Discussion Questions April 2010

Adults

What are you afraid to prune away in your life? If we believe that God loves us more than we can imagine, why are we sometimes reluctant to prune when he asks us to?

The young man in this month’s parable learned much because he volunteered his time to help out at the convent. Where are you volunteering your time? What is the experience teaching you?

Looking back, how did you end up in your current occupation or life situation? When and in what ways did you sense God’s leading? What talents and skills – and on-going life experiences – brought you to the place where you are now?

Teens

“Bloom where you are planted,” they say. What are you able to do – just right now, just right here – that you could not do if you lived or worked somewhere else?

When in your life have you felt “pruned” – deprived of things or circumstances that you felt were necessary for your life? What changed for you as a result of that “pruning”?

This month’s modern disciple feels God calling him to live his life as a priest. To what do you think the Lord is calling you? Are you listening for God’s voice as you make your choices for classes, college, your course of study, occupation, or employment?

Children

The young man in this month’s story helped out in a garden. Where and in what ways are you helping someone? What are you learning as you help?

Easter is considered a more important celebration than Christmas. Can you believe it! Why is that so? Ask a grown-up that you trust – a parent, an aunt or uncle, a teacher, a priest or deacon at your parish – about it.

This is a good time for “spring cleaning.” What needs to be spring cleaned where you live – the school yard after winter snows and spring rains? Your own backyard? Your classroom or your bedroom? Look for ways to clean up and get ready for summer!