for Love Without End
1. Kimberly sometimes feels angry at her deceased husband for keeping her in the dark about their finances. Is she justified? Does she deserve some of the blame?
2. Violet tells Anna that God doesn’t need her to pretend how she feels about losing her parents. Do you sometimes pretend when you go to God in prayer? How can you be more open and honest before Him?
3. Janet Dunn opens her home to her childhood friend and daughter. How have you exercised the gift of hospitality lately to friends and/or strangers?
4. Do you think the unexpected death of a spouse or the desertion by a spouse would be more difficult to overcome? Why?
5. Both Chet and Kimberly have trusted friends/mentors who speak truth into their lives. Do you have someone who speaks the truth in love to you? How do you cultivate and protect those special relationships?
6. Kimberly believes God could have found an easier way to bring her to Kings Meadow. Janet responds that “easy” may not have been what Kimberly needed. Has God used difficult circumstances to bring you to a new place of understanding? Are you able to be grateful for it?
for Whenever You Come Around
1. Charity kept a painful secret all to herself for many years. In what ways was she adversely affected because of her silence?
2. Buck gave up his own dreams to care for his parents and to help his older brother finish college and get his Master’s Degree. Now it is hard for Buck to accept help in return. Is it easier for you to give help than receive it? If so, why?
3. Charity finds a sense of healing with her dog and Buck’s horses. Have animals ever been a source of comfort for you?
4. Charity realizes that sin, even when forgiven, has consequences that can linger. Has that been true in your life? How did you move forward in victory in those situations?
5. Charity and Buck both tried to protect themselves from future hurt by keeping others at arm’s length. Have you ever done the same? Did it work?
6. Charity came to believe—without realizing it at first—that God wouldn’t want her to be happy because of her sinful actions/feelings. Have you ever viewed God that way? How do you avoid misunderstanding the invisible God?
7. Charity and Buck have older siblings who speak wisdom into their lives. Do you have a family member or friend who does the same for you?
8. Do you have a favorite character from Whenever You Come Around? Who is it and why?
9. There comes a moment when Charity realizes that Buck sees the “real” Charity. Everyone wants to be seen, to know their lives matter to someone. Have you experienced the love of Elroi, the God who sees (Gen 16:13)? If not, I encourage you to look to Him today. He sees you, and you matter to Him.
for Keeper of the Stars
1. Penny Cartwright knew some hard losses and fell into the habit of trying to control her life and the lives of those she loved. Have you ever done something similar? Were you ever truly in control of the future, despite your efforts?
2. Because Trevor Reynolds hadn’t known a father’s love growing up, he found it hard to trust in a loving God. Are you able to rest in the love of God, no matter what human relationships have done in your life?
3. Penny let angry words linger between herself and Brad, and then when he died, it was too late to ask for his forgiveness. Has anything similar ever happened to you? What did you learn about the importance of forgiving and being forgiven sooner rather than later?
4. Although he was young, Brad had a deep faith and the ability to love others. That love drew others to him. Are you able to love those who are far from God, those whose personalities or lifestyles are different from your own?
5. The townsfolk of Kings Meadow pulled together to help a neighbor in need. God has given each of us a time and place to bond with and help others, and that begins with where we live. Have you found ways to reach out to your neighbors? In what ways do you care for those in need?
6. Trevor pursued a dream of fame as a singer that was never realized, despite his talent. What do you think about the lesson he learned from the book of Joshua regarding true success? Are you able to “offer up” the talent God has given you, for Him to use as He chooses rather than as you choose?
7. Do you have a favorite character from Keeper of the Stars? Who is it, and why?