7-Week Program*

This book study has been completed.  

A new study will start in the fall.

"Is Your God Big Enough? Close Enough? You Enough."  

 

Paul R. Smith is an author, mystic, pastor, and teacher.  He is also author of "Is It Okay to Call God Mother?" and "Integral Christianity:  The Spirit's Call to Evolve."

This book is a spiritual jewel and an evolutionary driver for contemporary Christian Spirituality, as well as spirituality in general.

This book has the potential to lead all of us into a much richer relationship and understanding of the Being we call God.

Web page:  http://www.revpaulsmith.com



WEEK 7 LENTEN 7-WEEK PROGRAM

CHAPTER 15 & 16  page 339 (4/28/19)

What were the ideas that struck you the most in this week's chapters?

Have you ever experienced a living picture of the Reign of God?

What do you think of the assertion that the Resurrection was important because it meant Jesus was available without the constraints of time and space?

Have yo had contact with someone after their death? 

Do you have a spiritual practice of intentionally seeking out enlightened guides from the "other side?

"The real goal is not spiritula experinences of talking to dead saints.  It is living from the inner visiou of Oneness."  Comment.

Read the article referenced at the bottom of page 340.

Use the exercies on page 354-356 as a daily practice and conclude your group meeing with it.

Close the group with the benediction on the bottom of page 356.

 

WEEK 6 LENTEN 7-WEEK PROGRAM

CHAPTER 14 page 313(4/21/19)

What were the ideas that struck you the most in this week's chapter?

What do you think of the idea of being Everybody?

What did you think of his presentation of the "Reign of God"?

How do you understand Oneness and nonduality?

"Nonduality is 'not two' but it is not 'one' in the sense of being the same either." Discuss

Share any experiences of merging with an other or thing.

What did you make of the idea of 'single seeing'?

What did you think of Oneness as Quantum Consciousness?

Close the group with the benediction on the bottom of page 148.

 

WEEK 5 LENTEN 7-WEEK PROGRAM

CHAPTER 13 page 287 (4/14/19)

 

WEEK 4 LENTEN 7-WEEK PROGRAM

CHAPTER 12 page 269 (3/31/19)

What was the most interesting or important part of the reading for this week?

When have you encountered God directly in the sacred space of Awakened Consciousness? What in particular made it possible?

What action resulted from any Awakened Consciousness that you experienced? 

Which of the people listed on pages 269-274, if any, do you identify with? 

"The shared energy field of communial worship transforms and renews us."  Comment on how or why this is true or not for you.  If not, what is missing?

"Higher consciousness is a muscle."  Do you agree or disagree with that statement?

Are you able to make a heartfelt devotional connection with the Divine?  If not, why not?

What part, if any, does joy play in your spiritual life?

Are you able to trust the Divine and have a childlike approach?

 

WEEK 3 LENTEN 7-WEEK PROGRAM

CHAPTER 11  page 245 (3/24/19)

Have you had moments of sudden religious insight or awakening?  Can you describe or share some characteristics of those experiences?

How did you react to the author's personal experience on page 246/7?

If you were. have a vision, what need might it be based on?

"Sitting on your capacity to feelis always connected to your capacity for spiritual experience."  Discuss.

What is your degree of comfort around energy workers or healers?

What spiritual gift have you always wanted to experience, or are intrigued by? 

Are you resisting, ignoring or quenching the Spirit? Why? What bias do you have? 

Discuss the scientific material presented on pages 257-263.  What jumps out? 

Read and discuss the 8 qualities on pages 263-5.  

Practice the list of exercises daily on page 266-7.  Do the "I Have Always Been Here" exercise a few times during the week.

 

WEEK 2 LENTEN 7-WEEK PROGRAM

CHAPTER 10  page 225 (3/17/19)

What mystical experiences have you had that you are willing to share?

What were some of the characteristics that went with the experience? What feelings arose or what new wisdom came to you?

Have you ever had the experience of the voice of the divine speaking to you in your own mind and voice? How did you respond?

What do you think of channeled books or people who channel?

Does prophecy as defined by Smith on page 237 make sense to you?

What should be the norm for us? Is mystical con available to us in our day?

If so, what do we need to do to experience it? 

Are we meant to walk in spirit-breath each day, and what part does Jesus play in that experience for us, if any? 

What was your overall reaction to the material in Chapter 10?

WEEK 1 LENTEN 7-WEEK PROGRAM 

CHAPTER 9 page 213 (3/3/19)

  1. 1)  What were the ideas that impacted you the most in this week’s chapter?

  2. 2)  What excited you the most? What did not appeal to you?

  3. 3)  Where do you think you are in the four stages as outlined by Paul Smith?

  4. 4)  The author says that ordinary daily mindfulness is the first step to evolution.

    On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, where do you think you are?

  5. 5)  What do you think is required for you to go to the next level?

  6. 6)  Share any narratives of higher consciousness experiences that you have had.

    How did it happen and what was the lasting result?

  7. 7)  What practices do you currently have that are evolutionary drivers to taking

    you to the next level?

