Divine (37 page)

Mary looked at her grandma's grave marker, and the words ran over and over in her mind:
She loved Jesus.
They were the words she hoped one day someone would write on her tombstone.

No matter how difficult her life or her losses, peace was finding its reign in her heart once more, certainty taking control of her soul. The love of Jesus was great and vast and wide and high. Greater than anything mankind would ever know. But it wasn't only Christ's love that made the difference. It was His power, His innate power because of who He is. Who He really is.

Fully God, fully man.

Divine.

Use these questions for individual reflection or for discussion with a book club or other small group. They will help you not only understand some of the issues in
Divine
but also integrate some of the book's messages into your own life.

1.  We know very little about the real Mary Magdalene. What we know for certain is that Jesus rescued her of seven demons—Scripture tells us that twice.

Mary Madison was delivered from seven strongholds also: fear, lying, self-inflicted pain, addiction, faithlessness, promiscuity, and thoughts of taking her life. How could any one of these ruin a person's life? Explain how these troubles were too strong for Mary to work out by herself.

2.  What strongholds have you seen in your life or the lives of people you know? Give an example of how Jesus has rescued you or one of those people.

3.  Do you think the real Mary Magdalene understood that Jesus was divine-fully man and fully God? Why or why not?

4.   We also know that Mary Magdalene made a major impact in the spread of Christianity, the ministry of Christ. She loved Jesus with all her life and resources. How did you see that part of Mary Magdalene's real story played out in
Divine,
through the life of Mary Madison?

5.   Why did Mary Madison believe so completely in the divinity of Christ? What proof have you seen in your life of the power and divinity of Christ?

6.  Jesus was the original storyteller. Look through one or more parables from the Bible. Retell one or two.

7.  Why do you think Jesus told stories? How has your life been changed by the power of a story?

8.  What do you know of the novel
The Da Vinci Code}
How has it changed the beliefs of people in your circle?

9.  Do you think it's possible for society to be changed by a work of fiction? Why or why not?

10.  Mary Madison was a victim through most of her life. Explain how you felt about Mary's childhood.

11.What are your thoughts on the pain in this world? Why do you think God allows it, and what can be gained from it?

12.How did Mary's past shape her into the adult she became?

13. Oftentimes being a victim can lead to a life of poor choices. How did this happen in Mary's life? in Emma's life?

14. Addiction is often a consequence of poor choices. Give an example of how worldly answers to addiction fall short. Why is freedom from addiction proof that a divine power intervened?

15.  Explain how Nigel Townsend was finally able to convince Mary of Christ's love. What was the illustration he acted out for her, and why was it so powerful? What emotional impact did you experience while reading that scene?

16.  How were you personally convinced of Christ's love? What led to that moment, and how did it affect your life?

17.Many times Mary and Nigel would pray and hear a response from God. Have you ever prayed and heard or felt a response? Describe how that happened and how it made you feel.

18.Was there a time in your life when you prayed fervently for something and then felt that your prayers were not answered? How did you react? Did that change your relationship with Christ?

19.Read the Bible passages about Mary Magdalene (see author's note at the beginning of this book). If Mary were alive today, what do you think she would say
about heretical teachings that she and Jesus were married?

20. Do you think Mary would have wanted to play a part in defending the divinity of Christ? Why or why not?