During this coming Sunday’s adult-wide study of Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night, we will discuss the Prologue and Part I of the book. Here are some reflection questions for you to consider as you read and prepare for Sunday’s discussion:
Prologue and Part I (chapters 1-7), “The Journey Begins”
· [Related to the Prologue] I mention five possible explanations for my experience of the silence of God (pp. xxii-xxiv). Which of these makes the most sense to you? Can you think of other explanations?
· [Related to chapter one] How would you put in your own words the significance of the book’s title?
· [Related to chapter two] What are some of the ways a person can end up bargaining with God? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Why or why not?
· [Related to chapter three] My crisis of faith connected with a crisis of calling. What role does your faith play in career decisions and the choices you make about the way you live your life?
· [Related to chapter four] What does it mean to you to live a values-oriented life? What would you identify as your own core values? What do you do to align and realign yourself with these values?
· [Related to chapter five] As it relates to “non-anxious presence,” which is more challenging for you: feeling emotionally connected to others or separating yourself emotionally from the pressures and stress of others? What helps you balance these two sides of relationship?
· [Related to chapter six] When is it hardest for you to trust in the providence of God? What do you make of Jesus’ reassurances about God’s loving attention to our daily needs (Mt. 6:25ff.)?
· [Related to chapter seven] In chapter seven, I share this quote from G. K. Chesterton: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried” (p. 40). What do you find most difficult about a life of discipleship? What are some of the keys for continuing our development as followers of Jesus Christ?
Prologue and Part I (chapters 1-7), “The Journey Begins”
· [Related to the Prologue] I mention five possible explanations for my experience of the silence of God (pp. xxii-xxiv). Which of these makes the most sense to you? Can you think of other explanations?
· [Related to chapter one] How would you put in your own words the significance of the book’s title?
· [Related to chapter two] What are some of the ways a person can end up bargaining with God? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Why or why not?
· [Related to chapter three] My crisis of faith connected with a crisis of calling. What role does your faith play in career decisions and the choices you make about the way you live your life?
· [Related to chapter four] What does it mean to you to live a values-oriented life? What would you identify as your own core values? What do you do to align and realign yourself with these values?
· [Related to chapter five] As it relates to “non-anxious presence,” which is more challenging for you: feeling emotionally connected to others or separating yourself emotionally from the pressures and stress of others? What helps you balance these two sides of relationship?
· [Related to chapter six] When is it hardest for you to trust in the providence of God? What do you make of Jesus’ reassurances about God’s loving attention to our daily needs (Mt. 6:25ff.)?
· [Related to chapter seven] In chapter seven, I share this quote from G. K. Chesterton: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried” (p. 40). What do you find most difficult about a life of discipleship? What are some of the keys for continuing our development as followers of Jesus Christ?