Destination Unknown discussion questions

1. When Whitney wasn’t allowed to go to the prom with Taylor, she lied and told her mother that she didn’t have a date. Just as Emily predicted, the plan fell apart, and Whitney lost Taylor and had a terrible argument with her mother. How do you think Whitney should have handled her desire to go to the prom with Taylor? If you were Whitney, would you have found a way to go with him without lying to your mother?

2. Whitney’s friends try to pressure her to go out with her ex-boyfriend Brett because they think he and Whitney “belong together.” Yet despite all of their pressure, Whitney doesn’t give in, and she continues to pursue her friendship with Taylor. She refuses to believe she has to date a football player just because she’s a cheerleader. Does anyone try to pressure you away from things you feel passionate about? How have you dealt with those types of moments?

3. Humiliated and lost after losing Taylor and arguing with her mother, Whitney was feeling pretty low. Thankfully she could talk to Emily, Jenna, and Coach Lori. Whom do you talk to when you’re feeling low and why?

4. Whitney’s friends don’t understand why she likes Taylor, because he’s not from their side of town or into sports. Whitney decides to quit cheerleading, a sport that she loves, in order to get away from her prejudiced, elitist friends. Do you think Whitney made the right choice when she quit cheerleading? Have you ever faced a situation where your friends weren’t supportive of a choice you made? If yes, explain.

5. Emily tries to offer Whitney advice and be a good cousin and friend to her while she’s going through a difficult time in her life. If you were Whitney’s friend, how would you try to help her cope?

6. Whitney believes God led her through this difficult time to build up her faith and figure out what she really wanted to do with her life. Do you ever feel that God is testing you? If so, what did you learn?

7. Taylor overhears Whitney admit she lied about going to the prom with Taylor, and that she used Taylor to rebel against her mother. Instead of confronting Whitney when he hears her conversations, Taylor avoids her until she confronts him at school. Do you think Taylor was right to avoid Whitney and not be up front with her? Have you ever been in a situation where you overheard something that upset you? If so, how did you handle the news?

8. Whitney’s mother is constantly criticizing Whitney’s choices and pressuring her to live her life a certain way. If you were in Whitney’s shoes, how would you handle a controlling mother like Darlene?

9. Whitney uses prayer to help her find the words to apologize to her mother and Taylor. Do you pray regularly? What kinds of things do you discuss with God? How does prayer help you?

10. Whitney is unsure of which college to pick because her mother is pressuring her to go to her alma mater and join her sorority. If you were Whitney, how would you go about choosing a college? What do you want to do after high school?