“After my parents divorced, my father moved elsewhere, and over the years we lost touch. The last time I tried to call he hung up on me. I know he wasn’t a very good father, but I still miss him. Is there any way I can reach out to him?”
“I'm about to give up trying to help people in our community who are in need. They're never very grateful for what our church does for them, and anyway it doesn't seem to change the way they live. Why should I bother?”
“Ten years ago, my wife and I didn't want to bother with an elaborate wedding, so we just had a civil ceremony. But several months ago, we both committed our lives to Jesus, and now we're wondering if we ought to have a church ceremony also. What would you advise?”
“Which was more important, Jesus’ death on the cross or His resurrection from the dead? We had a debate about this in our Bible class at church the other day, and we didn’t really arrive at an answer.”
“I had back surgery three years ago, and I've been in constant pain ever since — not enough to keep me in bed, but always draining my strength and making me miserable. Is God punishing me for something I've done wrong, although I can't imagine what it could be?”
“My friend keeps trying to get me to go with her this summer to a Bible conference at a retreat center she knows, but I’m not sure it’s worth the time and money. Do you think I’d gain anything from something like this?”
“Our church keeps asking us for money, but I've been out of a job for over a year and we just don't have anything to give. Do you think God will understand?”
“If someone had asked me a year ago if I loved God, I would have said yes. But I'm not so sure I could say it now. Somehow, my faith has faded away, which concerns me very much. Is there a way back to God?”
“I have a friend who says that whenever we face a big problem, all we need to do is have a positive attitude about it, and eventually it will go away. But that never seems to work for me. What am I doing wrong?”
“Are some people more evil than others? I have a cousin who seems to be this way. Everything he does ends up hurting others — and he not only doesn't care, but he also laughs about it. My other relatives certainly aren't like this.”
“I feel so lonely. Last year, I moved to a new city, and I don't have any friends or family here. I suppose you'll tell me to go to church, but the last time I went, no one even spoke to me.”
“Does the devil cause every temptation we face? I admit I don't do a very good job of fighting temptation.”