1. Should Disaya have forgiven Elaine for killing her mother?
2. Was Disaya wrong for not telling Indie about Skylar?
3. What could have happened to Leah to make her so cruel and disturbed? Is she crazy, or is there a deeper reason behind her actions?
4. How did you feel when Indie and Disaya saw each other again for the first time? Did he still love her all along? Was he wrong for beating her when she was pregnant?
5. Did Mona deserve to die at the hands of Bay?
6. Did Mona's rape as a child contribute to her promiscuous ways as an adult?
7. What do you think will happen to baby Skylar? Will Leah hurt her?
8. What did you think of Buchanan Slim?
9. Who was your favorite character, why?
10. If you were in Disaya's shoes, would you have taken Indie back after all that she had been through?
11. Was Indie wrong for sleeping with Leah, even though he didn't know who she really was or what she did? Was he wrong for moving on from Disaya?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A Woman's Worth
1. Monique and Boris resided together before marriage. Do you think playing house hurts or enhances a relationship?
2. Was it wrong for Adonis to have developed strong feelings for his cousin's girlfriend?
3. Boris and Adonis were cousins, but were raised as brothers. Describe the difference between the two.
4. Monique had moved out of the house that she shared with Boris because she had grown weary of his disrespect toward her. Why do you think she continued to stay engaged to Boris even after she realized the strong feelings she had for Adonis?
5. Myrtle Cortland never sided with her son, Boris, in his wrongdoings. Why?
6. Arykah had a crush on Adonis from the beginning. At what point had she given up hope of the two of them becoming a couple?
7. Why did Myrtle share with Adonis how his parents had met? Was it wrong for Adonis to follow in his father's footsteps?
8. Monique jilted Boris at the alter. Was that the Christian thing to do?
9. Pastor Lance Howell had fallen for Arykah the moment he had met her. Why do you think that was so?
10. Do you believe that Monique and Adonis were each others' true soul mates?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Redeeming Love
1. Why did Angel's mother stay in a relationship that was damaging to both her and her daughter? What kept her there? Are there beliefs or attitudes that you struggle with, that you know are damaging to yourself or others? Why do you hold on to them?
2. The things that happend to little Sarah in the prologue were horrific, and happened all too often in real life. Many, in the face of such things, wonder where God is, why He doesn't protect His children. have you ever wondered these things? Where is God when such things happen?
3. Scripture tells us God is all powerful and all knowing. It talks about God's lovingkindness, His compassion and mercy, His love of children. It tells us God is love. So why doesn't He stop terrible things from happening? How do you reconcile God's character as it's revealed in Scripture with the fact that horrible things happen to the innocent?
4. It was clear the characters, especially Michael and Angel, heard both God and Satan speaking to them through the story. Have you ever felt you heard God speaking to you? How about Satan? How can we distinguish between the two voices that call us?
5. Michael Hosea prayed all his adult life for God to send him the right woman, the woman worth waiting for. And God sent him Angel. Have you had a fevent prayer answered in a way you didn't expect? Consider the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19). Now consider the Jews and their fevent prayers for a Messiah, and how that prayer was answered through Jesus. Was He what they expected? What does all of this teach you about prayer? About God's Character?
6. What finally draws Angel to Michael? What is it that finally breaks down the walls she's put up around her heart? What does that teach us about sacrificial love?
7. On p. 302, Angel comments that love doesn't last. And Meribah replies, "Sometimes it does. If it's the right kind." What kind of love do you think Meribah was talking about? How can we know this kind of love?
8. What did you think when Angel forgave Paul? Has someone hurt or mistreated you as Paul did Angel?
9. God used Jonathan Axel, a total stranger, to help set Angel free from her past. Have you ever felt God nudging you to speak to or help someone you didn't know? How did you know it was God? How did you react?
10. To which character in Redeeming Love did you relate the most? Wha twas it about that character that spoke to you?
11. What do you think are the main lessons we learn from: a. Michael b. Miriam c. Sarah's mother d. Paul e. Ruthie f. Angel/Sarah
12. Has reading this novel changed or enlightened you? If so, in what way? How can you show the kind of love depicted in this book to those you encounter each day?
