“I graduated from high school a few weeks ago, and I don’t know what to do now. Most of my friends are headed to college, but I don’t think it’s for me. My parents are pressuring me to do something, but how can I know what’s right?”
“I don’t know how it happened, but I’ve gotten hooked on cocaine. My wife is threatening to leave me if I don’t stop, but I don’t know where to turn. You’ll probably tell me to turn to God, but what good will that do?”
“I work in an insurance office, and the other day one of our sales people ran across someone who told him they thought it was wrong to buy insurance. They said the reason was because they believe God will take care of them. Are they right?”
“My favorite song is the one that says, “I did it my way,” because that’s what I’ve always done. I’m even going to have it put on my tombstone. I’m sorry if it offends you, but I don’t need God or a bunch of religious fanatics telling me what to do. What’s wrong with that?”
“What is your definition of sin? I do some things that I know some people might call sinful, but I personally don’t consider them bad since they don’t harm anyone. But how do I know if God considers them sin?”
“I believe in God because I don’t think it’s logical to think this universe just happened. But where does Jesus fit into the picture? I apologize for asking what’s probably a simple question, but I didn’t grow up in a church-going family.”
“A couple in my apartment complex says they know they’re going to go to heaven when they die. How can they say that? They seem like good people, but I think it’s arrogant for anyone to claim they’re good enough to get into heaven.”
“I know God can do anything He wants to, which means that if He wanted to, He could even forgive me for all the bad things I’ve done. But I could never forgive myself. I know I’ve hurt a lot of people, and I feel so ashamed and guilty. Is there any hope for me?”
“Every time my son visits me he gets after me about my weight. I admit I’m on the heavy side, but I don’t see what difference it makes since I’m happy and I don’t have any health problems. After all, the Bible doesn’t say anything about this.”
“I’m from another country and am visiting some of my relatives here who are in graduate school. I asked them what your festival on July 4 means, but they were not sure. Does it have something to do with your Christian religion?”
“I’ve been asked to teach the junior high class in our church beginning this fall, but I’m really reluctant to do it. I don’t feel qualified, and anyway, that’s a hard age to deal with. Would it be wrong for me to turn down this request? ”
“I know you tell people to go to church, and I started going a few months ago hoping to find some new friends. But no one even speaks to me and I just feel like an outsider. Why should I bother?”