Back in the Box: Resign as Master of the Board

From January 3 through February 7, we will be getting the teaching from John Ortberg's When The Game Is Over, It All Goes Back In The Box. Due to copyright issues, a recording is not available. So, I guess you'll have to show up! Each week, however, I will provide some questions from the discussion guide to help you process Ortberg's key points. Enjoy!


Week Three: Resign as Master of the Board

1. What benefits do we get from try to gain and keep control of our lives?
2. How much of our lives do we control, really?
3. Why do we maintain the illusion that we are in control of our lives?
4. What do we gain when we choose to resign as Master of the Board – when we say “yes!” to God and surrender control of our lives to him?
5. How would you describe the differences between the richness of having and the richness of being?
6. How does giving stuff away to benefit the kingdom of God make us rich in being?
7. Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Moses gave them a strong warning to never lose sight of who is Master of the Board. (See Deuteronomy 6:10-12; 8:10-20.) Why was this warning important to Israel? What does this warning say to you about the danger of having riches and therefore assuming that you are Master of the Board?
8. When we try to engineer our own lives, how are our attitudes toward life, God, and other people affected?
9. What keeps you from surrendering your life – your gifts, energies, resources, “stuff,” and heart – to God?
10. What did Jesus teach will happen when we freely yield our little centers of control to God? (See Matthew 16:24-27; John 12:24.)
11. What evidences have you seen of God bringing to fruition something new and wonderful after you have given him complete control?
12. Spend some times reflecting on what yielding control to God might mean for various areas of your life. Are there areas you struggle to give up leadership? Make a list identifying what in life is important to you. Ask yourself to what extent you trust God in those areas. Identify steps of trust you can take to let God be Master of the Board.

Note: Questions above are adapted from Rothberg’s Participation Guide.