselves believe them, prevent us from living “glorious lives.” Do you agree or disagree – are there certain ideas about ourselves which can keep us from living life as God intends for us to live it? Can you think of an example of a “false narrative” which you’ve seen diminish life (your own life or someone else’s life)?
In this poidcast, JBS shares a bit of his testimony about how and when he came to Christ. What would you say your testimony is?
JBS talks about how, as a new Christian, he was told a false narrative, which ended up really holding back his life for a long time. He says it began when he met “Fred” at a college Bible study and “Fred” told him he wasn’t really “saved.” Has anyone ever questioned whether you were “saved”? How would it feel to be told something like that?
What did “Fred” tell JBS to focus on?
Over time, what impact did constantly “tracking” every sin have on JBS’ life? What finally helped him leave that false narrative behind?
What does JBS mean by “The Finality of the Cross?”
What do you think of the idea that all of our sins (past, present, and future) are “nailed to the cross” and we “bear them no more?”
The Christian philosopher Dallas Willard said, “God is no longer dealing with us on the basis of our sin.” Is that a Biblical idea? What is the real basis of our relationship with God?
Bob George said, “If Satan can keep us preoccupied with the past, then we will never be free to walk through life with Christ.” What does that mean? Do you agree or disagree?
JBS imagines some people may be listening to this podcast and thinking, “This Smith guy is way too light on sin.” What do you think? Does JBS take sin seriously enough? Why or why not?
How does JBS say his practice of confessing his sins has changed? What does he now see as the goal of confessing our sins to God?
JBS says the “goal of salvation is the restoration of our life.” What does he mean by that? If that’s what “salvation” really means, what would you say the next time a “Fred” came along and tried to tell you that you’re not really “saved?”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
The Things Above Podcast: Forgiven to Be Filled
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2018/08/28/forgiven-to-be-filled/
Please read 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Colossians 2:2-23, and Ephesians 1:13-14.
In this podcast, presenter James Bryan Smith (JBS) builds upon the main idea of last’s week’s podcast, which was “the finality of the cross.” Just to review, in your own words, what does JBS mean by “the finality of the cross?”
JBS quotes the esteemed English Bible scholar NT Wright, when Wright says this about heaven: “Heaven is the place where the Crucified Christ already reigns… To concentrate the mind on Jesus Christ is to begin on earth to reflect the very life of heaven.” What do you think of that idea of heaven?
JBS says that the key to “holiness” (ie. living a heavenly, holy life now) is NOT “rule keeping or willpower.” So, if it’s not these things, what then does JBS say the key to holiness really is?
“We don’t have to fight sin,” JBS says. “We just have to allow the power of Christ in us to win the battle.” What does that mean?
JBS uses the metaphor of canning peaches to describe what it looks like to be “forgiven in order to be filled.” In your own words, what can we learn from canning peaches about experiencing new life in Christ?
JBS talks about three “steps” to canning peaches:
1. Sterilizing the ________.
2. Filling the jar with _____________________.
3. ____________ing the jar.
According to JBS, cleansing, filling, and sealing are the three parts of “salvation.” How well does that understanding of salvation match up with your own?
JBS talks about a time when he was accused of being a “dangerous teacher.” Why did the man who called him that feel that way? How did JBS respond?
Instead of an endless treadmill of sinning and confessing, sinning and confessing, etc., what does JBS say the “way to freedom” is?
Once we know that we are secure in Christ, we become free to focus on God’s real objective for our lives, which is Christ Himself living in and through us. That, JBS says, “is eternal life.” What does he mean? How do you tend to think of “eternal life?”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
The Things Above Podcast: Eternal Life Now
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2018/09/04/eternal-life-now/
Please read 2 Corinthians 10:5, John 17:3, Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 7:54, Acts 10:9-16 & 2 Corinthians 12:2.
In this podcast, the presenter James Bryan Smith (JBS) introduces us to another “glorious thought” for our minds to dwell on. And this time, he invites us to focus on “eternal life.”
What would you say eternal life is? When does JBS say eternal life begins?
How does John 17:3 define eternal life?
What does it mean to “know” God and/or Jesus Christ?
How does JBS say we can experience a relationship with God in our lives? How do you tend to experience God’s presence in your life?
When JBS talks about the spiritual realm in this podcast, he uses the expression “the kingdom of the heavens.” Is that a familiar term to you or a new idea? Where does JBS say the spiritual realm is?
What are some Biblical stories which JBS cites as illustrations of the nearness of the spiritual realm?
JBS mentions a idea which the early Celtic Christians of Ireland (6-9th centuries) talked about – the idea that there are “thin places” in this world, places where God’s presence feels particularly close. Have you ever been to a “thin place” like that? What was it like?
JBS also talks about what he calls “kingdom economics.” What does he say that’s about?
“God is not a vending _____________________,” JBS says. “But God does provide.” What are some ways you’ve experienced God’s provision in your life?
Are there other ways you experience the presence of God in your daily life?
Thank you for listening to the podcast this week. I look forward to our discussion of it!
Pastor Ron