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A Change of Allegiance  /  Chapter 9, The Pilgrim Church  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 1
Dean describes feeling like he was “walking about in a sleeping world,” hearing Christians say, “You’re taking it too far” and even “you’re asking questions that should never be asked”; what do those reactions reveal about what his church culture assumed faithful Christianity should feel like, and what does the chapter imply God intends disciples to do when Jesus’ words make us profoundly uncomfortable?
Another way to ask: What do the reactions to Dean (“you’re taking it too far”) show about what his church thought real faith should feel like? When Jesus’ words make us very uncomfortable, what does the chapter say God wants disciples to do?

Direct Answer The reactions suggest his church culture assumed faithful Christianity should feel “comfortable,” settled, and non-disruptive—especially about hard teachings like loving enemies. The chapter implies that when Jesus’ words make disciples uncomfortable, God intends them to stay awake, keep following the light of grace, and hold to God’s promises even if it makes them lonely.

Support from Transcript:

  • A Christian friend warned him, “you’re asking questions that should never be asked,” implying some questions are off-limits.
  • When Dean asked about Jesus’ teaching on enemies, his friend replied he was “comfortable,” while Dean says, “I was far from comfortable.”
  • Dean describes the culture as spiritually asleep: “walking about in a sleeping world trying to arouse anyone… but no one would wake up.”
  • He admits the temptation was to retreat: he and Tanya “often longed just to go back to sleep with the rest of them.”
  • Yet “His grace continued to illuminate our path,” implying disciples must follow that illumination despite discomfort.
  • Hebrews becomes his anchor: keep eyes on “the non-changing promises of God” and confess being “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Discussion Follow-ups What teachings of Jesus tend to be treated as “too far” in your setting? What helps you resist the pull to go back to sleep?

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