Discussion Questions 1. What do you think of the quote at the beginning of the chapter? Is it a new thought, a confirmation of what you believe, or something with which you disagree? 2. Referring to the diagram with the big red circle representing the mess, where do you think most church people would put their “You are here” sticker? What about mos

For those of you who might prefer something other than the dice method, we can talk about the age-old principle called “follow the energy.” This is based on the idea that God sometimes directs us through our desires. It suggests that if he wants you to get involved with special-needs kids, he will get you excited about special-needs kids.

One last thing about being a change agent: We are only the agents of change. It is God who does the changing. We are just the people through whom he moves. Apparently, he’s not picky about whom he chooses. One time he used a prostitute named Rahab. Another time he used a murderer and adulterer named David. One time he actually used a donkey (see Nu

Some psychologists suggest that an experience always consists of two parts: the actual experience and the processing of the experience. Make sure you do both. Here are five questions you can use to assist your group as it processes its experience: How did our experience compare with what you anticipated? Were there any surprises? Were there any dis

As a speaker, you can use the “should” approach and make people feel guilty, but it doesn’t produce passionate followers of Jesus Christ. It merely produces compliant, guilt-driven church people. And once that guilt-based approach to faith gets a hold of you, it’s tough to find your way back to grace.

Discussion Questions 1. Do you sense that boredom is prevalent in your church? Why or why not? 2. Has spiritual boredom been a struggle for you? If not, how have you avoided it? If so, why do you think that’s the case? 3. Why do you think boredom was not a problem for the Christians we read about in the New Testament? 4. The author suggests that bo

Discussion Questions 1. Have you ever thought about quitting your job and going into church or nonprofit work? What did you decide? Why did you make that decision? 2. Why do people often think full-time ministry is a more godly vocation than most other jobs? Are they right? Why or why not? 3. What sorts of messes exist where you work? Is it easy or

Discussion Questions 1. When you think of Pakistan, what comes to mind? What kind of country do you envision? 2. Do you feel as if we Western Christians have a fair and balanced view of the Muslim world? Why or why not? 3. Do you know anyone who lives in a place where it’s dangerous to be a Christian? What’s his or her story? 4. Most Muslims consid

Discussion Questions 1. What experience have you had with a neighborhood like Capitol View? 2. What do you think about the “hot dogs and prayers” idea? Have you heard of, or been involved in, similar outreaches? 3. What did you find particularly disturbing about Rita’s story? 4. How is Paris’s story different from Rita’s? How is it the same? 5. Wha