| |
Your group’s discussion may have more depth to it if everyone participating in the discussion has read, in addition to Sarah Redeemed, the Appendix, More on the Subject, before approaching this set of questions. Blessings!
—Vikki
~~**~~
1) “WHAT IS INSIDE a person shows up on the outside” is a theme Sarah Redeemed presents in at least three ways within Chapters 3, 7, and 9. Discuss this concept and what it means with regards to a Christian’s behavior and growth.
2) Pastor Carmichael, in Chapter 17, said the following about judgments: “You refused these men forgiveness, not realizing that your unforgiveness gave Satan a foothold in your heart. Your wounds festered over years of abuse, and you became angry, filled with rage—an uncontrollable of rage that erupted whenever you were offended . . . And when your anger fed upon new transgressions—both real and perceived—Satan’s hold on you grew stronger. Your anger strengthened to the point that you passed judgment upon an entire class of people, upon all men.”
—What kinds of judgments (as defined by Pastor Carmichael) against classes or categories of people do we see in society and the church today? (You may wish the group to make a list to study and discuss.)
—Do you observe any commonalities between the roots of Sarah’s judgments and the roots of judgments in society and the church today?
3) What are some of the results of judgments we see in our society today? What about in the church today?
4) In Chapter 16, Minister Liáng said, “Deception, if we allow it entrance into our hearts and minds, is not static or inactive. Deception grows; it progresses. If we allow deception to develop unchallenged, its mature state is delusion.” Discuss what he teaches about delusion and error. What examples of delusion do we see in churches today? What about in our society?
5) How important was Pastor Carmichael’s advice to Sarah (regarding ongoing forgiveness) when he likened forgiveness to the layers of an onion? (Read Sarah’s recollection of this advice in Chapter 18.)
6) What did you think of Pastor Carmichael repenting and asking Sarah’s forgiveness? How do you think it affected her ability to forgive the men who had abused her? (Chapter 17)
7) Universal brokenness is another central theme of Sarah Redeemed. For example, Sarah found common ground with Dr. Croft when he shared his brokenness; his vulnerability helped Sarah feel safe and able to connect with him. How does realizing that we are all broken free us to seek freedom from our own particular brand of brokenness?
8) After reading the Appendix, More on the Subject, how are you now better able to
—Have compassion upon those who struggle with same-sex sin?
—Pray for those who struggle with same-sex sin?
—Discern the difference between the truth of God’s word and the gay community’s agenda?
—Discern a gay individual’s real pain and its undergirding lie and, lovingly, speak truth to that pain?
9) In Chapter 20, Rose answers Lola with, “Despise you? No, quite the opposite, Lola. I wish only God’s best for you.”
—How does Rose’s response show how we can bring the Lord into our conversations with individuals trapped in the gay lifestyle?
—When we “wish only God’s best” for someone, are we agreeing with their sin? What is God’s best for them?
10) What is your most important “takeaway” from Sarah Redeemed?
~~**~~
