Transformative Daily Meetings: Two Chairs with God

Life often feels overwhelming, with questions that need answers and burdens that weigh us down. But there is a simple, transformative practice that can change everything: setting aside intentional time to meet with God. Inspired by Bob Bodine’s book, “Two Chairs,” this approach invites us to create a physical space—two chairs, one for you and one for God—where we can bring our worries, questions, and plans before Him. This isn’t about religious ritual or complicated routines; it’s about authentic, daily relationship with the God who knows us intimately and cares deeply for every detail of our lives.

The heart of this practice is consistency. Just as Bob’s mother advised him, showing up every day, whether or not you feel anything at first, is key. God honors our desire to draw near, and in time, His presence becomes unmistakable. Sometimes, the sense of His nearness comes quickly; other times, it grows as we persist in faith. The important thing is to keep coming, trusting that God is always present, always listening, and always ready to respond.

Each morning, as you sit in your chair, bring three simple but profound questions to God: Does He know your situation? Is it too hard for Him to handle? Does He have a good plan for you? The answer to each is a resounding yes, no, and yes. These questions shift our focus from our own limitations to God’s limitless wisdom and love. They remind us that we are not alone, and that God’s plans for us are good, even when we can’t see the way forward.

This two-chair meeting is a place of exchange. We bring our anxieties, confusion, and weakness, and God offers His peace, clarity, and strength. It’s a daily invitation to let go of self-reliance and embrace the sufficiency of God. As we share our plans, fears, and hopes with Him, we open ourselves to His guidance and provision. The more we invite God into our daily lives, the more we experience His involvement and blessing.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Authentic relationship with God is built on daily, honest connection. Setting aside time each day to meet with God in a tangible way—like the two chairs—cultivates a real, not superficial, relationship. God desires to be known by us, and He meets us in our authenticity, not our perfection. [01:28]
• 2. Consistency in seeking God, even when we don’t feel His presence, is crucial. Sometimes God’s nearness is felt immediately, but often it grows as we faithfully show up. Our persistence demonstrates our seriousness about relationship, and God honors that with deeper intimacy and revelation. [03:03]
• 3. Bringing our questions and burdens to God shifts the weight from our shoulders to His. By asking, “Does God know my situation? Is it too hard for Him? Does He have a good plan for me?” we remind ourselves of His sovereignty and love, which brings peace and perspective in the midst of uncertainty. [03:03]
• 4. The two chairs become a place of divine exchange. We offer God our inability, confusion, and anxiety, and in return, He gives us His strength, wisdom, and peace. This daily practice is not just about getting answers, but about being transformed by God’s presence and learning to rely on Him more fully. [03:03]
• 5. Inviting God into our daily plans and decisions opens us to His guidance and protection. God knows what lies ahead—every storm, every opportunity, every danger. When we consult Him about our plans, we position ourselves to receive His direction, which can save us time, resources, and heartache. [03:03]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:28] - Introducing Two Chairs and Its Transformative Power
• [02:10] - The Importance of Authentic Relationship with God
• [03:03] - The Three Life-Changing Questions
• [04:00] - God’s Love and Good Plans for Us
• [05:10] - The Power of Consistency in Meeting with God
• [06:15] - Setting Up Your Two Chairs
• [07:20] - What to Say When You Meet with God
• [08:30] - Sharing Your Plans and Fears with God
• [09:45] - The Divine Exchange: Our Weakness for His Strength
• [11:00] - Experiencing God’s Presence Over Time
• [12:10] - Practical Benefits of Inviting God into Daily Life
• [13:25] - Encouragement to Start the Two Chairs Practice
• [14:30] - Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

Bible Reading

James 4:8 (ESV) — > Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

John 3:16 (ESV) — > For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Observation Questions

1. According to James 4:8, what is God’s promise to those who draw near to Him?
2. In the sermon, what are the three questions Bob Bodine’s mother encouraged him to ask God each morning? [01:28]
3. What does the “two chairs” practice physically look like, and what is its purpose? [01:28]
4. How does the sermon describe the exchange that happens when we meet with God at the two chairs? [03:03]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think consistency is emphasized as so important in building a relationship with God, even when we don’t feel His presence right away? [03:03]
2. How do the three questions (“Does God know my situation? Is it too hard for Him? Does He have a good plan for me?”) help shift our focus from ourselves to God? [01:28]
3. What does it mean for our relationship with God to be “authentic, not superficial,” as described in the sermon? [01:28]
4. In what ways does inviting God into our daily plans and decisions open us up to His guidance and protection? [03:03]

Application Questions

1. The sermon suggests setting up two physical chairs—one for you and one for God. What would it look like for you to create a dedicated space or time to meet with God each day? What obstacles might get in the way, and how could you overcome them? [01:28]
2. Think about a current worry, question, or plan in your life. How could you bring this to God using the three questions from the sermon? (“Does God know my situation? Is it too hard for Him? Does He have a good plan for me?”) [01:28]
3. The speaker shared that sometimes God’s presence is felt right away, but other times it takes persistence. Have you ever experienced a time when you kept showing up for God, even when you didn’t feel anything? What happened as a result? [03:03]
4. The sermon talks about exchanging our anxiety, confusion, and weakness for God’s peace, clarity, and strength. What is one area of your life where you need to make this exchange? How can you practically do that this week? [03:03]
5. When you think about your daily plans, do you usually invite God into them? What is one specific decision or plan coming up where you could ask for God’s input before moving forward? [03:03]
6. The sermon emphasizes being authentic with God, not perfect. Is there something you’ve been holding back from sharing with God because you feel it’s not “spiritual enough” or you’re supposed to have it together? What would it look like to bring that honestly to Him? [01:28]
7. The speaker mentioned that God’s guidance can save us time, resources, and heartache. Can you think of a time when you did or didn’t seek God’s direction and saw the results? What did you learn from that experience? [03:03]