Chapter 5: The Holy Spirit and the Priest

A definition from page 105 "...countless masses of souls that are like gold inglots (a bar or block of metal) covered with dross (scum)."

1. How can we be more attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, especially in the midst of our day? (page 92, 95)

2. Do we desire Christ to be our constant companion? In what part of our day/life do we tend to forget or ignore Him? (page 97)

3. Knowing that Christ died for every person, how can we better strive to love everyone with perfect charity? (page 98)

4. As you have become more conscious of your own sinfulness, has the Spirit "taken the fun" out of sinning, as Sheen observes? (page 99)

5. "Before we commit a sin, Satan assures us that it is of no consequence; after we commit a sin, he persuades us that it is unforgivable." How can we combat this lie of Satan's and avail ourselves to the grace of confession? (page 102)

6. What wonderful things has God done in your life recently? (page 104)

Chapter 4: The Holiness of the Priest

1. Sheen states that "[t]he priest's holiness helps to make the faithful holy. The sanctity of the Christian community, in turn, helps to make the priest holy." How have you seen this dynamic at work? (page 73)

2. Reflecting on the "Our Father for priests" (Jn 17:13-24), is there a specific priest you know who manifests one or more of these characteristics (perseverance, joy, deliverance from evil, holiness through sacrifices, unity, Our Lord's constant companions and enjoyment of His glory in heaven) in an extraordinary way? (page 75)

3. Why does God ask us to wrestle with Him as Jacob did? (page 78)

4. To what extent is prayer for vocations a part of your spirituality? In what other ways do you help foster vocations, especially those of your child(ren)? (page 79, 82 and 89)

5. How can our lives better express the message of Christ to others? (page 81)

6. "We do not save our souls alone; either we save it in the context of our neighbors and of the Mystical Body, or we lose it." How do you encourage those around you, especially in your immediate family, to grow in their relationship with Christ? (page 85)

7. Sheen observes that we often negotiate with the Lord: "Tell me first what you want me to do, and I will see whether I want to do it." How can we better dispose/surrender ourselves to follow the advice Eli gave to Samuel and "put yourself in God's hands. He will show you your work."? (page 89)

Chapter 3: Spiritual Generation

1. How does God's command to "increase and multiply" manifest itself in your life in the non-biological sense? (page 57)

2. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2337) "chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being. Sexuality, in which man's belonging to the bodily and biological world is expressed, becomes personal and truly human when it is integrated into the relationship of one person to another, in the complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman. The virtue of chastity therefore involves the integrity of the person and the integrality of the gift." How is chastity a source of "fire" in your marriage? (page 60)

3. As parents, we have the "power and duty to foster the vocation" of our child(ren). What practical means does this entail in your home? (pages 61, 67-72)

4. How do we invite others, especially non-believers in our own family, to embrace the faith? (page 63)

5. Sheen calls meditation the "self-denial that carries from the heart the dead things of the world." How have you seen this type of prayer bear fruit in your life? (page 67)

6. How can we help our child(ren) hear the voice of God, do good works and avoid sin? (page 70)

7. Do you have any success stories of "reform" either of yourself or your child(ren)? (page 71)