Questions for Discussion

1. Have you ever known a real firefighter? Was he or she like Mitch Andrews? In what ways?
2. Do you think Jill was being foolish to go to the scene of the fire? Were the other bystanders wrong, as well, or is it common for tight-knit communities to gather like that in times of tragedy?
3. Did you notice how well the boys accept the loss of their parents? Have you ever had to break news like that to a child? How did they react? How did you?
4. Do you know anyone who is a foster parent? How can the authorities tell which families are both willing and capable?
5. Have you ever imagined that the Lord is answering your prayers one way, then later discovered you were all wrong? Please explain.
6. People who are strong willed can be difficult to deal with. What’s the difference between Jill and Natalie? How are they the same? Different?
7. You may have noticed that I chose not to include the impressionable children in the funeral plans. Should they have attended? Why or why not?
8. After Megan disappears, Tim, the oldest Pearson child, is much harder to handle. Are you the eldest in your family, and if so, do you feel responsible for the younger members?
9. What about Jill’s farm and house dogs? Are they necessary? Do they help the children adjust? Have you ever confided in a pet?
10. Jill is the kind of heroine who insists on getting involved, even though Mitch tells her not to. Are you like that? Has it gotten you into trouble in the past?
11. Why does Jill get mad at Mitch when he tells her he’s just doing his job, rather than say he is acting solely on her behalf? Is that fair? Is it typical that he doesn’t understand her female reasoning? How?
12. Mitch says something that isn’t true when he’s trying to distract the killer. Should he have stuck to the truth and trusted God to bail them out? Why or why not?
13. Lots of times people think they’re doing the right thing, then later realize it was wrong. Is that an insurmountable sin or is forgiveness waiting?