Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 10: The crux of the matter

Chapter 10: The crux of the matter

"How we live our days is how we live our lives." - Annie Dillard.

Francis explains that he wrote this book because often our talk doesn't match our lives. I know I don't always walk the talk. We all fail. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live victorious lives. Lives that continually grow closer to God. Lives that continually point others to Christ. After all, what can be more important than that? If my life is snap of the fingers compared to eternity, shouldn't I be planning for that eternity? Shouldn't I be making the most of my days here knowing that at any time I could die and meet the Lord? If so, what can I do to make my talk match my walk?

If I had to boil this book down to a phrase it would be "God's love for us is so crazy, shouldn't our response be just as crazy?" What phrase comes to mind as you boil down this book?

Pursuing Christ takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness. It takes energy, effort. It takes me getting up off the couch and grabbing a bible to read. It takes me getting involved in my church. It takes me finding opportunities to serve others. What one thing will you try to apply to your life and change to better serve God and others?

Switchfoot wrote a song called "Burn Out Bright." It makes me think of finishing the race strong, or in football, "leaving it all on the field." In five years, what would you like to see in your life?

I hope you enjoyed this challenging book like I did. God bless you and may God draw you closer to Himself and use you to bless others.

Summary Questions:

• What can I do to make my talk match my walk?
• What phrase comes to mind as you boil down this book?
• What one thing will you try to apply to your life and change to better serve God and others?
•  In five years, what would you like to see in your life?

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 9: Who really lives that way?

Chapter 9: Who really lives that way?

In this chapter, we read about a wide variety of examples of people who live/lived out their faith in significant ways, some more extreme than others. All of them were completely committed to the Lord. George Muller ran an orphanage and depended on the Lord for everything. Nathan Barlow used his medical skills to help others in Ethiopia. The Robynson family would make food for the homeless on Christmas morning. Who out of the fourteen people/groups that Francis writes about, stood out to you? Why? Which example would you find the hardest to be like?

The Lord has given each of us certain skills and abilities that are unique. Romans 12:6-8 says "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." What gifts or skills has God given you that you can use to bless others?

Many of us have had people in our lives who serve as a great example. Two men come to mind when I think about who has served as great examples in my life. One owned a business and the other worked in the ministry, yet both had a profound impact on me and others. Who in your life has lived the way that these people have lived (fully surrendered to God)?

Since reading this book, Have you felt called to live out your faith in a different way?

At the end of the chapter, Francis challenged me to think about others around me and how I might reach out to them. He writes, "I hope they (the examples) have challenged the multitudes who feel 'called to the rich' and ignore the poor." Is there a certain group of people to whom you feel called to minister?

Summary Questions:

• Who out of the fourteen people/groups that Francis writes about, stood out to you? Why? 
• Which example would you find the hardest to be like?
• What gifts or skills has God given you that you can use to bless others?
• Who in your life has lived the way that these people have lived (fully surrendered to God)?
• Since reading this book, Have you felt called to live out your faith in a different way?
• Is there a certain group of people to whom you feel called to minister?

Chapter 10: The crux of the matter

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 8: Profile of the obsessed

Chapter 8: Profile of the obsessed

This chapter is 180 degrees compared to the lukewarm chapter (chapter 4). Francis Chan challenges readers to re-evaluate their relationship with the Lord. He defines obsessed as "to have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic." Christians should strive for being obsessed with God. Have you ever been obsessed with something?

The obsessed are people (paraphrased):

Lovers: Who love a person after they have hurt them.

Risk Takers: Who care more about the Kingdom of God than their own personal safety.

Friends of All: Who are friends to people of all walks of life, including those really in need.
Crazy Ones: Who are more concerned about obeying God than doing what is expected.
The Humble: Who point others to Christ and not themselves.
Servers: Who take joy in loving God by loving His people.
Givers: Who think of others more than themselves and are particularly aware of the poor.
Sojourners: Who think about enternity more than their life on earth.
The Engrossed: Who have a passionate love for God above all else.
Unguarded Ones: Who are raw with God and don't try to mask the ugliness of their sins.
The Rooted: Who spend time with God faithfully.
The Dedicated: Who are more concerned about their character than their comfort.
Sacrificers: Who sacrifice thank offerings to God because they know they can never repay Him.

If there is one type of people in this list that you are closest to being, which one is it?
What two types of people would you like to become?

There is a point that Francis makes that I thought was good: "there has to be more to our faith than friendliness, politeness, and even kindness." We ought to be loving all people, even our enemies, to those who can't repay us. These are not easy things, but they are possible through the love of Christ. When have you chosen to love someone in difficult circumstances (child, spouse, parent)?

Later in the chapter Francis writes, "I didn't know many people who were truly in need."  I agree that we need to reach out to those in need and get to know them. How diversified is your friend portfolio?

