Reader's Club

You are invited to come and join us for a lively discussion on a book that is making a difference in people’s lives.  Each club meeting is scheduled for the third Tuesday from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Village Center.  Our final date for the Spring 2008 meetings is May 20. For more information or to register, please contact the Village Schools office.

May 20 – William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity, written by Kevin Belmonte.  This
is an important biography about one of the great leaders of the last part of the 18th and early part of the 19th century.  He stood alone…yet changed his world.  There is much we can learn from his life.

Please mark this date on your calendar, be challenged with your reading, and then come and join in the discussion.

Discussion Questions for May 20
William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity – Kevin Belmonte

2007 was the bicentennial celebration of one of the most important decisions recorded in the history of the Western world.  In 1807, after years of perseverance, the Parliament of Great Britain passed a bill abolishing slavery within the British Empire.  The principle sponsor of this bill, and at times its only spokesman, was William Wilberforce.  In honor of the celebration of this milestone several new biographies of Wilberforce were written and a feature motion picture titled, “Amazing Grace,” was produced.  The life of this quiet man is worth a serious study.

1. The story of William Wilberforce is the story of individuals who greatly influenced his life.  Name several of this individuals and how their lives brought change or encouragement.

2. Among Wilberforce’s closest friends was William Pitt who became one of the youngest Prime Ministers in Britain’s history.  What made this friendship so successful? 

3. What were the events and people that God used to bring Wilberforce to the point where he desired to become involved with the movement to abolish slavery?  How difficult was his decision?

4. For a while Wilberforce questioned how he could serve both God and his own heart’s desire – politics.  What does it mean “to serve God?”  Must we always give up what our passion are in order to serve God?  Why or why not?

5. Perseverance is a characteristic that we don’t talk about today.  Yet, without perseverance the world would not know of Wilberforce today.  Cite examples of other people whose perseverance helped change the world. 

6. Why does the world seem to be lacking in leaders of the quality of Wilberforce today?  Where are these men in today’s world? 

7. Would you consider William Wilberforce to be a hero?  Why or why not?

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS for March 2008
The Fight for Jerusalem – Dore Gold

No other city in the world is as strategically important as is Jerusalem.  No other city in the world has had as many battles fought over it as has Jerusalem.  No other city in the world has received the attention of three major religious groups as has Jerusalem.  And, no other city in the world has received the designation from God as being the “center” of the world. 

The Fight for Jerusalem is as contemporary as the daily newspaper.  The future of any peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis is dependent upon what happens in and to Jerusalem.  Although Dore Gold, former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations and Foreign Minister under Prime Minister Netanyahu, is not a Christian, yet he writes with a style reminiscent of the Old Testament prophets.  This is a book that is important for our age.

1. There seems to be an assumption that if the Palestinian Crisis could be resolved, the world would look with more favor upon America.  How is this a flawed assumption?

2. Why is important that the Palestinians separate themselves from any historical evidence about the background of the Temple Mount?  And, how are they seeking to do this?  Is it working?

3. The author makes a very interesting statement on page 41 that the construction of the Temple is the only dated event in relation to the exodus that occurs in the Bible.  What is the spiritual legacy of Jerusalem? 

4. What is the Christian’s interest in Jerusalem?  How has it been exhibited down through the years?  What do you think is the Christians’ interest in Jerusalem today?

5. What is the Islamic interest in Jerusalem?  Upon what is this interest based? 

6. What does the Bible state about the future of Jerusalem? 

7. In your opinion, will the Bush “road map” plan for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians be achieved?  Why or why not?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS for January 2008
Simple Church – Thom Rainer, Eric Geiger
Published by B & H Publishing Group

It is no secret that the organizational church is on the decline.  One hears of the rise of house churches, emerging churches, non-traditional churches, etc.  It seems that churches have become like dinosaurs.  What can effect their change? 

Thom Rainer, CEO of Christian Resources, and Eric Geiger, executive pastor of Christ Fellowship, have researched churches large and small and have come to the conclusion: the more simple…the more effective.  Bigger is not necessarily better.   More programs does not equal more effective ministry.  Their suggestion is to “get simple.”

1. Describe what your own church looks like right now.  Then describe what your own church might look like if it were to become a simple church.

