Chapter 5 Discussion Questions

Chapter 5:  Compassion Fatigue

In this chapter, Craig Barnes addresses a common problem in faith communities. The opportunities to give of our time and our talents and our treasure are seemingly endless, and they can make us feel that we are not doing enough, even when our days seem to be filled by doing just these things.  We feel drained, and our pastors sometimes worry that offering yet one more opportunity for giving or serving will tip the scales and cause a rebellion! Where do we go wrong in our thinking when we attempt to figure out how, where, and when to serve?

1.            Paul, James, and others write about faith and works. Read James’ familiar passage:  James 2:14-26 (Faith without deeds is dead).  Many of us are inspired by this and other passages to do good works because good works arise out of our faith in and love for God.  Our faith produces a desire in us to care for others.  But Barnes cautions us that, frequently, we forget who is doing the works. 

On the top of page 68, Barnes writes, “Most of the mistakes we make in our commitments to compassion and mission are rooted in a far more serious mistake about Jesus, namely, thinking of him in the past tense.”  Then read the paragraph at the bottom of the same page, “Why is it that so many…”  On the next page, Barnes writes, ‘The Gospel writer John introduces us to Jesus by stating, “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.”  Not one thing….  all of the good work is still being done by him.” 

Respond to these thoughts. 

Do we sometimes attempt to quench our thirst for God by doing good works? 

Are we guilty of “playing Jesus?”  Of forgetting that it is, in fact, the living God who is accomplishing great works through us and indeed in spite of us?

How does this change your outlook toward mission/service?

 2.            On page 72 (second paragraph), Barnes says, “Here is the key to this whole narrative.  Our calling is not to fix one single thing, but to bring all the broken things to Jesus Christ, who alone has the power to save our children and our society.” 

And then, on page 74, read from “Many of us who spend enormous chunks of time at church…” through the end of the page.

What does “placing the despairing world back into the hands of the Savior” look like in real life?  How is this a different approach to the way we may typically carry on our mission/service/church business?

3.              The last section of this chapter is based on the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, Philip’s desperation, Andrew’s seemingly meager solution, and Jesus  giving thanks to God for the small offering of five loaves and two fish, and then turning it into an abundance.  Barnes says we are not to worry about whether our limited resources can heal and bring hope to a broken world.  (p. 77) “that is the Savior’s worry.  All you are asked to do is to take what you have, place it in Jesus’ hands, and give thanks.” 

Discuss.  Do you feel that a burden has been lifted? 

Pray as a group that we can approach our various ministries in a new way: by giving thanks to God for what we have to offer, by recognizing that it is Jesus whose power will accomplish the work of healing and the restoration of hope in our world, and by having the courage to place this work in Jesus hands.