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Study Guide
So Much More is a great book for book clubs or book study groups! To help enrich your study of the book, the author has created a study guide that you are welcome to download at no charge. You may make as many copies as you like for your group. The guide has been designed so that you can easily print it out, then use your copy machine to make a double-sided copies to staple together into an easy-to-follow booklet.
For a quick look at what the study guide is like, there are two sample chapters reproduced below. Click on these links to go to them:
Click here to read or download the entire study guide in .pdf format. (If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download the program here.)
Once you have used the study guide, we welcome your notes on how the process went and your constructive suggestions for improving it. If you would like to tell us how things went in your group, please contact us by clicking here.
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Chapter 4
Rescue and Restoration: God’s Saving GraceMain topics in this chapter (with page numbers)
61 grace and the story of the prodigal son (or father)
62 definition of salvation as rescue and restoration
63 salvation as God’s action in the past, present, and future
64 salvation in the past as Jesus’ work: substitutionary atonement
66 Jesus’ work as perfect sacrifice
69 Jesus’ work as victory (and other explanations)
71 the cross and empty tomb as mysteries
72 the importance of a real resurrection
74 salvation in the present as pilgrimage
76 salvation as change of identity and purpose in all areas of life
79 dying and rising in daily life
82 the question of salvation in the after-life
85 healing and restoration of all creation
Questions for discussion
1. Of all the descriptions given for how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection saves us from sin, which seems most explanatory and helpful to you?
2. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus rose from the dead?
3. Where are you on the journey toward the kingdom? You may wish to draw a picture rather than express this in words.
4. Is there an area of your life where you desire “dying and rising in Christ” to happen?
5. What do you think about the “who’s in/who’s out” problem?
6. Where do you see signs of the coming kingdom here in this world?
Suggested Bible passages
Psalm 126
This worship song expresses joy in God’s acts of rescue for the ancient Hebrews, but Christians have always adapted such prayers for application to the kinds of rescues God works in our individual lives, too.Luke 15:11-32
This story of the prodigal son (or the prodigal father) is one of the most important Jesus told. The part of the story about the older brother and his irresistible anger is also very important; it speaks to the attitudes of those who are already on the inside and like their position of privilege.John 3:1-21
This passage is the source of the famous phrase “born again” and also of the famous verse, “For God so loved the world….” These appear in a story about a cautious, curious Jewish religious leader coming to Jesus in secret. Jesus recognizes that the fellow, like all of us, is both highly invested in his old ways and longing for something better. Jesus’ words to are deliberately metaphorical and puzzling; Jesus wants Nicodemus to let go of his old grids of perception and understanding, allowing God to transform him in ways he can’t imagine.1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Paul understands that salvation by the cross might seem crazy or offensive. But he has come to see the wisdom of God in what seems like foolishness.1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (or 1-58)
This famous passage, some of which the composer Handel set unforgettably to music in his oratorio Messiah, is the lengthiest treatise on resurrection in the Bible. Notice that what Paul is pleased to reject about our current existence is not that we have bodies but that our bodies die—they are perishable, mortal.
Galatians 5:16-25
Paul explains the transformation that occurs when people give themselves over to God. He opposes the works of the former self to the fruits of the Spirit’s work in us. Paul’s use of the word “flesh” here (Greek: sarks) can be confusing; it should not be equated simply with the body or the physical world. Some translations use the term “sinful nature” to translate sarks, but that might be an overtranslation. We can think of the “desires of the flesh” as the impulses we have when our bodies and spirits are not harmonized according to God’s design for our full nature.Philippians 2:1-11
In this eloquent passage, Paul calls his readers to love each other, pointing to the example of Jesus’ self-emptying love.Revelation 21:1-22:5
A vision of the new heaven and the new earth, entirely beautiful and blessed. Notice that the tree gives its leaves to heal the nations, and all nations bring their glory into this city. As for those left outside: are their sins being burned away in that lake of fire, that they might then enter the city, too, purified and full of joy?Closing prayer
O God, we want to be saved! Saved from all that is horrible and frightening about this world, from our suffering and shame, even from our daily troubles. We long for relief from our internal conflicts and darknesses. We want this world to be rid of all its evil and pain. Please save us. Please begin to work in us and transform us into the people you have designed and intended us to be from before all time. We know this will not be easy. We know this will take time. We know there are parts of us we do not want to surrender to you. Be patient with us. Send us trustworthy companions on this journey. Keep us safe from the dangers. Guide us home. We want to come home. Amen.
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Chapter 6
Seeking the Heart of God: PrayerMain topics in this chapter (with page numbers)
115 openness to God as the beginning of prayer
117 prayer changing us and changing God
121 varieties of prayer
123 communal prayer
125 listening in prayer
126 praying the Psalms
129 gratitude and praise
130 prayers for help and “why” prayers
132 confession
133 intercessions for others
136 desire as prayer and the prayer of creation
Questions for discussion1. If God has “always already shaped history with a generous condescension to our small and scattered wills,” how urgently should we pray for ourselves, others, and the world?
2. Have you ever experienced good communal prayer? What made it good?
3. What do you find difficult about individual prayer?
4. Has prayer ever “worked” for you? If so, how?
5. What kinds of prayer do you think you could practice in your life right now?
Suggested Bible passagesPsalm 34
A song of great assurance, reflecting on God’s faithfulness in hearing those who call to him.Psalm 139
A poem celebrating God’s profoundly intimate knowledge of each of us.Matthew 6:5-15 and 7:7-12
Here Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer and offers further wisdom on prayer.I Samuel 1:1-2:11
The story of Hannah is one of many in the Old Testament about someone who prayed passionately. In Hannah’s case, God granted her request. Notice that her passion in prayer was misunderstood by the official religious person in authority. Notice also that Hannah responded to God’s goodness with an act of great dedication.Philippians 4:4-9
These final words of advice in one of Paul’s letters offer good advice about prayer and life. The combination of prayer and thanksgiving, especially, helps bring about that peace.
Closing prayer
God, will you awaken our spirits? Will you pray with us by your Spirit and teach us to pray? Overcome for us the obstacles, the distractions and discomforts that keep our hearts silent. Show us that place in our souls where we can rest in your presence and pour out our thoughts and feelings to you. Let our prayers join with the prayers of the faithful in all times, with the praise of all creation. Amen.
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