“I really thought my cousin had decided to change his life and start following Jesus, and he did for a while. But now he’s back in his old ways of living, and doesn’t have any interest in God or church. What happened?”
“Our daughter graduates from high school this coming May. She’s been looking at colleges, but she can’t decide which one to go to, what she wants to major in, or even if she should be doing something else instead. How can we help her?”
“I’m already depressed about Christmas. Last year, we resolved not to spend as much money or get so busy, but I can already tell that it’s not going to happen. How we can make Christmas what it ought to be, instead of this rat race?”
“A family in our apartment complex comes from a country that isn’t Christian. Do you think they’d be offended if we asked them for Christmas dinner? We don’t know them very well, but I can tell they’re kind of lonely. ”
“I believe in God and all that, but I’m enjoying my life and I don’t see any reason to change and make God a part of it. And anyway, I’ll have plenty of time to do that once I’m older and start worrying about heaven.”
“It’s my first semester at college, and I’ll be going home soon for Christmas. In high school, I was active in our church youth group and all that, but after being here I’m not sure what I believe. How can I tell my parents I don’t go to church now? They’d be very upset.”
“I’m not sure I believe in God. I’d believe in Him, I suppose, if He actually spoke to me or something like that, but He never has, and I doubt if He ever will. I’d like to believe, but I just can’t make myself do it.”
“Does God judge us for every sin we do, no matter how big or small it is? I hope I don’t lose my salvation every time I think a bad thought or fail to do something I should, but I worry about this.”
“I’ve been an officer in our church for several years, but I’ve decided to resign. Recently, I realized that my only reason for being an officer was so people would admire me, and I know that’s not right. But how should I explain this? ”
“I know you often say that God loves us, but I’m not really feeling it. My girlfriend says I just need to take it on faith, but why should I? After all, maybe it’s not true. Besides that, I’m not sure it makes any difference.”
“I know I shouldn’t get upset when people criticize me, but I just can’t help it. Even when I know they’re wrong, it still upsets me and sends me into an emotional tailspin. How can I learn to handle criticism?”
“I’m in the county jail for the third time this year, once again for something minor. Each time, I’ve said I’m going to do better, but then I get sucked into doing something wrong and end up back here. Why am I such a weak person? I’m about to give up on myself. ”