|
Book title: A Man Inspired
Reading Group Questions:
Prologue
In his journey to fame and fortune, Jermaine had "discovered the only
person he could really trust was himself—which created all sorts of problems
once he began to forget just who that person was." Do you see a certain
irony in the contrast between Jermaine and his Aunt Bell, caught in the fog
of Alzheimer’s disease? How is the source of their trust (and therefore,
their hope) different? (See Proverbs 3:5-6.) In whom do you place your trust?
Chapter 1
Candace had one room in her home that was a sanctuary, a place where she did
no work, a refuge from the world, "where she could fully celebrate being
a woman and taste savory fruits of success." Everyone needs a space
for sanctuary—in effect, a Sabbath space. God established the Sabbath,
a day of rest, when he himself rested after creating the world (Genesis 2:1-2).
Where and when in your life have you created such a Sabbath—in time
and in space?
Chapter 2
The friendship Jermaine had had with Eric and Ronny had been incredibly precious
and rare, especially among men. Do you have that kind of relationship with
anyone in your life—past or present? With whom? What makes that friendship
so valuable? Scripture describes two such friendships: in 1 Samuel 20 and
in the Book of Ruth. (Also see Proverbs 17:17; 27:6,17; Ecclesiastes 4:7-12;
John 15:12-13.)
Chapter 3
Publishing Song of Solomon was a dream come true for Myra, a dream she had
birthed two decades earlier while still in college. What’s your dream?
How long have you been harboring it? What steps, if any, have you taken to
make it come true? Share your dream—and write it down (Habakkuk 2:2-3).
And, as God leads, plot out the next steps in bringing that vision to pass.
Chapter 4
What do you think of Ambrose at this point in the story? Is he a prophet? a
fanatic? socially or criminally insane? He thinks of himself as a modern-day
John the Baptist. Check out Luke 3:1-20 and do your own comparison study.
Chapter 5
Jermaine views Mario’s expressions of concern as being motivated more
by business than personal reasons. What do you think? Do you have people in
your life like Mario—whose motives in the relationship are suspect? How
do you interact with them? What does Scripture advise in such situations? (See
Proverbs 19:4,6; 20:6; Matthew 7:6, 15-20; 10:16.)
Chapter 6
" It’s not a good idea to start a relationship with a guy you practically
keep on a pedestal…. So when Prince Charming turns out to be less than
perfect, you’re staring at a serious wake-up call," Candi warns Tasha.
Do you agree or disagree? Why? How can we approach our relationships realistically,
while still leaving room for the romance?
Chapter 7
Jermaine knew that his image, his message, his whole life was a mirage…an
illusion. He was the premiere motivational speaker in the country, and he had
difficulty motivating himself to get up each day. In fact, he was seriously
and creatively contemplating suicide. He knew himself to be a fraud, but he
continued the performance. Why? Why do any of us daily don our masks, even
recognizing them for what they are? What keeps us from being real—and
asking for the help we desperately need (Proverbs 14:12)?
Chapter 8
A question-and-answer game… Ambrose poised himself for it in his session
with his psychologist. Candace and Jermaine positioned themselves for it in
their initial meeting. We do it in job interviews, on first dates, and in small
talk at social gatherings. How do you engage in such "games"? How
does your position going into the game determine what you get out of it? (Scripture
records a variety of occasions when Jesus engaged at different levels in the
game. See Mark 2:18–3:6; 10:17-27; 11:27-33; 12:13-37.)
Chapter 9
Candace always opened an interview with the same two questions because she
knew they caught people off-guard—and revealed a lot about them. Answer
those two questions yourself: What is your favorite book (and why)? What
is the last book you read, and why did you choose it?
Chapter 10
Aunt Bell continues to intercede tirelessly for Jermaine, claiming the scriptural
promise in Proverbs 22:6. What does that Scripture mean to you—as the
child of your own parents or guardian and as a parent (or parent-figure)
to other children? How have you experienced its fulfillment?
Chapter 11
What would it look like for you to find someone with whom you "connect
on every level"? (See Genesis 2:18-25.) Is that person out there—or
have you already found him? Do you believe in love-at-first-sight…soul
mates…that sort of thing? Why or why not?
Chapter 12
Jermaine shared his "most embarrassing moment" story, identifying
the lesson he learned from the experience: "Sometimes it’s better
to be heard and not seen." Do you agree or disagree? Why? In what situations
is being heard better? In what situations might being seen be better?
Chapter 13
Unbeknownst to Jermaine, while he was wrestling with depression and suicidal
thoughts on the inside, Chantal and Spike were plotting an attack from the
outside. Have you ever had days, weeks, months, even years like that…when
you feel embattled from within and without? Have you ever felt the struggle
of life and death within your own spirit? Paul did. Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
for his response to such feelings.
Chapter 14
Candace tells Jermaine that getting married is the highlight of every woman’s
life. Do you agree or disagree? Why? If you disagree, what do you think is
(or should be) the highlight? Then, Jermaine tells Candi that the secret to
winning any woman’s heart is the ability to make her laugh. Agree or
disagree? Why? What’s the secret to winning your heart?
Chapter 15
Jermaine was adamant about declining the latest lucrative guest appearance—because
it interfered with his plans to be with Candi. Do you think he was learning
that money isn’t everything? Why or why not? (See Proverbs 23:4-5; Matthew
6:24; and 1 Timothy 6:6-10,17-19 for scriptural insights about wealth.)
Chapter 16
Ask yourself Jermaine’s motivational question, "What is the big-time,
exactly?" In other words, how do you define success? How does God define
it? See Proverbs 3:1-18; Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 12:13-21; and 1 Corinthians 13.
