Discussion Questions

You may use these questions to help facilitate discussion of Japan's spiritual strongholds and redemptive gifts. These questions will also help you apply this study to your life.

If you are not Japanese, try to reserve judgement. It is much more productive as a ministry approach to empathize with Japanese people and to build on redemptive gifts. Above all, don't miss the personal application for your life, as Japan's spiritual issues are in some respects all of humanity's issues.

Class Consciousness and Social Hierarchy

• In what ways do you observe social hierarchy in Japanese society?
• In what situations have you observed Japanese people feeling powerless?
• When have you felt powerless? What (if anything) did you do to overcome it?
• In what ways do you observe bold perseverance in Japanese society today?
• In your experience, what has kept you from using perseverance as an excuse for status quo?
• What ways do you need to have increase your faith and persevere?

(Pray for each other and the prayer requests on page 52.)

Group Allegiance

• In what positive ways have you observed Japanese group allegiance?
• Where have you observed conformity in Japanese society? Can you think of positive as well as negative examples?
• What is the difference between conformity and cooperation?
• How have you cooperated with the group in order to successfully be “light and salt” in society?
• In what ways could you (your family, your church, etc.) cooperate more with society to be “light and salt”?

(Pray for each other and the prayer requests on page 52-53.)

National Uniformity and Cultural Uniqueness

• In what ways do you view Japanese culture as unique?
• Where have you observed Japanese people afraid to be different?
• When have you felt afraid to be different? What (if anything) did you do to overcome that fear?
• To what extent do you identify with Japanese people?
• How could you (your family, your church, etc.) identify and participate more deeply in Japanese society?

(Pray for each other and the prayer requests on page 53-54.)