  8. 8)  What is the number one obstacle that you experience that blocks your

    progress in evolving to higher levels of consciousness?

  9. 9)  Use the exercise on page 224 as a daily practice and conclude your group

    meetings with it.

10)Close the group with the benediction on the bottom of page 148.

 

 

The author, Paul Smith, has started an online community based on the teachings of Integral Theory and "Is Your God Big Enough."  You can find the link to his page in the menu bar across the top of the front page of Unity's website (this site).

View the introductory talk from Sunday, September 30th here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAEWBaXKipQ&t=13s

View the 2nd talk given by Patricia Haller, LUT here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiV5TV2_gg4&t=3s

Week 1 : Introduction to The Three Faces of God. pgs. xix—28            

                 View talk October 7th   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCIVOiIJwuY&t=351s                                                                       

Weekly Affirmation — “I talk about the Infinite face of God; I talk to the Intimate face of God; and I talk as the inner face of God.”

1.    Discuss the ideas outlined in the Foreword pgs. xix-xxi

2.    Discuss the story and its implications outlined on pages 1 & 2

3.    What, if anything, does the Trinity mean to you? How useful is it?

4.   ‘Jesus talked about God, to God, and as God. So can you!’ Agree or disagree? Discuss.

5.   Be the God you want to see in the world! Discuss 

6.   ‘If your God is not close enough, then that God will not be profoundly transformational in your life.’  Comment. 

7.    Look at the questions on page 26 and pick one that interests you.

8.    Reflecting about God, Relating to God, Resting as God. Which ones are familiar to you?

 

What was the most important quote or insight you had from the material this week? 

End the group meeting by reading the 12 Steps of the Consciousness of Mastery Process

Close the meeting with the Three Faces of God benediction and hand motions on page 28.

Suggested Practice for Week One:  October 7-13 

Each day
 1. Do the 3 faces of God exercise on page 28 each day
 2.  Take one of the three practices listed on page 27 and use it during the day. 
      Do a different practice each day. Notice which one you like or dislike.         
 3. Repeat the weekly affirmation each day.

  Extra Activity: Check out www.Integrallife.com 
  Note the references at the bottom of the pages and look up some that interest you.


 

Week Two: Is Your God Big Enough? pgs. 29-46

View Sunday talk week 2 Patricia Haller, LUT  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiV5TV2_gg4

Weekly affirmation — “I Am in touch with the Infinite.”

1. Discuss the decisive question on p. 29 : is he related to something infinite or not?

2. Read the quote from Hermes on page 31 and discuss.

3. Is your God as big as the God of Jesus? If not, in what ways is it not?

4. ‘I Am that I Am’ defines God as Being Itselfrather than as a Being. (p.34) Discuss

5. God is beyond all concepts. Is there a sense in which we are already beyond ourselves?

6. Is your image of God one, two or three dimensional?

7. Take a look at the comments & questions on pgs. 43-44-45. Discuss one of them.

      

What was the most important quote or insight you had from the material this week?

End the group with the 12 Steps of the Consciousness of Mastery Process

Close the meeting with the Three Faces of God benediction and hand motions on page 28.

Suggested Practice for Week Two: October 14-20

Each Day:

1.  Do the 3 faces of God exercise on page 46 each day

2.  Repeat the weekly affirmation each day.

3. Contemplate the following in relationship to your image or idea of God:

 the heart cannot embrace what the mind rejects.

4. Pick a different practice to do each day from the list on p.45

Optional extra: 

Note the references at the bottom of the pages and look up some that interest you.

 


Week Three:  Beyond Son to Cosmic Christ pgs.  47—68                       

Weekly Affirmation — “The Christ is a field of love and I am part of it.”
 

View talk 3 The Cosmic Christ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvkevpnW1I8&t=95s

1.   Discuss the definition of “Christ” that is outlined on page 47. 

2.   Discuss the various nuances of “Christ” that are presented in pgs. 47-51

3. Have someone read aloud the description of the Cosmic Christ from Col. 1:15-19

Sit for a moment in the silence contemplating it and then discuss your reaction (p.51)

4. Discuss the web of life and love as outlined on p. 56-57 

5. Discuss the 8 Observations about the Cosmic Christ pgs. 60-66 especially #5.

6. Take a look at the comments & questions on pgs. 67.  Discuss one of them.

 

What was the most important quote or insight you had from the material this week?

End the group with the 12 Steps of the Consciousness of Mastery Process

Close the meeting with the Three Faces of God benediction and hand motions on page 28.

 

 Suggested Practice for Week Three:  October 21-27
Each Day:
 1. Do the 3 faces of God exercise on page 68 each day
 2. Meditate on Col. 1:15-19 (p.51) and on Eph. 3:17-19 (p.67) 
 3.  Repeat the weekly affirmation each day.

Optional extra: 

Note the references at the bottom of the pages and look up some that interest you.


