His Other Wife (27 page)

1. Read 1 Samuel 1:4–20. Name three ways that Hilary’s story in
   His Other Wife
   differs from the story of Hannah. Name three ways that Hilary’s story resembles Hannah’s story. Why do you think these similarities
   jumped out at you? Why do you think the author chose these similarities?
   
2. At the beginning of the book, it is easy for Hilary to be grateful to God for her husband, her job, and her son. But when
   Hilary’s life changes it becomes harder for her to be faithful. Do you think God allows difficult things to come into the
   lives of his people? Why?
   
3. Near the beginning, the author shows Hilary counseling her friend Julie as Julie goes through a divorce. Julie is hurting;
   Hilary speaks as though she’s come through to the other side. Why do you suppose the author chose to show Hilary doing well
   before she showed Hilary floundering?
   
4. Who is most to blame for Hilary’s pain? Is it Pam? Eric? Seth? Is it Hilary herself? Explain.
   
5. During the course of the story, Seth writes an essay about his mother and father taking him on a rafting trip to the Grand
   Canyon. Why do you think Seth would make up something that wasn’t true? What was Seth trying to say when he wrote the essay?
   Why do you think he would submit the essay in class but not talk about the idea to his parents?
   
6. On page 102, Alva asks her daughter, “How long has it been since you’ve listened?” When Hilary doesn’t understand Alva’s question,
   Alva continues. “Christians stay so busy trying to think what they should
   say
   , what they should
   do
   . But they don’t always think how they should
   listen
   .” What is Alva trying to tell Hilary? Discuss ways that you’ve found to listen to God.
   
7. After Laura’s accident at the party, Hilary wants “the sort of faith that made her expect something beautiful to come from
   broken places.” In
   chapter 14
   , what questions does Hilary ask God as she stands clutching the pew? Do any of these questions
   relate to what Alva said to her earlier? How? What is the answer that God whispers to Hilary at the hospital? Why do you think
   this message is difficult for Hilary to hear?
   
8. How do you think Pam’s relationship with her own father and sisters affected her relationship with Eric? With Seth? Discuss
   Pam’s point of view. She obviously has faith, too. So why would she choose to have an affair with Eric? Why do you think she
   feels like she has to compete with Hilary?
   
9. Hilary and Seth are on a sailboat together when the captain tells Hilary, “Being a sailing captain makes you understand certain
   things. Makes you understand how even though you can’t always see the wind, it’s still there to propel you forward with power.”
   Was the man talking about the wind or was he talking about something else? Explain. What is it about the man’s words that
   makes Hilary begin to see herself differently? Why do you think Hilary’s heart is open to this message now when she couldn’t
   hear it before?
   
10. A major theme in both Hannah’s story and Hilary’s story is woundedness, how God can encourage someone who is being continuously
    hurt by another person. Hilary was wounded by Pam’s actions. Toward the end of the book, Hilary’s circumstances don’t change,
    but
    she
    changes. Can you think of a specific moment in the book when Hilary began changing? Why is this significant? Is there an
    area in your life that resembles Hilary’s struggles with Pam? Do you have an idea of how you might change? If you feel comfortable,
    share this with the group. 
    

“Bedford wraps the reader in the bittersweet magic of love and loss. She opens hidden doors of the heart to reveal truth and
beauty in unlikely places. [A] splendid read.…”

—
Romantic Times

“A ROSE BY THE DOOR is a compelling page-turner, a sure-fire winner from Deborah Bedford.”

—Karen Kingsbury, bestselling author of the Women of Faith Fiction Club debut
A Time to Dance

“Bedford plucks the heartstrings with this unusual page-turner. She guides readers through layer by layer to a satisfying,
sighful resolution.”

—
Romantic Times

“The joy of this contemporary novel of faith lies in Bedford’s calm, competent voice as she spins a turbulent tale of love,
sexual misconduct and divided loyalties. Bedford… shows her veteran writing experience throughout the book by laying false
trails, creating multifaceted characters and keeping her descriptions vivid but succinct.… [T]his is a well-told tale that
should appeal to readers of faith who enjoy an inspirational love story wrapped around deeper issues.”

—
Publishers Weekly

A Rose by the Door

Remember Me

The Penny
(co-authored with Joyce Meyer)

When You Believe

A Morning Like This

Any Minute
(co-authored with Joyce Meyer)
 

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