Study Guide

Below is the study guide for "Free Byrd".

Special Note: I am not a huge fan of study guides unless they cover a book that is heavy on doctrine. Because Free Byrd is so stinkin' emotional let's call it a discussion guide. Therefore, if you are in a small group these questions are only designed to get you thinking and talking, which you were hopefully doing in the first place. So please use all or none of these questions and follow the Holy Spirit down the wild trail that was specifically designed for your group of people. By the way, I hope you liked Free Byrd!

Be Free Indeed, Paul

Chapter 1 Randy Johnson
1. Have you ever been in a situation where you succeeded in spite of the odds against you?
If so, how did you feel about your success?
And how did it impact your relationship with God?
And how did it impact your relationship with others?

2. Have you ever attempted to be a witness for Christ, only to see your efforts ridiculed by others?
How did it impact your relationship with God?
What did you learn from the situation?
How would you do things differently today?

3. Is there a difference between pride and healthy self-esteem?
Is there a difference between humility and poor self-esteem?
Discuss.

4. Is it possible to love God deeply and still sin greatly?
How do you reconcile the two?
And how do you return to God when you've walked away from him?

Chapter 2 Churchill Downs
1. How often do you think about your childhood and your relationship with your parents?
How has your relationship with your parents shaped your view of God?

2. Can you identify individuals in your childhood who were sowing God's truth in your life, even when you were unaware of it at the time?
Have you ever taken time to call or write those people to thank them for the way they blessed your life?

3. Is there one person who, more than any other, clearly explained to you what it really means to know Jesus?
How have you expressed your love and gratitude to that person?

Chapter 3 Dimaggio
1. Can you name an experience or accomplishment that you thought would satisfy you, only to leave you empty and disappointed?
How did you handle it?
And how did the experience change you?

2. Have you ever met a celebrity or one of your childhood heros?
Were they different or the same as you had imagined them to be?
Did you feel the same about him or differently after meeting him?

3. Does it build your self-esteem to say you know someone important in the eyes of others?
Does it build your self-esteem to say you know God?
Who's it more important to identify with...a famous person or God?

Chapter 4 Trying to Get Life
1. Is there a conflict between loving God and feeling sexual?
When does sexual attraction become sexual sin?

2. If you struggle with pornography, have you ever asked yourself if there is something you're searching for that is more basic than nudity and sex?
Discuss.

3. Have you ever confessed your struggle or addiction to another person?
How did that person react?
Has that confession helped you overcome the struggle?

4. Is there another substance, other than pornography, that seems to have control over you?
Is there anyone in your life you can talk to about your addiction?

Chapter 5 Amazing Grayson
1. Has God ever shown His grace to you in a particular area of failure in your life?
How did you respond to it?

2. Who are the people who have demonstrated God's grace to you?
How have they demonstrated grace to you?
How has that grace changed you?

3. How have you demonstrated grace to others?
How did they react or respond to your grace and forgiveness?

Chapter 6 Navy Blue Socks
1. How do you identify yourself?
By your family heritage? By whom you know? By what you do? By what you possess?

2. Can you identify the people who have severely wounded you?
Has that wound caused you to identify yourself by that wound?

3. Have you ever embraced God's way of identifying you?
As a lost person? As his child?

4. Have you ever intervened in the life of another wounded person and attempted to God's healing and restoration to his life?
How?

Chapter 7 Larry
1. How has your earthly father blessed you?
How has he wounded you?
Name some good memories and some bad ones.

2. In what ways are you like your father?
How are you different from him?

3. Have you forgiven your father for the ways he has hurt you?
Have you asked him to forgive you for the ways you have hurt him?

Chapter 8 Colby
1. Do you ever compare yourself with others?
Do you think you are superior or inferior to others?
Does it really matter how you compare with others in light of God's perfection?

2. Do you ever compare your children with each other or with other children?
How has that impacted them?

3. Do you know how to meet the differing and specific needs of each of your children?

Chapter 9 Wrestle
1. In you mind, what does it mean to be a real man?
Does being a Christian help you or hinder you in being a real man?

