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

• Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 9:1; Matthew 28:18-20: What does God intend for the earth and its human population? Are we anywhere near this today? Read Psalm 115:16-18. How should those who know the Lord seek to “bless” Him in their responsibilities on earth?
  
  
• Acts 26:1-11: How does God’s having redeemed Saul (Paul) teach us to regard the power of grace to renew and reform even the hardest offenders? What are the implications of this for our daily lives?
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: How powerful is the transforming grace of our Lord? In what ways have you seen His grace at work in your life?
  
  
• Psalm 139:13-18: God is intimately involved in the formation of new life in the womb. What does it say of His regard for us, that He allows us to participate with Him in bringing new life into the world? How does the Godly family factor into Christ’s mandate to make all the nations disciples (cf. Ephesians 6:4)?

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

• The press of late has shown what some might describe as an overweening concern for prisoners of the war on terrorism. Do you ever wonder why they don’t seem much interested in the millions of prisoners in the jails of our own nation?
  
  
• Did you know that, in the Bible, angels are described as the servants of human beings? What does that say, I wonder, about the high regard God must have for people?
  
  
• These days it seems some people want to be able to define any kind of living arrangement based on mutual consent as a “family.” Is this a good idea? Should “family” have a more definite meaning and purpose than just want anybody wants it to be?

POINTERS
A few items for action:

• Talk with the leaders of your church about the need of prisoners for the grace of the Lord. Try to find out if and in what ways your church is involved in ministering to inmates. Call Prison Fellowship or go online to the website and get the information about Angel Tree. Could your church take this on as part of its outreach to the least, the last, and the lost of our society? Would you be willing to lead it?
  
  
• Host a BreakPoint WorldView discussion in your home. Choose five to 10 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 page to guide your conversation as you think about applying the lessons of this issue to your lives as followers of Christ.
  
  
• See what you can find out from your state representatives what, if anything, is being considered or discussed concerning definitions of “marriage” or “family” in your state government. Gather information and share it with friends, together with your thoughts about the biblical view of these matters. Are there state representatives you might be able to influence?