25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels: Letting Jesus Lead You through the Stages of Spiritual Growth

by Allan F. Wright

Overview

There's nothing quite like a pointed question to elicit an honest answer. Jesus used questions throughout his ministry, not to find out something he didn't know, but to probe into people's deepest, most unsettled spaces. Biblical scholar and retreat leader Allan F. Wright organizes twenty-five questions Jesus asked into five spiritual stages that will lead you on the road to discipleship.

In the gospels, Jesus frequently asked his followers and enemies tough questions like "Why are you anxious?" "Do you believe this?" and "Why do you doubt?"

In 25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels, you will see that you are no different from those Jesus questioned—a grieving sister, a fearful friend, an incessant doubter. And you'll learn that his questions—and the issues that they raise—are just as relevant and life-changing to Catholics today as they were to Jesus' first followers.

Educator and author Allan F. Wright will lead you through five stages of spiritual development—from spiritual seeker to faithful disciple of Christ—so that you can become better able embrace and share the life-giving power Jesus offers. You will come away recognizing Jesus for the wise teacher that he was and as the God who loves you still.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594716768
Publisher:	Ave Maria Press
Publication date:	12/05/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Allan F. Wright is the principal and director of discipleship for the Koinonia Academy, former academic dean for evangelization at St. Paul Inside the Walls, and an adjunct professor of biblical studies at Seton Hall University, where he received the “Many Are One” Servant Leadership Alumni Award in 2015.

He is a 1986 graduate of Seton Hall, earning a bachelor’s degree in religious studies. He earned his master’s degree in theology and biblical studies at Seton Hall, where he also received the Pope John Paul II Medal for Academic Excellence.

Wright is a speaker and the author of eight books, including Daily Companion for Young Catholics and Jesus the Evangelist. He received a first-place award in 2008 from the Catholic Press Association for Jesus in the House and was named teacher of the year in the Archdiocese of Newark in 2000. Wright is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate. He is the host of a weekly program on Radio Maria, Jesus the Evangelist. He is a frequent guest on Relevant Radio and EWTN and has been featured on Fox News and in Catholic Digest and the National Catholic Register.

He and his wife, Desiree, live with their four children in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

1 Away from the Numbers

1 What Are You Looking For? 3

2 What Is Your Name? 9

3 Do You Want to Be Well? 15

4 If God So Clothes the Grass of the Field, Which Grows Today and Is Thrown into the Oven Tomorrow, Will He Not Much More Provide for You, O You of Little Faith? 21

5 Did You Never Read the Scriptures? 29

2 Nobody's Hero

6 Do You Believe That I Can Do This? 37

7 What Do You Want Me to Do for You? 43

8 But When the Son of Man Comes, Will He Find Faith on Earth? 49

9 If Even the Smallest Things Are beyond Your Control, Why Are You Anxious about the Rest? 55

10 But Who Do You Say That I Am? 63

3 Complete Control

11 Why Do You Call Me, "Lord, Lord," but Not Do What I Command? 71

12 Why Do You Notice the Splinter in Your Brother's Eye, but Do Not Perceive the Wooden Beam in Your Own Eye? 77

13 Will Not God Then Secure the Rights of His Chosen Ones Who Call Out to Him Day and Night? 83

14 Why Do You Harbor Evil Thoughts? 89

15 Why Did You Doubt? 95

4 Out of Step

16 Lord, When Did We See You Hungry and Feed You, or Thirsty and Give You Drink? 103

17 Is a Lamp Brought in to Be Placed under a Bushel Basket or under a Bed, and Not to Be Placed on a Lampstand? 109

18 Which of These Three, in Your Opinion, Was Neighbor to the Robber's Victim? 115

19 What Man among You Having a Hundred Sheep and Losing One of Them Would Not Leave the Ninety-Nine in the Desert and Go After the Lost One until He Finds It? 123

20 Can You Drink the Cup That I Am Going to Drink? 129

5 The Anchor

21 Where Is the Guest Room Where I May Eat the Passover with My Disciples? 137

22 Do You See This Woman? 143

23 Do You Realize What I Have Done for You? 149

24 Do You Love Me? 155

25 What Are You Discussing as You Walk Along? 161

Conclusion: Rise Above 169

Notes 173

Editorial Reviews

"I've seen many books that answer people's questions about Jesus, but this is the first one I've seen that asks people to answer Jesus' questions about them. Whether you're a life-long believer or just curious about Christianity, this book can help you meet Jesus as if for the first time." --John Bergsma, Author of Bible Basics for Catholics

"With the skill of an accomplished biblicist, author Allan Wright systematically examines twenty-five important questions that Jesus asks in the gospels. He helps his readers examine their lives in light of Jesus' teaching. His crisp, engaging writing style leads the readers to face the very person of Jesus who alone is the answer to our most profound questions." --Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson, Chairman of Committee on Divine Worship of the USCCB

"As a spiritual director, it becomes evident in the spiritual life that it is not sufficient to talk about Jesus, but rather, we must come to know him personally in dialogue with him. In this lucid and accessible work, Allan Wright opens a path to that conversation by allowing us to meet Jesus intimately as our Lord asks the key questions about life and faith to each one of us directly. 25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels is such a help to deepening this intimate bond with our Lord!" --Msgr. Joseph R. Chapel, Spiritual Director, Casa Santa Maria, Pontifical North American College , Rome

"Whether teaching the parables of Jesus or leading retreats and workshops, Allan Wright powerfully engages audiences with the Word of God, launching and accompanying them on a spiritual journey of self-reflection and soul-searching. This gift for inspirational teaching also shines through in 25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels where Allan invites us to hear Christ gently questioning us and beckoning us to draw nearer to Divine love. Unpacking these questions, Allan gives us the tools to respond authentically to Christ's invitation, as we embark not only a journey, but a Divine transformative adventure." --Dianne M. Traflet, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration, Immaculate Conception Seminary

"An excellent book written clearly and succinctly by a skilled and inspiring teacher and author. 25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels is an invitation to examine and critically evaluate life's big questions. It is a good exercise for everybody to consider in their spiritual journey and discipleship. Take up and read!" --Ines Murzaku, Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University

From the Publisher