Discussion Questions on Seven Men & the Secret to Their Greatness: Wilberforce

Some questions for discussion on Eric Metaxas’ chapter on William Wilberforce.

  1. What do you think of the role William Wilberforce’s wealthy aunt and uncle played in his life? What surprises you about it?
  2. Have you ever heard someone applying the phrase, “…taking things to far…” to one’s faith? The question, “where, exactly, must one draw the line?” is common. How do you answer it?
  3. Wilberforce’s parents were concerned that he would not become the person they hoped he would become. Do you think they were disappointed?

    WHM146809 Portrait of William Wilberforce (1759-1833), 1794 (oil on canvas) by Hickel, Anton (1745-98)
    oil on canvas
    © Wilberforce House, Hull City Museums and Art Galleries, UK
    German, out of copyright

  4. From where did Wilberforce feel his mission came? How would this help him overcome obstacles? Metaxas emphasize this again and again. Why?
  5. Where you surprised to read of the social ills of the late 1700’s in London? What evils might an Eric Metaxas of 200 years from now list?
  6. Metaxas says, “At it’s core, every battle worth fighting is a spiritual battle”. Do you agree with this? Why?
  7. Why do you think that Metaxas feels the most important thing Wilberforce was able to do was to have a personal relationship with God?

From Remembering to Rejoicing

I believe that the cross of Jesus changes everything.

A symbol of intersection, it actually stands for transitions: transitions from death to life; transitions from sinners to saints; and, as this podcast notes, transitions from remembering to rejoicing.

The cross gives us much to remember and many reasons to rejoice, and Communion concentrates those elements in our lives.

As you listen to this podcast, give some thought to how much we have to be thankful for because of the Cross of Christ.

Transitioning from Fear to Freedom…

There are transitions at the cross of Christ.

That word, transitions, reminds me of the old film strip projectors. Film strips didn’t try to hide the transitions. They just went from one image to the next in a very linear way. The old 35 mm slide projectors tried to hide the transitions. But still, the transition was an abrupt click. Some technicians used them in tandem, causing the images to fade or dissolve from one to the next.

The personal computer made all of that obsolete. We haven’t had a missionary show up with 35mm slides in well over a decade. And fewer and fewer churches use hymnals, chorus books, or song sheets.

While all transitions are unique, one thing they generally have in common is this:

What was is no more.
And what was not now is.

The Bible teaches that transitions occur in every person who comes to Christ.

This podcast speaks of transitions that occur when we come before the cross of Christ.