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 Boaz Brown by Michelle Stimpson. This is designed as a starting point only and is not meant to limit the discussion.

Chapter 1
Turning thirty-one felt like a watershed in LaShondra's life. "It was time to reevaluate some things; carefully consider how to expend my time and energy," she thought. What age(s) served as that kind of mile-marker for you? From where you sit now, how does your present measure up to the goals or assumptions you formulated in the past? Read Jeremiah 29:11-13, Matthew 6:25-34, and 1 Corinthians 13:9-12. What do these Scriptures suggest to you about the future?

Chapter 2
From her first "crush" through a tangle of ill-fated relationships, Shondra had developed a pretty clear idea of what she wanted in a life partner, her Boaz. Do you? What have your past relationships taught you about Mr. Wrong? What vision of Mr. Right has emerged from those experiences? Read Genesis 2:18-25 to refresh your memory of God's vision for the "perfect match"!

Chapter 3
Driving through the neighborhood in which she had grown up, LaShondra mused, "I had roots there, even if the ground was less than desirable." Where are your roots, and how do you feel about them now? Are you still planted there-or have you been repotted, transplanted, or uprooted? What insights do Jesus' parables about the sowers and seeds in Matthew 13 (see verses 18-23 and 24-30) have in relation to the soil of your past?

Shondra and her father have different ideas about how blacks should become part of America's so-called melting pot. What ideas do you have on the subject? Read Isaiah 56, especially verses 6-8, and Revelation 21-22, and consider the vision that God has for the nations and races of the world.

Chapter 4
God was dealing with LaShondra about love-and then led her to Galatians 3:16-19, a text that says nothing explicitly about love. Read that Scripture again in your favorite Bible version, and reflect on the question, What do love, prejudice, and Galatians 3:16-19 have to do with one another?

It felt incredibly unfair to Shondra that God was convicting her, a black woman so often the victim of prejudice, on that subject. How does that conviction feel to you? How do you wrestle with the kinds of racial or ethnic prejudices Shondra described? Read Numbers 12, and consider how Miriam and Aaron, newly freed slaves themselves, must have felt when God convicted them of their prejudice toward Moses' Cushite (black) wife.

Chapter 5
Shondra mentions several times the dynamic of acting or being different in the presence of whites (or non-blacks)-her dialect, her smile, her comfort level. "The less I saw of white people, the more I could be myself," she admitted honestly. How do you alter yourself in "mixed" company? Are such alterations based solely on race-or also on gender, age, or other factors? Is there integrity in such changeability? Why or why not? Consider two contrasting Scriptures for insights into the question-especially as they relate to motives (see Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-24).

Chapter 6
LaShondra sincerely wrestled with the question of how to look beyond race/skin color in her relationships with others-and yet still retain her own racial identity. How do you resolve that tension for yourself? What does Romans 5:14-20 teach us about dealing with the question of an identity (racial or otherwise) that loves as Christ does, beyond worldly considerations?

Chapter 7
LaShondra corrected her own estimation of Stelson: "Anybody can be nice. Stelson was kind. Kindness is something that comes from the inside." What did she mean by that? How would you distinguish between niceness and kindness? In Scripture, the word often translated as "kindness" in the KJV is usually rendered "love" or "loyalty" in more modern translations (e.g., Genesis 20:13). Do a biblical study of the concept of kindness by reading one or more of the following passages: the Book of Ruth; 1 Samuel 20:13-17 and 2 Samuel 9:1-7; Isaiah 54:1-8; and 2 Peter 1:5-8.

Chapter 8
In the singles' ministry, Brother Johnson applied Acts 10:34-35 to the search for a life partner. One of the women responded, "But, we're talking about my man." There seem to be two truths here: first, that we are called to love and accept all people, as God does, and second, that we will choose one person for a spouse. How should the first truth influence the second? What role should one's personal preferences play as we prayerfully seek God's life for our future? (Because, let's keep it real: Personal preferences will play a role!)

Chapter 9
Shondra was shocked to learn that her "historically black denomination" actually had its earliest roots in a racially integrated revival, way back in the early 1900s. Did that fact shock you, too? Why or why not? Such early strides toward racial reconciliation and equality can both encourage and frustrate us today. So, read Acts 2, especially verses 1-21, for a reminder of the Spirit's early movement toward unity in the body of Christ. What can we learn from the story of Pentecost to encourage our churches today?

Chapter 10
During the tutoring session, LaShondra had "forgotten what color Stelson was." But, in the sanctuary, she became highly aware of his race once again. Why? What made the difference? The reality is, interracial relationships-whether friendship or courtship-may be relatively easy to negotiate one on one. The challenges arise when society gets involved. How can you handle that? Consider Acts 10:1-11:18 as a case study in how God deals with us, individually, in small groups, and then before the "critics"!