I think the point of this chapter is to switch from looking at things we are doing that might be negative (chapter four) and strive toward things that are positive. We've likely seen this modeled, either in real life or in the bible. The challenge is to let God shape us into people who are "obesessed" with Him. Through the many ways He loves us, we know He is truly obsessed with us. How has God shown His love to you?


Summary Questions:

• Have you ever been obsessed with something? 
• If there is one type of people in this list that you are closest to being, which one is it?
• What two types of people would you like to become?
• When have you chosen to love someone in difficult circumstances (child, spouse, parent)?
• How diversified is your friend portfolio?
• How has God shown His love to you?

Chapter 9: Who really lives that way?

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 7: Your best life...later

Chapter 7: Your best life...later

In this chapter, Francis focuses on love and faith.

First, Francis says we can either let life happen or actively run toward Christ. I'd put it this way: following Christ takes effort. Love takes effort. Love is a verb; action. Francis asks "what does running toward Christ and pursuing Love look like?" He looks at Hebrews 11 for the answer.

Hebrews 11, often called the hall of faith, includes snippets from the lives of Abraham, Moses, Noah, and others in the bible who had great faith. They required God to come through in their situations. Francis says that having faith often means doing what others see is crazy. "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." What are some things that Christians do that non-Christians would think are crazy? Like Francis says "we want to put ourselves in situations where we are safe 'even if there is no God.'" How would others view your spirituality, crazy or sane? I know I play it safe at times when I should really be trusting in God. He has my life in the palm of His hand, yet I think I need to be in control. Jesus says in Matthew 6:26-27, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Does our worry or desire to play it safe point to a lack of faith/spiritual growth?

In Matthew 25:45, Jesus' parable says that the king (who is actually himself, the Son of Man) will reply "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Francis asks "What if I thought of everyone one I see as if they were Christ?" There is a connection between loving and giving. When we give we are showing love for the other person. Describe an example of when someone gave to you.

One line that stood out to me from this chapter was this one, "As we begin the practice of regular giving, we see how ludicrous it is to hold on to the abundance God has given us and merely repeat the words thank you." It paints a picture of someone who has been given many gifts, but then just keeps them and doesn't share with those in need. Something is wrong with this picture.

Francis says a professor asked him, "What are you doing right now that requires faith?" He replies in his mind that he probably wouldn't be living very differently if he didn't believe in God. Some of us might argue there are a few things that we do that requires faith. But do they? Really? Do I just have faith to say that what I'm doing isn't a waste of time or is it more than that?

He also says that "Life is comfortable when you separate yourself from people that are different from you." He talks about the need to spend ourselves on others. Look for opportunities to help people, develop relationships with people that are different than us. Do you have a variety of friends or are they just like you?


Summary Questions:

• What are some things that Christians do that non-Christians would think are crazy?
• How would others view your spirituality, crazy or sane?
• Describe an example of when someone gave to you.
• What are you doing right now that requires faith?
• Do you have a variety of friends or are they just like you?

Chapter 8: Profile of the obsessed

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 6: When you're in love

Chapter 6: When you're in love

In this chapter, Francis takes a bit of a turn and starts to talk more about love. He says that guilt and fear are not the antidote to lukewarm, selfish, comfortable living. Instead, the answer is love. He also says when we are loving, we can't sin. Do you believe this is true? If so, why?

A key concept that he hits on is that when we are pursuing love, running after Christ, we won't wonder "Am I doing this right? or Did I serve enough this week?"  As long as we are pursuing Him, we are satisfied in Him. When we are serving out of obligation and not love, we can get tired really fast. Was there a time when you've been tired of serving or have had these thoughts?

Francis writes, "I think we naturally assume that if we look out for our own interests and concerns, we will be happy." A self-centered life seems to be the answer to happiness at times. But it truly is a lie from the enemy. Francis continues, "People generally do find greater joy in giving freely to others than they do in rampant self-indulgence." When have you found joy in giving to someone or meeting someone else's needs?

Something my wife always says is "You can't out-give God." Francis points this out also. In Malachi 3, God challenges the Israelites to bring in the whole tithe and He promises to bless them if they do: "Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." It is a direct challenge from God. Can you think of a time when you gave and shortly-thereafter God blessed you?

When motivated by fear and guilt, serving others or God feels like work. "But when we truly love Christ, our work is a manifestation of that love, and it feels like love," Francis writes. Don't try to earn God's love through serving. Choose to love Him and the rest will come naturally. Read God's word and you'll find many reasons to love Him. His love for us "surpasses knowledge", Eph 3:19. When have you experienced growth your love for God?

