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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.
Theophilus
Simmons
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Theophilus's improper relationship
with Glodean Benson haunted him for
many years, long after the affair
was over. How was God's mercy evidenced
in Theophilus's life and ministry?
Read 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 41:4-5,12; Jeremiah 3:25; Jeremiah 4:2.
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Rev.
James reminded Theophilus that the
Lord had forgiven him for having an
affair with Glodean, yet he continued
to live in fear of repercussions.
Why do believers often have such a
hard time believing that God has forgiven
them? Read Psalm 37:23-24. How can they break free? Psalm 103:1-13; Proverbs 28:13.
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What
was your reaction to Theophilus going
to an establishment like Pompey's
Rib Joint? Do you think ministers
should avoid such places? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 14:21. Or do you feel that Theophilus's
behavior was entirely acceptable and
appropriate? Read Ecclesiastes 8:15; Matthew 11:19; John 2:1-2.
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Theophilus is obviously a very passionate
man. How does Theophilus's life and
ministry show evidence that he had
submitted himself and his passions
to godly control? Read Romans 8:4-6; Galatians 5:16-17;24.
Essie
Lee
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At
the beginning of their association
with one another, why do you think
that Theophilus was so intrigued by
Essie, even though she tried to maintain
a facade of disdain for him? Read
Ruth 2:1-10; Esther 2:17; Song of Solomon 4:12; Song of Songs 6:11-13.
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Theophilus
chose to marry a woman who did not
fit the mold of the typical pastor's
wife of that time. How did the Lord
use her uniqueness to serve Him by
supporting her husband and finding
her own place in ministry? Read Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 31:10-20; Song of Songs 6:8-9; Luke 1:5-6
- How
did Essie demonstrate confidence in herself
and her husband's love, despite the fact
that other women were obviously attracted
to her handsome, dynamic husband? Proverbs 31:25-31. In what ways do you think
she discovered that being a minister's
wife is a ministry and a special calling
of its own?
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Essie
had to cope with people who accepted
her only after she became a pastor's
wife. Why do people, including Christians,
try to rank the worthiness of human
beings based on their social standing?
Job 23:18-19; Matthew 5:47; Romans 2:11. Do you think many women have
wanted to marry a minister in order
to obtain a higher status in their
community?
The
Women
- Why
are many women in the church like Glodean,
obsessed with "trapping" a
preacher? Why do you think men are
enticed by such
women? Read Proverbs 7:4-27.
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Both
Precious and Saphronia, feeling betrayed,
sought their own revenge against Marcel
Brown. Why do some Christians seek
revenge instead of turning to the
Lord when times get tough? Read Leviticus 19:18; Judges 16:28. How should they respond instead?
Read Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:19.
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Precious
was willing to engage in various unsavory
acts because she loved Marcel. How
could she ever have hoped that their
relationship, given its nature, would
prosper? Have you ever found yourself
going just a little too far to try
and hold on to a relationship? Read
Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 16:3.
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Saphronia
and her grandmother looked down on
those whose speech, skin color, or
socio-economic status was viewed as
less than her own. Do you believe
people who think this way ever stop
to consider how God feels about their
attitude/beliefs? Read Matthew 25:40; Romans 12:2-10. How can black Christians address
such behavior within the Black Church?
Church
Bishops and Pastors
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Marcel
Brown referred to men like Murcheson
James as "high-and-mighties who
think God called them just so that
they could keep an eye on" the
actions of other ministers. Should
more ministers concern themselves
with the unsavory actions of fellow
clergy? Read Luke 17:3; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Galatians 6:1
- Why
are so many ministers; like Marcel Brown,
his father Ernest, Sonny Washington, and
Bishop Caruthers; able to get away with
so much mess in the church? Jeremiah 5:26-28; Matthew 24:5,11,24; Romans 16:17-18.
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For
a time it seemed as though corrupt
leaders like Otis Caruthers, Ernest
and Marcel Brown, and the Senior Bishop,
would triumph in their wicked ways.
What should be our response be when
it seems as if the rotten people in
the world seem to always get ahead?
Read Job 21:7-16; Psalm 37:7; Habakkuk 3:17-19.
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16.
Corruption among certain bishops and
pastors was well known, yet tolerated
in silence. Why do some good people
stand by silently when they know things
are not right? Read Esther 4:14; Psalm 37:14; Psalm 39:1-2.
Conclusion
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Church
Folk affirms that love, passion, and
desire, when properly focused, are
acceptable feelings/behaviors for
God's people and are part of His blessings
to His people. Read Genesis 24:15-27; Song of Soloman. Why do you think this message
has become distorted among some church
folk, many of whom believe such behavior
is improper for Christians?
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How
can Brian's philosophy "If you
want the lady, you've got to go along
with the lady's rules," help
strengthen Christian women to remain
virtuous? Read Proverbs 31:10,30.
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How
does the book's ending demonstrate
the spiritual truth that wickedness
and evil cannot prevail over righteousness?
Read Psalm 37:14-15,25; Psalm 94:14-15; Proverbs 10:25; Proverbs 29:16; 2 Peter 2:9.
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Many
of the problems that afflicted the
Black Church during the 1960s;womanizing
preachers, classism, color prejudice,
women granting sexual favors to ministers;remain
today. How can we move beyond these
issues instead of tolerating them
or accepting them as the norm? Read
Leviticus 26:40-42; Ezekiel 37:8-14; Jeremiah 5:31; Jeremiah 18:6; 1 John 1:9.
- How
should Christians respond to persons who
shun church membership because of corruption
with the ranks of its leadership? Read
Acts 5:29; 1 Corinthians 1:12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:4-11; 1 Peter 4:18.
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