Chapter 11
After the incident in the restaurant, Shondra told Stelson, "Until you've worn black, you can't begin to empathize"-even though she also pointed out that the discriminatory experience was his as well as hers. Her point seems to be that they experienced it differently-even though it was a shared experience. How can "well-meaning white people" participate with integrity in such an experience? How can black folks allow white friends to be with them during such an experience? What wisdom does Scripture have to offer us on the question of standing together in the face of trials, injustice, and pain? (See Isaiah 58:1-12; Galatians 6:1-5.)

Chapter 12
"It was never about black or white-it was about my relationship with Christ," Shondra realized, and asked herself the tough question, "Could I relinquish my definition of myself-first black, then Christian?" Ask yourself the same question: Can you? Read Philippians 3:4-11 and consider Paul's decision around the same issue of ethnic identity versus his identity in Christ.

Chapter 13
Shondra discovered that even as she explored a deeper relationship with Stelson and a stronger connection with him than she had ever before experienced-she was also feeling more and more disconnected from her family and friends. How did she handle that? How would you? She wanted to be true to herself and to her roots-but who she was…was changing, while her roots were very much the same. How do we bring our loved ones alongside as we move on in our spiritual journey? How can we cope if our family or friends refuse to grow with us? Psalm 55:12-14 captures the pain, and Proverbs 16:7 offers a foundation to build our hope on!

Chapter 14
When Peaches and LaShondra finally had it out over Stelson, Peaches didn't pull any punches. She threw out every argument that Shondra had been having with herself for months. As a group, discuss the issues and questions Peaches raised-and keep it real. Are you persuaded by Shondra's responses? Why or why not? She quotes some deep scriptural and spiritual principles-but how do you feel about dating a white man? Then, break it all the way down: How do you feel about a white woman dating a brother? Has reading about Shondra's experience influenced your feelings at all? Why or why not?

Chapter 15
Stelson urged LaShondra to conduct her own "internal investigation," and she realized that the real issue was the heart-her own and the hearts of the teachers on her staff. Scripture tells us that the heart-and judging it-is God's territory (1 Samuel 16:7). The Bible also makes it clear that God and God alone is judge of such matters (Psalm 7:8-11; Psalm 50; James 2:1-13). Shondra recognized her need to do less judging-and more negotiating of the heartfelt differences in perspective concerning the behavioral issues with black and white students alike. If you applied that insight to your own life, what would it look like?

Chapter 16
"It wouldn't be the first time [God] sent help in the form of a problem," Stelson reminded Shondra. She marveled as she acknowledged the truth-that in a season of trouble and trial, one she counted as an "enemy" had become a friend closer than a brother. Doesn't that sound like a story Jesus would tell? (Indeed, he did, in the parable of the Good Samaritan! See Luke 10:30-37.) What has that parable/principle looked like in your life? If you haven't seen it yet, look again…for God's help in the least likely of people or places.

Chapter 17
LaShondra's surprising experience at the karaoke bar took her out of herself for while. She could forget her race, her gender, her grief, her family, her job-and just revel in the pure, childlike fun of the evening. When was the last time you had an evening (or afternoon or morning!) like that? The healing power of laughter, of joy, is well documented-in medical science and in Scripture (see Proverbs 15:13 and 17:22). How can you create more space in your life for the re-creation that recreation brings?

Chapter 18
When Shondra braced herself to tell her mother about Stelson, what she prayed for was love. Not peace or patience or grace or wisdom or understanding-not anything but love. Why? What could love bring into that emotionally charged confrontation that nothing else could? (See 1 Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3:12-17.)

Chapter 19
LaShondra had to acknowledge-to herself and to Stelson-that the more intimate their friendship became emotionally and spiritually, the more she wrestled with her sexual desires for Stelson. What a blessing that they could talk candidly about their mutual attraction-as both a challenge and a cause for celebration. Scripture recognizes that passion is both of those things as well. Read Song of Songs to understand a biblical celebration of sex and physical intimacy; then read Paul's cautions about lust in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. How do you balance the challenge and celebration of your sexuality? What commitments have you made, individually or in a significant relationship, concerning your sexuality?

Chapter 20
Ask yourself Jonathan's question: "Who am I, if I'm not black?" Take time to answer that question honestly, from the gut-and then look at some of the following passages to learn what Scripture has to say on the subject: Genesis 1:26-31; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 5:8-10.

Chapter 21
LaShondra's father thought blacks and whites would get along "when hell freezes over." Momma snapped back, "Well, your daughter just threw down some ice." What kind of ice are you throwing down in your relationships with folks from other races-ice that will cool the enemy's fires of hatred, bigotry, racism, and prejudice? Read Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:1-17; and 1 John 4:7-5:5 for some wise counsel in building community, even (and especially) across cultural differences.

Chapter 22
After Stelson's proposal and Shondra's acceptance, Mr. Smith looked half happy and half not about the engagement. Shondra "took the happy." Was she in denial? Why or why not? Read Romans 5:1-5 and consider how that progression in Shondra's life might have produced in her the hope that enabled her to "take the happy" from her dad.