Summary Questions:

• When we are loving, we can't sin. Do you believe this is true? If so, why?
• Was there a time when you've been tired of serving or have had these thoughts?
• When have you found joy in giving to someone or meeting someone else's needs?
• Can you think of a time when you gave and shortly-thereafter God blessed you?
• When have you experienced growth your love for God?

Chapter 7: Your best life...later

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 5: Serving leftovers to a holy God

Chapter 5: Serving leftovers to a holy God

A lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron. There is no such thing according to Francis Chan. This is a heavy-hitting concept, because we each have lukewarm elements or practices in our lives, as even noted by Francis. In Revelation, Jesus says that the church in Laodicea is lukewarm and that he will spit them out of His mouth, implying that they are not saved. It says in Romans (10:9) that salvation is a matter of the heart, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." And, of course, God knows each of our hearts. Our salvation is not based on works. Ephesians 2:9-10 says "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." However, faith is seen in our actions, according to James 2:17, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Non-fruit bearing Christians do not exist. In Matthew 7:18, Jesus says that "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." To summarize, fruit comes naturally from the hearts of Christians. What are some examples of fruit-bearing?

Part of this chapter focused on giving to God. He points out that many of us are rich by the world's standards (53% of the world's people live on less than $2/day). He says we are rich people who complain we are poor at times. We might be more blind than poor, spiritually speaking. In Malachi 1:8, the Lord describes his anger toward the Israelites for their poor sacrifices. They offered the least of the animals for sacrifices. Francis says God described it as evil. The point here is that we ought to not get caught up in trying to acquire wealth at the expense of giving to those in need and giving to God. What are some examples of giving and why is it important?

Francis quotes Tim Kizziar: "Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter." That is a quote that resonates with me. What are some examples of things that we might succeed at that won't matter in eternity?

Francis writes, "Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made?" He writes that God measures our lives by how we love. Paul says in Corinthians, "If I have faith but have not love, I have nothing." If love is a verb, shown through actions, then how do we love?

I believe that Francis' most important statement in this chapter is, "How we invest our time, money, energy is equivalent to choosing or rejecting God." What are some things that we should spend more of our time, money, and energy on?

Summary Questions:

• What are some examples of fruit-bearing?
• What are some examples of things that we might succeed at that won't matter in eternity?
• If love is a verb, shown through actions, then how do we love?
• What are some things that we should spend more of our time, money, and energy on?

Chapter 6: When you're in love

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 4: Profile of the lukewarm

Chapter 4: Profile of the lukewarm

This is the deepest chapter so far. It really challenges us to think about our walk with God and to think whether or not we are truly devoted to Him. He talks first about the parable of the sower found in Luke chapter 8. Francis Chan cautions: "Do not assume you are good soil." He says that a relationship with God simply cannot grow when money, sins, activities, favorite sports teams, addictions, or commitments are piled on top of it. Basically, if it's more important that God, it's a bad thing to have. Is there something that has overtaken your relationship with God at some point in your life, now or in the past? Wait a minute. Did he say favorite sports teams? Hmmmm.

Francis writes:

• Lukewarm people attend church regularly. It's what "good Christians" do.
• Lukewarm people give money to charity/church as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living.
• Lukewarm people choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict.
• Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sin; they only want to be saved from the penalty of their sin.
• Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act.
• Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends.
• Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and His is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a second of their time, money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives.
• Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves.
• Lukewarm people will serve God and others, but there are limits to how far they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give.
• Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven.
• Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor.
• Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty.
• Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control.
• Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they do not have to.
• Lukewarm people probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren't very different from your typical unbeliever.

Is there one of these descriptions that describe you? Is it easy to change?

It is important to remember, like Francis says, none of us are perfect. It says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Be careful not to judge others either. This is a time to take a serious self-inventory, he says. I know if I really wanted to grow in my relationship with God, I'd start by identifying a couple of areas to work on and pray that God will help me change. Reading God's word on a particular topic will help me store His word in my heart and help change my mind about a certain area; to see it His way. What would be the number one thing you think God would want you to change? It's important to remember that we can never earn our salvation or earn God's love. Anything we do ought to be out of our love for Him and others.

If I had to summarize the profile of the lukewarm it's this: lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Does that sound like you? It sure sounds like me during different phases of my life. How can I make sure I have an eternal perspective?

Summary Questions:

• Is there something that has overtaken your relationship with God at some point in your life, now or in the past?
• Is there one of these descriptions that describe you? 
• Is it easy to change? How do you foster change?
• What would be the number one thing you think God would want you to change?
• How can we make sure we have an eternal perspective?

Chapter 5: Serving leftovers to a holy God

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 3: Crazy Love

Chapter 3: Crazy Love

In this chapter, Francis focuses on God's love. For him, his early view of God came from his view of his father. His relationship with his father negatively affected his view of God for many years. When he had kids it was much different. His own love for his kids opened his eyes to how God loves him. How has your relationship with your father influenced your view of God? Has having kids changed your view of God? I know for me, I viewed God as being not really involved in people's lives on earth. I thought that Christianity was more about living a life of rules and not a relationship with God.

