DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Chapter 1

Every few days I will post discussion questions for a different chapter of the book. This will help those of you that want to get more out of your reading.

The first chapter of the book is a dark chapter. I titled it "Going Deep" because, as we evaluate the deepest part of our being, we each uncover deception.

This first chapter comes across as a bit depressing, but I felt it was necessary to write on our human tendencies, which are at times depressing and even horrifying (you will see what I mean when reading some of the stories).

It is when we see our fallen nature, what we are really capable of as people, that we are able to repentently come before God asking for forgiveness/ cleansing. Only then can we do like David and come before God understanding that He sees everything (Ps. 51).

Here are a few questions to ask yourself, as you read this first chapter, to see if there are traces of deception within you:

1. Is your church/ ministry life, different from your home life?
2. List five inconsistencies between your church and your home life.
3. (Personal) What activities/habits, that you would never practice in the real world, are often in your mind?
4. What areas of your life do you find yourself constantly failing in (in thought or practice)?
5. What personal struggle that you constantly encounter, seems almost beyond cure?
6. What are some religious practices you tend to hide deceptive behavior behind?
7. Why do you think people often try to elude repentance?
8. How do you think repentance and overcoming deception go hand in hand?
9. What behavior that is wrong in your life, don you need to own up to?
10. What people in your family and/or your church help you acknowledge deceptive behavior?

These are some questions to ask yourself as you search to see if the enemy has had success with infiltrating deception into your life. Ask God to give you the strength to overcome any of the activities/ habits you may uncover, which lead you away from God.