1. What are some examples of self-sacrificial love people have shown you, or you have seen in others?

  2. Are there people you would feel comfortable to share doubts or questions you have about the Christian faith with? If there are, what is it about those people that makes you feel comfortable about that?

  3.  How can you assess whether a disciple who has failed has repented? • How can a repentant disciple know if or when they’ve been forgiven? And restored?

  4. In our society, when people have failed, they may be required to spend time in the “sin bin” before they are restored. For example, a government minister who fails may need to spend a term or two on the backbench before being given responsibilities again. On the other hand, Jesus restored Peter pretty promptly in John 21 – but he was Jesus, and he knew Peter’s heart. What’s appropriate in the church – restore promptly, or wait a period of time? Either way - why? And if we decide to wait – how long for, and who decides?

  5. When is it appropriate to warn people about a restored disciple’s previous failure, and when is it a black mark inhibiting restoration? How do you assess this?