Discussion Questions

  1. In Chapter 4, as co-workers, Eliza and Will clash over job methodology. Consider Colossians 3:23 and Romans 12:18. If you have co-workers whose personalities and/or work approach differ from yours, what can you do to make your work environment a peaceful, positive place? What works and what doesn’t? Is it more important to get along or be productive?
  2. In Chapters 5 and 6, Eliza tries to discern Axel’s character through others’ opinions. Boaz got a full report about Ruth before allowing himself to become romantically attached (Ruth 2:11), and reputation is sometimes an important consideration (Acts 6:3, 1 Timothy 3:7, 5:10). In light of Eliza’s discoveries, should she have called things off? As a woman of the 1880s, do you think her decision was sound? What are the dangers of trying to discover a person’s reputation?
  3. In Chapter 8, I’d originally written Everett’s speech on capturing thoughts as though Christians can defeat their sin nature with willpower and the clever use of tactics—but Paul failed to completely conquer his own sins (see Romans 7:15–20). Do you approach life more by trying to earn God’s acceptance, or by asking for and receiving His forgiveness and depending upon His enabling (Philippians 2:13, Luke 10:39–42)?
  4. For most of history, a woman’s quality of life depended upon the quality of her marriage. In Chapter 10, Eliza is struggling between two men who have caught her interest—one who’d proposed and possessed the store she wanted along with some nice-sized flaws; and another she’d only just met, felt attracted to, but who’d not offered her any promises. Consider Genesis 2:18, 1 Corinthians 7:8–9, and 2 Corinthians 6:14. What are the most important considerations for marriage: a man’s character, his spiritual condition, security, or mutual attraction? If you were Eliza’s friend, how would you advise her? Would you advise a modern woman differently? Why?
  5. Have you ever been uncomfortable with someone your loved one got engaged to? What did you do? What were the repercussions of your choice? What would you advise others to do in a similar situation? Should you tell someone you think they’ve made a mistake?
  6. In Chapter 13, because of circumstances, Eliza and Will are both tempted to give up their dreams. Have you ever given up on a dream? How do you know when to bail on a dream and when to keep striving for one despite setbacks and disappointments?
  7. When I heard of the condition epidermolysis bullosa, which the baby in Chapter 22 has, I struggled with its unfairness, and I’m still not sure why God would allow such a disease to exist. After 9/11, Billy Graham was asked why God allowed such a terrible thing to happen. He quoted 2 Thessalonians 2:7 and essentially said evil was a mystery and that he didn’t know. What is your answer for the reason terrible things happen to good people? How do you keep your faith when terribly unfair things occur? (Other verses to consider: Genesis 1:26–27, 31, 2:16–17, 3:4–6, 17–19, Matthew 23:37, John 3:16, Romans 5:12, Romans 8:18–23, 2 Samuel 12:22–23, Revelation 21:4.)
  8. At the end of Chapter 23, Will helped the undeserving Axel. How involved are you in helping people who need Christ’s love the most? What holds you back from helping the “unlovely” or the “unworthy”?
  9. In Chapter 25, Nancy reminds Eliza that God warns, even promises, that Christians will face hardship in this life. How do you endure hardship? What have you learned or attained during hardship that you wouldn’t have gotten any other way? Is fear of hardship driving your choices today? What might staying comfortable rob you of (James 1:2-4)?
  10. Have you ever done something foolish in the eyes of the world for love of another, as Eliza did by selling her store for Will’s medical tuition? How do you know when someone’s situation is worth the sacrifice? Consider what God gave up to save sinners (Philippians 2:3–8, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 1:18). In light of His “foolish” sacrifice, how should we live?

For additional discussion questions, search for A Bride in Store on the Bethany House website (bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse) and select the resource Readers’ Discussion Questions.