1. A central message of Cherished is that you are cherished by God and nothing can separate you from His love. Do you believe that deep in your heart?
2. It was hard for Kelli to consider what God might want to do in her life, because of her past. Is there anything in your past that you feel “disqualifies” you from being used by God? Has the book caused you to see that differently?
3. The women in Daughters’ Fellowship have a “DF check” from Proverbs 3:5–6. If one of them is trying to figure out what to do, they ask themselves whether they’re leaning on their own understanding or acknowledging and trusting God? Do you tend to be a “leaner” or an “acknowledger”?
4. The tagline of the Songwriters’ Summit asked, “What were you made to do?” Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Do you believe God has a plan for your life, something you were made to do? Have you asked Him what that is? Do you believe you’re walking in those plans?
5. Stephanie charged Kelli to believe that “all things are possible,” from Mark 9:23. Do you tend to place limits on what God can do through you, or do you believe that all things are possible through Christ?
6. Heather came to the end of herself after the incident with Ace and was propelled to the foot of the cross. Has there been a painful circumstance in your life that caused you to see Christ more clearly?
7. Heather had a change of heart, such that she wanted to get to know Jesus above all else in her life. Do you have a hunger to walk with Jesus and know Him better? Do you take the time to pursue Him?
8. Brian wasn’t sure of God’s plan for his life, but was willing to go whichever way the Lord led. Are you willing to ask and follow God’s will for your life?
9. In the “Heart of a Psalmist” session, the panel discussed how to keep a right heart in the business they were in. How do you keep a right heart before God?
10. If you are in a group setting, statistics say that 1 out of 4 of you have had an abortion. Without anyone having to openly divulge this, take a moment in your group to pray for complete healing for those women. If you are alone and the book has uncovered emotional pain from an abortion, please pray to God for healing and seek help, if necessary. God’s arms are open.
11. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Dana had difficulty forgiving Heather for what she’d done, and Kelli had difficulty forgiving Brian. Is there someone in your life whom you find hard to forgive? Have you sought God’s grace to help?
12. Do you have any unlikely friendships, such as Kelli and Heather’s, that sprung up as a result of God’s work in your life and heart?
13. What character did you identify with most in the book?
14. What aspect of Cherished spoke most to your heart?