Discussion Questions

Francis of Assisi is quoted: “God is more glorified when we unite with our brethren and join our praise offerings to theirs.” What does this imply about what God values in gathered worship that a private devotional life alone may not accomplish? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does this quote suggest God cares about when believers worship together that you can’t get from worshiping alone?

The chapter claims that “what we get out of our church services depends to a large degree on what we put into them.” Where does that challenge common evangelical expectations of simply “receiving” from church, and what might it reveal about God’s intent for mutual participation in the body? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How does “you get out what you put in” challenge the idea that church is mainly about coming to receive? What does it show about God wanting everyone to take part and help each other?

The author urges preparing ahead of time for Sunday school/Bible study, prayer requests, and testimonies. How would early Christians—who expected active participation in the assembly—have heard these instructions, and what would have to change in the way we “do church” for that kind of participation to become normal again? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How would the early Christians—who expected everyone to join in—respond to the idea of preparing ahead for church? What would we need to change so active participation feels normal again?

Using Malachi 1:8, the chapter compares sleepy, unengaged attendance to offering “blind, lame, and blemished” sacrifices. In what ways does that analogy confront modern assumptions about God being satisfied with “whatever I can manage,” and what does it suggest about God’s worthiness? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How does comparing bored church attendance to giving a damaged sacrifice challenge the idea that “whatever I can manage” is fine? What does it say about what God deserves?

The chapter asks, “Offer it then to your governor… Would he be pleased with you?” and applies it to employers/customers versus God. What does this comparison expose about our real priorities (God vs. Mammon), and how might that show up in the weekly choices that lead to chronic Sunday weariness? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does the “would your governor be pleased?” comparison reveal about whether we treat God or money/work as more important? How might that show up in choices that leave us worn out every Sunday?

“With practice, we can make the entire service a continuous chain of short prayers.” What would be practically different—internally and outwardly—if a whole congregation approached teaching, worship, and discussion this way, and what obstacles in us resist that level of attentiveness? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What would change inside you and in the room if the whole church quietly prayed through the whole service? What gets in the way of paying that much attention?

The author commands a deliberate kind of encouragement after the service—thanking speakers with specific points, asking about others’ week, and writing prayer requests in a notebook. What does this assume about the purpose of post-service conversation, and how does it confront the modern habit of treating church like an event to attend rather than a people to build up? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does the author think after-church conversations are for? How does this challenge treating church like a show you attend instead of people you strengthen?

The “Bill and Patsy Complainer” car-ride is portrayed as erasing “any spiritual benefit” from the service. What kinds of critiques or humor do we excuse as “just being honest” that might actually be training our hearts into a “carnal, complaining spirit”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What kind of jokes or complaints do we call “just being honest” but might really train us to be negative and worldly after church?

The chapter allows that “actual defects” should be addressed, but says they should be brought “tactfully to the church leadership” rather than fueling habitual complaint. How can a group discern the difference between necessary correction and spiritually corrosive negativity, and what would “tact” look like in a real example from your church life? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How can we tell the difference between a real problem that needs to be fixed and a negative attitude that harms people? What would it look like to bring a concern to leaders in a tactful way?

Samuel Logan Bringle is quoted warning that if we “bid him good day and close the door in his face… scold… talk about our neighbors,” then “we will seek for him someday and not find him.” How does that warning reshape common modern ideas about assurance, grace, and “on again/off again” discipleship, and what concrete home-and-car habits would need to change to keep a “constant” walk? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How does this warning challenge the idea that you can follow Jesus only when it’s convenient and still be fine? What specific habits at home or in the car would need to change to keep walking with God daily?