“My youngest brother says he gave up religion in college, and now claims he’s an atheist. He says religion is just for weak people (like me, I guess he means). How can I convince him he’s wrong? He just laughs when I try to tell him about my faith in Jesus.”
“I’m an emergency room nurse in our local hospital, and I get very discouraged because so many of the people we see are there because they’ve done something stupid, or they haven’t taken care of themselves. Does the Bible say anything about taking care of our bodies? Or is it just concerned with spiritual things?”
“To be honest, heaven sounds kind of boring to me. I’m sure it will be very interesting for a while, but eventually I think I’ll just be bored. Am I wrong?”
“How do you deal with someone who’s just plain obnoxious? My brother-in-law never lets anyone else talk when he’s around, and if they do say something, he immediately argues with them because he thinks he knows everything. Should we just ignore him?”
“Why is it so hard for me to talk to those in own my family about my faith? Jesus is very important to me, but I just can’t seem to say anything to them about Him. Do others have this problem, in your experience?”
“I grew up in a religious home, but after I got a job in another city I kind of forgot about God. Most of my friends here are the same way. Maybe we’ll get back to God when we get older, but we’re happy the way we are, and that’s what counts, isn’t it? ”
“I’ve never thought much about what happens when we die, but my grandmother died a few months ago, and now it really worries me. Is there any way we can know? Or will we just have to wait to find out?”
“I don’t understand myself. Our marriage broke up a year ago because of my husband’s unfaithfulness, and yet I’ve been overwhelmed with guilt ever since. I’m so confused. Why do I feel this way? At the time, I was glad to be rid of him.”
“I suppose it makes sense to believe in God, but I’m not sure I believe in Jesus the way you preachers say we should. Where does He fit into the picture? Isn’t it enough to believe in God?”
“I know the economy is supposed to be getting better, but it sure hasn’t helped me find a job. Part of the problem is that I’m in my 50s now, and no one wants to hire people my age. Why won’t God help me? I feel so useless.”
“Preachers like you always are blaming the world’s problems on human weakness, but I think it all boils down to poverty and economic inequality. If everyone had enough, then people wouldn’t have any reason to fight, would they?”
“I was disturbed by what you wrote a few weeks ago about not cheating on our taxes. I agree we have a responsibility to pay taxes and all that, but as far as I’m concerned, the government is just going to waste our money anyway, so what difference does it make if I cheat a little bit?”