Introduction and Chapter 1

Introduction
1.  What negative influences are at work to destroy the marriage relationship?  (pages 14-15)

2.  How does approaching marriage from God's perspective, as a sacramental union, help strengthen it and each member?  (page 18)

3.  Which issues in your marriage formerly caused strife between you and your husband but are no longer problems?  (page 29)

Ch. 1
4.  Share a successful experience of praying before you speak.  (page 35)

5.  Reflect on the good wife of Proverbs 31:10-31.  Where might you be called to grow?  (page 43)

Personal reflection-What personal walls are keeping you from fully loving your husband?

Action point-Ask your husband, "How can I pray for you?"

Introduction and Chapter 1: Hannah

1 Sam 1-2:21

1.  What small things do you do in your weakness that are great in the sight of the Lord?

2.  Reflect on how priests/the Church have assured you of God's providence in times of difficulty.  Are there any particular scripture passages that give you comfort?

3.  How do you encourage those who struggle to give their child(ren) to God in a priestly or religious vocation?  How do you foster your own children's vocations?

4.  How does a thankful heart aid you in times of suffering?

Chapter 1: When a Person Moves Away from God (Rule 1)

Definition
inimical-adverse in tendency or effect

Other
Text of the poem Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson

Discussion
1.  What resolution have you been prompted to make, but not yet made?  What is holding you back?

2.  Share an example where you anticipated, prepared for and successfully overcame adversity.

3.  How do you guard yourself and your family's imagination against the "culture of the image" that we live in?

4.  What people or influences have been essential in moving you toward the will of God?

Chapter 1: Out of the Boat-A Model

Part 1 Preface: The Gift of Grace and Chapter 1: Out of the Boat-A Model for Grace (pages 21-29)

Blue text question taken from the text's "For Study and Discussion"

Biblical quotations from Revised Standard Version Bible

1.  How can you help yourself and your child(ren) from falling into Satan's trap of negative thinking as Peter did at the beginning of the chapter?  Do you see a correlation between negativity and the inability to recognize Christ's presence?  How do you refocus that relationship?

2.  Read Mark 14:66-72

[66] And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came; [67] and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus." [68] But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you mean." And he went out into the gateway. [69] And the maid saw him, and began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." [70] But again he denied it. And after a little while again the bystanders said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." [71] But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know this man of whom you speak." [72] And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.

and then 1 Peter 4:8 [Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins]. 

Knowing that Christ gave Peter grace after he failed so miserably, how would he have you extend this kind of grace to your own child(ren)?  What would this look like in your daily interactions?

3.  How do you help your child(ren) receive grace?  give grace?

4.  What concrete step can you take this week to highlight grace in your home?

Chapter 1: More Than A Priest

1. How are a rich interior life and the lack of luxuries related? How does this play out in your life? (page 13)

2. We are called to the voluntary sacrifice modeled by Abraham, the white martyrdom of ourselves. What death/sacrifice of our own do we bring to Mass? (pages 19 and 21)

3. In what ways do our bodies enable or hinder us in serving God? How can we better utilize the gift our physical being? (page 24)

4. St. John Bosco believed that 1 in 4 people has a religious vocation. Do you agree with Sheen that our failure to stress the importance of sacrifice is one reason for the lack of vocations? How can it be emphasized more? (page 25)