Conversation Starters
Hi everyone,
I have often suggested that Christians and non-Christians begin bridging the gaps between them. What better way to engage in meaningful conversations than to talk about television and film? Rather than thumping someone over the head with a 10 lb. Bible, try talking about issues that connect us: Real life issues.
Desperate Housewives is a fantastic springboard for such conversations, but most folks don't even know where to begin. How do we get from A to B? How can we talk about the issues rather than the storyline? Hopefully this post will help you out. I'm going to be posting "Conversation Starters" for each episode. Try using them to talk with your friends, Christian and non-Christian alike. These are issues that have relevance to every one of us, and with good listening skills, we all might learn a little more about each other.
Feel free to post your conversation starters too! Maybe you have some insight into the episode that I missed. Thanks!!
Episode 11: "One More Kiss"
What different meanings could a kiss have?
Have you ever been kissed by someone whom you knew had bad intentions toward you?
If you knew that the kiss you were about to receive would be a kiss of betrayal, how would you respond?
When Judas kissed Jesus, he was sentencing him to torture and crucifixion. And yet, Jesus died for everyone, including Judas. Could you forgive someone who did that to you?
What do you think was different about Christ that enabled him to be able to forgive on that level?
Episode 10: "Coming Home"
Mary Alice talks about the Prodigal Son returning home, do you know that story?
Do you think the prodigal son returned home for any reason other than that he was starving to death and totally humiliated? What does that say about the human condition?
If we only seek God for the things he has to offer us, what happens to our faith when God allows a trial to enter our lives? Does God want more for us than to give us good things?
A Christian would say that they are not religious because a religion isn't the same as a relationship, and Christianity is about relationship with God. According to the Prodigal Son parable, would this statement be true?
Episode 7: "Color and Light"
What is your favorite picture? What do you love about it?
Tell me the story about your favorite photo or home video.
Which film has had the greatest impact on your life to date? (Not which one did you like the most, but which one has permanently changed your world view?)
Photos, film, and stories are a universal language. Are there any stories in your life or stories you have heard that you've found compelling?
What's your favorite story to tell?
Are there any stories in the Bible that have had an impact on your growth as a human being?
Have you noticed any common topics or themes that run throughout the Bible?
If you had to summarize the message of the entire Bible (as you might a movie), what would it be?
Episode 6: "I Wish I Could Forget You"
Did you ever dream of the perfect wedding as a little girl? Did you get it?
If you're married, what is your marriage like now - is it all you hoped it would be? If you're not married, what do you think your marriage will be like if you do get married?
Did you know that the Bible refers to Christ as the Bridegroom, and those who believe in him as the Bride?
What do you think that says about the kind of relationship God wants to have with us?
Do you think Christ can do a better job with our hearts and lives than our spouses can?
Episode 4: "My Heart Belongs to Daddy"
What do you think makes a good parent?
Why do you think that the Bible refers to God by this name, "God the Father" ?
If you had to pick any three things about your parents that you thought they did well, what would they be?
Of those three things, do you think God also has those characteristics?
Episode 3: "You'll Never Get Away from Me"
What was the worst lie you ever told? What was the worst way someone lied to or deceived you?
Have you ever believed something you thought was true, but it turned out to be false? How did it affect your life?
Do you think the Bible is actually true, or is it just another way that religious fanatics try to control people?
Do you think Jesus was a real person, or is he another deception that people entertain to justify their religious beliefs?
If you don't believe that Jesus was real or that he died for our sins, what difference would it make in your life if it turned out to be true?
Episode 2: "You Could Drive a Person Crazy"
This episode was about control, and women's desire to control the circumstances in their lives. What person or situation would you like most to have control over right now?
If you had complete control, what would you do with it?
Do you think that there are things God is controlling in your life in order to keep you safe?
Season Premiere: "Next"
Mary Alice said in her opening lines, "It was at that moment it occurred to Ida, God may work in mysterious ways, but he isn't particularly subtle." Have you ever experienced an incident in life where God was less than subtle?
When Bree sat waiting to tell her friends about Rex's death, Mary Alice commented, "And life, as it tends to do, would go on." What was the hardest thing you ever had to get past in life? How did you get past it?
I have often suggested that Christians and non-Christians begin bridging the gaps between them. What better way to engage in meaningful conversations than to talk about television and film? Rather than thumping someone over the head with a 10 lb. Bible, try talking about issues that connect us: Real life issues.
