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.
Anya
- David, and others, initially found Anya to be a paradox as she was a successful
Christian businesswoman. Why do some people believe that Christianity means
a life of mediocrity or even paucity with regard to material successes? Read Deuteronomy 29:9; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Think of (you may use
your Bibles!) at least three biblical examples of righteous persons who also
were rich in earthly things. How can Christians who are successful in temporal
endeavors use their achievements as a testimony of what it means to be a
Christian?
- Should Anya's hesitance to set a wedding date have been a clue to her
that Braxton - even though he was a Christian; may not have been God's best
for her? Read Psalm 86:11; Proverbs 2:7-8. Was she ever in danger of
compromising her faith in order to stay in a relationship with Braxton? Read 2 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:6.
- What should have tipped Anya off that she and Braxton might not be equally
yoked regarding their spiritual growth in the Lord? What does God's Word
say about spiritual compatibility? Read 2 Corinthians 6:14. How might their relationship
have been used for a greater purpose? Read Genesis 50:20; Judges 14:3-4.
- Braxton and Anya had been sexually active earlier in their relationship
and in the heat of passion convinced themselves that it was justified because
they loved each other. What are some ways that Christians can work to avoid
the trap of premarital sex and avoid such deceptive thinking? Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 7:1. Discuss what it means
to be in a "compromising position" and discuss the wisdom of Proverbs 6:27.
- Anya lied to Braxton in order to avoid him. Why do people, even Christians,
sometimes lie to avoid unpleasant situations? What does God's Word reveal
about truth and honesty? Read Psalm 15:2; Psalm 43:3; Proverbs 24:26.
- Anya's faith remained constant, even after her attack, yet she wondered
why God allowed the assault to happen to her. How can believers find consolation
through difficult situations and turn it around to help build their faith
and trust in God? Read Exodus 5:22 ; 1 Kings 17:18-22; Psalm 10; Mark 15:34.
- Immediately after her attack, could Anya have been using her faith as a
means of avoiding the painful reality of what happened to her. Or was her
faith simply so strong that it did not affect her as many would have expected?
Read Genesis 25:22; Why do some Christians fail
to understand that God can use trained professionals to help His people and
that counseling is not the antithesis of faith? Exodus 28:3; 1 Chronicles 25:7; 2 Chronicles 2:7 (NIV); Proverbs 22:29; Isaiah 6:8.
- Do you think that most Christian women would have made a similar choice
as Anya - even if they risked losing the love of their life? How can God's
Word encourage us to make such difficult choices? Read Psalm 9:10; Psalm 125:1.
- By the end of the book, Anya's life had changed drastically, yet her faith
in God remained constant. How can we use circumstances, both good and bad,
to affect positive change in our lives and help our faith to grow? Read Genesis 45:4-5; Psalm 34:17; Isaiah 12:2.
Braxton
- Despite the fact that Braxton was successful in his own career, he was
intimidated by Anya's success. How can godly men be confident with their
mate's successes and support her efforts instead of discouraging her? Read 1 Samuel 1:22-23; Ruth 2:10-16; Psalm 40:4.
- Think about some of Braxton's actions, (some of which on the surface looked
good! That boat ride was the bomb!) that demonstrated his desire to manipulate
people and circumstances - like when he hired the private yacht to seduce
Anya or wanting her to be a stay-at-home mom so he could attempt to win custody
of his son. How does such manipulative behavior reveal immature faith and
a believer's lack of trust in God? Read Proverbs 14:8; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 John 1:6.
- How did Braxton's actions hint that his love for Anya was conditional,
based on her willingness to do what pleased him? Why must Christians be willing
to extend unconditional love in their relationships? Read John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10; Romans 13:10.
- Why did Braxton interpret Anya's choice as wrong? Proverbs 16:3; Proverbs 21:2.
- Braxton thought he could find happiness by marrying a woman who would
do what he wanted. How do people cut their blessings short by refusing to
leave comfort zones and follow God's way rather than their own? Read Psalm 37:5-6; Proverbs 3:5.
Sasha
- What might have been some things that contributed to Sasha's worldly attitude
toward men and her disinterest in God? Read John 4:7-19.
- How did God use Anya to show Sasha the kind of life that is available
to Christians? How can believers remember that our lives are living testimonies
to those who do not know Christ? Read 1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Peter 2:5.
- Sasha found Anya refreshingly different from other Christians she had encountered.
How can believers strive to be an inspiration rather than a "turn-off" to
unbelievers? Read Matthew 23:23-28. What can believers do to
make sure they live God's Word so that it is understood as more than just
a collection of rules that people must follow? Read John 3:16; John 9:25.
- Why did Sasha choose to ignore the warning signs about Hunter Blaine? What
are some reasons why people ignore their inner signals and choose to follow
their earthly desires? Read Ecclesiastes 4:13; Isaiah 8:11.
- Sasha's attempt at a relationship with God began with her wanting God to
get Hunter Blaine to fall in love with her. Were her efforts an attempt to
bargain with God? How could her attraction to Hunter drawn her closer to
God? Read Psalm 51:10; Matthew 6:8-13; Hebrews 5:12.
- Sasha was a beautiful woman who had the potential to be anything she wanted,
yet her self-esteem was extremely low. Among other things, she believed she
had to settle for a "sex only" relationship with Hunter. How does
satan attack our self-esteem to make us feel we are unworthy of the abundant
life that comes from obedience to God and His Word which in turn puts us
in position to receive His blessings? Read Luke 7:38-44; 1 Peter 3:3-4; James 4:8.
David
- Initially, David was held in bondage by secrets in his past. How does satan
use secrets and deception to keep people from reaching their fullest potential?
Read Genesis 3:1-6; Isaiah 43:18-19; Luke 4:1-13.
- Through his association with Anya, David came to accept Jesus Christ as
his Lord and Savior and resolve past secrets that were dominating his life.
How can believers resolve to allow God to use them to reach others and help
them find the way to Him? Read 2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 11:3.
Pastor
Ford
- In a sermon, Pastor Ford admonished her parishioners to "practice
the presence of God." How can living in constant awareness of God's
presence help believers to abstain from sin? Read Psalms 143:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 Timothy 2:22.
- Pastor Ford explained to Anya that as she grew in the Lord, she no longer
experienced being angry with Him. Is anger at God a sign of spiritual immaturity?
How can believers learn to allow God's will to manifest without anger? Read Psalm 40:8; Psalm 143:10; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 26:42; Hebrews 10:9.
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