A Three-Week Reflection & Discussion Guide

These questions provide a context for reflection and small-group discussion. Bearing Witness can easily be discussed in a single session, in a three-week format (recommended), or as a weekend retreat resource.

Week One — Prologue, Part One, and Appendix (pp. xi-xv, 1-37, 214-217)

1. What does it mean to "bear witness?"
2. What does it mean to "live the questioning life"? (p. xiv) What are your thoughts and feelings on the concept of living a "life of unknowing" ?
3. What is your understanding of what it means to be a peacemaker? Who are the peacemakers you know? In what ways are you a peacemaker?
4. Examine the list of vows on pages 19-20 and on pages 214-217. What jumps out at you from this list? Which vows elicit from you a strong positive response? a negative response? Which vows are you willing to make? Why or why not?
5. Think of your congregation. Which vows do you believe your church could easily make? Which would be difficult? Which vows could your congregation most benefit from?

Week Two — Part Two and Part Three (pp. 39-145)

1. What do you believe is necessary for "the healing of the whole universe"? In what ways are you participating in the healing of the world? In what ways does your church participate in the healing of the world?
2. Reflect on the "Three Tenets of the Zen Peacemaker Order" on page 43. What does each one mean to you? In what ways are these difficult to achieve? In what ways are they easy?
3. Reflect on personal experiences where something you "know" has prevented you from learning something new, prevented you from seeing alternatives, or has proven just plain wrong. How can we learn to set aside our "knowledge" (biases, preconceptions, fears, and opinions)?
4. How do you feel about entering into suffering? What is your reaction to the street retreats (pp. 97ff)? How does Glassman's approach challenge your thinking about social action, acts of mercy, and Christian discipleship?
5. What gospel images or stories come to mind as you read this week's selections?
6. What are some lessons you have learned from this book about asking and giving, serving and sharing, diversity and sameness?
7. Respond to your feelings and thoughts about the ecumenical, interfaith experiences in Bearing Witness. What lessons might we share with others from this book?

Week Three — Part Four and Part Five (pp. 147-213)

1. What are the essential elements needed for healing and wholeness? What can we do as individuals to become peacemakers? What can we do as communities of faith?
2. Reflect on the story of Joan Halifax and the peacemaker's robe (pp. 179ff). In what ways is the robe a symbol for the church? In what ways does the robe symbolize the life of a Christian disciple? What other things might the peacemaker's robe symbolize?
3. How has your understanding of peacemaking and bearing witness changed through the reading of this book?
4. If you were to sum up the main message and key points of this book to share with friends or leaders in your congregation, what would you say?
5. What vows, if any, are you prepared to make based on the reading, study, and discussion of Bearing Witness?

We are interested in knowing what you think Bearing Witness, the review, and the discussion guide. Please direct your comments to Dan Dick at ddick@gbod.org.

— Dan R. Dick is a former staff member of the General Board of Discipleship.

Return to the book review of Bearing Witness: A Zen Master's Lessons in Making Peace