Discussion Questions

Zach described the Air Force as “this incredible endeavor of service” shaped by embassy/military influence in his church in Quito and by humanitarian aid after an earthquake—what does that reveal about how easily “doing good” can become a sacred justification, and how do we tell the difference between kingdom service and an impressive cause? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does Zach’s story show about how “doing good” can start to feel holy and beyond question? How can we tell the difference between serving Jesus’ kingdom and just being part of a great-sounding cause?

When Zach remembered being shown images of Saddam Hussein with the message that “the US, the Christian nations need to move to stop this,” what picture of God and Christ’s kingdom is assumed in that narrative, and where does it clash with Jesus’ way in the Sermon on the Mount? JumpstartAnother way to ask: When Zach was told Christian nations should stop Saddam Hussein, what kind of God and kingdom was that assuming? How does that clash with what Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount?

Zach said a Quaker boss in Mozambique gently asked, “Have you thought about whether or not violence is the answer?”—why might God use an unexpected person and a “non-threatening” question to expose blind spots, and what does that suggest about how correction often comes? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Why might God use an unexpected person and a gentle question like “Is violence the answer?” to show us what we’re missing? What does that teach us about how correction often comes?

Zach described military restrictions on “proselytizing” from a position of power and wrestled with agreeing not to evangelize that way—how does this highlight the relationship between coercive authority and the gospel, and how would early Christians have viewed faith-sharing tied to rank, power, or institutional control? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does the military rule against proselytizing from a place of power show about authority and the gospel? How do you think early Christians would view sharing faith when it’s tied to rank or control?

Zach said military life pushed him toward a “work hard, play hard Christianity,” unstable church involvement, and compromised holiness—what does this expose about how discipleship depends on embodied community, and what modern assumptions about individual faith does it confront? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does Zach’s “work hard, play hard” faith and unstable church life show about why discipleship needs real community? What modern ideas about “me and God” does it challenge?

Zach contrasted churches mourning political outcomes (people “wearing sackcloth and ashes”) with his conviction that “our hope shouldn’t be in this political outcome”—what does this reveal about where many Christians functionally locate salvation and security, and how does Jesus’ kingdom re-order those allegiances? JumpstartAnother way to ask: When churches grieve political results like everything is lost, what does that show about where they place their hope and safety? How does Jesus’ kingdom change what comes first in our loyalties?

After reading *King Jesus Claims His Church*, Zach reacted to the chapter on “Peacemaking and Non-Resistance” with, “Oh, they think I’m not a Christian”—what does that reaction uncover about how modern evangelical identity is defined, and why would early Christians have treated nonviolence and oath-refusal as central discipleship issues rather than optional ethics? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Why did Zach hear “peacemaking and non-resistance” and feel like they were saying he wasn’t a Christian? Why would early Christians treat nonviolence and refusing oaths as key parts of following Jesus, not optional choices?

Zach said he “gave up on just war really fast,” calling it “an outflow of the two kingdoms,” and said Jesus established “a rival nation among nations”—what does it mean in practice for Jesus to have a “nation” with exclusive allegiance, and where do our lives show competing loyalties we’ve learned to tolerate? JumpstartAnother way to ask: If Jesus has a “rival nation” that deserves our full loyalty, what would that look like in everyday life? Where do you see competing loyalties in your own life that you’ve learned to accept?

Zach tried to stay in the Air Force if he could avoid “violence” and “oaths,” but concluded the oath requirement made it impossible—why would oath-taking be a decisive line for discipleship, and how does that challenge common Christian categories like “it’s just words,” “it’s only symbolic,” or “God understands”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Why might taking an oath be a clear line someone can’t cross if they want to follow Jesus? How does that challenge ideas like “it’s just words,” “it’s only symbolic,” or “God understands”?

Zach described assembling a 70-page conscientious objector package, fearing poverty, losing reputation, and even thinking, “I’m insane,” yet experiencing joy because “the Bible makes sense” when Jesus’ commands are taken literally—what does this suggest about God’s character toward costly obedience, and what specific “doesn’t really mean that” rationalizations in your own life keep Scripture from feeling “life-giving”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does Zach’s fear and joy show about how God meets us when obedience costs a lot? What “it doesn’t really mean that” excuses in your life keep the Bible from feeling life-giving?