Faith For The Curious

• Session 1: Curiosity & Why It Matters in an Era of Spiritual Openness

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  Session 1 (14 minutes)

  Discussion Questions

  1. How do you define the concept of “spiritual curiosity?”
  2. Why is curiosity the key to having better conversations with people who are open to spirituality?
  3. What are the three types of spiritually curious people?
  4. Compare the similarities and differences between the “spiritually curious,” the “curious skeptics” and the “naturalists.”
  5. What are some ways you can strengthen your skills and engage in spiritual conversations with spiritually curious people?
  6. From Barna’s Spiritually Open research, we learn that 90 percent of Americans believe there is more to life than what is experienced with our five senses. How are you maximizing this big opportunity with the more than three-quarters of the population who already believe in a spiritual realm and are highly curious?

  Closing

  Even though a huge opportunity exists to engage with people around spiritual topics, Barna’s research also shows that people view Christians critically. The number one reason Americans give for having doubts about Christianity is the hypocrisy of religious people. We have work to do to change the perception people have of Christians.

   

  Next time you engage in a spiritual conversation with someone who is curious or questioning their faith, remember this:

  1. Listen with empathy to what they have to say and share.
  2. Ask thoughtful questions to understand the other person’s perspective.
  3. Ask permission before you share your own perspective

• Session 2: Engaging the Spiritually Curious

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  Session 2 (8 minutes)

  Discuss

  1. How would you describe a “curious conversationalist?”
  2. How does recognizing the hard parts of someone’s personal backstory affect your approach in conversations with them?
  3. How are you at listening (rather than sharing and speaking) to someone who is spiritually open?
  4. When a conversation leads into topics or questions about the spiritual aspect of life, what are some ways you can practice responding with empathy rather than logic and the “right answers?”
  5. How often do you find yourself engaging with the spiritually curious in conversation? How does voicing certain things bring connection, freedom, or courage—for either conversation partner?
  6. The key to having an organic, healthy exchange is to be fully present and curious about the person you’re talking to. People sniff out fake interest easily. What are some ways you’ve been “fake” in the past or have experienced being on the receiving end of that yourself?

  Closing

  The better way to explore the possibility of faith with others starts with being genuinely curious in your interactions with spiritually open people and letting them guide the conversation. Here are a few practical ways you can engage thoughtfully in spiritual conversations and learn more about a person’s spiritual backstory:

  1. Affirm their motivation toward spirituality.
  2. Connect their curiosity about spirituality with the image of God in them.
  3. Link their backstory to their present-day beliefs and life experiences.

  Be encouraged by the many that are seeking spiritual answers. You have all the right tools to engage and encourage—it’s time to use them.

• Session 3: Becoming a More Curious Christian

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  Session 3 (14 minutes)

  Discuss

  1. What gets in the way of curiosity for Christians?
  2. Do you think questions are a threat to Christian faith? Why or why not?
  3. The process of entering conversations with genuine curiosity might be different from what many of us learned when we’re first taught how to evangelize. It might require us to adopt a new perspective. How have you been taught to engage in spiritual conversations?
  4. It’s not just non-Christians who are asking questions about their faith. In fact, Barna’s data shows that more than a third of today’s Christians, both practicing and non-practicing, say they’ve deconstructed the faith of their youth, meaning they’ve gone through a season of reconsidering their beliefs. Where are you at with your own questions about your beliefs? Have you gone through—or perhaps are currently going through—a season of deconstruction?
  5. The goal in making space for spiritual conversations is to build a relationship—on trust—so that people who are curious about faith have a trustworthy friend and guide as they move through their journey. How can you focus on the relationship over resolving the conversation?
  6. What are some ways you could expand your own curiosity?

  Closing

  You are along for the ride on someone’s spiritual journey, and it’s the Holy Spirit who leads you to the destination. So even if the person you’re talking with is deconstructing or wrestling with doubts, let them. While you’re on the journey, here are a few practical ways you can continue to walk with people as they explore faith:

  1. Resist the impulse to respond to questions too quickly.
  2. Focus on creating a dialogue.
  3. Don’t hurry the doubters.

  Jesus welcomes questions; he was the master of asking them. He loves the doubter, and, in fact, he was more skeptical of the religious leaders of his day. He came to accompany people on their journeys toward understanding and following him.

• Session 4: Maintaining a Faithful Presence

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  Session 4 (11 minutes)

  Discuss

  1. What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?
  2.  As a follower of Christ, how can you maintain a faithful presence even when others don’t share your beliefs?
  3. Maintaining a faithful presence means living counter-culturally—putting all your trust and your dependence on Christ. How does this radical approach to life shape the way you live? Where is this dependence on Jesus obvious, and where is it lacking?
  4. Stretching your curiosity means seeking out that which is unfamiliar, and embracing curiosity means staying in the room when there are differences while still respecting boundaries. Christ’s presence drew people in and gave them space to decide for themselves whether or not they wanted to follow him. Following his example, how do you manage your fears about crossing personal boundaries that might lead you toward negative influences or unhealthy choices?
  5. Think of the spiritually curious people around you. Where are your places of intersection and common ground?
  6. Many who are curious have had negative experiences with the church. Enhancing Christians’ reputations by living in more Christlike ways in your community is critical to your efforts to reach those who are open to faith. Knowing this, what “good news” are you bringing to your community and those around you?

  Closing

  God is already at work in every space and place in this world. A lot of times we may subconsciously believe that God is only working in specific areas—like in mission work or church activities. The reality is that God is also working everywhere, including in the hearts and minds of people who have never thought much about him. Remember to step into every environment with humility, not thinking that you’re bringing something new. Instead, ask God to show you what he’s already doing there. How is God already working in a person’s life, or how has he been preparing them for this moment?

   

  Walking alongside people on their spiritual journey takes time. Offering your time and presence to really get to know someone is a slow process. It’s an influence that’s earned over time. It’s not a transaction—it’s a transformation. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the spiritually curious.