“We used to hear a lot about cults, but it seems like we don’t hear much about them anymore. Have they lost their appeal and aren’t much of a problem now?”
“I know you say God will forgive every sin we’ve ever committed, but you don’t know what I’ve done. I’m in prison for drug dealing, and I know I probably messed up thousands of lives before I got caught. I can’t even forgive myself, let alone think God might forgive me. I feel so guilty.”
“My cousin is a very superstitious person, always worried she might do something that will bring her bad luck, or spending money on charms or other things that are supposed to bring her good luck. Is this just a harmless hobby, or is it something more?”
“I know the Bible says we're not supposed to be thinking about money all the time, but I've been fairly successful in my business and I admit it's all I think about. But why is that so wrong? Doesn't God expect me to take care of my family?”
“My cousin just had successful cancer surgery, but when I talked with her about it she gave all the credit to her doctors. God’s help and the prayers of others didn’t even seem to enter into her thinking. Shouldn’t she be grateful to God, as well as her doctors?”
“I don’t know why my wife and I ever got married because we’re so different. All we do is pull and tug at each other, trying to get the other person to change. But I know now that it’s not going to happen. Is there any hope for our marriage?”
“I guess you'd say my sister-in-law is kind of “high maintenance.” She's always calling me because she's gotten her feelings hurt by what someone said or did (or didn't do) to her. How can I help her? I get tired of just being a convenient shoulder for her to cry on.”
“Do you think some people are just destined to be bad, and no matter what happens they'll always do what's wrong? I'm a policeman, and I've often wondered about this because it seems like I keep seeing the same people over and over.”
“I always vowed I wouldn't be like my parents, who were very angry and abusive toward my brother and me. But now I sometimes find myself losing control with my own children. I hate myself afterward, but why do I act this way?”
“Have you ever heard anyone say that “God hates the sin but loves the sinner”? Is it in the Bible? My cousin quotes it whenever we get to talking about his immoral lifestyle. He claims it means he doesn't need to quit his sinful ways, because God still loves him and will take him to heaven anyway. Is he right?”
“I feel sorry for our neighbor, because she's getting up in years and doesn't seem to have any relatives or friends who pay her much attention. I've tried to be friendly, but to be honest she doesn't seem interested and I've about given up. Any suggestions?”
“A good friend told me the other day that she not only doesn’t believe in heaven, but she also thinks people who do are just trying to escape from the world’s problems. She knows I’m a Christian, but what can I say to her?”