DISCUSSION GUIDE Issue of March 13, 2016
GOD LEAVES
Page 1
1. Read the story of the Prodigal Son aloud in class. (Luke 15:11-32)
2. What lesson did the younger son learn?
3. Who is really the father in this parable? What do we learn about the Father’s
capacity for forgiveness?
4. Do you think the older son was just in his reaction to the father’s generosity in welcoming back the younger son? Discuss why or why not.
5. What does do the older son’s actions teach us?
LIFE’S CROSSES
Page 5
1. When people pray to God for healing, usually they are in need of physical
healing. However, what other kinds of healing might God provide for us in
times of need?
2. Do you believe God is with us, even in times of great need? Why/why not?
3. Discuss some of the great crosses we are asked to bear in our lives?
4. What are some of the things we learn through suffering?
5. In bearing our crosses, what do we learn about our dependence on God?
ANDREAN-NOLL
Page 7
1. According to this story, what happened at a recent Andrean-Bishop Noll basketball game?
2. How did what was started in jest become hurtful to so many?
3. Bishop Hying noted that this is not what we teach our Catholic school
students and this kind of behavior is not to be tolerated. Do you agree with
the bishop? Why/why not?
4. What does the bishop mean when he states that “Jesus is at the center of all
we do and his message was, and is, one of inclusion and respect for all
people.”
5. What do you think Jesus would tell us is the lesson learned from this incident?
6. Do you think satirical comedy has given people, especially young people, a license to do and say whatever they want in the name of “fun”? Do you think the “anything for a laugh” mentality goes too far today?
ABILITY to SEE
Page 13
1. Define “racism.”
2. Why do you think racism still exists in our society?
3. According to Cardinal Turkson, what is one of the effects of racism?
4. He calls racism a “radical” evil. How has it, at times, divided our country; our world?
5. He notes that children can be taught to hate. Do you think God wants us to grow in hate of anyone? Why/why not?
6. Even at your young ages, how might you help to eradicate racism in your circle of being?