False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [126]
6. One definition of grace is unmerited favor. What are some ways that Zoe received grace from people in this story? Which touched you the most and why? Without the grace Zoe was shown, what might have been different in her life?
7. Since the garden of Eden, humans have tried to hide their sin from God. Why do you think that is? Are we sometimes guilty of hiding our sin—or justifying it—even after we’re saved? Why do you think someone might do that instead of claiming the promise in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”?
8. James 5:16 tells us, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Do you think confession is good for the soul? Which do you think took more emotional energy for Zoe: carrying her bag of lies or opening it? Does confessing to each other mean opening up your bag of sin to every believer? Is there a case to be made for using wisdom and discretion in choosing whom we tell? Are there times when confessing our sin might inadvertently cause someone else great pain or embarrassment? Can you think of examples?
9. Do you think a person can come to faith in Christ and make a true confession and not even be aware of sin areas still to be dealt with? When you trusted Christ for your salvation, did you know the full extent of the sin in your life? If not, why do you think the Holy Spirit didn’t reveal it all then? Do you think God forgives us for sin we don’t yet recognize? Once we become aware of our sin, what should be our response?
10. What do you think Jesus meant in Matthew 18:21–23 when He said we should forgive seventy times seven? When is it hardest to forgive? Does the gravity of an offense have any bearing on the command to forgive? Though judging someone else’s heart in real life is not our job, let’s take a close look at the characters in the story. Who are the people in this story who either forgave someone or who still need to? Which would be the most difficult for you, were you in his or her shoes? Based on this line from the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:4, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us,” is forgiveness an option? Would that apply also to Zoe’s forgiving her parents for the horrible abuse she suffered?
11. Is forgiveness in any way intended to mean that the offense didn’t matter or that it didn’t hurt—perhaps even deeply? Why do you think God commands us to forgive? Who benefits most when forgiveness occurs? Have you ever received grace from another person when you knew you didn’t deserve it? How did it make you feel? Have you ever extended that kind of grace to someone else who didn’t deserve it? What was your motivation for doing so? How did it make you feel?
12. If you could meet one character from the story, who would it be? What would you like to say to that person? What did you take away from this story?
Table of Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Acknowledgments
Cajun French Glossary
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
AfterWords
A Note from the Author
Discussion Questions