Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
Sam confessed that while Christina suffered depression, he made “vague… new agey” comments instead of pointing her to Christ, calling it “total depravity” to withhold the answer; what fears (relational, social, reputation, control) most often keep believers from plain witness inside their own homes?
Another way to ask: When Christina was depressed, Sam gave vague “new age” advice instead of pointing her to Christ. What fears most often stop believers from speaking clearly about Jesus at home (fear of conflict, rejection, looking bad, or losing control)?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Sam’s story suggests fear of relational fallout—especially fear of “closing a door” with someone who is averse to religion—can pressure believers into vague, safer language instead of direct truth about Christ. He presents his own hesitation as shameful and spiritually serious because he knew he “had the answer” but withheld it.
- He describes Christina’s depression and admits, “I had nothing to offer her, not any lasting help,” because he wasn’t pointing her to Christ.
- He confesses, “I knew in my heart that I had the answer… You could show her Scripture… You could show her Jesus Christ.”
- Yet he chose “vague comments about turning to the light and kind of new agey stuff,” and says “it was to no avail.”
- He calls that “a confession of total depravity… to see someone you love suffering and know… you have the answer.”
- He later explains a similar fear pattern: he hid Bible reading because of her “aversion to religion” and feared pushing would “close a door,” admitting it was “a coward’s way of not confronting her with truth.”