|
Book Title: Saved Folk in the House
by Sonnie Beverly
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
GLORY GIRLS™
March 2007
Book Selection
Saved
Folk in the House
by Sonnie Beverly
|