Desperate Housewives is a fantastic springboard for such conversations, but most folks don't even know where to begin. How do we get from A to B? How can we talk about the issues rather than the storyline? Hopefully this post will help you out. I'm going to be posting "Conversation Starters" for each episode. Try using them to talk with your friends, Christian and non-Christian alike. These are issues that have relevance to every one of us, and with good listening skills, we all might learn a little more about each other.
Feel free to post your conversation starters too! Maybe you have some insight into the episode that I missed. Thanks!!
Episode 11: "One More Kiss"
What different meanings could a kiss have?
Have you ever been kissed by someone whom you knew had bad intentions toward you?
If you knew that the kiss you were about to receive would be a kiss of betrayal, how would you respond?
When Judas kissed Jesus, he was sentencing him to torture and crucifixion. And yet, Jesus died for everyone, including Judas. Could you forgive someone who did that to you?
What do you think was different about Christ that enabled him to be able to forgive on that level?
Episode 10: "Coming Home"
Mary Alice talks about the Prodigal Son returning home, do you know that story?
Do you think the prodigal son returned home for any reason other than that he was starving to death and totally humiliated? What does that say about the human condition?
If we only seek God for the things he has to offer us, what happens to our faith when God allows a trial to enter our lives? Does God want more for us than to give us good things?
A Christian would say that they are not religious because a religion isn't the same as a relationship, and Christianity is about relationship with God. According to the Prodigal Son parable, would this statement be true?
Episode 7: "Color and Light"
What is your favorite picture? What do you love about it?
Tell me the story about your favorite photo or home video.
Which film has had the greatest impact on your life to date? (Not which one did you like the most, but which one has permanently changed your world view?)
Photos, film, and stories are a universal language. Are there any stories in your life or stories you have heard that you've found compelling?
What's your favorite story to tell?
Are there any stories in the Bible that have had an impact on your growth as a human being?
Have you noticed any common topics or themes that run throughout the Bible?
If you had to summarize the message of the entire Bible (as you might a movie), what would it be?
Episode 6: "I Wish I Could Forget You"
Did you ever dream of the perfect wedding as a little girl? Did you get it?
If you're married, what is your marriage like now - is it all you hoped it would be? If you're not married, what do you think your marriage will be like if you do get married?
Did you know that the Bible refers to Christ as the Bridegroom, and those who believe in him as the Bride?
What do you think that says about the kind of relationship God wants to have with us?
Do you think Christ can do a better job with our hearts and lives than our spouses can?
Episode 4: "My Heart Belongs to Daddy"
What do you think makes a good parent?
Why do you think that the Bible refers to God by this name, "God the Father" ?
If you had to pick any three things about your parents that you thought they did well, what would they be?
Of those three things, do you think God also has those characteristics?
Episode 3: "You'll Never Get Away from Me"
What was the worst lie you ever told? What was the worst way someone lied to or deceived you?
Have you ever believed something you thought was true, but it turned out to be false? How did it affect your life?
Do you think the Bible is actually true, or is it just another way that religious fanatics try to control people?
Do you think Jesus was a real person, or is he another deception that people entertain to justify their religious beliefs?
If you don't believe that Jesus was real or that he died for our sins, what difference would it make in your life if it turned out to be true?
Episode 2: "You Could Drive a Person Crazy"
This episode was about control, and women's desire to control the circumstances in their lives. What person or situation would you like most to have control over right now?
If you had complete control, what would you do with it?
Do you think that there are things God is controlling in your life in order to keep you safe?
Season Premiere: "Next"
Mary Alice said in her opening lines, "It was at that moment it occurred to Ida, God may work in mysterious ways, but he isn't particularly subtle." Have you ever experienced an incident in life where God was less than subtle?
When Bree sat waiting to tell her friends about Rex's death, Mary Alice commented, "And life, as it tends to do, would go on." What was the hardest thing you ever had to get past in life? How did you get past it?
1 Comments:
Hmm...Control- how much is God in control of our lives, what do we want Him to control, and is it really to protect us or to protect others from us? Given the struggles I've been having with my two year old lately, the last question has been going through my mind often.
Truly, I think God is in control of every aspect of our lives, bu that He steps back and says "Ok, you wanted it your way, lets see what a mess you can make of your life." And I think that's one thing that Melinda seems to really like about this series- people using their free will to mess up their lives. LOL Well, I could be wrong.
Post a Comment
<< Home