13. In the epilogue, Sarah says, "I never want to forget where I came from and all God has done for me. "Why would this be important? Do you feel it's something you should do, too? If you were asked to share the heart of what God has done for you, what would you say?
14. In the author's note, Francine Rivers writes. "I used to believe the purpose in life is to find happiness. I don't believe that anymore." What do you believe is the purpose in life?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Lethal Seduction
Lethal Seduction, written by Jackie Collins, is a book based on characters that thrive on money and success. Out of all the main characters from the book, which character(s) stuck out most with you and why?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
72 Hour Hold
1. Dr. Ustinov tells Keri, "your daughter is bipolar" (p. 25). Consider the terms in which Dr. Ustinov presents Trina's illness to Kerri (p. 29); his approach is purely factual, while hers is psychological and filled with guilt. Does Keri begin to lose her guilt about Trina's illness as the novel proceeds, or does she continue to feel that in some sense, it's "always Mommy's fault" (p. 30)?
2. Friendships between women are important in this novel. What kinds of support and strength do women offer each other? Discuss examples of the loyalty and love shared between female characters in the story.
3. How does Keri's history with her mother's alcoholism affect her approach to Trina's illness? In what ways is Keri's refusal to forgive her mother understandable, and in what ways does she refuse to realize that her mother might also consider to have a brain disease? How does Keri eventually make the choice to let her mother back into her life?
4. In what ways does 72 Hour Hold help readers question the phenomenon that having a perfect child (high-achieving, popular, talented, beautiful, etc.) contributes really to a parent's self esteem and social status? Does Keri eventually let go of these? If so, how?
5. What is the effect of Campbell's frequent use of the metaphor of slavery ( its images, its terrors, its punishing psychology) throughout the novel? See, for instance, page 3 ("the hounds are tracking you") and page 28 ("I embarked on my own Middle Passage that night, marching backward, ankles shackled"). If Keri's experience with her daughter's mental illness is like the experience of slavery, does the novel yield any sense of liberation from this condition? How does Keri's relationship with Orlando differ from her relationship with Clyde? At a moment of extreme crisis in the story, it seems as though Keri will get back together with Clyde. Why does she ultimately choose Orlando instead?
6. Just as Keri has to accept her daughter's illness, Orlando has to accept P.J.'s homosexuality. Why is this so devastating for Orlando? Does the description of the household Keri and Orlando share at the end of the novel suggest that both Keri and Orlando are at peace with their children?
7. What is the significance of Keri's skill as a masseuse in her approach to healing both herself and Trina? Why is this mode of touching so important to the bond between the two of them?
8. The segment of the novel that describes the intervention, which involves a road trip and a good deal of suspense, adds an element of adventure to this story of family tragedy. what is the effect of these chapters, and how does Campbell make them such compelling reading?
9. Karl, the intervention leader, is the child of a mother who was mentally ill. what do his and Keri's family histories tell us about the kinds of damage done by untreated mental illness? In what ways can keri and Karl be seen as overcompensating
10. How does this novel open up the inside world of families dealing with severe mental illness? What did you find surprising about the story?
2. Friendships between women are important in this novel. What kinds of support and strength do women offer each other? Discuss examples of the loyalty and love shared between female characters in the story.
3. How does Keri's history with her mother's alcoholism affect her approach to Trina's illness? In what ways is Keri's refusal to forgive her mother understandable, and in what ways does she refuse to realize that her mother might also consider to have a brain disease? How does Keri eventually make the choice to let her mother back into her life?
4. In what ways does 72 Hour Hold help readers question the phenomenon that having a perfect child (high-achieving, popular, talented, beautiful, etc.) contributes really to a parent's self esteem and social status? Does Keri eventually let go of these? If so, how?
5. What is the effect of Campbell's frequent use of the metaphor of slavery ( its images, its terrors, its punishing psychology) throughout the novel? See, for instance, page 3 ("the hounds are tracking you") and page 28 ("I embarked on my own Middle Passage that night, marching backward, ankles shackled"). If Keri's experience with her daughter's mental illness is like the experience of slavery, does the novel yield any sense of liberation from this condition? How does Keri's relationship with Orlando differ from her relationship with Clyde? At a moment of extreme crisis in the story, it seems as though Keri will get back together with Clyde. Why does she ultimately choose Orlando instead?
