“You’ve probably been asked this many times, but who is responsible for all the bad things that happen in the world? Are we responsible for them, or is it the devil?”
“I don’t fear death because I believe that after I die I’ll come back to earth again and be born as another person. Why are Christians so opposed to this idea? Other religions don’t have a problem with it.”
“I just turned 80, and I’ve gotten along just fine all these years without God. You’ll probably tell me I ought to be worrying about death and hell and all of that, but I don’t believe in life after death. Why should I? People who try to convert me make me tired.”
“I know Jesus said we’re supposed to forgive people who’ve hurt us, but why bother? As far as I can tell, it doesn’t really change them, nor does it make the hurts go away.”
“I’m dreading Thanksgiving this year. It’s been a hard year for me, and when all our family gets together I’ll just feel like a hypocrite pretending I’m thankful for anything. I’m even wondering if I ought to go. What would you say to someone like me?”
“On the outside, everyone thinks I’m good — I’m active in our church’s youth group, have no bad habits, etc. But sometimes I can’t wait to get away from home and leave all this behind. I know it’s probably wrong, but can you understand how I feel?”
“The other day, a pastor friend told us he’s thinking of quitting the ministry because he’s discouraged and doesn’t feel like he’s doing a good job. We tried to encourage him, but what can we do?”
“I was startled to read the other day about Christians who are being persecuted in some countries. Why is this? Christians want to make the world a better place, don’t they? So why would anyone want to kill them?”
“I thought our money problems would go away as time passed, but they haven’t. Thankfully we both have jobs, but we still can’t seem to get out of debt. I know this isn’t a spiritual question, but would you have any advice?”
“I supposedly gave my life to Jesus at a church camp when I was a teenager, but it didn’t last. I guess it was just an emotional experience that faded away. My life since then hasn’t been all that happy, and now that I’m older I wonder, have I missed something?”
“I’m a student from another country and I’d like to learn about some of your customs. For example, what is the meaning of the holiday you call “Thanksgiving”? Does it have something to do with Christianity?”
“I used to laugh when I saw associates of mine go through a so-called midlife crisis—new convertible, new girlfriend, new attempts to turn back the clock, etc. Well, now it’s happened to me, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve already destroyed my family, and I don’t even care. Any advice?”