S2E8 Be Risky (Matthew 25:14-30) PYNWJ4

The well-known parable of the talents teaches us something unexpected: that sometimes it's not better to be safe than sorry. Sometimes, you'll be sorry if you play it too safe. This is about the character of God and whether we are free to take bold creative risks in our families, places of work, and religious communities.

Jesus invites his followers to not live in fear but in the sort of boldness that allows for creative and effective work in the world, even when other religious people look on with scorn.

Here are discussion questions from the chapter (you can get pre-release drafts of chapters fortnightly by becoming a patron).

1. What bold move would you make in your life if you were not at all afraid of failure?

2. Think of a belief or action that your community says is false or immoral, but at least some people think is true or good. It doesn’t matter right now what side you’re on here. What’s important is your answer to this question: Do you think God will send people who think or behave in this way to hell or punish them in some other way if they happen to be wrong?

3. When you fail to act in ways that you intuitively think you should act, who or what is it that you are afraid of? Should you really be afraid? If so, why do you care? 

4. If it turns out that God is cruel and unjust, would you still worship such a God? Should you worship such a God?

5. What fear is the most debilitating in your life? Is there something you can focus on, related to this fear, that might help you steer your life course in a healthy direction?

6. Do you think moral law exists apart from a moral lawgiver, like God? If you believe in God, does God make the rules or does God have to obey the rules of the universe? What might the implications of your answer for daily life be?