Teachable Books: Free Downloadable Discussion Guides from Cokesbury Finding God in the Questions Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson Discussion Guide Finding God in the Questions (InterVarsityPress, copyright 2004) examines the questions about God that all believers and non-believers ask at one time or another. Dr. Johnson details his journey of faith and shares his own answers to questions about the existence of God, what God is like, and how to live a life of faith. He encourages readers to ask the important questions and search within themselves for answers, and offers practical advice for living a life of faith. Permission is granted to reproduce this discussion guide. Chapter 1 Why Do the Questions Keep Coming? This chapter provides an overview of the book and Dr. Johnson s background. 1. Discuss the beginnings of your faith journey. What people or events influenced you? 2. How has your faith journey been similar to that of the author? How has it been different? 3. List and discuss the two strong biases of the author. 4. If we Christians believe that God is the author of all truth, how does this affect our view of scientific and medical discovery? 5. Talk about what kind of God you believe in and how you deal with your questions of faith. 6. How can doubt purify or strengthen one s belief rather than tear it down? 7. Why is it important to ask questions? Do you have more questions or answers as you get older? Why? Finding God in the Questions Discussion Guide / 1
Chapter 2 Is the Universe an Accident? This chapter asks questions about the nature and possible origins of the universe. 1. How have your views concerning the universe and its creation changed over the years? 2. Share your thoughts about Darwin s concept of natural selection as an explanation of the development of life. Why does Johnson suggest that Darwin s theory is not adequate to explain the origin of the universe? 3. What are some of the arguments for creation by chance? What are some of the arguments against it? 4. What evidence supports creation by design? 5. Discuss the author s statement that our whole life experience has conditioned us to assume that things exist because somebody created them. 6. Share your thoughts on whether or not the universe is an accident. On what points do you agree and disagree with the author? Chapter 3 How Did We Get Here? This chapter looks at cosmic coincidences and contingencies that resulted on life on earth. It also asks why God remains hidden. 1. List and discuss some of the many contingencies that had to be in place for life to exist. 2. Name some examples of how the universe is full of many coincidences that make life possible. 3. Discuss how the basic elements (water, light, carbon and oxygen) act and interact to make our existence possible. 4. Do you think humans are the result of careful design? Why or why not? 5. What evidence suggests we are meant to be here? 6. If God designed humans with the capacity to ponder such questions as the origins of the universe, why does God not communicate with us more clearly to provide answers? 7. What new insights about creation and the universe did you gain from reading this chapter? Finding God in the Questions Discussion Guide / 2
Chapter 4 Who Are We? This chapter continues the search for divine footprints and what it means to be human. 1. What new insight about who we are did you receive from reading this chapter? 2. Discuss the view that our ability to know right from wrong comes from God. 3. Do you agree or disagree that social evolution played a role in the belief and use of moral principles? Explain. 4. What evidence points to God as the author of moral law? 5. Discuss what it means that a drive for relationship is a universal characteristic of human nature. 6. What does human nature suggest about a possible Creator? What does it mean that we are hard-wired for God? 7. Do you agree with the author that there are footprints of intelligence in our universe? Explain. Chapter 5 Why Bother With Religion and the Bible? This chapter looks at organized religion and the Bible as a source of answers to our questions. 1. List some negatives about religion that can turn people off. 2. Share some good aspects about religion and how your faith has helped you. 3. What new insights did you learn about the Bible and its origin from this reading? 4. Share what you believe about the Bible. 5. What is the purpose of the Bible? What do you use it for? How has it been useful? 6. Discuss what the Gospels have in common and how they differ. 7. How has this discussion helped you with your questions and given you a better understanding of religion and the Bible? Finding God in the Questions Discussion Guide / 3
Chapter 6 What Did Jesus Teach? This chapter examines the Jewishness and humanness of Jesus as well as some of his teachings. 1. Why does the author urge you to read the Gospels for yourself? How do your views compare to his views? 2. Share your thoughts about both the Jewishness and humanness of Jesus. Why are these characteristics important? 3. In what ways are the teachings of Jesus disturbing? How are they surprising? 4. Where do you agree and disagree with the author about his conclusions about Jesus? 5. What new insights did you gain from reading the episodes of Jesus concerning purity, mercy, and healing? 6. Why did Jesus use parables and what should we learn from them? 7. Why is it so important to respond to Jesus by grappling with questions about his identity and teaching? Chapter 7 Who Was Jesus? This chapter looks at the Jesus miracles, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. 1. What new insights about Jesus did you receive from reading this chapter? 2. Who was Jesus? What do you believe and why do you believe it? 3. Does it make a significant difference in your ultimate view of Jesus whether or not you can believe he performed miracles? Explain. 4. Share your thoughts about the meaning of the crucifixion. 5. Discuss the meaning and importance of the resurrection. 6. Discuss your views, and the views of the author, about salvation and being born again. 7. List and discuss the reasons why the author prefers to use the identity of follower of Jesus. Do you agree with his reasoning? Explain. Finding God in the Questions Discussion Guide / 4
Chapter 8 How Should Faith Shape Our Lives? This chapter examines the relationship between life and faith by looking at the Beatitudes and other teachings of Jesus. 1. Share your thoughts about the Beatitudes. How and what can we learn from them? How do they compare to reality? 2. In what ways is the Sermon on the Mount troubling and disturbing? In what ways is it helpful and comforting? 3. The author s mother was a model for God s love when he was a child. Talk about your model(s). 4. How can we work toward seeing all people as children of God? 5. What does Jesus want us to know about using our time and talents? How do we benefit when we make the most of our resources? 6. What did Jesus have to say about money and how we use it? 7. How has this chapter and discussion helped you or challenged you? Chapter 9 Is God in Control? This chapter considers how much God controls what happens to us in life, both the good and the bad. It also looks at life after death. 1. At what times do you feel that God is in control? Share an incident where you felt God s guiding presence. 2. Do you believe God causes good things to happen? Explain. 3. What do you believe is God s involvement in the bad things that happen in life such as undeserved suffering? 4. Do you believe that life is a series of choices? Explain your reasoning. How does our faith affect and determine our choices? 5. Explain your thoughts about life continuing after death. 6. How does the belief in life after death help answer the question of suffering? 7. Share your opinion of near death experiences and visions related to death and dying. Finding God in the Questions Discussion Guide / 5
Chapter 10 Can We Bet On the Heart of God? This chapter encourages us to examine what we believe about the character of God. 1. What does the author mean by making a bet on the heart of God? 2. Is being a servant the way to the heart of God? Explain your thoughts. 3. What insights can be gained from the parable of the final judgment? 4. What decisions and knowledge are needed to figure out how to live your life? 5. What have you learned about finding God in the questions? 6. Share how reading this book has impacted your faith and how you plan to live in the future. Finding God in the Questions Discussion Guide / 6