Chapter 8
A question-and-answer game . . . Ambrose poised himself for it in his session with his psychologist. Candace and Jermaine positioned themselves for it in their initial meeting. We do it in job interviews, on first dates, and in small talk at social gatherings. How do you engage in such “games”? How does your position going into the game determine what you get out of it?
(Scripture records a variety of occasions when Jesus engaged at different levels in the game. See Mark 2:18-3:6; 10:17-27; 11:27-33; 12:13-37.)
Chapter 9
Candace always opened an interview with the same two questions because she knew they caught people off guard—and revealed a lot about them. Answer those two questions yourself: What is your favorite book (and why)? What is the last book you read, and why did you choose it?
Chapter 10
Aunt Bell continues to intercede tirelessly for Jermaine, claiming the scriptural promise in Proverbs 22:6. What does that Scripture mean to you—as the child of your own parents or guardian and as a parent (or parent figure) to other children? How have you experienced its fulfillment?
Chapter 11
What would it look like for you to find someone with whom you “connect on every level”? (See Genesis 2:18-25.) Is that person out there—or have you already found him? Do you believe in love at first sight, soul mates, that sort of thing? Why or why not?
Chapter 12
Jermaine shared his “most embarrassing moment” story, identifying the lesson he learned from the experience: “Sometimes it’s better to be heard and not seen.” Do you agree or disagree? Why? In what situations is it better to be heard? In what situations might being seen be better?
Chapter 13
Unbeknownst to Jermaine, while he was wrestling with depression and suicidal thoughts on the inside, Chantal and Spike were plotting an attack from the outside. Have you ever had days, weeks, months—even years like that—when you feel embattled from within and without? Have you ever felt the struggle of life and death within your own spirit? Paul did. Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 for his response to such feelings.
Chapter 14
Candace tells Jermaine that getting married is the highlight of every woman’s life. Do you agree or disagree? Why? If you disagree, what do you think is (or should be) the highlight? Then, Jermaine tells Candi that the secret to winning any woman’s heart is the ability to make her laugh. Agree or disagree? Why? What’s the secret to winning your heart?
Chapter 15
Jermaine was adamant about declining the latest lucrative guest appearance—because it interfered with his plans to be with Candi. Do you think he was learning that money isn’t everything? Why or why not? (See Proverbs 23:4-5; Matthew 6:24; and 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 for scriptural insights about wealth.)
Chapter 16
Ask yourself Jermaine’s motivational question, “What is the big time, exactly?” In other words, how do you define success? How does God define it? See Proverbs 3:1-18; Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 12:13-21; and 1 Corinthians 13.
Chapter 17
Jermaine and Candi almost make love together—but she finally calls a halt. Why? Did she do the right thing? Why or why not? If so, did she do it for the right reasons?
Chapter 18
Jermaine is absolutely devastated by what he interprets as Candace’s rejection. It seems to underscore every other rejection or abandonment he has suffered in life. When you are feeling abandoned, rejected, and alone, where do you go and to whom do you turn? Consider opening your Bible to these passages: Psalm 40, 42, 46, 121, 130; Romans 8:26-28.
Chapter 19
Myra had staked her dream on this feature interview between Candace and Jermaine—now it appeared that the golden opportunity had turned to lead. Even as Xavier prayed, Myra’s mind raced with worries, plans, and strong emotions. When have you faced a comparable situation? How did you respond? How would Scripture advise us? (See Psalm 46 and John 14:27.)
Chapter 20
How did the abrupt swarm of paparazzi serve as an answer to Aunt Bell’s prayer? When has an apparently negative incident in your life proved to be your salvation in the long run?
Chapter 21
The relationship between Jennaine’s suicidal urges and his sanity has been questioned repeatedly throughout the story. Now that he has actually made an attempt on his life, the question is finally called: What do you think? Is Jermaine crazy? Explain.
