This Side of Heaven (28 page)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Please share these questions with your book clubs, church groups, friends, and family. Discussion makes the experience of reading so much richer!

1. Talk about Annie’s relationship with her son prior to his death. What was her opinion of him, and why?

2. Nate plays a lesser role in this story. What was his relationship with Josh, and how did it differ from Annie’s relationship with him?

3. Talk about a time when you or someone you know has been tempted to value the people in your life based on performance or perfection. What was the outcome of that attitude?

4. How do you define success in the lives of the people you love? How important is it to tell the people you love that you’re proud of them?

5. Have you ever experienced a loss that made you doubt God or feel angry toward God? Explain.

6. Annie was struck by the song at Josh’s funeral, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Have you ever doubted God’s faithfulness? Talk about that time.

7. Lamentations talks about God’s mercies being new every morning. How was that true for Annie? How has it been true in your life?

8. Explain the emotions Annie went through as she made the series of discoveries about Josh after his death. When have you or someone you know been wrong about the way you viewed someone you love? How was the discovery made of that person’s real character?

9. Maria Cameron made many poor choices in her life. What were some of those choices? Talk about how those choices can affect people in real life.

10. What common theme seemed to dominate Maria’s life? How can greed get in the way of loving the people God has placed around us?

11. Thomas Flynn was a good and godly attorney. Why do you think so many attorneys have a bad reputation? Talk about a situation that may have tainted your view of lawyers.

12. Why is it important that we have people of integrity in the field of law? Tell about a situation where a lawyer of great virtue made a difference.

13. The sign on Thomas Flynn’s desk reads,
“In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,”
a Scripture found in Romans 8:28. How have you seen that verse apply in your life and the lives of those you love?

14. Tell about a time when you doubted the promise in Romans 8:28. How did that situation resolve, and if it hasn’t, how might you find a way to apply that Scripture to your life?

15. Josh prayed daily for the chance to meet his daughter, Savannah. At the same time, Savannah prayed that she would meet her daddy. Neither of those prayers seemed to be answered this side of heaven. Talk about a time when your prayers weren’t answered the way you wanted. How can we see God in moments like that?

16. Becky Wheaton had regrets about her relationship with Josh. Explain Annie’s advice to Becky. Tell about a time when you or someone you know had regrets about a relationship. What are some ways to handle that type of situation?

17. Annie was willing to fight to the end to protect Josh’s settlement. Why was this? Do you think Annie was a greedy person? Why or why not?

18. Cody Gunner wasn’t sure about going to Annie with the story of his last conversation with Josh. Tell about a time when someone came to you with life-changing news. What did Cody’s admission mean to Annie?

19. Annie’s prayers that she would have time with Savannah were answered very dramatically. Talk about that. Whom are you praying for right now? What can you focus on so that you’ll be encouraged to continue to pray? Tell about a time when a prayer in your life was answered after someone spent time praying for you.

20. Many different types of love are illustrated in this book. Talk about a few of them, and explain what types of love are illustrated in your life.

If you enjoyed
This Side of Heaven
,

you’ll love

Just Beyond the Clouds
,

the unforgettable story of two brothers

and the woman whose love can set them both free.

Still aching over the death of his wife, Cody Gunner can’t bear the thought of letting go of his brother, Carl Joseph, who has Down syndrome. Cody wants his brother home, where he will be safe and cared for, not out on his own in a world that Cody knows can be heartless and cruel. So when Carl Joseph’s teacher, Elle, begins championing his independence, she finds herself at odds with Cody. But even as these two battle out their differences, they can’t deny the connection they share, and Cody faces a crisis of heart.

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And be sure to check out

Like Dandelion Dust
,

Karen’s bestselling novel about a couple’s love for

their son and the lengths to which they will

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Jack and Molly Campbell are right where they want to be, enjoying an idyllic life with their adopted four-year-old son, Joey. But everything changes when the Campbells receive a phone call from Joey’s social worker: Joey’s biological father has been released from prison. He’s ready to start his life over, but not without getting custody of his son.

A judge’s quick decision deals a devastating blow to the Campbell family: Joey must return to his biological parents. The day after the ruling, in a haze of grief and disbelief, the Campbells watch their adopted son pick a dandelion and blow the feathery seeds into the wind.

In the days that follow, Jack Campbell conceives a desperate and dangerous thought. What if they can devise a way out? What if they take Joey and just disappear . . . LIKE DANDELION DUST?

Available now wherever books are sold.

You’ll also love

A Thousand Tomorrows
!

Cody Gunner is a nationally renowned bull rider—cocky, brash, and a legend among his peers. Abandoned as a child by the people he needed most, Cody swears he will never allow himself to love again.

Recognized horsewoman Ali Daniels denies love as well. Carrying a terrible secret, she lives life to the fullest, taking risks and refusing relationships. When Cody and Ali meet, their first instincts are to hide behind their emotional walls, seemingly doomed to repeat the patterns they have established for most of their lives. But their attraction is too strong, and despite their fears, they bare their souls to each other.

Only after three years—a thousand tomorrows later— do they realize at what cost their relationship comes. In the end, they must decide if love is worth the ultimate prize.

Available now wherever books are sold.

Other Life-Changing Fiction™ by Karen Kingsbury

September 11th Series

One Tuesday Morning

Beyond Tuesday Morning

Every Now and Then

Lost Love Series

Even Now

Ever After

Stand-Alone Titles

Oceans Apart

Between Sundays

When Joy Came to Stay

On Every Side

Divine

Like Dandelion Dust

Where Yesterday Lives

Redemption Series

Redemption

Remember

Return

Rejoice

Reunion

Firstborn Series

Fame

Forgiven

Found

Family

Forever

Sunrise Series

Sunrise

Summer

Someday

Sunset

Red Glove Series

Gideon’s Gift

Maggie’s Miracle

Sarah’s Song

Hannah’s Hope

Forever Faithful Series

Waiting for Morning

Moment of Weakness

Halfway to Forever

Women of Faith Fiction Series

A Time to Dance

A Time to Embrace

Cody Gunner Series

A Thousand Tomorrows

Just Beyond the Clouds

This Side of Heaven

Children’s Titles

Let Me Hold You Longer

Let’s Go on a Mommy Date

We Believe in Christmas

Miracle Collections

A Treasury of Christmas Miracles

A Treasury of Miracles for Women

A Treasury of Miracles for Teens

A Treasury of Miracles for Friends

A Treasury of Adoption Miracles

Gift Books

Stay Close, Little Girl

Be Safe, Little Boy

Forever Young: Ten Gifts of Faith for the Graduate