Discussion Questions

In The Shepherd of Hermas, Hermas fears he has lost God's forgiveness over an impure thought, yet he learns God is angry that he has not corrected or converted his own family. What does that reveal about what God cares about and how he corrects his people? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Hermas worried about an impure thought, but God was angry that he had not corrected or converted his family. What does this show about what God cares about and how he corrects us?

The Shepherd of Hermas pictures the church both as a very old woman, created first, for whom the world was made, and as a tower built from stones. How would those pictures shape the way an early Christian saw the church and their own place in it? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The Shepherd of Hermas shows the church as a very old woman, made first, and as a tower of stones. How would these pictures change the way a Christian saw the church and their place in it?

In the vision of the tower, the cracked stones are people who have something against one another and keep only the appearance of peace. Why would hidden resentment be treated so seriously, and how could a church look healthy while carrying those cracks? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The cracked stones are people who hold something against each other and only look like they are at peace. Why is hidden resentment so serious, and how can a church look fine and still have these cracks?

The Shepherd of Hermas describes white, round stones as people who had faith along with the riches of the world, and who denied their Lord under persecution because of their riches and business affairs. How might money and business weaken a Christian's loyalty to Christ today, even before any persecution comes? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The round stones are people who had faith and riches, and who denied the Lord under persecution because of their money and business. How can money and business pull a Christian away from Christ today?

The Shepherd of Hermas says a round stone cannot become square unless it is trimmed and loses part of itself. What does that image reveal about God's patience with sinners and what he is willing to do to bring them back? JumpstartAnother way to ask: A round stone must be trimmed and lose part of itself to become square. What does this picture show about God's patience and what he will do to bring sinners back?

The stones that fell beside the tower are those who knew the truth but did not abide in it, and the vision calls them useless for the building. How does that fit with common modern assumptions about grace, faith and assurance? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Some stones knew the truth but did not stay in it, and the vision calls them useless for the building. How does this fit with what many Christians today believe about grace, faith and assurance?

In The Shepherd of Hermas, repentance is pictured as trimming that costs a stone part of itself, and some stones reach the point where the thought of repenting no longer enters their hearts. How does that compare with the way repentance is often talked about in modern Christianity? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Repentance is shown as trimming that costs a stone part of itself, and some stones stop even thinking about repenting. How does this compare with the way Christians today often talk about repentance?

In The Shepherd of Hermas, a husband whose wife was unfaithful is told to live by himself, and the angel of repentance gives the reason: her repentance is possible. What does joining such a hard command to that hope reveal about God's heart toward someone who has been unfaithful? JumpstartAnother way to ask: A husband whose wife was unfaithful is told to stay single because she might still repent. What does this hard command show about God's heart toward someone who has been unfaithful?

The woman in the visions tells Hermas that as a blacksmith hammers out his work, speaking what is right every day will defeat all evil, so he must never stop warning his sons. What daily habits of speech would this require in a Christian home, and what keeps parents from doing it? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Hermas is told that speaking what is right every day defeats evil, like a blacksmith hammering his work, and that he must keep warning his sons. What would this look like in a Christian home, and what stops parents from doing it?

Tom Kruger says the vision of the tower reminds him that if God, the giver of repentance, holds out so much hope, he cannot give up on his brothers and sisters, his neighbors, or family who have left the Lord. Who are you tempted to give up on, and what would holding out hope look like in your choices and habits? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Tom Kruger says that if God holds out so much hope, he cannot give up on fellow Christians, neighbors, or family who left the Lord. Who are you tempted to give up on, and what would holding out hope look like for you?