Law Student Ministires

YTLFDS 1 Discussion Guide

Law Fellowship YouTube Discussion Starters
Christian Legal Society
 
Discussion Questions
Episode 1
 
Part I
 
In the video clip, Steve Hinkle notes that the “university tries to shape you into a pattern of behavior according to the guild that you’re a part of.” Consider that statement for a moment and discuss:

A. What are some ways that the law school experience has shaped you? Are there good and bad “shapings” at work?  If so, is it possible to embrace the good and resist the bad? How? 

B. What patterns of behavior are expected from lawyers? Do they differ from those expected in other professions? Are there particularly Christian responses called for by these expectations?

Part II
 
Hinkle notes that we need other Christians to help us keep the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—at the center of the story of who we are as law students and future lawyers.
 
A. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
 
B. Can you share examples of others have helped you do this in law school or colle
 
C. Why do you think that Hinkle emphasizes the Trinity as the God who shapes our story and vision? Are there implications for Trinitarian lawyering, as opposed to, say, unitarian lawyering?
 
D. What other forces, besides the theological narrative of the Triune God, are at work to shape law students’ identity? Where do they come from? How can we embrace of resist them, as appropriate?
 
Part III
 
Finally, Hinkle notes that without each other, we may not have “the courage to engage our peers with the gospel”—including the witness of “who we are” as Christian lawyers, and then offers hope that our work on campus can spill over into the profession.
 
A. What does he mean by this? How would one go about accomplishing this engagement?

B. Is he right that Christian community gives us courage in this way?

C. Can you give some examples of how you or others have engaged your non-Christian peers with the gospel in the context of law or justice?

D. Are you hopeful that your vision of lawyering nurtured in Christian fellowship on campus can spill over and have an influence on the legal profession at large?

Law Students

 

Our Podcast

Subscribe to Cross & Gavel podcasts on iTunes or follow the links below.
 
Of particular interest to law students:
Cross & Gavel - Volume 4
Dan Kim and Mike Schutt discuss the importance of engaging the law school campus-- and whether it helps to have a CLS law student chapter.
 
Cross & Gavel Audio - Volume 14
Schutt interviews CLS member Andy Toles, who talks about the lawyer-client relationship in light of our Christian calling.  Andy has some amazing insight into the role of the Christian lawyer.