Discussion Questions

The chapter opens with Henry Scuggol’s claim that “all things are dreams and shadows” beside immaterial realities; if you took that literally for a week, what specific priorities in your schedule, spending, and mental preoccupation would have to change? JumpstartAnother way to ask: If you truly believed for one week that earthly things are like “dreams and shadows,” what would you change in how you use your time, spend money, and think about life?

Hermes is quoted saying, “Refrain from much business, and you will avoid sin… For those with a lot of business are preoccupied about their earthly affairs instead of serving the Lord”; what do you think “much business” would have meant to early Christians, and what would be the modern equivalents that quietly crowd out serving God? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What do you think “much business” meant for early Christians, and what things in our lives today quietly take up so much space that they push out serving God?

Andy begins with a clear assignment (“mow the lawn this afternoon… no more than two hours”) and a warning about uncertainty (“could be as early as four”); where do you see God giving similarly clear commands in Scripture that we still treat as flexible because “we probably have time”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Where does God give clear commands in Scripture that we still treat like they can wait because we think we have plenty of time?

Andy doesn’t choose open rebellion—he chooses “just a quick game”; what does the story suggest about how small permissions and “harmless” distractions become spiritual danger, and which “quick games” are most persuasive to you personally? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How can “small” distractions that seem harmless turn into real spiritual danger, and what kinds of “quick games” pull you in most?

The boys pressure Andy: “You can’t quit now… the game is just getting interesting”; how do you discern when relationships, group expectations, or even “fellowship” becomes a reason to compromise obedience, and what would resisting that pressure look like in real situations? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How can you tell when friends, group pressure, or even church “fellowship” is pushing you to disobey, and what would it look like to say no in real life?

The turning point is subtle: Andy becomes “so engrossed… that he didn’t notice the time”; what practices help Christians stay watchful and time-aware spiritually, and why do you think early Christians emphasized watchfulness so strongly? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What habits help Christians stay alert about time and their spiritual life, and why do you think early Christians talked so much about being watchful?

Andy keeps glancing at the clock early on, yet still drifts into delay; what does this reveal about the weakness of mere intention without action, and how does that challenge common evangelical confidence that “my heart is in the right place”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does Andy’s delay show about how good intentions can fail without action, and how does that challenge the idea that “my heart is in the right place” is enough?

The consequence is irreversible: buyers come at four, the lawn is unmowed, the opportunity is lost, and the jobs go to Fred; how does this confront modern assumptions that there will always be “a next time” with God, and what Scriptures come to mind that support or challenge that assumption? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How does the lost job opportunity challenge the idea that we will always get “another chance” with God, and what Bible verses support or challenge that?

Andy tries to justify himself with Monopoly winnings—“over eight thousand dollars… Boardwalk and Park Place”; what are the “Monopoly money” achievements Christians use today to feel successful while neglecting what God actually assigned them, and how can a group help each other name those honestly? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What “Monopoly money” successes do Christians use today to feel like they’re doing well while ignoring what God actually told them to do, and how can a group help each other admit those honestly?

The story frames the loss as “Because of some silly game, he just threw away a golden opportunity”; what “golden opportunities” to obey, serve, reconcile, or repent might you be gambling away through distraction right now, and what concrete boundary would you need to set this week to stop drifting? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What important chances to obey, serve, make peace, or repent might you be wasting through distraction right now, and what one clear boundary can you set this week to stop?