Chapter 6 ~ Justice

Questions

1. Read Micah 6:1-8.  What are some of the ways that your family and community "Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God"?
2. How does this passage demonstrate the tension, or complementary relationship, between the work of compassion and the way of just living?
3. In your immediate community, who are the most vulnerable populations?  What are the immediate needs of these neighbors, and also, what would a deeper, more restorative kind of justice look like?
4. What are some barriers that your family or faith community might face in talking about privilege or systemic injustice?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows a doll who seems a bit perplexed by the book.

Chapter 5 ~ Joy

Questions

1. What does your family like to create together?
2. How do you practice joy as a family and in community?
3. Can you think of a time when your church (or community) faced uncertinty with creative problem solving?
4. Describe some glimpses of joy that you have seen in a simple moment, or in the midst of an otherwise difficult time.

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows a big toy tiger holding the book.

Chapter 4 ~ Nonviolence

Questions

1. In what ways has violence become an accepted part of life for you?  Is there any level of violence in your theology, entertainment, or language that feels "appropriate" or "acceptable"?
2. How do you practice nonviolence in your home?  In your neighborhood or faith community?
3. What cultural barriers make that practice more difficult?
4. What Scriptures have you heard used out of context to defend capital punishment, "stand your ground" laws, or upholding violent systems in other ways?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows my cat Clawdia asleep beside the book.

Chapter 3 ~ Sabbath

Questions

1. What are some of the messages of scarcity that you receive on a daily basis?
2. How does your family practice gratitude and generosity?
3. How does your faith community embody the "liturgy of abundance"?  Or if your church lives in a pattern of scarcity, what language or practices might begin to change that pattern?
4. What is your favorite biblical story of abundance?  What does it teach you about living generously?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows the book and a toy elephant given to my mother many decades ago by one of her twelve grandchildren when they were young.  Mom had lots of great-grandchildren by the time she died in 2004.  (In other words, I've lost count.)

Chapter 2 ~ Abundance

Questions

1. What are some of the messages of scarcity that you receive on a daily basis?
2. How does your family practice gratitude and generosity?
3. How does your faith community embody the "liturgy of abundance"?  Or if your church lives in a pattern of scarcity, what language or practices might begin to change that pattern?
4. What is your favorite biblical story of abundance?  What does it teach you about living generously?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows Snoopy and his little pal rather than Clawdia, my cat who refused to pose for me.  Maybe she'll do it next time.

Chapter 1 ~ Compassion: Love in Action

Questions

1. What passion does your child possess that could be nurtured into an active compassion?  What passions of your own could be focused outward?
2. When have you heard "love" expressed in a way that might not be very loving in spirit?  How might you reframe that perspective and shape it into something more life-giving?
3. Where do you meet your greatest challenge to compassionate living?
4. How does your church, family, or local community engage in acts of compassion?  Do you see evidence of this practice or activity in the world around you?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows the author at a bookstore.

More than Words ~ by Erin Wathen

More than Words: 10 Values for the Modern Family ~ by Erin Wathen, 2017, relationships

The values we live and raise our families by are grounded, first, in love.  Contrary to many of today's so-called family values, our values go beyond one or two loaded social issues to a wholehearted lifestyle of practicing compassion, hospitality, justice, peace, and belonging.

This book articulates ten values that forward-thinking, openhearted people want to embody in their lives and pass on to their children.  With practical ideas and thought-provoking questions, this book inspires families to live more intentionally, engage their communities, and make a difference in the world.

Click each chapter to find the discussion questions:

1.  Compassion: Love in Action

2.  Abundance: The Root of Gratitude and Generosity

3.  Sabbath: Reclaiming Time to Be, and Be Together

4.  Nonviolence: Beyond Turning the Other Cheek

5.  Joy: Living with Creativity and Purpose

6.  Justice: More than Mercy

7.  Community: The Art of Neighboring

8.  Forgiveness: The Daily Bread of Relationships

9.  Equality: Made in God's Image

10. Authenticity: Being Who You Are

* Erin Wathen's website, including her Home and Holler blog.