by Nancy Rue
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• Discussion Questions
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Discussion Questions
A few thoughts to spur discussion. Should your conversation lead to questions for me, I would love to hear from you: [email protected].
¤Before I begin to write a novel, I always form the question I hope to answer in the course of the story. The question for The Reluctant Prophet was: What would happen if you truly did “the Jesus thing” and obeyed God—whether you wanted to or not? After reading the book, what do you think is the answer to that question?
¤I never write a piece of fiction that doesn’t have to do with transformation into one’s authentic self. The guiding Scripture verse for my ministry is, in fact, John 1:12–13, as translated in The Message. How do you think this applies to each of the characters?
Whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed
and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
their child-of-God selves.
¤As I allow the characters to tell me about themselves and direct the action, I always find that their past is as much a part of the story as what takes place in the present. After you chat about what events in Allison’s history have shaped her into who she is—and any other characters who pique your interest—consider yourself. Are there specific turning points in your story that changed your direction, for better or for worse? How much of that effect is due to the events themselves and how much to our attitudes and reactions to them?
¤Point of view is essential in a novel too. Consider these POV issues:
-Allison takes some pretty radical steps to obey the God who’s finally telling her what to do with Jesus. Be one of the Wednesday Night Watchdogs for a few minutes and talk about whether everybody’s called to that kind of drastic commitment. If not, how far could you go outside the pew?
-Can you see Troy Irwin’s point at all? How about The Reverend Garry Howard’s?
-Do you think Allison was right to basically leave the church? Do you think she’ll go back? Does she need to?
¤I like to think about what readers will think about after they close the book for the last time.
-It looks like Allison has fallen in love with Chief. What kinds of problems might that create for her? Does this lead you to wonder what really makes a person a Christian?
-I don’t think any of us knows what we’d be willing to sacrifice for God if he Nudged us the way he did Allison. After you discuss what she gave up and risked (and gained) you might want to ponder what you personally have sacrificed to follow Christ, or what you’ve refused to for really good reasons, or what you might have to if …
-Do you want to ride a Harley now?
About Magdalene
My inspiration for Allison’s Sacrament House comes from a real ministry in Nashville, Tennessee, called Magdalene. Founded in 1997, Magdalene is a two-year residential community for women with a history of prostitution and drug addiction. As the women say in their mission statement, “We stand in solidarity with women who are recovering from sexual abuse, violence, and life on the streets.”
At no cost to them, Magdalene offers women a safe, disciplined, and compassionate community paid for by gifts from individuals and private grants. The ministry is also supported by Thistle Farms, a nonprofit business operated by the women who create handmade natural bath and body products. “Our dream,” they say, “is that people will come to see Thistle Farms as a humble but powerful business synonymous with women’s freedom.”
While the fictional Sacrament House in The Reluctant Prophet is not precisely patterned after this living, breathing ministry, I hope that it sends the same message: the message of Christ Jesus.
To learn more about Magdalene, including how you can help financially support it, visit www.thistlefarms.org/donate.html.
WANT MORE TIME WITH NANCY RUE?
NANCY RUE, author of over one hundred titles for teens, tweens, and adults, has sold over one million books. But she is also in demand as a speaker, workshop teacher, and retreat leader for all three age groups. For more information on booking Nancy for events, and for a more in-depth study of The Reluctant Prophet and her other novels, visit www.NancyRue.com or email her at [email protected].