by Bodie Thoene
Do you believe as Peter does or as Rachel’s papa does? Why?
16. When Orde is offered a position with TENS in Warsaw, he wonders if it’s “coincidence” or a “link” that “he would know in time” (p. 158). Have you wondered the same thing at some point in your life? If so, when?
Chapters 13–15
17. “You have the smartest heart of anyone I know,” Lori tells Alfie Halder (p. 164). Who do you know who has the “smartest heart”? Explain.
18. “Often the great decisions of life and death, escape or imprisonment in hostile Europe, boiled down to who would fit in at Piccadilly. Did the British want a steady diet of foreigners with foreign ways mucking up the tearooms of London’s hotels?” (p. 165).
When you encounter “foreigners”—those of a different nationality or language from yours—or those who are considered “not quite all right in the head” (p. 165), how do you respond? (Reread also pp. 380-383 for the way Lucy Strasburg, a foreigner in the Jewish district, was treated there. Have you treated others similarly?)
19. Lucy cries out to God, “I am past Your mercy, not worthy” (p. 170). Have you ever felt this way? When?
20. Karl finds comfort in replaying his life:
“He had no regrets. Life had been good. Every day had been brushed with the colors of loving. Even the most ordinary routines now seemed somehow sacred and blessed, a holy sacrament.”
—p. 184
If you were to replay your life, would you come to the same conclusions as Karl? Why or why not?
21. “Do you know why the Christians have been so utterly smashed . . . ? We are Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Mennonite . . . Everyone with a different idea. All forgetting who God is as we cram Him into doctrinal boxes and squabble over this and that” (Father Kopecky, p. 185).
How do you view those who have “doctrinal boxes” different from yours? Or those who claim to be Christians but “squabble over this and that”?
Chapters 16–18
22. “How good it would be if someone would offer her a kind word today!” (p. 204). When has a kind word made an impact on you?
23. Have you longed to say, like Lucy:
“This is me. Just as I am. Today I do not want to hide from You. If you are the God of the living, then I want to know You.
—p. 205
If you did say such words to God, what happened? If you didn’t, what stopped you?
24. Have you ever been surprised by your own grief (perhaps even years later, like Samuel Orde—see p. 220)? Explain the circumstances. Did anyone “interrupt” your grief (as Moshe interrupted Samuel Orde’s)? Did that change your perspective in any way?
Chapters 19–23
25. “Remember to tell them that Jesus cares for them. . . . Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?”(Karl Ibsen, p. 239)
Do you agree with Karl’s words? Why or why not?
26. “BY DYING I CONQUER LIFE . . . if only it was just that easy. The trouble is, you see, in the meantime I have to keep living and conquering life” (Samuel Orde, p. 259)
In difficult times, how can you keep “living and conquering life”?
27. Because Lucy was determined that “Her past must not become her future or the future of her baby” (p. 291), she did things she thought she could never do (such as escaping through a window the day after her child was born). What risks (large or small) have you taken to change the course of your life? to protect those you love?
Chapters 24–25
28. In the height of Lucy’s desperation, she meets Alfie Halder, who gives the baby two gifts of great sacrifice: his ticket to England and his name (pp. 316-317). Do you think that was coincidence? Or do you believe, as big Alfie does, that “God did not make such things happen for no reason” (p. 317)? Explain. (See also p. 336, where “some other hand” guides Lucy.)
29. “Our Alfie is closer to heaven’s heart than anyone I know! . . . Today Alfie was the answer to some woman’s prayer” (Lori Kalner, p. 324)
When have you been an answer to someone’s prayer? When has someone else been the answer to your prayer?
30. After Alfie gives his name to Lucy’s baby, he chooses a new name for himself (p. 327). If you could choose your own name, what would you name yourself—and why?
Chapters 26–28
31. In order to keep baby Alfie with her, Lori, the well-known pastor’s daughter, allows people to think that the baby was conceived out of wedlock by herself and Jacob Kalner (p. 341). Have you ever allowed others to think ill of you for a greater good? If so, when?
