Study Guide for the Devil’s Inbox

About the Six Session Guide:
Discussion questions reference a specific correspondence, or “h-mail,” by its heading; page numbers and topics (CL for Christian Living, HE for Health, FM for family, FA for Faith, and SP for Spirituality) are also given. If desired, the group can explore the subject further by reading and reflecting on the suggested Bible passage and related questions.

SESSION ONE

1.1) Subject: Hello and welcome... (Page 12, CL)
The h-mails in The Devil’s Inbox are letters of advice from an older devil named Anesthesia, who goes by the screen name “Anastyl,” to a younger devil named Termite, who uses the screen name “gnawingirl.” How do these names describe what tempts us?
Read Matthew 4:1-11. What are some modern examples of the temptations Jesus faced?

1.2) Subject: The good news (Pages 12-13, SP)
Is your life “compartmentalized”? Which compartments in your life seem furthest from God? Closest?
Read Matthew 23:37. Have you ever seen a mother hen with chicks? Or any animal with its young? What is Jesus saying about God’s love for us?

1.3) Subject: Let them wallow... (Pages 15-16, HE)
a. Think about movies and TV shows you have watched recently. Give examples of healthy and unhealthy relationships and how sexuality is portrayed in the shows.
b. Read Song of Solomon 4:8-16. What does the Song of Solomon have to say about healthy relationships and healthy sexuality?

1.4) Subject: Like everything else... (Pages 20-21, FM)
a. How does your family deal with disagreements? Are there loud fights at the dinner table? Or do you avoid controversial topics? Are there lively discussions? How are disagreements handled in your church?
b. Read 1 Corinthians 8, 13:5. What would Paul say to the Church today?

1.5) Subject: Sorry, Charlie (Page 22, FA)
a. How much do you wonder about the existence of a just God, given this unjust world? What problems or issues concern you?
b. Read Romans 8:18-25. What do you hope to see redeemed?

SESSION TWO

2.1) Subject: Now we’re cooking (Page 34, SP)
Can food become a substitute for love? For God? What about other addictive behaviors?
Read Psalm 22. How did the psalmist’s feelings about God develop over the course of the psalm?

2.2) Subject: Anything but this... (Page 35, CL)
Do you find that you focus on the past, the present, or the future most often?
Read Matthew 6:25-34. What interferes with following Jesus’s advice?

2.3) Subject: Art appreciation (Page 39, HE)
When does the term “lousy lifestyles” apply to your life? How does lifestyle interfere with the ability to love God and one’s neighbor?
Read Daniel 1:1-6. How is our world like the palace of Nebuchadnezzar?

2.4) Subject: A complete triumph... (Page 44, FA)
How can guilt gnaw at a person?
Read Romans 7:21 – 8:2. Do these verses speak to you?

2.5) Subject: No triumph in itself (Page 49, FM)
a. Think of a married couple you know who embody the idea of “a lifetime of companionship.” Describe their relationship.
b. Read 1 Corinthians 13, Philippians 4:8. What makes it hard to follow these passages in our own relationships?

SESSION THREE

3.1) Subject: An endless battle (Page 56, HE)
Describe a creative project (from “planting petunias” to “writing a symphony”) that you’ve enjoyed working on.
Read Genesis 1:1-4. In beginning, things were dark and formless—but the Spirit (or “wind”) of God was moving over the face of the waters. In what ways have you felt the Holy Spirit move around you?

3.2) Subject: Far from new (Page 58, FM)
Describe a time when you have felt unconditional love towards (or from) a family member or friend.
Read Ruth 1:1-18. What are some examples of love and loyalty in the passage?

3.3) Subject: Remember the era... (Page 60, FA)
a. How is a balance between freedom and responsibility important? What kinds of problems happen if the scale is tipped too far one way?
b. Read John 8:31-38, Galatians 5. How does Jesus recommend finding freedom? God has been described as one in “whose service is perfect freedom.” What can get in the way of our freedom in Christ?

