Discussion Questions

1. When Journey to Riverbend begins, Michael sets out to reconcile a father and son. But at some point his mission seems to become about more than just fulfilling his promise to Ben. Do you agree or disagree? What else do you think is driving Michael?

2. Many of the townspeople in Riverbend judge Rachel because of her past, even though she’s no longer a prostitute. Do you ever make snap judgments about people based on things you’ve heard about them? Other than gossip, what leads us to jump to conclusions about people before we get to know them? How can we stop ourselves from doing that?

3. Though Rachel has accepted Christ’s forgiveness, she still has a difficult time trusting in that forgiveness and often allows her insecurities to overshadow the new person she’s become. In chapter 16, she says, That’s me. Ever alert. Always waiting for something else bad to happen. That’s partially why, in chapter 21, she mistakes Michael’s act of kindness for something else. Have you ever experienced this yourself? Why do you think you reacted this way?

4. Michael is haunted by an event in his past that he never had the courage to face. Have you ever had a similar experience, one that was difficult to look back on?

5. In chapter 37, when Michael asks Jeremiah Turner how he became a gunslinger, Jeremiah replies that during the war, he saw such cruelty. Though it drove some men to disbelief, it had the opposite effect on Jeremiah and drew him closer to God. Why do you think people can have such opposite reactions to adversity or evil? Have you ever witnessed or experienced this yourself?

6. The townspeople of Riverbend risk a lot to save Sam’s life—time, resources, even their own lives. Do you think that they were right to do so? Why or why not?

7. At the end of chapter 42, Rachel gets the sudden and inexplicable urge to pray for Michael and the rest of the posse. Have you ever experienced a call to prayer or action like that?

8. In chapter 45, Caleb tells Michael that he can’t reconcile others’ views of a good God with a God who would allow pain and sickness, like his wife experienced before she died. Would you have responded the same way Michael did? Why or why not?

9. Did you feel sympathy for Sam at any point in the story? Why or why not?

10. Romans 8:28 assures us that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” What are some examples of this throughout the story?