1. At the bar, in the parking lot, and at the soccer game, Dan is amazed at the ease with which Neo engages people who are not Christians. Neo admits that at an earlier time in his life, whenever he was with people from outside the church he was tense. “There was always this threat in the air—either I was going to be pulled down by their bad behavior, or else I was going to judge them and preach to them.” Have you felt this tension? How have you resolved it? Is there any irony in the contrast between Jesus’ apparent comfort among those his culture labeled “unclean” and the difficulty his followers seem to have around “sinners”?
2. Compare and contrast the way the phrase born-again is understood and used today with how Neo describes its meaning in the context of a first century conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Do you agree that the term born-again Christian has an overwhelmingly negative connotation to people who aren’t Christians? If so, why do you think this is the case?
3. In contrast to modernity, which stresses abstract principles and universal concepts, Neo talks about the need for postmodern theology to reincarnate (that is, to rediscover) the importance of language, setting and context in conveying meaning. Describe the context and setting of the first century, according to Neo, and why the language of the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven” was so explosive. What kinds of images and creative language might be used to describe God’s work in the world today? Would such language be as potent for Christians today as it was for first-century religious people? If not, why not?
4. When asked to summarize how he would describe the gospel to someone, Neo emphasizes the importance of introducing a person to the church so that they can experience Christian community. Have you ever thought of this as an integral part of the gospel? Do you agree that it is? Why or why not? Is integration with a local church an essential part of becoming a Christian?
5. Why does Dan react so strongly to Neo’s presentation of “the kingdom of God”?
6. What is the difference between counting conversions and counting conversation? Do you agree that people are sick of Christian sales pitches and formulas? Neo believes that “friendship evangelism” is just another version of these manipulative strategies. Do you agree? Why or why not?
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