2. The authors state that four factors make for a simple church: clarity, movement, alignment, and focus.  How can a church begin to cultivate clarity in knowing exactly who it is?  Why is this so important?

3. Most churches are very resistant to change of any kind.  Why does this resistance occur?  How can it be overcome?

4. Who is easier to persuade to become a simple church: the church’s leadership or the church’s membership?  Why?

5. If your church were to become a simple church, what steps would need to be taken?  Who would give leadership?  What kind of resistance would be met?  Would the outcome be successful or not?

6. Is it possible for a church to have multiple ministries and still become a simple church? 

7. What are some of the blessings that can come to a simple church?  What are some of the difficult hurdles a church must face if it desires to become a simple church?

8. Do you think the authors have just created another formula for church success that can be followed, or is this a pattern that can create a lasting change within the local church? 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS for November 2007
Christianity and the Constitution: The Faith of our Founding Fathers – John Eidsmoe
Published by Baker Book House, 1987

America’s heritage is under attack today.  Secularism has become the dominant philosophy of our time.  One of the goals of secularism is the elimination of God and religion from the human mindset.  And one of the targets of the secular-humanists has been the religious roots upon which this nation was founded.  Joseph Ellis, in his book titled Founding Brothers, states that the period of the American Revolution was the most unique period in American history.  He goes on to state that never before and never since has this country seen a collection of true patriots and leaders as was seen at that time.

The purpose of John Eidsmoe’s book is to help Americans understand the profound religious backgrounds of many of the men who helped form this great Republic; men such as John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, and others.  He also desires that we understand that the foundation for the United States Constitution lies in the rule of law based, not upon humanistic principles, but upon the values predicated by a Judeo-Christian system of belief. 

The following discussion questions will guide us in our dialogue with the author as we ponder the foundational roots of our great nation.

1. Many of the founding fathers had strong Puritan roots buried deeply within the theology of John Calvin.  How did their view of the total depravity of man influence them in the structure of the government they were creating?  How was this a valid safe-guard?
2. Deism is often considered to have been a leading religious belief of the time.  What influence did this belief have upon the writing of the Constitution?
3. The author relates the stories of thirteen men who were influential in writing the Constitution.  Some names are familiar, some are not.  Select one individual whose story most appealed to you, and share what you learned from that person’s story.  How were his life and his decisions influenced by his religious convictions?
4. I found chapter 21 to be an exciting and critical chapter.  Eidsmoe relates several biblical principles that are foundational to Constitutional beliefs.  Could such a document be written today by the leaders of our nation?  What might a modern-day version of the Constitution look like?  Would it still have significant biblical foundations?  Or would it be built upon humanistic principles? 
5. What can American Christians do to prevent the further erosion of our Constitutional guarantees?  What course of action are you planning on taking?

I want to close with a quote from Pastor Martin Niemoeller:
“First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.  Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.  Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.  Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.”  If we don’t speak up now…we may not be able to speak at all later.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS from September 2007
The Truth War – John MacArthur
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2007

Interestingly enough, one of the most important questions asked of Jesus during His ministry here on earth came from the lips of Pilate, the one who wielded the final authority in Jesus’ life or death.  We read these words, as recorded by the Apostle John: “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.  Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king.  In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”  “What is truth?” Pilate asked.

That is the question being asked by many today even within the evangelical ranks.  And a second question is also being asked, “Why should I care about the truth?  After all, truth is relative.”  MacArthur begins his book with these words:The idea that the Christian message should be kept pliable and ambiguous seems especially attractive to young people who are in tune with the culture and in love with the spirit of the age and can’t stand to have authoritative biblical truth applied with precision as a corrective to worldly lifestyles, unholy minds, and ungodly behavior.  And the poison of this perspective is being increasingly injected into the evangelical church body. (p. xi)

The following discussion questions will guide us in our dialogue with the author as we ponder the relevancy of truth in our world.

1. How is truth defined for those within the new movement of the Emerging Church?  How does that definition of truth differ from what you hold to be truth?

2. MacArthur writes: The church has grown lazy, worldly, and self-satisfied.  Church leaders are obsessed with style and methodology, losing interest in the glory of God and becoming grossly apathetic about truth and sound doctrine (p. xvii).  What is your response to that statement?

3. How can a person fully know what truth really is?  What has God provided as resources to help us in this quest?

4. What is the definition of “modernity?”  What is the definition of “postmodernism?”  How are they related to each other?  What has been the impact of both upon the Church?

