Walk Worthy Press: Saved Folk in the House

Reading Group Questions:

The following list of questions is designed to enhance a group or individual's thinking about or discussing some of the issues we hope you will consider after reading this book. This is designed as a starting point only and is not meant to limit the discussion.

SAVED BABIES DADDIES

In Part One Jay and Zakia seem to have it all, a nice home, a great portfolio, corporate jobs and two good sons. They go to church, vacation together and even have favor on their jobs. Yet even in the midst of all these worldly acquisitions Zakia feels a deep void in her life.

1. Zakia tries to fill this void by coming up with new things to do such as driving across country or redecorating the house. Is there any area in your life that where you feel a void? Do you know what types of things you are using in an attempt to help you feel more fulfilled?
Read: John 4:1-15

2. Jay and Zakia attend Jay’s home church. How can it be that they attend church but still have no personal relationship with the true and living God? Do you know people like this?
Read: John 4:22-24, James 1:22-26

3. Zakia begins to attend another church and even joins without consulting her husband. She takes her children and gets more involved with the “things” of God such as the choir, alter guild, usher board, etc. Have you ever been more involved with the “things” of God than The Word of God? What was the result of Zakia’s behavior?
Read: Mark 3:25; Proverbs 14:1

4. Zakia alienates her husband, family and friends with her new found zeal for God. What does the Bible have to say about our Christian lifestyle and walk? According to The Word of God what should Zakia have done to win over her husband?
Read: I Peter 3:1-4

5. Sometimes one of the most important things we can do about our problems is to recognize our own part in creating them. Can you identify a problem in your life that is partly your creation? If so, what is your responsibility in owning up to and fixing it?
Read: I John 1:9

REAL SAVED FOLK

In Part Two, Nikki, a divorced mother, starts over when she moves herself and her three children from Richmond, VA to Atlanta, GA. While she is sad to leave her extended family she is at the same time excited and hopeful for a bright future.

6. Has God ever asked you to begin “a new thing” in your life? Describe the emotional pulls you felt to stay where you were comfortable versus going into the unknown. Were you tempted stay? Did you do it on your own or did you need support?
Read: Genesis 12:1-5

7. We all have some things in our pasts that are more of an effort to get away from than others. What keeps you looking back in one particular area instead of moving forward?
Read: Genesis 19:12-17, 26

Children often adapt to whatever situation in which they are placed. Nikki’s twelve-year-old son, Taj, has already learned to study and imitate his mother.

8. The Bible tells us that children are a heritage of the Lord. The Word clearly tells us to bring them up in the love and admonition of the Lord. Even with the societal problems of today how can we bring children up according to this scripture? How did Nikki demonstrate her personal relationship with God in front of her children?
Read: Psalm 127: 3; Luke 1:80; Luke 2: 46-47, 51-52

9. Children often learn to develop their own relationship with Christ from the examples they see from their parents. How can we emulate the love of God to children around us? Whose responsibility is it to train children?
Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Deuteronomy 11:18-21

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF SAVED BABES

In the beginning of Part Three we learn that Grace, Alexis, Jean and Bea partied and traveled throughout the sixties. We also hear Grace and Jean discuss possible reasons why Grace’s children and grandchildren have turned out the way they have despite the fact that she loves the Lord.

10. What may have contributed to the choices that Sharia and Karen made in their lives that may have stemmed from the behavior of their mother? Sharia was promiscuous and did drugs and Karen was a crack addict. Too often we label people by the degrees of dirt they are in. How does God label?
Read: Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Matthew 7:1-5

11. Even though we may do things “out of sight” of the children or while they are asleep, The Word says God is not mocked whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. How does this apply to rearing children?
Read: Ephesians 5: 1- 10; Gal 6:7-8; James 1:22-25;

12. Lakisha is already sexually active and believes that her body is they way to get attention and she has been molested by one of her mother’s boyfriend. We are often alarmed by young peoples seemingly in-appropriate behavior but excuse our own immoral behavior under the heading of “I am grown!” When parents fail to recognize dangerous behavior in them selves the children are often the ones who reap the pain. What types of adult behavior might parents not normally think is harmful but can be truly destructive to an impressionable child?
Read: II Timothy 2:19-22; Galatians 5; Romans 8; Matthew 18:6,

Zachary, Micah and Eli have grown up together and supported each other through out their lives. When they were younger they formed “The Executives” a brotherhood, which helped to keep them out of trouble and focused on their goals.

13. What does The Word say about friends? In time of crisis, how important is it to have support from loved ones? How important is it for us to have Godly counsel?
Read: Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 18:24;Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 24:6; Proverbs 20:18