Later in the chapter, he writes about being wanted by God. He wants us to spend time with Him in prayer and reading His word. He wants that relationship with us like a father-son or father-daughter relationship. He is waiting for us to take a step toward him. Do you feel wanted by God, like God's son or daughter? Romans 8:14 says "because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." His love is certainly more than we can imagine. It isn't easy to fully understand "the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge," Ephesians 3:18-19.

Why does God still love us despite us? We can't earn His love, yet many of us try. Like Francis points out, Isaiah 64:6 says our righteous acts are like filthy rags. There's nothing we can do to earn His love. But, he IS love (1 John 4:16). It is the very nature of His being. Is it hard to fathom why God would still love us?

At the end of the chapter, Francis remembers a student asking, "Why would a loving God force me to love Him (through threatening me with punishment and hell if I don't begin a relationship with Him)?" I love his response in the book, "Doesn't His courting, luring, pushing, calling, and even threatening demonstrate His love?" He's made it so very easy to come to Him. The Good News is that we can have a relationship with Him. At the end, Francis asks "Are we in love with God or just His stuff (everything he created on earth)?" Do you believe God loves you with an unending love?

Summary Questions:

• How has your relationship with your father influenced your view of God? 
• Has having kids changed your view of God? 
• Do you feel wanted by God, like God's son or daughter? 
• Why does God still love us despite us? Is it hard to fathom why God would still love us?
• Do you believe God loves you with an unending love?

Chapter 4: Profile of the lukewarm

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 2: You might not finish thischapter

Chapter 2: You might not finish this chapter

It's not because it's a boring chapter, but because none of us know how long we will live. James writes (4:14b) "you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." God knows the number of our days (Psalm 139:16): "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Is it easy to take our lives for granted? I get up and go to work every day just like I expect it, like I'm not thankful for breath. Do I not realize that someday my life will end? And that it could be at any moment?

According to Francis Chan "worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives." Do you believe that? I know when I worry, I focus on myself. I focus on what's going to happen to me and how I can avoid negative outcomes. Why don't I focus on God instead? I should focus on Him and know that He will take care of everything according to His purpose. Matthew 10:29-31 says "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Francis also says stress is basically a lack of trust in God also. I think of stress as worry multiplied by time.

I love Francis' description of the movie. He says how I have a two-fifths-of-a-second scene in the whole movie of life and reminds us that its God's movie. What do you think of that story? It reminds me that life is not about me. Like Rick Warren writes in The Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about you." He ends the section, "The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because the whole thing is His. It is His movie, His world, His gift." Let's ask ourselves, "how can our lives point to God?"

Summary Questions:

• Is it easy to take our lives for granted?
• Do you agree that worry is basically a lack of trust in God?
• What do you think of the movie Francis describes?
• How can our lives point to God?

Chapter 3: Crazy Love

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - Chapter 1: Stop Praying

I'm slowly going through this book with a small group and jotting down a few notes along the way.

Chapter 1: Stop Praying

After reading this chapter, it made me take a step back and see who God really is. I need to remember that God is the one who made it all, including the stars. Every time I look at the stars I get a sense of amazement. Orion jumps out at me every time. There is a drawing of a man in the stars! In nature, what makes you stop and say "wow?" The human body? The Northern Lights? Your kids?

Shouldn't it be easy to love a God so wonderful? Or is it easy to forget how wonderful God is? I forget that God's the designer and I am in his design. More importantly, I am one of his designs and so are you. The song "More" by Matthew West is a good reminder of this: "I love you more than the sun and the stars that I taught how to shine. You are mine and you shine for me too. I love you." He not only has a design for the universe, but also for my life. He has put me in the exact location in the world and in the exact place in time to draw me close to Him and use me for His glory (Acts 17:26-27).

Later in chapter one, Francis writes about what Isaiah and John see in the books of Isaiah and Revelation. Can you imagine seeing heaven in those ways, with all of the vibrant colors, flashes of lightning, and peals of thunder? Isaiah said "woe is me!" What would you say? Here is a testimony of someone who died in a plane crash, visits heaven, and returned. His description of heaven is interesting.

I need to stand in awe of God and remember all that he has done in creating the universe, loving me, and providing a savior for all mankind through Jesus Christ. He's done it all!

Summary Questions:

• In nature, what makes you stop and say "wow?"
• Shouldn't it be easy to love a God so wonderful? Or is it easy to forget how wonderful God is? 
• Can you imagine seeing heaven in those ways? What would you say?

Chapter 2: You might not finish this chapter