Chapter 17
Jermaine and Candi almost make love together—but she finally calls a
halt. Why? Did she do the right thing? Why or why not? If so, did she do it
for the right reasons?
Chapter 18
Jermaine is absolutely devastated by what he interprets as Candace’s
rejection. It seems to underscore every other rejection or abandonment he has
suffered in life. When you are feeling abandoned, rejected, and alone, where
do you go and to whom do you turn? Consider opening your Bible to these passages:
Psalm 40, 42, 46, 121, 130; Romans 8:26-28.
Chapter 19
Myra had staked her dream on this feature interview between Candace and Jermaine—and
now it appeared that the golden opportunity had turned to lead. Even as Xavier
prayed, Myra’s mind raced with worries, plans, and strong emotions. When
have you faced a comparable situation? How did you respond? How would Scripture
advise us? (See Psalm 46 and John 14:27.)
Chapter 20
How did the abrupt swarm of paparazzi serve as an answer to Aunt Bell’s
prayer? When has an apparently negative incident in your life proved to be
your salvation in the long run?
Chapter 21
The relationship between Jermaine’s suicidal urges and his sanity has
been questioned repeatedly throughout the story. Now that he has actually made
an attempt on his life, the question is finally called: What do you think?
Is Jermaine crazy? Explain.
Chapter 22
In the aftermath of Jermaine’s suicide attempt and the tabloid exposé,
Myra was dealing with "an epic faith crisis," in God and in herself.
Xavier counseled her to take heart, that "sometimes God allows trying
situations to best his children so their faith might be established and strengthened." Paul
offers much the same reassurance in Romans 5:3-5; so does James in James 1:2-4.
How have you experienced the harvest of good fruit from trying times?
Chapter 23
Ambrose tells Jermaine that listening and hearing are two quite different things.
What’s the difference? How does James’s exhortation in James
1:22-25 illustrate the principle Ambrose is hinting at?
Chapter 24
Jermaine is tormented by a recurring dream. It is powerful and terrifying to
him. You can guess that it has spiritual significance in his life. What do
you think it means? Have you ever had a recurring dream of that caliber,
one that you suspect is God trying to get your attention? How do you respond
to such dreams?
Chapter 25
Jermaine once declared the secret to happiness and success is to "do what
you love and love what you do." Ambrose now observes that "what you
do is not who you are." If you really love what you do, however, it is
easy to start equating that doing with your being. We do it casually when we
answer the question "Who are you?" with a relational or vocational
response, instead of with our name (e.g., "I’m Ryan’s mom" or "I’m
An entrepreneur or a minister"). How do you balance the two truisms in
your own life—both in your relationships (whom you love) and in your
vocation (what you love)?
Chapter 26
For Candace, returning to church was like coming home. Have you ever experienced
that feeling—the unconditional love and willing forgiveness of the
Holy Spirit—or even just the warm embrace of sisters and brothers in
Christ after an absence from your home congregation? Read Jesus’ parable
about the prodigal (in Luke 15:11-32) through Candi’s eyes—and
walking that long road home yourself in the prodigal’s shoes.
Chapter 27
Jermaine is finally beginning to understand his dream—and the suffocating
sensation of being unable to breathe. He is making the connection between the
etymological meaning of the word inspire and the word breath. They are the
same (e.g., respiratory disease refers to breathing disorders). How have you
experienced the relationship between the two—inspiration and breath?
Check out the familiar story in Ezekiel 37 for a powerful illustration of the
connection between breath, spirit, life, and inspiration.
Chapter 28
Jermaine’s call to Aunt Bell with news of his saving encounter with Jesus
was balm to her soul. How do you think his confession of faith to the woman
who raised him affected Jermaine? Talk about the power of your testimony—to
those who hear it (saved and unsaved) and to you yourself. What does Scripture
say about that dynamic? (See Romans 1:16-17; 10:9-10; Revelation 12:10-12.)
Chapter 29
Ambrose cites 2 Timothy 1:6-7 as he discipled Jermaine in a discovery of God’s
call on his life. What gifts are hidden in you, placed there by the laying
on of hands (or any other inspired impartation)? How can you stir them up and
use them for God? (Read also 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5.)
Chapter 30
Jermaine told Mario he wasn’t religious. He just had a relationship with
Jesus. What’s the difference? How does a relationship with Christ change
us in a way that religion doesn’t? How has his new faith changed Jermaine?
Chapter 31
How did Jermaine’s interview with Chantal powerfully (and humorously!)
illustration the truth in Paul’s assurance in Romans 8:26-27? How have
you experienced such mediation and intercession on your behalf on the part
of the Holy Spirit?
Chapter 32
Did Jermaine’s decision to remain on the motivational speaking circuit
surprise you? Why or why not? Sometimes, in the church, we assume a person
with a gift for speaking and inspiring people should go into church or parachurch
ministry—as Mario put it, in the style of Billy Graham or TD Jakes. Should
our most gifted speakers all end up behind a pulpit of some kind? Why or why
not? (Read Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:7,11-13.)
Chapter 33
Candi encouraged Jermaine to find a good home church and people to hold him
accountable and disciple him in his growth and maturity as a Christian man.
Do you have a faith community and people in your life who can do that for
you? Why or why not? If you are going through these questions in a small
group, how can the members be that for one another—giving and receiving?
Epilogue
Jermaine and Candace had discovered in each other their own Ms. and Mr. Right.
And, at their wedding, they spoke vows they had written themselves. If you
find Mr. Right what original vows will you speak on your future wedding day?
What is it you are willing to promise?
| 
