“Our pastor just announced that he's retiring in a few months. I guess we shouldn't be surprised since he's been here over 30 years, but he's deeply loved and we can't imagine anyone taking his place. Should we try to talk him into staying?”
“I've had two tours of military duty overseas (Iraq and Afghanistan). I'm out now, but I feel lost because I can't find a job and my family fell apart while I was gone. I guess I should be thankful I survived, but sometimes I wonder if it was worth it.”
“Our daughter is only 17, and just told us she’s pregnant. The father isn’t even in the picture, and we’re wondering if she ought to just go ahead and have an abortion. I know you’d probably be against it, but what choice does she have?”
“What is the most important book of the Bible, in your opinion? What is the least important? I'd like to read the Bible, but I don't want to waste my time on parts that aren't important.”
“Was Jesus an optimist or a pessimist? I’m teaching a class on leadership at our local community college, and I’m curious about this because I believe effective leaders are always optimists. But I wonder if Jesus was an exception.”
“Why didn't everyone believe in Jesus during His lifetime? He did so many miracles that it seems to me like everyone would have believed in Him, and yet they didn't. Why not?”
“My parents are committed atheists, but last Easter some friends took me to church. It was the first time I’d ever been to a church service, and I admit I actually liked it. But do Christians really believe Jesus rose from the dead? That’s hard for me to swallow.”
“I know you tell people to read their Bibles and pray and all that, but when can I find time? Mornings are always a rush, as I get the children off to school and then hurry off to work (I'm a single mom). Then at night, I'm too tired.”
“Why doesn't God talk to us today like He talked to people back in Bible times? I admit I struggle with doubts, and it would be great if God spoke to me in a voice I could actually hear.”
“My sister and I said some pretty hurtful things to each other about a year ago, and we haven't spoken since. I've apologized to her, but so far she hasn't shown any inclination to apologize in return. Doesn't she need to apologize, too?”
“We’d always looked forward to our children leaving home and being on their own, but now that it’s actually happened we’re both a bit depressed. I’m having a harder time with it than my husband (since he’s still working), but are we the only parents who feel this way?”
“How do I know if God even listens to my prayers? I have a lot of problems, and I've asked God repeatedly to take them away, but nothing ever changes. Maybe God doesn't care.”