Before Amen by Max Lucado
Week 4: Chapter 3 — You Are Good
Read Chapter 3 of Before Amen by Max Lucado. Key passages: Psalm 34:8; Nahum 1:7; James 1:17.
Previewing Week 4 of Before Amen
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 14-week guide when you’re ready.
The second phrase of the pocket prayer — "you are good" — is not a polite opener but a foundational declaration that everything else in prayer rests upon.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Lucado argues that affirming God's goodness before we present our requests reorients our hearts before we even begin. Why does the order matter — goodness first, requests second?
2.The author suggests that deep down, many people aren't sure God is good — especially those who have experienced suffering, loss, or unanswered prayer. Have you ever been in a season where you doubted God's goodness? What triggered that doubt?
3.Lucado uses the image of a surgeon — a good doctor causes pain in order to bring healing. How does this illustration help you hold together the reality of God's goodness with the reality of painful circumstances?