Leader Guide Conversation Starters

A Christmas Carol

In Today’s Program: Dickens’s Carol changes lives

Discuss: Begin by introducing yourself to your group. Each person should say his or her name.

1. Can you name any other Charles Dickens books? Have you seen any movies made
about “A Christmas Carol” or other stories by Dickens?
(Club Leader: Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, David
Copperfield, and Bleak House are a few of his more famous novels. See Gina
Dalfonzo’s dickensblog.typepad.com for more about Charles Dickens.)

2. Marley was in chains because he loved money too much. Do you think caring too
much for money should be a reason for punishment?
a. What problems does money create for living life well?
b. Jesus taught that a person must choose between serving God and serving
Money. What was he wanting his followers to understand about life?

3. The “Spirit of Christmas Past” reminds Scrooge of his loneliness as a child. Tell us
how you would help someone who is lonely.
a. What is the best way for lonely people to find good friends?
b. Who is lonely in your community?

4. Scrooge did not know that Bob Crachit’s child Tim was sick. How much do you
know about the families of your co-workers and friends?
a. If your co-workers had a difficult situation, would they tell you about it?
b. How would someone be able to help another person with a difficult situation?

5. The Spirit of Christmas Future shows the future death of Ebenezer Scrooge himself.
a. What do you want people to remember about you when you die?
b. Would you want to make any changes in your life now before you die?

6. Tell us about someone in your community who cares about other people.
a. How does this person give a good example for others to follow?
b. How has this person influenced you? (Club Leader: if appropriate, this may
be an opportunity for you to tell them the difference that Christ has made in
your life.)

7. Scrooge is only a character in a story invented by Charles Dickens. What people in

real life today or from recent history would you describe as examples of moral
goodness?
a. How did you learn about these good people?
b. What should we learn from their examples of goodness?

8. Scrooge changes because his dream shows him what is wrong with his life. Tell us
about a time when something changed your life.
a. How difficult was it to make a change in your life?
b. How did you know that you needed to make a change?

9. Many people read or watch A Christmas Carol every year at Christmastime. What
stories do you and your family read or tell every year on special occasions?

Tips for Leaders: Encourage all group members to talk. The volunteer should not do all of
the talking.

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