Week 2: Chapter 1 — The Problem of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality

1.Scazzero lists a number of symptoms of emotionally unhealthy spirituality, such as using God to run from God, ignoring anger, sadness, and fear, and judging other people's spiritual journey. Which symptom do you think is most common in the church culture you know best? Which one do you most personally recognize in yourself?

2.He makes the striking claim that we can use religious activity — prayer, Bible reading, serving, even church attendance — as a way of avoiding genuine encounter with God. How is that possible? Have you ever experienced it?

3.Scazzero draws on the image of an iceberg to describe the self: what people see above the waterline is much smaller than what lies beneath. What does he suggest is hiding beneath the surface in most Christians? What keeps us from looking there?