Heart of Gold (37 page)

2. A lifelong bachelor, Matthew struggles with the unexpected situation of taking in his sister and nephew. Have you ever encountered such an unplanned responsibility? Have family obligations ever required you to drastically alter your plans? If so, how did you deal with the changes?

3. Even in the face of death, Alice maintains incredible amounts of faith and courage. Have you ever known someone like Alice? When you encounter something frightening, how does God come to your aid?

4. According to Reverend Adair, every person is loved equally by God, no matter that person’s race or politics; and he hopes that one day the divided town of Grand Coeur can be united under his church’s roof. How do we let such differences get in the way of bringing people together? How can Christians work against the divisive forces of prejudice?

5. When Matthew discovers how sick his sister really is, he feels guilt for not being a better brother to her in the past. Have you ever regretted neglecting a friend or family member during their time of need? Is it possible to make up for lost time?

6. Though Shannon arrives in Grand Coeur as a Confederate sympathizer, she soon becomes close to people whose politics could not be more different from hers. Have you ever become friends with people with whom you completely disagree on some things? What do you think it means to “live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18)?

7. Reverend Adair is an example of one who prays without ceasing. How does his constant prayer impact his own life, as well as the lives of others in the story? How can we learn from such a model of faithfulness?

8. Upon first meeting Matthew and Alice, Shannon judges them harshly. Have you ever made a judgment about someone, only to befriend that person later? How does it feel to discover you’ve been wrong about that person all along?

9. Though Alice is at peace with her diagnosis, Matthew wanted to “argue with God” about it. Have you ever had difficulty finding peace with something you can’t understand? Why does God ask us to trust Him, especially when we can’t comprehend His will?

10. After Shannon and Matthew have broken off their engagement, Reverend Adair tells Shannon that “pride is cold comfort.” What does he mean by this? How does pride get in the way of healing broken relationships?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. She discovered her vocation after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (
Whispers from Yesterday
), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (
Patterns of Love
and
The Shepherd’s Voice
), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of more than sixty novels.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying plays under the stars. She makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with Poppet, the high-maintenance papillon, and Princess Pinky, the kitten who currently terrorizes the household.