“I know I've lived a very sinful life, but a friend of mine says God will forgive me if I'll just believe in Jesus. What difference would that make? And how would I know if I was really forgiven? I don't want to have to wait until I die to find out if it's true.”
“A friend and I got to talking about religion the other day, and I found out that he believes in all sorts of ideas I'd never heard of before (like contacting people for guidance who have been dead for hundreds of years). Do you think he's sincere, or is he just trying to be different?”
“I've fallen in love with a woman I work with, and I sincerely believe God brought us together. But my wife got very upset when she found out and I told her I wanted a divorce. How can I make her understand that it's God's will for us to get divorced and move on with our separate lives?”
“I volunteer several times a week in a homeless shelter our church supports, but I get very discouraged because it doesn't seem like we're making any progress. We just keep seeing the same people over and over. I'm about to give up. Why should we bother?”
“Can you give me even one reason to believe in life after death? I think all the evidence is on the side of those who believe this life is all there is. As far as I'm concerned, we might as well live it up and make the most of it while we can. How would you respond?”
“My grandmother was a very religious person, and she always listened to you whenever you came on television. I guess I've always thought that this was fine for her but it wasn't for me, but now the doctor says I have breast cancer, and I'm scared. How can I get the kind of faith she had?”
“My extended family is fairly large, and it’s like a soap opera. You name it, it happens—affairs, divorces, rehab, kids in court, etc. How can I help them? I’m the only Christian in the family as far as I know, but to be honest, sometimes I wish I could just wash my hands of them.”
“Does God give up on us sometimes? I'm afraid He has abandoned me, and I guess I can't blame Him because I know I've let Him down and been a big disappointment to Him. Is it too late to get things right?”
“My neighbor has never wanted anything to do with God, but when she was diagnosed with cancer several months ago I thought she might wake up and begin thinking about Him. But all it's done is make her angry at God and blame Him for giving her cancer. Why do some people react this way?”
“What did Jesus mean when He told the thief on the cross who believed in Him that he would be with Him in paradise? Is paradise the same thing as heaven, or is it something else?”
“I hadn't seen my four children in over 15 years, until last weekend. (The reason was a nasty custody battle after a bitter divorce.) I'd always prayed we'd reconnect somehow because I still loved them and missed them, but last weekend they made it clear they don't want anything more to do with me. Is this a hopeless situation?”
“I am very fearful about going out in public, and although my psychiatrist has me on a new medicine that helps me some, I still can’t face being in crowds. Is God going to punish me for not going to church? I feel guilty because I know I should, but I just can’t help it.”