2. Where did you learn your ideas about what it means to be a man?
Do you believe those ideas are accurate?

3. Who do you admire for his masculinity?
Why?

Chapter 10 Bad Things
1. Do you believe that becoming a Christian guarantees you a problem-free life?

2. Do you believe that those who suffer are being judged by God or lack enough faith in God?

3. What's more important to you...knowing God or getting him to give you what you want in this life?

4. Does pain cause you to seek God or run from him?

Chapter 11 Pitching Coach
1. Do you sense God's pleasure and presence in the ordinary tasks and responsibilities of life?

2. Can you talk to God about anything?

3. Are you ever aware of God working through you in the lives of others?

Chapter 12 Mike Sweeney
1. Do you base your beliefs about God upon what others have told you or what you have read about him in the Bible?

2. At what point would you break off a relationship with others because of their beliefs or behavior?

3. Can you love others without agreeing with them on all issues?

Chapter 13 HGH
1. Do you tell others about Jesus the same way now as you did when you first believed in him?
If not, how are your conversations different now than in the past?

2. Have you ever been accused of things you didn't do?
How did you feel about it? And what did you do about it?

3. Who has proved to be your friend when you've been in trouble?

4. Is it more important to you what others think of you or what God thinks of you?

Copyright © 2008 Paul Byrd. Permission granted to duplicate and distribute up to 100 copies free of charge for discussion purposes. All other rights reserved.

Comments

[Clint Often]

BYRDIE!
Can't wait to read the book, hope all's going well.
Clint

[janet]

I am half way through your book right now. I can't put it down. I enjoy your honest words. I too struggle with making mistakes and worrying that God is disappointed in me.
I was sorry to hear your left the Indians but I understand baseball and your career move. I will miss you pitching here in Cleveland.
God bless you and your family. I'll write more after I finish the book.

[Mark]

I recently retired as a Police Officer in Southern California. I am an Angels fan and watch or go to all the games. On a telecast Rory and Guby talked about your book which had just come out. Since I have free time I bought it and just finished reading it. Its nice to know Im not the only one who struggles with the same issues that you do. I have shared some passeges in the book with my mens group. Especially about sin described as leaving a nice dinner to go eat trash out of the garbage (thanks for the insight) Keep up the good work brother!! Mark

[Mark]

I recently retired as a Police Officer in Southern California. I am an Angels fan and watch or go to all the games. On a telecast Rory and Guby talked about your book which had just come out. Since I have free time I bought it and just finished reading it. Its nice to know Im not the only one who struggles with the same issues that you do. I have shared some passeges in the book with my mens group. Especially about sin described as leaving a nice dinner to go eat trash out of the garbage (thanks for the insight) Keep up the good work brother!! Mark

[Melvin Weaver]

I read your book because I am a fan of the Cleveland Indians . It was refreshing to have a window into the spiritual life of a professional baseball player. I never knew you were a Christian until I saw your book in a local book store.
Do you remember the Bluffton College Baseball team who visited the Indians after the bus tradgity where some of their players were killed ? I am connected to them through a college system that really calls persons to a new level of serving God.
truly its is the highest calling of all to live for him. May your witness continue to bless the king of kings. Sincerely In Christ. Melvin Weaver I was sorry to see you go to Boston .

[Gordon Lum]

I've been a baseball fan and autograph collector for about 35 years. I especially enjoy collecting sigs from Christian athletes and asking them for their favorite bible verse. I haven't had a chance to meet Paul, but by reading his book I feel like I know him better than most of my closest friends. I especially appreciate his transparency. May we all be encouraged to follow his example and the teachings of Proverbs 28:13, which says "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." -Gordon

[Mike Carroll]

Paul,

I just found your site and did not realize your book was out. Janie and Tim told us about it but we were not aware of its release.Thank you for sharing your heart and soul so that others can deal with some of the same issues.A man who humbles himself before others brings great honor to our Lord,Thank you Paul.
Mike and Sylvia