ANCHORS
Here are some Biblical texts to discuss with friends who have read this issue of BPWV:

• Luke 10:25-37; Acts 4:32-37: What is it about faith in Christ that leads Christians to be caring and generous to those who have fallen on hard times?
  
  
• Romans 6:1-14: How does the calling to follow Jesus speak to the matter of adolescent longings and practices? Read Philippians 2:12,13. How can adult believers help young Christians to take up this challenge?
  
  
• 2 Timothy 1:3-7: How important is family nurture to the life of discipleship? What can churches do in order to encourage more discipling of young people in the homes?
  
  
• Meditate on your favorite of Jesus’ parables: Why do you like this parable so much? How does it speak to you? Can you see how Jesus’ use of fiction was integral to the work of making disciples? Have you read any works of fiction that you think might be helpful in encouraging someone in his or her walk with the Lord?
  
  
• Colossians 3:1-16: What do you suppose it means to “set your mind” on Christ exalted and the other features of that vast, unseen landscape? Why should believers do this?

LAUNCHERS
These questions can help to launch you into conversations concerning the topics raised in this issue:

• What pressures do youth have to confront each day? Are these inclining them toward the Gospel or away from it? How can we help young people to prepare for a lifetime of following Jesus?
  
  
• Do you think people turn to churches in difficult times like ours? Should they? Should churches be preparing to help people in material as well as spiritual ways? How might they do that?
  
  
• Sometimes I get the feeling that our churches are becoming a little too “this-worldly.” Everything is reduced to “here and now” and there’s not much talk about “there and then” or about the unseen world. Is this a good thing?

POINTERS
A few items for action:

• Get a group of friends together to discuss ways your church might prepare to serve people in your community who are struggling in these difficult economic times. Invite a deacon or an elder to join you. Share the story of the good Samaritan and talk about what this means for your church and its neighbors.
  
  
• Host a BreakPoint WorldView discussion in your home. Choose five to ten friends and forward this issue of your favorite online journal to them, together with an invitation to join you for dessert, coffee, and conversation. When you’re together, use the Launchers to guide your conversation as you think about applying the lessons of this issue to your lives as followers of Christ.
  
  
• Talk to some of the young people at your church. Ask them about the kinds of pressure they get from school mates, friends, and pop culture. Ask for some things you can pray about that might help them to be more consistent in following Jesus. Pray faithfully, then follow up to see how the kids are doing. Keep the dialogue going if you can.