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Study
Guide For Group Discussion
(Feel free to print these questions out for group
interaction, order some pizza and enjoy)
By the way...you can
order an autographed copy for each one in your group. Phil routinely
gives out ridiculous deals, so send
us an email, and we'll see what we can do.
PART ONE
Even Ants Have Time to Attend Picnics
1. Optional activity: Perform Chapter 1 (Going Underground) as a skit.
Though it is a fictional account, discuss something that jumped out at
you and why. Be careful who gets which part. And be honest now.
2. Has anyone in the group had a similar “meltdown” experience like
Phil describes in chapters 2 and 3? Tell what got you to that point
and one thing that helped you get through it.
3. In chapter 4, Phil talks of “the Sabbath.” Try to avoid a
theological debate about which day we should set aside. Instead, tell
about your own recollection of Sunday. Was your background as
legalistic as Phil’s? If so, how did that impact you?
4. Someone read five paragraphs from page 31 and 32 that begins “A
Sabbath rest...” Do you agree with Phil’s summary? Why or why not?
5. Read Isaiah 58:13-14. What practical advice can you take from this
today?
6. Read “Actual newspaper headlines” from page 44. How important is
laughter when you are “stressed?”
7. Has anyone ever taken a stress test? How did it go? Read chapter 9
together. What is one practical “Stressbuster” you could share with
the group?
8. What is one practical thing you’ve done to help you learn to rest?
PART TWO
Living on less and learning to love it
1. Read and discuss G.K. Chesterton’s quote on page 63. Which is
easier: Getting more or desiring less?
2. Read the paragraph at the bottom of page 70. Do you agree? What is
one thing out there that you can’t believe they make and sell?
3. Read page 77. Can someone cite an example of how quickly money
“sprouts wings”? Can you think of something money can buy that lasts
forever?
4. Someone read the story beginning at the bottom of page 80. Name one
or two “big rocks” each.
5. Chapter 14 tells of a life-altering experience Phil had in the
Dominican Republic. Has someone in the group had a similar experience?
Tell about it. How can we meet other people’s need without going on a
guilt trip?
6. In “Balancing the Television” Phil tells of going without TV for 2
weeks. Has anyone done this? What did you give up? What did you gain?
Would you do it again? Why or why not?
7. Read the nine suggestions for debt-free living in Chapter 17. Could
you add one or two to the list? Were there one or two that jumped out
at you? Why?
6. What is one thing you’ve done to simplify your life?
PART THREE
Winning the rat race without being a rat
1. Did you like Calvin and Hobbes’ quote on page 113? Can anyone
identify? How about the cartoon on page 117? Is it a little too close
to home for anyone?
2. Chapter 21 talks about telemarketers? How do you respond to them?
Have you ever tried Phil’s cure: contentment?
3. Take “The Last Stress Test” on page 135 together. Just don’t take
it too seriously! Discuss anything that may arise.
4. Have you ever felt like Woody Allen on page 138? Read the section
“Invest in others” on page 140. Discuss what kind of billionaire you
would be. Be brutally honest.
5. Read the section on pages 148-149 that starts “One of the greatest
tragedies...” Tell the group what has made you rich. What price tag
would you put on the things that have made you rich?
6. What practical steps can you take (or have you taken) to step out
of “the rat race”?
PART FOUR
The Fruit of the Spirit Is Not Lemons
1. Could someone in the group tell a funny story they experienced in
the last week? Or a good clean funny joke?
2. On page 160 Phil tells of his sister-in-law’s attitude in the face
of Huntington’s Disease. Do you know of someone who has ever reason to
be bitter yet is not? What trait do you see in them that makes it so?
3. “The Parrot Trap” story tells of worry. What kind of things do you
worry about? Can you name something you worried about last year? Did
it come true?
4. Read and discuss the Scripture verses on page 167. Conclude by
reading page 168 starting with George McDonald’s quote.
5. Read together the “bumper snickers” on page 175. Each one in the
group tell the others one thing that helps you laugh.
PART FIVE
It’s Better to Live Rich Than To Die Rich
1. Chapter 30 talks about a circle of friends. Read the chapter
together and talk about what harms and what helps make good
friendships.
2. In Chapter 31 Phil confesses that he loves golf. Does anyone in the
group like to golf or have a hobby that slows them down? Phil talks
about “connecting points.” What is something that helps you connect
with others.
3. If the group consists of married couples, go ahead and take “The
Marriage Quiz.” If you’re single, go ahead and take it anyway! Discuss
interesting points that arise!
4. What is one thing you can do this week to build stronger
relationships?
PART SIX
Live so the Preacher Won’t Have To Lie At Your Funeral
1. Read together the two paragraphs on page 226 that begin “Friedrich
Nietzsche” and “Thomas Jefferson.” What does it mean to get real?
2. Doug’s last wish tells of a journey Doug Nichols thought would be
his last. Discuss what you would do if you were told you had a 70%
chance of dying? Is there a “Doug Nichols” in your life?
3. Read A.W. Tozer’s quote on page 241. Would you agree or disagree?
4. Read Chapter 42 together. It tells of an insurance salesman who had
a dramatic impact on Phil's family. Ask yourselves, “What adjectives
would I like people to use at my funeral?
5. Read page 260 where Phil talks about epitaphs. Has anyone thought
about what they’d like on their tombstone?
6. Read Phil’s prayer at the bottom of page 261. What sentence did you
most identify with and why?
7. What is one thing this book has taught or reminded you that will
help you live so the preacher won’t have to lie at your funeral?
Several of Phil's other books are available complete with study
guildes. Please email
phil.callaway@prairie.edu to find out more.
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us for multiple copies for your group at a great discount! 
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