1. When Tobit fears he is dying, he tells Tobiah of money he has in a relatives care and gives instruction on how to care for his mother. This shows Tobit’s priorities. What do you think your parents would have as priorities?
2. Tobit tells Tobiah “If you are steadfast in your service, your good works will bring success, not only to you, but also to those who live uprightly.” This seems to imply a transitive nature to good works (i.e. that they can help other people in their relationship with God). Do you think that is true? Why or why not?
3. Tobit encourages Tobiah to marry within his own tribe because refusing to do so causes “ruin and great disaster.” Did/do you feel pressured to date or marry (or not date/not marry) someone by your parents? How did/do you deal with that?
4. In many ways, Tobit’s advice on almsgiving (give to the hungry some of your bread) mirrors that of Jesus. Can you find a couple of times in the gospel that either seem inspired by Tobit or times when Tobit seems to go further?
5. Jesus, again, seems influenced by Tobit’s version of the golden rule (Do to no one what you yourself dislike). Can you find the equivalent to it in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. What are the similarities and differences in the way Jesus talks about the golden rule versus the way Tobit does? How do you practice this?
6. Tobit’s speech could be broken into a series of general topics. How would you separate the topics and what headings would you give them? Do you think Tobit left out something for his son?
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