Childhood religion
Because this writer knew "The Reb," Albert Lewis, as his childhood rabbi, he re-encounters the imagery from his past of how he used to feel about religion as a child. Through the lens of childhood innocence, the dilemmas of faith are often less informed by pain and experience, so that religion can be somewhat delightful, obvious, and perhaps easy. But as Albom's childhood fades, his religious beliefs begin changing, mature, and evolving, and this leaves him with a deeper appreciation for religion, as well as reservations.
Adult religion
In contrast to childhood religion, which tends to be about how God loves each person deeply, adult religion is quite rigorous and painful, it seems from Have a Little Faith. For instance, minister has taken Lewis through some difficult times, and in the process of ministering to the poor and needy, his opinion was more fully informed. This adult religion is much more pain-staking. The same truths of faith that an innocent child tacitly accepts are difficult for adults to believe when they are down on their luck.
Service to one's community
In light of life's suffering, Rabbi Lewis feels called to give back to his community. He does this by treating his authority as a service, so that when people trust him for leadership, he actually helps them instead of allowing his ego to get involved. He makes fast friends with those who serve the community, and he believes that ministry should be about what that word implies: ministering to the real needs of those in one's community. This imagery is Lewis's portrait of what ministry is for and how it can help.
Cooperation amongst faiths
Through stories and conversation about Lewis's friendship with Henry Covington, the reader sees a lesson in tolerance and cultural understanding. Although the religious beliefs of their communities are in some ways mutually exclusive, they don't let those differences stop them from doing what both Judaism and Christianity clearly teach—loving one's neighbors. They are friends who share the same goals, although the instruction they teach may vary on a technical level. Their friendship is an imagery of example for their congregations to be in community with those who are different from them.
