Neal used the example of having to intentionally learn to not put his foot down on the ground when riding a 4-wheel ATV. He instinctively put his foot down every time he stopped because he had learned to do that riding bikes and motorcycles.
1. What habits or instinctual pattern have you had to unlearn or retrain yourself to do differently?

We learn to be with Jesus in order to become like Jesus so we can automatically do what he would do.

1. Can you name anything of significance that you knew how to do perfectly, the first time you tried?
2. What activity or skill has been important enough to you that you made the effort to get better at it?
3. How long did it take and how much effort?
4. Can you remember a time you made an effort to grow in an area of faith? What was it? What did you do?

Neal talked about fly fishing and said some people acted like tourists, just wanting the expert guide to do everything for them. He contrasted that with the guide's assistant who was a follower of the guide. He wanted to be with him to learn to be like him.

1. Describe something you would say you are interested in at the level of a tourist. For example, Neal is not a big sports enthusiast. He is a tourist when it comes to attending sporting events. He will go with someone who gets the tickets, finds the seats, and tells him about the team and the game in general.
2. Describe something you would say you are interested in at the level of a follower. For example, Neal follows Android and TV tech. He knows about the latest phones, technologies, TV quality. He is interested in being up to day. He doesn't buy the latest and most expensive devices but he has a wish list!
3. What is an area of faith or growth you would be interested in becoming more of a follower, learning it so you can do it more instinctively?

This is a church. We are supposed to be like Jesus.

1. Have you known "mean" Christians or have you been hurt by a church?
2. Would you agree or disagree that helping people become more like Jesus is a priority for the church?
3. Some would argue the church's job is to move forward the agenda of Jesus, politically or socially. Would you agree or disagree that this is a higher goal than training people to be more like Jesus? Why or why not?

Everyone responds better when Christians don’t just talk about Jesus, but act like him.

1. What are some examples of Christians not acting like Jesus that make the headlines these days?
2. Do you know people who stay away from church and faith because of these kinds of actions on the part of Christians?"
3. Would a church be more attractive if its members acted and had the attitudes of Jesus?

Sleeping in the boat beside Jesus

1. Think of a time you had a storm in your life. What actions did you take?
2. Did you try to solve a problem? Did you seek to defend yourself?
3. What happened? Did you feel good about it?
4. Without being critical of yourself, think about how things would have been different if you had practiced sleeping beside Jesus in the boat.
5. What might you have done differently?
6. Would it have been hard for you to do those different things?

Think of a current storm in your life. Think about your options, about what you are thinking about doing. Then ask yourself, would doing this be sleeping in the boat? Then pray, Jesus, please help me sleep beside you in the boat.