DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. At the beginning of the novel, Trevor and Heather are still nearly strangers to each other. What did you think of their efforts to connect as father and daughter? Heather has lived into adulthood without knowing her father’s identity; how would you react to new information like this?
  2. At the ABA convention, Trevor knows he’s in unfriendly territory, yet he doesn’t shy away from tackling unpopular topics head-on. How do you approach situations like this, when people aren’t receptive to the truth? How do you determine when to be silent, when to be tactful, and when to speak out with boldness?
  3. The Bible tells us the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Where did you see this play out in the novel? Which characters were in danger of the enemy’s clutches?
  4. Heather and Belle each have an interest in voodoo. Why does this worry Trevor? Do you agree that other religions can be gateways for demonic activity? Is this true of every other religion, or only some?
  5. We can’t smell or otherwise physically sense demons, so how can we discern spiritual activity in the world around us? Do you find this easier in large or in small situations? How can you sharpen your sense of discernment?
  6. In the subway scene, Trevor was rescued by angels. The Bible clearly talks about angels and their actions in the world. How are angels at work today? In what ways has your view been shaped by cultural depictions of angels rather than by biblical ones?
  7. “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). Where does the world’s evil come from? How much of it is due to Satan and his forces, and how much can be blamed on humanity’s own proclivity for evil?
  8. Though he’d never been part of any kind of exorcism, Trevor trusted God and stepped forward in faith to deliver a man from demonic possession. What other kinds of deliverance do people need? How can we be part of that redemption process?
  9. “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). How does this information shape our approach to evil in the world? How does it change our approach to people who do evil?
  10. Is there anything in your life that you need to be delivered from? Can you think of someone you trust who might help you in that spiritual battle?