In the first chapter of A Place at the Table, Chris Seay challenges us to consider the plight of the poor around the world. In a country like America, where an abundance of food choices are made readily available and affordable, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that many people around the world are lacking adequate nourishment. It is important that we turn our attention toward their suffering during this time of fasting and repentance.
If you haven’t yet purchased the book, you can read the first chapter here.
Here are some questions to get our conversation started.
1. What thoughts came to mind as you were reading through the various definitions of the word “consume?” Did you notice yourself feeling a sense of guilt? Did you find yourself judging others?
2. Chris shared a few statistics about the living conditions of the world’s poor. Chances are you have heard similar statistics in the past, but perhaps this was the first time you have encountered them. How did you feel as you read through them? Did it feel as if these problems were beyond your ability to help? Did you feel a sense of personal responsibility for their conditions?
3. How did you feel when reading about the obesity epidemic in America as compared to the lack of food in the developing world? Is the solution as simple as sharing what we have, or are there other factors contributing to the imbalance?
Shane Bertou 