5. As MacArthur so clearly describes in his book, this battle for truth is not a new one, but has existed since the days of the Early Church.  As you read those historical sections of the book, how are we seeing history being repeated in today’s Church?  Can you think of some recent examples of where truth was questioned by those within the Church? 

6. Who do you think is winning this battle for truth right now?  Why do you feel that way? 

7. How is this “truth war” impacting your own local church?  How have you been made aware of its presence? 

8. For the Church today to successfully contend for the faith delivered to us by the saints (Jude 3), what must the Church do?  What steps must it take?  Do you think that those steps will be taken?  Explain.

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS from May 2007
Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

I once heard a pastor exclaim that prayer was the most difficult aspect of the Christian walk.  By that he implied that he often found it difficult to connect with God in prayer.  Probably if we were really honest we would admit that our prayer life is an “up and down” matter, perhaps more “down” than up at times. 

This book is perhaps one of the most honest approaches to prayer that I have ever read.  Most books I have read are more “how-to-pray” books which can either intimidate or cause one to feel guilty.  Philip Yancey wrestles with the tough questions, often admitting that answers are less than satisfactory.  Yet he does not sugar-coat prayer.  Nor does he really lay any guilt trips upon his readers.  It is a book worthy of our discussion.

1. What images come to your mind when you hear the word “prayer?”  How were those images formed in your mind?

2. What terms would you use to characterize your own prayer life?  What terms would you like to use to characterize your prayer life?

3. Share any experience you have had when you thought God was silent to your prayer requests.  How did you work through that experience?  Did it strengthen your faith, or cause you to doubt?

4. How would you respond to a person who said this to you: “What difference does it make to pray if God has already determined everything?”

5. How can a person really learn how to pray?  If prayer is a learned response, why doesn’t the Church spend more time teaching us how to pray?  What might happen if it truly did focus on helping its constituents to pray?

6. Have you ever tried to pray Scripture to God?  What benefit did this have for you?  What benefit did it have for God?

7. Yancey spends considerable time defining for what we should be praying?  Analyze your own prayers and list those items for which you most often make requests.  How do you determine what should be the proper priorities for your prayer requests?

8. The Bible encourages us to be persistent in prayer.  Why do we find this so difficult today?  What might be the fruits of God’s delayed responses to our prayers? 

9. What was the greatest truth-lesson you received from reading this book?  How has it impacted your own prayer life?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS from March 2007
Epicenter by Joel Rosenberg and The Next World War by Grant R. Jeffrey

1. Both Joel Rosenberg and Grant Jeffrey look at our contemporary world through the eyes of Scriptures.  What are the differences between the two writers?  What are the similarities?
   

2. Rosenberg states that Christians need to look at the events in the world through three lenses: political, economic, and scriptural.  We seem to do a pretty good job of the first two.  Why do we seem to fail with the scriptural lens?

3. How did you react to Rosenberg’s presentation of the biblical foundation for oil being found in Israel?  If this is proven to be true, what impact will this discovery have upon the Middle East?  Upon the world?

4. How did you respond to the statement of Benjamin Netanyahu: The Lord is in charge of the beginning and the end, but we are responsible for the middle? (p. 74)

5. Of the ten future headlines Rosenberg elaborates upon, which one most excited your heart?  Why?

6. Both authors focus upon the prophecies of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39.  First, read those chapters in your Bible.  Then, plot on a map the nations that form that coalition that will come against Israel.  Do you find any connection between those prophecies and what is happening in our world today?

7. Neither author is convinced of the involvement of the United States in this coming battle with Gog and Magog.  What is the premise for their conclusions?

8. On page 146 Jeffrey writes: I am convinced that the burden of prophetic evidence points to the War of Magog occurring at some point in the near future, prior to the Antichrist making his seven-year treaty with Israel.  If this is true, then this war might occur before the rapture of the Church.  What should be the Christian’s response to this possibility?  Why do we not hear more emphasis upon this prophetic passage today?

9. According to Jeffrey, what is the role of radical Islam in the upcoming War of Gog and Magog?  Do you agree with his conclusions? 

10. What should be the Christian’s response to Islam politically, economically, and spiritually?  How can we be better prepared for the struggles that lie ahead?