Chapters 16-18

"A Morning of Sorrows"

1. "This morning you're going to need a father" (219). Do you believe that God reveals Himself according to our need? If so, in what different ways has God revealed Himself to you?
2. "Nothing is a ritual, Mackenzie" (220). What do we tend to make ritual? What's the harm? Consider, for example, the rituals we enjoy so much this time of year (decorating the tree, buying presents, even attending a Christmas service). Do these things detract or add to our relationships with God and others?
3. "I don't do humiliation, or guilt, or condemnation. They don't produce one speck of wholeness or righteousness, and that is why they were nailed into Jesus on the cross" (223). These are tough things to talk about, but dig deep for a minute. Do you carry a sense of guilt or shame? Do you feel obligated to do so? Destined to do so? Does God want us to carry condemnation? How do we find the freedom to let go?
4. "I want to help you take on that nature that finds more power in love and forgiveness than hate" (225). If there is more power and freedom in love, why do hold on so tightly to hate? What do we gain from holding onto bitterness, unforgiveness, fear, etc.? How is love more powerful than hate?
5. "Just say it out loud. There is power in what my children declare" (227). To what extent do you believe saying "I forgive you" aloud can change the condition of your heart? Have you ever tried anything like it? What was the result? Finally, what does this idea say about the nature of forgiveness?

"Choices of the Heart"

1. "Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important" ( 235). What does this passage mean to you? If it's true, how does it challenge you and the choices you make?
2. As Mack prepares to leave the shack, he gives Jesus his tin box, saying "I don't think I'm going to need it anymore...All my best treasures are now hidden in you." What treasures are in your tin box? What does it mean for us to hand Jesus our tin boxes?
3. "It was more likely he was back in the un-real world" (237). In what ways is our world "un-real"?

"Outbound Ripples"

1. The circumstances of Mack's accidents and the injuries he sustained will likely make it difficult for others to believe his experience with Papa at the shack. Have you ever experienced a supernatural encounter with God that you're hesitant to share with others?
2. What message does Mack have for Willie?
3. What enables Nan to believe?

"After Words"

1. Mack's message for Willie was simple: "Tell Willie that I'm especially fond of him." Willie says later that Mack's story has deeply touched and changes his life. What simple message of "The Shack" has touched your heart and perhaps even changed your perspective?
2. Willie says that Mack now lives with a "profound sense of joy" (247). Do you?

Chapters 12-15

“In the Belly of the Beasts”

1. “Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction.” This quote brings to mind the Crusades, the Salem witch trials, and other historical tragedies. But can you think of other, more ordinary (and therefore even scarier) examples of this idea?
2. “This always works better when we do it together, don’t you think?” (174). When is the last time you tried to accomplish the impossible all by yourself? What was the outcome?
3. How does a person “live loved” (175)? Are you living loved? By whom?
4. “Instead [heaven is] a new cleansing of this universe, so it will indeed look a lot like here” (177). Is this portrait of heaven biblically accurate? What do you imagine heaven to look like?
5. Jesus talks about the church, his “bride,” on pages 177-178. How does a person get to be part of the church Jesus is talking about? In your experience, is the church today more relational than institutional or more institutional than relational? Who builds Jesus’ church? How?
6. Why would Jesus say he is not fond of religion, politics or economics? In your experience, are these systems the trinity of terrors Jesus refers to them as? How?
7. “All I want from you is to trust me with what little you can, and grow in loving people around you with the same love I share with you. It’s not your job to change them, or to convince them. You are free to love without an agenda” (181). Does this statement challenge your views on evangelism and sharing the gospel? How?
8. What might Jesus mean when he says “Who said anything about being a Christian? I’m not a Christian” (182)?
9. Do all roads lead to God or does God travel all roads to find his children?

“A Meeting of the Hearts”

1. “Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors” (185). Where have you seen grace in the midst of tragedy?
2. “So when you don’t hear me the first time, I’m not frustrated or disappointed, I’m thrilled. Only forty-six more times to go” (187). Again, I’m reminded of the children’s song “He’s Still Working on Me.” Are there areas of your life that you feel you’ve been “working on” for far too long? Does Papa’s explanation of the changing process offer you any encouragement?
3. “…my love is bigger than your stupidity” (189). No question here, just wanted to offer up a big AMEN and THANK YOU JESUS for that one!
4. “There are many folk like you, Mackenzie, who end up locking themselves into a very small place with a monster that will ultimately betray them, that will not fill or deliver what they thought it would” (189). What “monsters” have you imprisoned yourself with, hoping all the while that they might bring fulfillment or satisfaction?
5. Papa says that love would cease to exist if he revoked the choices of independence. Why?
6. “Just because you make horrendous and destructive choices does not mean you deserve less respect for what you inherently are—the pinnacle of my Creation and the center of my affection” (190). We often feel unworthy of God’s love—anybody’s love—because of our past mistakes. To what extent has this book challenged your self view?
7. “He…kissed Papa on the check…” (193). How can we show such sweet affection to God?

“Verbs and Other Freedoms”

1. “God is a verb” (194). What does that mean?
2. Sarayu: I am always with you; sometimes I want you to be aware in a special way—more intentional (195). Have you ever sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence?
3. “Paradigms power perception and perceptions power emotions” (197). What is the danger in trusting our emotions? As women, are we particularly prone to allow our emotions to govern our attitudes and behaviors?
4. “…relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you the answers to the deep questions of the heart and they will never love you” (198). What best describes your relationship with God, rules or relationship? Why might relationships be more complicated than rules? Why might they be simpler?
5. Describe the difference between right answers and the living answer. What might a relationship with the right answer produce in your life? How would you feel? What would you do? How would it affect relationships with others?What might a relationship with the living answer produce in your life? How would you feel? What would you do? How would it affect relationships with others?
6. Why does Sarayu say “the Bible does not teach you to follow rules” when there are plenty of commands written in it?
7. Sarayu: I have a great fondness for uncertainty (203). Do you think this could be true? Why might the Holy Spirit prefer uncertainty to certainty?

“A Festival of Friends”

1. Have you ever seen the heavens declare the glory of God? Tell us about it.
2. Why is Sarayu hard to look at? What does it represent?
3. What is your overall reaction to the description of the festival? Could any earthly imagination portray the reality of heaven? Why or why not?
4. Why are all the color patterns of light unique?
5. What is the point of Mack meeting his father now?
6. Will there be a need for reconciliation in heaven?
7. How did Mack feel when the festival was over? Why?