by Bodie Thoene
8. Captain Samuel Orde said, “We will do what is in our power, and the Lord will do the rest” (p. 48). Do you think he was on the right track? Why or why not?
9. Do you think the Christian church today is “asleep” in any ways (see p. 64-66)? If so, name one or two. Is there anything you can do, even in a small way, to wake the church up?
Chapters 7–9
10. If you were Pastor Karl, would you have expelled the Jewish members of your church in order to keep the rest of your church intact and safe (see p. 68)?
11. “Tell them you have witnessed the death of your God and yourself tonight!” (p. 73). What connection do you see between the evil perpetrated against the Jews and the fact that Hitler wanted to spread the message that God is dead? (See also Captain Orde’s words on p. 94).
12. “Remember who you belong to!” (p. 79). Who do you belong to, in your soul? How is that ownership shown in your life?
Chapters 10–14
13. Step back in time to the morning after Kristal Nacht. If Berlin were your town, and you viewed the devastation, what would your response be publicly? behind the closed doors of your own home?
14. Do you agree with Theo’s statement, “Unless we fight [evil], we have no right to hope” (p. 115)? Why or why not?
15. Imagine that you are Lori, or Jamie, or Jacob, or Mark—hiding out from the Nazis in New Church. Describe what your life was like yesterday (your activities, thoughts, plans, dreams). Then describe how your life has changed in just twenty-four hours.
16. If you were Michael Wallich (see p. 131), would you swallow a pill that guaranteed you an easier death? Why or why not?
17. Have you ever “given up righteousness for the sake of ease” (p. 131) as Otto realizes he has done? When?
Chapters 15–18
18. “In 1933, the year he [Hitler] came to power, one million babies were aborted in Germany. Then came permissible euthanasia, mercy killing of the old. That led to selective euthanasia, the murder of those who are mentally unworthy, racially unworthy. And then there were the children like Charles—the killing of babies who were considered imperfect” (p. 151). Do you agree with Theo that these events are connected? Why or why not?
19. Have you ever been “up to [your] neck in hot water” (as Samuel Orde was—see p. 155) for doing what is right? When? What were the results?
20. “Look out for yourself, her heart whispered. You are the only one you can count on” (p. 162). Because of Wolf’s betrayal, Lucy’s life is shattered. Have you felt like Lucy? In what situation? Does thinking of Christ mourning and suffering with you change your perspective in any way? If so, how?
21. If you saw each person you meet daily as “an individual of untold value and unmeasured worth . . . A face. A name. A man. A soul . . . worthy of love” (p. 169), would your actions change in any way? How?
Chapters 19–20
22. “Why did He [Jesus] weep?”
“Because He knew what men could do to one another.”
“He saw us here. It broke His heart” (p. 193).
Do you believe Jesus weeps over the world today? over events in your life? Why or why not?
23. Do you think Pastor Karl did the right thing when he refused to sign the commandant’s paper (see pp. 205-206)? Why or why not? What would you have done if you had to choose between your family and your faith (see also pp. 314-315)?
Chapters 21–23
24. “God never promised us that life would be without difficulties, but He did promise that we will overcome them as He has” (p. 213). Even in difficult times, what little glimpses can you see of this truth in your life? And of Leah’s triumphant words, “We will win! We will make it! Don’t worry or be afraid!”? (p. 214)?
25. “Could a just God care even for evil men?” (p. 218). What do you think? Explain.
26. “He has seen what he wants to see in God’s Word. He believes what makes him feel best about himself” (p. 228). In what ways have you seen people (like Dorfman) misuse the words of the Bible? How has this affected your view of God and the Bible?
27. Why do you think God chose, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind” (see Matthew 22:37 and p. 230) to be the first and greatest commandment?
Chapters 24–28
28. In what area(s) of your life do you need to heed Churchill’s words: “Never give in to fear. Never, never, never give in!” (p. 250)?
29. “Once I was of use to God. Now what good is my life? What testimony do I have in this utter silence and loneliness?” (p. 277). Have you, like Karl, heard this dark “whisper”? Describe the situation—and how you chose to respond.
30. Would people say of you, “There’s a truly righteous person—a person who cannot be compromised” (p. 296)? Why or why not?
Chapters 29–31
31. Think of a friend or family member who is struggling right now. How can you encourage that person to not give in to evil and discouragement (pp. 318-319)?
32. Have you ever been a part of evil without meaning to (much as Lucy was forced to visit Otto’s apartment to catch the Jewish family—see pp. 324-328)? Explain what happened.
33. “With prayers and deed together fight, and put the evil hosts to flight” (p. 333). Do you believe this poet is right? Why or why not?
Chapters 32–33
34. When you are told, “Can’t be done . . . Out of the question” (p. 349), how do you respond?
35. Reflect back to when you’ve come close to a dangerous situation . . . and at the last minute “a tiny pebble of suspicion” was “dropped into the pool of [your] mind” (p. 351). Who or what do you think forewarned you? What was the result?
36. Can you say, “My strength is in the Lord! In the Spirit of the Almighty! I have no faith in myself!” (p. 361)? Why or why not?
