“Why is it that God will forgive you when you've done something wrong, but other people won't? I admit I hurt some people over something I did wrong, but now they refuse to forgive me or have anything to do with me. I know God has forgiven me, but I want their forgiveness also.”
“I guess I've always believed in God, but I've not been what you'd call a very spiritual person. Recently, however, some things have happened that have made me realize I need to get closer to God, but I don't know how. Is spirituality something some people are just born with and others aren't?”
“Why do very few people change their religious views once they become older? Most of the Christians I know made their commitment to Christ before they were 25 (including me), while most of the older people I know who aren't active Christians don't seem to have any interest in God.”
“A friend of mine says she's a Christian, and I'm sure she thinks she is, but she also is the most prejudiced person I've ever met. She looks down on people of other races and calls them names I don't even want to listen to. Am I wrong to doubt the sincerity of her faith?”
“I love to sing, and I'm very active in our church choir. But sometimes I wonder if I'm singing in the choir just because I enjoy it, or because I want to serve God. How can I tell what my motives really are?”
“I've really lived a messed-up life, and the problem is I don't have any excuse for it. I grew up in a fine Christian home with loving parents, but I threw it all overboard—several abortions, theft from my employers to keep my drug habit going, etc. Now I'm in jail. Is God too fed up with me to forgive me?”
“How can I be sure I'm going to heaven when I die? My aunt died not long ago, and it got me thinking about life after death. I've always tried to be a good person, but if someone were to ask me if I knew for sure that I am going to heaven, I'd have to say no, I'm not sure.”
“I came home from work the other day and found my wife had moved out. She left a note saying not to try to find her because she'd found someone else. I admit I've been a lousy husband, but do you think God would bring her back if I prayed hard enough?”
“I'll be getting out of jail in a few months, and I'm debating what to do next. My sister wants me to move near her, because she says I don't need to be around my old friends. But I don't like going where I don't know anyone. Maybe you can advise me.”
“I know you've said we need to pray for our world because we have so many problems. But what good does it do to pray? In spite of all our prayers, things just seem to be getting worse, not better. I get very discouraged when I look at the world today, and I don't see much hope, do you?”
“Our son just came home from his first few weeks at college, and I'm not sure we like what's happening to him. He talks like he's not sure if he believes in God anymore, and sounds like he's just mainly having a good time. What can we do?”
“My cousin is mad at me because I told her she loves her dogs more than she loves her family. That may sound funny but it's true, and I felt she ought to face it. But she got very offended, and now won't talk to me. Was I wrong to tell her the truth?”