32. “Have you not heard that God himself will curse those who curse His chosen?” (Samuel Orde, p. 363)
“In the eyes of the Eternal the survival of only one Jew in all the world would be enough for Him to still perform every promise He made to Abraham. . . . God promised Abraham only one son from Sarah! One son. One miracle. And through that son a Covenant was made. The Eternal promised the nation of Israel. Promised the Messiah. Promised the redemption of all mankind. It only takes one! Can you imagine how that fact must distress God’s great enemy, Satan? For this reason, since that time the Evil One has sought actively to deceive and destroy every descendant of Abraham’s promised son” (Aaron Lubetkin, p. 369)
Do you believe the Jews are God’s chosen people? Why or why not?
33. Have you ever sensed that God’s angels were surrounding you, protecting you and cheering you on (as Samuel Orde, Jacob, and Alfie did as they entered Muranow Square—see pp. 363-366)? In what situation(s)?
Chapters 29–31
34. “How fortunate she was in this one instance that something good had managed to come out of the darkness of her life. She felt no pride for her help to the Wallich family, only a sort of humble gratitude that someone so worthless could be used” (p. 375).
When has something good come out of the darkness of your life?
35. “She would not cause her own death, but she would not run from it either. She did not think that welcoming death was a sin.
“Wolf had reminded her of how little she was worth. That knowledge made living seem of little importance. And she prayed that perhaps there was some tiny attic room reserved for her in God’s mansion” (pp. 377-378)
Have you experienced any of the thoughts or emotions that Lucy Strasburg does? When?
Be assured that you are of ultimate importance to God. He loves you immensely and has His eye on you!
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart.”
—Jeremiah 1:5
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
—Isaiah 49:16
36. You don’t have to experience much of life to agree with Alfie that “heroes do not always win just because they are nice” (p. 391). Why do you think this is so?
Chapters 32–33
37. Twice Wolf is prevented from reaching Lucy (he develops a sudden and debilitating headache on p. 362; the crowd in Muranow Square blocks his path on p. 421). Then he is ordered, at gunpoint, to accompany Gustav Ahlman back to Berlin at once (p. 424). Do you think these happenings were orchestrated by God to save Lucy’s life and to answer her prayers for help? Why or why not?
38. “They had all worn their hearts in their eyes. The terrible ache was the same. It was . . . pain that came from not being loved” (p. 437).
Have you ever felt the “pain that came from not being loved”? or felt broken inside? If so, how has that experience affected you? the way you treat others who feel “not good enough”? Is there someone you need to love back to life (see p. 438)?
Chapters 34–35
39. When Karl Ibsen receives the injection that incapacitates him and leads to his death, he tells the doctor, “I am sorry for the prison that you are in.” The doctor’s startled response? “I am not a prisoner” (p. 446).
Are you a “prisoner” in any areas of your life? Take a few mo
ments today to reflect.
40. Who do you think really says, “This war is very old. . . .You are nothing compared to that. We cannot let you live to fight us. You know too much for us to ignore you. You know enough to stop us” (p. 448)? Do you agree that the war against Evil is very old? Why or why not?
41. How did you respond emotionally to Wolf’s death (see p. 460)? to Karl’s death? Explain the differences.
Chapters 36–38
42. “The Lord has never stopped loving you. He has let me see you. . . . Come with me” (Samuel Orde, p. 467).
Who needs to hear those words right now? (Perhaps it’s you. Perhaps it’s a friend. Or a family member. Or a coworker.) Why wait? Why not extend your hand in God’s love and mercy to a hurting individual?
43. “No more childhood. It vanished forever in that terrible moment” (p. 469)
Do you remember the moment when you first lost your childhood innocence? your view of the world as safe and good? What was the situation?
Chapter 38–Epilogue
44. Have you ever had to “choose life” (p. 488), even when it would have been easier to give up? Explain.
45. If you were Rachel, would you have given up the precious passport to Jerusalem, knowing that death may await you if you go back to your family? (See p. 495).
46. If you believed that angels of protection were surrounding you, as Alfie Halder did (see p. 502), how would that affect your view of God? of yourself? of death? of heaven? your perspective on Light and Darkness?
“It is dark. But God can see, even in the darkness.” . . . God has eyes that could pierce the blackest night and illuminate the darkest night.
—p. 434
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