6. Just as Keri has to accept her daughter's illness, Orlando has to accept P.J.'s homosexuality. Why is this so devastating for Orlando? Does the description of the household Keri and Orlando share at the end of the novel suggest that both Keri and Orlando are at peace with their children?
7. What is the significance of Keri's skill as a masseuse in her approach to healing both herself and Trina? Why is this mode of touching so important to the bond between the two of them?
8. The segment of the novel that describes the intervention, which involves a road trip and a good deal of suspense, adds an element of adventure to this story of family tragedy. what is the effect of these chapters, and how does Campbell make them such compelling reading?
9. Karl, the intervention leader, is the child of a mother who was mentally ill. what do his and Keri's family histories tell us about the kinds of damage done by untreated mental illness? In what ways can keri and Karl be seen as overcompensating
10. How does this novel open up the inside world of families dealing with severe mental illness? What did you find surprising about the story?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Grown Folks Business
Please take a minute to answer one or all of the questions listed below. You could also just write your reaction to the story.
1. Sheridan and Quentin seemed to have such a good marriage as the author explained during Sheridan's struggle of dealing with her husband leaving her, Why do you think Quentin really held onto his secret so long?
2. Do you feel that Sheridan handled her situation well? Do you feel that there are alternative ways that she could have handled the bomb that her husband dropped on her in the beginning of the story?
3. Why do you think that Christopher struggled so hard to deal with the separtion of his parents?
4. Do you believe that Quentin could have handled the situation better, or do you think he did the best that he could under the circumstances?
5. If this happened to you, how would you have handled the news that you husband was sleeping with or in love with someone else, specifically another man?
6. Do you think that it was possible for Quentin to still be a good role model for his children?
7. What were some of the stages of healing that Sheridan went through during the course of this story?
8. Is it realistic to believe that Sharidan could truly forgive Quentin for the emotion turmoil that he put his family through?
9. What was the Irony behind Christopher and his new found friends?
10. During the course of the story, how do you feel the separtaion and news of Quentin being gay affected Christopher and Tori?
11. Why do you think Tori reacted so differently to the situation than christopher?
12. If you were in this situation, would you allow your children to still be around their father and his lover?
13. Why do you think Sheridan began to lose faith in the Lord during this process?
14. Do you think that Sheridan should have tried a little harder to hold on to Quentin?
15. What are your overall reactions to this book?
1. Sheridan and Quentin seemed to have such a good marriage as the author explained during Sheridan's struggle of dealing with her husband leaving her, Why do you think Quentin really held onto his secret so long?
2. Do you feel that Sheridan handled her situation well? Do you feel that there are alternative ways that she could have handled the bomb that her husband dropped on her in the beginning of the story?
3. Why do you think that Christopher struggled so hard to deal with the separtion of his parents?
4. Do you believe that Quentin could have handled the situation better, or do you think he did the best that he could under the circumstances?
5. If this happened to you, how would you have handled the news that you husband was sleeping with or in love with someone else, specifically another man?
6. Do you think that it was possible for Quentin to still be a good role model for his children?
7. What were some of the stages of healing that Sheridan went through during the course of this story?
8. Is it realistic to believe that Sharidan could truly forgive Quentin for the emotion turmoil that he put his family through?
9. What was the Irony behind Christopher and his new found friends?
10. During the course of the story, how do you feel the separtaion and news of Quentin being gay affected Christopher and Tori?
11. Why do you think Tori reacted so differently to the situation than christopher?
12. If you were in this situation, would you allow your children to still be around their father and his lover?
13. Why do you think Sheridan began to lose faith in the Lord during this process?
14. Do you think that Sheridan should have tried a little harder to hold on to Quentin?
15. What are your overall reactions to this book?
Venting Room
Please feel free to talk about what ever in this room. If you have any new events that you want to let others know about, here is where you can post them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)