The Shack

Chapter 17

Summary Notes:

· Mack carries Missy’s body back to the cabin, where they place it in the coffin Jesus has made, and then bury it in a hole in Mack’s garden.

· The coffin had details of Missy’s life carved into it (p231).

· Sarayu sings Missy’s song (p233).

· Papa gives Mack a choice to stay with them and continue to grow and learn (and see Missy), or go back to his other home, to Nan and his other children (p234).

· Sarayu tells Mack that he is important, therefore, everything he does is important (p235).

· Mack decides to go back to Nan and his family (p235).

· Sarayu gives Mack one last gift, telling him that Kate blames herself for Missy’s death (p236).

· The four share wine and bread and laugh about the stranger moments of the weekend (p236).

· Mack changed clothes, and when he returned to the living room, they were gone (p237).

· Mack hadn’t had a chance to say good bye, although saying good bye to God seemed a little silly (p237).

· Mack falls asleep next to the fireplace, and wakes up to the old shack. It is cold and wintery outside, just like it was when he first arrived (p237).

· Mack starts home, but gets crushed by a driver running a red light. He is flown to the hospital in Portland, Oregon (p238).

Splinters from “Shaq:”

1. If Jesus was building your coffin, what details of your life would you like him to carve into it? (highlights, key moments, etc)

2. Do you feel like your work is important? Why or why not?

3. If you were in Mack’s shoes, would you have chosen to stay with Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu, or would you have chosen to return to your family? Explain.

4. How would you view God as your servant? (p236)