For discussion

July 5, 2011 | Feature | Number 14

1. Does your church have ways to connect personally with the individuals it helps? How important is this personal contact? Have you ever experienced awkward moments while providing help to someone? What aspect of the exchange was most awkward?



2. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to accept help without the possibility of reciprocating? What is the relationship between accepting help and maintaining one’s dignity? Is it different if the help comes anonymously from a government agency?



3. When you support a charitable cause, how important is it to know that you have made a difference? How much of your impulse to help is due to a desire to feel noble? Does public acknowledgement of a gift—such as a name on a plaque—lead to the sin of pride?



4. Will Braun says that most helping relationships are inherently unequal. Are there situations where it is better not to help? What are some ways of assisting without depriving others of their independence and dignity?

 

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