3.4) Subject: Any worship is too much... (Page 65, CL)
What kinds of things distract you when you are in worship? What sort of worship service has the most meaning for you?
Read Colossians 3:12-17. How does this sort of Christian community happen? What can get in the way?

3.5) Subject: A mild case of martyrdom (Page 70, SP)
How much do you have to do today? How important are your activities and work to your self-image?
Read Luke 10:38-41. What did Martha expect Jesus to say? What would Jesus say to the voices (internal and/or external) telling us that we are too busy to pray?

SESSION FOUR

4.1) Subject: Not funny (Page 78, FA)
Describe a time or place when you have “felt” God’s love or presence.
Read Matthew 3:13-17. Jesus’ public ministry began after his baptism. What might have happened if he had started his ministry without his baptism?

4.2) Subject: Here’s a possible opening (Page 80, HE)
What do you think about prayers for healing?
Read Luke 8:42b-48. What if the woman had gotten away without being discovered? Can you think of a time when hearing or doing the hard thing helped make you whole?

4.3) Subject: A real chance to bring her... (Page 82, CL)
What are some positive things that come out of competition? Some negatives?
Read Matthew 14:13-21. What would be the greater miracle: bread miraculously appearing or everyone sharing what they have?

4.4) Subject: This may come as a surprise (Page 87, SP)
"The Interior Castle," by St. Teresa of Avila, was written in 1577, and contains a description of every soul as a castle, with God in the innermost room. If your soul is a castle, where are you? (Outside, in the moat, on the drawbridge, in the front hall, etc.)
Read Luke 11:1-4. Thinking about the Lord’s Prayer, what part of the prayer is the most important to you?

4.5) Subject: Pay attention (Page 94, FM)
What makes it so hard for human beings to change?
Read Mark 1:14-15. What is the difference between confession and repentance?

SESSION FIVE

5.1) Subject: No big deal (Page 106, CL)
What are some other feelings that accompany depression?
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. What season do you find yourself in?

5.2) Subject: Planting doubt (Page 109, SP)
Do you prefer private prayer or corporate worship? How is churchgoing a community activity?
Read Luke 22:14-19. In our culture, what meal would be the closest to the Jewish Passover feast? How is Holy Communion similar to sharing a holiday meal?

5.3) Subject: Maybe, maybe not (Page 113, HE)
How do you want to be remembered? How would your wishes carry over to your own memorial service? How would you describe a good death?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:19. What do you hope for in the next life?

5.4) Subject: The old reliable: human... (Page 116, FM).
Are you more comfortable taking care of others or with others taking care of you?
Read Luke 7:36-50. If Jesus had turned the woman away, what would have been different for her? for him?

5.5) Subject: Unpredictable (Page 119, FA)
Describe someone you have known who is both kind and honest.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-57. If you were to draw a picture of the scene Paul describes, what colors would you use?

SESSION SIX

6.1) Licehead’s Statement (Pages 122-123, All content areas)
Did the conclusion surprise you? How does it fit with the rest of the story? What are your thoughts on redemption for all?
Read Matthew 5:1-10. In what way is the deathbed scene an example of these verses? Can an ordinary day be lived with such blessing?
(General Discussion Starters (top left) can also be used for the concluding session.)

DISCUSSION STARTERS

1) What did you like about the book? Not like?

2) What was your favorite h-mail?

3) What would you name your tempter?

4) If Anesthesia were writing a letter to your tempter, what would she say?

5) How do you see a reflection of yourself in Termite’s “victim”?

6) How does "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis compare to "The Devil’s Inbox?

7) What do you think about the existence of evil as a personal force actively hostile to God?

8) What overall message do you take away from the book?

"The book was a hit. As a study it was a wonderful success."
- Pastor Janice Caiazzo, September 2004

The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Andrew Cook, Augsburg Books student intern in the summer of 2004 and person to watch in the years ahead, for his assistance in the development of this guide.
Copyright Barbara Laymon 2004. All rights reserved. This guide may be reproduced for local use.