Week 4: Beyond Spirit to Infinite Consciousness  pgs. 69-94

Weekly Affirmation — “God being me, I am the Light of the World"

Week 4 Sunday Talk Beyond Spirit to Infinite Spirit  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxYikj4EMAU&t=446s 

1. If someone asked you what Spirit is, what would you say?

2. Discuss the various nuances of Spirit that are outlined on pgs. 71-80

3. Have you ever had an experience of elevated consciousness or spirit? Share

4. Discuss the translation of John 1:1-14 found on page 82

5. Discuss the various statements by various mystics on pgs. 82-84

6. Based on the input in this chapter does God know that we exist?

7. Discuss the 15 sentences on page 87

What was the most important quote or insight you had from the material this week?

End the group meeting by reading the 12 Steps of the Consciousness of Mastery Process

Close the meeting with the Three Faces of God benediction and hand motions on page 28.

Suggested Practice for Week Four: October 28– November 3

Each Day

1. Do the breath practice on page 93

2. Practice the 3 Faces of God benediction.

3. Repeat the weekly affirmation each day.

Optional extra: 

Note the references at the bottom of the pages and look up some that interest you.

 


Week Five: God Beside Us as Father-Mother  pgs. 95-116
God, Jesus and Gender  pgs. 165-174

Weekly Affirmation — “The loving arms of God hold me.”

1.  How does the idea of falling in love with God strike you?

2.   Did you have a close devotional relationship with God earlier in life? Share.

3.   Would you describe your relationship with God as filled with love, gratitude/devotion? 

4.   A good spiritual teacher tells you where to look, but not what to see. Discuss.

5.   Has the male image of God/Jesus been a barrier for you? Share your experience.

6.   Discuss some of the questions  on pgs. 114-115 

7.   Discuss some of the questions on p. 173

 

What was the most important insight or quote from the material this week?

End the group meeting by reading the 12 Steps of the Consciousness of Master

Close the meeting with the Three Faces of God benediction and hand motions on page 28.

 

Suggested Practice for Week Five:  November 4-10

Each day

 1. Do the 3 faces of God exercise on page 174 
 2.  Look at the practices on pgs. 115 and  173. Notice which ones you like or dislike.
      Pick one or more of these practices and see what comes up for you.
 3. Repeat the weekly affirmation each day.

Optional extra: 

Note the references at the bottom of the pages and look up some that interest you.

 


Week Six:  Why I Still Talk to Jesus   pgs. 117—148

Weekly Affirmation — “What would I feel like if Jesus was really here.”

Recording of Friendship with Jesus Meditation by Rev. Jerry

1. Discuss the idea of a personal friendship with Jesus Christ. What comes up for you?

2. Discuss the Marcus Borg quote on page 121. 

3. What are the challenges you feel keep you from devotion to Jesus? (pgs. 121-125)

4. Do you consider in your life that you act on behalf of  God?

5. Jesus was and is all that God is, without being all there is of God. Discuss. 
What implications does that have for me… change the word Jesus with the word I.

6. We become like that which we admire. .. We become like that which we adore.

7. The goal in Christianity is not to be a Christian but to be a Christ as seen in Jesus. Discuss

 

What was the most important quote or insight you had from the material this week?

End the group meeting by reading the 12 Steps of the Consciousness of Mastery Process

Close the meeting with the Three Faces of God benediction and hand motions on page 28.

Suggested Practice for Week Six:  November  11– 17
Each Day:
1. View the video listed on the bottom of page 141. 
2. Sit and have an open heart to experiencing the presence of Jesus Christ. (pgs. 136-141) 
     This is  one of the key insights and practices of the whole book. A text of the Sitting With Jesus meditation is  available on page 146/7/8 .  A recording of the meditation by Rev. Jerry is  available for your use.
3. Repeat the weekly affirmation each day.

Optional extra: 
Note the references at the bottom of the pages and look up some that interest you.


Week Seven: The closeness of God as Spirit  pgs.  175— 212

Weekly Affirmation —“I am the Divine child of my Divine Mother-Father God.”

1.  What is your sense, if any, of ‘the spirit in you’? Does ‘intuition’ fit the bill?

2.  Discuss the image on page 181. Is it helpful or not?

3.  Are you the ‘spitting image’ of God? What ways is that true for you? 

4.  Do you have a sense of being another Christ as outlined in the first paragraph on p185

5.  Discuss Jesus’ declaration that ‘ye are Gods’ John 10:35-36 on pages 186-7

6.  “Nondual means not two in the sense of being separate. But nondual also means not one                                                                                                                                         either in the sense of being the same.” Discuss this KEY INSIGHT

7.  Are we in the process of becoming or are we already Divine/God/Christ? 

8.   Pick one question from the list on pgs. 210-211 to discuss

 

What was the most important quote or insight you had from the material this week?

End the group with the 12 Steps of Consciousness of Mastery Process

Close the meeting with the Three Faces of God benediction and hand motions on page 28.

Suggested Practice for Week Seven:  November 18 —24.

Each Day:

1. Do the resting as God exercise on p. 211 KEY PRACTICE
2. Use the Three Faces of God Devotion on p. 212
3. Repeat the weekly affirmation each day.

Optional extra: 
Note the references at the bottom of the pages and look up some that interest you.