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Intimacy with God  /  Chapter 23: Gathering an Army of the Downtrodden  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 5
The “warriors and guards” are described as practically useful—obtaining pardon, comforting the sick, weeping and groaning in sympathy, teaching salvation, admonishing confidently, counseling kindly, loving without hypocrisy; which of those roles do you tend to undervalue, and what does that reveal about what you think “real ministry” is?
Another way to ask: Which “practical” roles do you tend to overlook—comforting the sick, showing deep compassion, teaching, warning, counseling, loving sincerely? What does that show about what you think “real ministry” is?

Direct Answer The transcript defines “real ministry” as concrete, relational, and love-filled service—so undervaluing any of these quiet roles likely reveals a bias toward more public, impressive, or “power” forms of ministry.

Support from Transcript:

  • The chapter insists these guards are “trusty; none of them are idle, not one of them is useless.”
  • Different saints serve different needs: “one…can obtain pardon from God for you,” implying intercession matters.
  • Compassion is treated as ministry: “another can comfort you when you’re sick” and “weep and groan in sympathy…to the Lord of all.”
  • Instruction and correction are included: “Another can teach…useful for salvation” and “One can admonish you with confidence.”
  • Gentle guidance is praised: “Another can counsel you with kindness.”
  • The highest mark is love: “love you truly, without cunning…hypocrisy…flattery…pretense.”
Discussion Follow-ups Which roles feel ‘secondary’ to you—teaching, intercession, sympathy, admonition, kindness? What does that suggest about whether you measure ministry by visibility, results, or love?

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