To ask parents, educators, and youth leaders:
1. On p. 165, Dean describes the Celtic idea of thin places, “places where God reached through heaven’s floorboard and grabbed humans’ attention.” Think about a thin place in your own life. Where was it? What happened there? (page 165)
2. Gabrielle says, “We had to leave in order to find ourselves.” Have you seen that happen in the youth of your church? Or do they seem to “leave” on trips for other reasons?
3. Look at the chart on page 169. One column represents youth ministry rooted in anxiety. The next column represents youth ministry rooted in love. Do you think your church’s approach to youth ministry is more rooted in love or anxiety? Give examples.
4. Can you think of a disorienting dilemma that shifted your attention away from yourself and toward God? What are the risks and the benefits of using disorienting dilemmas in Christian education? (page 175-176)
5. How does your congregation understand conversion–as a “one-shot deal” or “an ongoing process?” What difference does that make for ministry? (page 181)
6. Read the final journal entry from Gabrielle on page 184. What is your reaction to her decision? (page 184)
To ask students:
1. On p. 165, Dean describes the Celtic idea of thin places, “places where God reached through heaven’s floorboard and grabbed humans’ attention.” Think about a thin place in your own life. Where was it? What happened there? (page 165)
2. Have you ever left home for a few days to focus more on God? Did leaving home help? Why or why not?
3. Think about the last time you came home from a retreat or a mission trip. What was coming home like for you? Did you quickly start forgetting the trip once you got home? Did anyone ask you to tell about your experiences? Was your experience hard to put into words? Why?
