Discussion Questions November 2009

Adults

How does our attitude shape our perceptions? About what do you have a “bad attitude”? Why? What could change your attitude about that particular thing?

Grateful or burdened? Those words describe the attitudes of the two neighbors in this month’s “new parable.” For what are you grateful? What makes you feel burdened or resentful?

Sometimes Thanksgiving weekend seems to mean, “Get ready! Get set! Shop!” What is one thing you could do this year to prolong the sense of thankfulness and postpone the pre-Christmas frenzy?

Teens

“You’d better change your attitude, young man/young lady!” Ever have an irritated parent say that to you? What was the occasion? How could a change of attitude have helped the situation?

Can you think of examples among your friends, where the same thing or event causes completely different reactions in different people – examples of times when something one person absolutely loves is the same thing that another just can’t stand? Why is that?

If you could change one thing about the way your family celebrates Thanksgiving, or could add just one thing to the celebration to make it better, what would it be? Why?

Children

One lady in this month’s story was crabby about the apple trees in her yard; the other one was grateful. Why do you think the same thing – the apple trees – caused such reactions in the two neighbors? Which one would you rather have as your neighbor? Why?

This month begins with All Saints Day and ends with Thanksgiving. Who is your favorite saint? Why?

What are you most thankful for? Why?