The Seven Life Lessons of Chaos
by John Briggs and F. David Peat
(Harpercollins, 1999)

Session One — Introduction and Lesson One (pages 1-30)

1. What images come to mind when you hear the word "chaos"?
2. Why is change so threatening to so many people? What are some qualities that make change easier for people?
3. What major societal changes in your lifetime have caused the greatest stress and tension? Why are these changes so difficult to accept?
4. What are the critical roles for leaders as they help individuals and faith communities through change?
5. Chaos theory teaches us that there are many things that lie beyond our control. What are the chaotic realities that we try to control in the church? How can we be more responsive to the chaotic nature of our society as we strive to serve as the church?

Session Two — Lessons Two and Three (pages 31-78)

1. Name some of the "subtle influences" we exert as the church — on the membership, on the community, and the world.
2. What does the lesson of subtle influences teach us about worship? evangelism? stewardship? education? the way we live our lives in the world?
3. In what ways is the church a self-organizing system? How does the theory of self-organizing systems affect your understanding of the church?
4. What assumptions do we make about people's ability to change?
5. How can we encourage our churches to become places that honor and encourage creativity and passion? What factors inhibit creativity and passion?
6. What dangers to collective creativity and renewal are posed by the current trends toward individualistic faith and piety?

Session Three— Lessons Four and Five (pages 79-124)

1. What do you believe is the primary motivation for simplifying our lives? Why is complexity feared? What role can the church play in helping people address the issues of the complexity and simplification of life?
2. What can the church do to celebrate the diversity of our culture? How can we help people move beyond stereotyping and prejudice as our society becomes more diverse and complex?
3. Think of a relationship you are in. In what ways do you make this relationship harder than it needs to be? In what ways do you over-simplify? What does chaos theory teach us about the dual tendencies to make things more complex than they need to be and to over-simplify complex issues?
4. What are the dangers inherent in separating the secular from the sacred, the beautiful from the scientific, and the worldly from the spiritual?
5. How can we help people look beyond their differences to their similarities and common interests? What role does the church play in confronting the destructive powers of prejudice, judgement, and condemnation?

Session Four — Lessons Six, Seven, and After Words (pages 125-175)

1. How does a linear, mechanistic view of time place limits on us that restrict creativity and growth?
2. What assistance does Scripture offer us for living more fully in time? How does linear time (chronos) track with our understanding of God's time (kyros)?
3. How is your concept of God's creation challenged or supported by the idea that chaos is a natural part of the world and that all organisms and systems are closely linked?
4. What are the challenges facing the church as we try to move people from individualism to true, holistic connection to community and to the world?
5. In a world of constant change and growing ambiguity, how can the church help people live stable, balanced lives? What help does chaos theory offer in this ministry?

Return to the review of The Seven Life Lessons of Chaos.

Dan R. Dick is a former staff member of the General Board of Discipleship.

(originally posted February 17, 2000)

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