Agenda: Sunday, September 27th 2026

1:30pm: Desert Monks Brewing Company 1094 S. Gilbert Rd. #101, Gilbert, AZ 85296

Announcements: Please make sure to pay your tab

Ice Breaker: Humility is a topic that is brought up in this chapter of the book, what are some ways you have been humbled in the past and how does it continue to serve you now? What practices do you have to make sure humility is at the forefront of your life?

Discussion Topic: Renewing the Image: How man is restored through Christ’s outpouring love.

Sources: Human Person According To John Paul Ii | Pauline Books and Media

Supplement Material: 

Terms: 

Imago Dei– Image and likeness of God.

Original Humanity- Mankind created in the Image and likeness of God.

Original Solitude- The state in which man found himself prior to the creation of woman. Man understands that he is different from the rest of creation and is made for more.

Original Unity- The creation of woman and the nuptial understanding of the body.

Original Nakedness- Before the fall, there was no shame. Original nakedness refers not just to revelation and understanding of the dignity of the body but also of the whole person body and soul. Man’s body reveals two realities: physical and spiritual.

Original Sin- “The Fall” of man as a result of disobedience.

Concupiscence- An inclination toward sin.

Kenosis- Voluntary self-emptying of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Discussion prompts:

1. The book states how “man cannot achieve reconciliation with God on his own, but must rely on God’s plan.” What do you think is meant by this statement? *hint it deals with the reality of sin (p.165)

2. What role does conscience play in determining if something is truly good or only “apparently good.”
3. Do you think a conscience can error in judgement? Why do you think that is and what sort of remedy might assist us in avoiding error? 
4. The Desert Fathers tell us that Satan is like a counterfitter; he can disguise things that are bad for us and make them appear good. Can you think of any examples of something that appears good but is inherently bad?
5. The book talks about the dangers of pursuing counterfeit love while imagining that one is truly loving God. What may be an example of this? How may we be able to unravel this counterfeit love to reveal an authentic one for God?
6. What role does humility play in proper discernment?
7. The book talks about how “sacrifice is the raw material God uses to convert man to love.” What do you think is meant by this statement? (p.171)
8. In the parable of the prodigal son, the youngest son equated the father’s substance to his money. How does the book hint at why that is false? Can you think of other examples of how people might mistake someone’s substance for something that it is not?
9. In the same parable the book talks about how both sons wanted the substance of the father, both mistakenly believed that they could acquire the substance either by demanding it or by pleasing him in a manipulative way. Why do you think they could not acquire the father’s substance this way? What does it mean to truly acquire the substance of the father? (p.182)
10. What is the significance of Christ being pierced through His side? How does this coincide with the deep sleep of Adam and the birth of Eve?
11. John Paul speaks of the wounds of Christ and how they are significant, because they are central to His glorified body. Balthasar speaks of how through His wounds we are saved. What do you think about these statements? Do you think Christ’s wounds will heal us on the last day?

3:30pm: End