37. “It is Christmas! God has come among us! The miracle is accomplished! . . . The Gate is open!” (p. 362). If you truly believed this, what would change in your present? in your future?
Chapters 34–35
38. What changes do you see in Lucy Strasburg from the beginning to the end of Danzig Passage? Would you dare to do what she did at the end? Why or why not?
39. Is there a relative (a sibling, a parent, a child) who has been “the bane of [your] existence” (p. 391), much as Marlene has been the annoyance of Peter’s life? If you knew that today was the last time you would see that person, what would you say to him or her?
40. “Jewish women had their children torn physically from their arms. Christian mothers who had remained steadfast watched as their children were spiritually poisoned, growing finally as dark as the masters of Germany. This sort of separation was just as real; the grief, though different, just as profound” (pp. 397-398). Do you agree with Lucy’s assessment? Are physical and spiritual separations just as profound, or is one worse than the other? Explain.
Chapters 36–Epilogue
41. Peter cannot believe it. Here he is, trying to escape Nazi Germany, and he is held up in a newspaper as an example of Aryan perfection. And yet what he had thought was so horrible actually ended up for his good (see Romans 8:28 and p. 426)! Has this ever happened to you? When?
42. What miracle—large or small—have you experienced lately?
43. Have you opened the gate of your heart to God? to His miracles? and to His Son, who has suffered on your behalf? Why or why not?
Know, dear reader, that He waits for you with deep longing on the other side of the gate. No matter what you’ve done or what has been done to you. No matter how you’ve strayed off the path. His love is eternal . . . yet so is His justice and vengeance against evil. Which side will you choose to be on? Tor auf!
About the Authors
Bodie and Brock Thoene BODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. That these best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards affirms what millions of readers have already discovered--—
that the Thoenes are not only master stylists but experts at capturing readers’ minds and hearts.
In their timeless classic series about Israel (The Zion Chronicles, The Zion Covenant, and The Zion Legacy), the Thoenes’ love for both story and research shines.
With The Shiloh Legacy series and Shiloh Autumn--—poignant portrayals of the American depression--—and The Galway Chronicles, which dramatically tells of the 1840s famine in Ireland, as well as the twelve Legends of the West, the Thoenes have made their mark in modern history.
In the A.D. Chronicles, their most recent series, they step seamlessly into the world of Yerushalyim and Rome, in the days when Yeshua walked the earth and transformed lives with His touch.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in jJournalism and C communications.
Brock has often been described by Bodie as “an essential half of this writing team.” With degrees in both Hhistory and Eeducation, Brock has, in his role asof researcher and story-line consultant, added the vital dimension of historical accuracy. Due to such careful research, The Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles series are recognized by the American Library Association, as well as Zionist libraries around the world, as classic historical novels and are used to teach history in college classroomsclassrooms to teach history.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children--—Rachel, Jake, Luke, and Ellie--—and seven grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audio books. Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
For more information visit:
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www.FamilyAudioLibrary.com
Thoene Family Classics
THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC HISTORICALS by Bodie and Brock Thoene
Gold Medallion Winners*
The Zion Covenant
Vienna Prelude*
Prague Counterpoint
Munich Signature
Jerusalem Interlude
Danzig Passage
Warsaw Requiem*
London Refrain
Paris Encore
Dunkirk Crescendo
The Zion Chronicles
The Gates of Zion*
A Daughter of Zion
The Return to Zion
A Light in Zion
The Key to Zion*
The Shiloh Legacy
In My Father’s House*
A Thousand Shall Fall
Say to This Mountain
Shiloh Autumn
The Galway Chronicles
Only the River Runs Free*
Of Men and of Angels
Ashes of Remembrance*
All Rivers to the Sea
The Zion Legacy
Jerusalem Vigil
Thunder from Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s Heart
Jerusalem Scrolls
Stones of Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s Hope
A.D. Chronicles
First Light
Second Touch
Third Watch
Fourth Dawn
Fifth Seal
Sixth Covenant
Seventh Day
Eighth Shepherd
Ninth Witness
Tenth Stone
and more to come!
THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC AMERICAN LEGENDS
Legends of the West by Bodie and Brock Thoene
The Man from Shadow Ridge
Riders of the Silver Rim
Gold Rush Prodigal
Sequoia Scout
Cannons of the Comstock
Year of the Grizzly
Shooting Star
Legend of Storey County
Hope Valley War
Delta Passage
Hangtown Lawman
Cumberland Crossing
Legends of Valor by Luke Thoene
Sons of Valor
Brothers of Valor
Fathers of Valor
THOENE CLASSIC NONFICTION by Bodie and Brock Thoene
Writer-to-Writer
THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC SUSPENSE by Jake Thoene
Chapter 16 Series
Shaiton’s Fire
Firefly Blue
Fuel the Fire
THOENE FAMILY CLASSICS FOR KIDS by Jake and Luke Thoene
Baker Street Detectives
The Mystery of the Yellow Hands
The Giant Rat of Sumatra
The Jeweled Peacock of Persia
The Thundering Underground
Last Chance Detectives
Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa
Legend of the Desert Bigfoot
THOENE FAMILY CLASSIC AUDIOBOOKS
Available from www.FamilyAudioLibrary.com
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapters 36–Epilogue