Questions to focus on: What’s in a Name?

These questions can be used at different levels. You can take 30 seconds to think about one or two. You can discuss them in a team or group of like-minded Christians. Or they can be used in a college class, including assignments and research projects, and answered in writing at any depth. They may be freely reproduced for this purpose. Please email us additional questions that could be added to this page.
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  1. Discuss the significance of names in the Bible.
  2. Find some examples of commercial products which failed largely because of a badly-chosen name.
  3. Look for commercial products which are successful in part because of a name that communicates well.
  4. Many churches acquired their names 100 years ago. Or more! Do those names still communicate appropriately?
  5. How hard is it for a church or Christian organisation to change its name? Why?
  6. What should be the main or only criteria for choosing a name of an evangelistic group, website, or church?
  7. Note the use of strap-lines to amplify and sum up the nature of secular organizations. Are they effective? Which ones do you feel communicate best and why?
  8. How can Christian organizations, websites and churches use straplines.
  9. How is a logo an extension of a name? Why are they so important?