Chapter 22
In the aftermath of Jermaine’s suicide attempt and the tabloid exposé, Myra was dealing with “an epic faith-crisis,” in God and in herself. Xavier counseled her to take heart that “sometimes God allows trying situations to best His children only so their faith might be strengthened and established.” Paul offers much the same reassurance in Romans 5:3-5; so does James in James 1:2-4. How have you experienced the harvest of good fruit from trying times?
Chapter 23
Ambrose tells Jermaine that listening and hearing are two quite different things. What’s the difference? How does James’s exhortation in James 1:22-25 illustrate the principle Ambrose is hinting at?
Chapter 24
Jermaine is tormented by a recurring dream. It is powerful and terrifying to him. You can guess that it has spiritual significance in his life. What do you think it means? Have you ever had a recurring dream of that caliber, one that you suspect is God trying to get your attention? How do you respond to such dreams?
Chapter 25
Jermaine once declared the secret to happiness and success is to “do what you love and love what you do.” Ambrose now observes that “what you do, is not who you are.” If you really love what you do, however, it is easy to start equating that doing with your being. We do it casually when we answer the question “Who are you?” with a relational or vocational response, instead of with our name (e.g., “I’m Ryan’s mom” or “I’m a freelance writer and editor”). How do you balance the two truisms in your own life—both in your relationships (whom youlove) and in your vocation (what youlove)?
Chapter 26
For Candace, returning to church was like coming home. Have you ever experienced that feeling—the unconditional love and willing forgiveness of the Holy Spirit—even just the warm embrace of sisters and brothers in Christ after an absence from your home congregation? Read Jesus’ parable about the prodigal (in Luke 15:11-32) through Candi’s eyes—and walking that long road home yourself in the prodigal’s shoes.
Chapter 27
Jermaine is finally beginning to understand his dream —and the suffocating sensation of being unable to breathe. He is making the connection between the etymological meaning of the word inspire and the word breath. They are the same (e.g., respiratory disease refers to breathing disorders). How have you experienced the relationship between the two—inspiration and breath? Check out the familiar story in Ezekiel 37 for a powerful illustration of the connection among breath, spirit, life, and inspiration.
Chapter 28
Jermaine’s call to Aunt Bell with news of his saving encounter with Jesus was balm to her soul. How do you think his confession of faith to the woman who raised him affected Jermaine? Talk about the power of your testimony—to those who hear it (saved and unsaved) and to you yourself. What does Scripture say about that dynamic? (See Romans 1:16-17; 10:9-10; Revelation 12:10-12.)
Chapter 29
Ambrose cites 2 Timothy 1:6-7 as he disciples Jermaine in a discovery of God’s call on his life. What gifts are hidden in you, placed there by the laying on of hands (or any other inspired impartation)? How can you stir them up and use them for God? (Read also 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.)
Chapter 30
Jermaine told Mario he wasn’t religious. He just had a relationship with Jesus. What’s the difference? How does a relationship with Christ change us in a way that religion doesn’t? How has his new faith changed Jermaine?
Chapter 31
How did Jermaine’s interview with Chantal powerfully (and humorously!) illustrate the truth in Pau
l’s assurance in Romans 8:26-27? How have you experienced such mediation and intercession on your behalf on the part of the Holy Spirit?
Chapter 32
Did Jermaine’s decision to remain on the motivational-speaking circuit surprise you? Why or why not? Sometimes, in the church, we assume a person with a gift for speaking and inspiring people should go into church or parachurch ministry—as Mario put it, in the style of Billy Graham or T. D. Jakes. Should our most gifted speakers all end up behind a pulpit of some kind? Why or why not? (Read Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:7,11-13.)
Chapter 33
Candi encouraged Jermaine to find a good home church and people to hold him accountable and disciple him in his growth and maturity as a Christian man. Do you have a faith community and people in your life who can do that for you? Why or why not? If you are going through these questions in a small group, how can the members be that for one another—giving and receiving?
Epilogue
Jermaine and Candace had discovered in each other their own Ms. and Mr. Right. And, at their wedding they spoke vows they had written themselves. If you find Mr. Right, what original vows will you speak on your future wedding day? What is it you are willing to promise?
A Man Inspired Page 21