Staying Alive

Discussion Questions for
Chapters 3-6 in
Mark Yaconelli's Contemplative Youth Ministry

Feel free to respond to some or all of these questions. Once you've posted, be sure to leave one another comments.

Chapter 3: Staying Alive

Yaconelli talks about the deepest hopes we have for youth. What is the deepest hope you have for the youth with whom you work?

According to Yaconelli, what is the primary question youth are asking? Do you agree? If so, how do you hear youth asking this question? If you disagree, then please explain why.

Chapter 4: Becoming a Good Receiver
What are the two steps to being a good receiver? Summarize each step in one sentence and then give an example of how you have successfully practiced each step and an example of how you've failed at each step.

Chapter 5: Allowing God to Love Us
Yaconelli offers a list of dichotomies in order to better explain the difference between a ministry that grows out of anxiety and one that grows out of love. Which dichotomy do you think is most important for us to be aware of? Why?

There are two practices in this chapter which Mark offers as ways to allow God to love us. What are the pros and cons of each practice or prayer exercise?

Chapter 6: From Prayer to Presence
“In my work with numerous youth ministry programs over the past 10 years, I’ve become convinced that the more we engage in contemplative prayer the more we are able to be present to young people.” Why does Mark believe this to be true? Do you agree? Why or why not?