Saving Gideon (40 page)

2. How does Gideon’s farm offer Avery refuge from her broken engagement and the mantle of responsibility of her life in Dallas? Have you ever wanted to get away like Avery? How did you accomplish this or handle feeling overwhelmed with your day-to-day life?

3. Though most people would consider Avery’s life in Dallas to be perfect, Avery enjoys her time on Gideon’s farm. Is she hiding from reality or embracing a new way of life?

4. Avery comes from great wealth and privilege, yet she embraces the rural chores and lifestyle. Have you ever wished for a slower lifestyle? What changes have you made to achieve it?

5. Gideon refuses to sleep in the house with Avery—not even in a different room. How does this reflect the Amish respect for each other, their community, and God? Is chivalry dead? Can it be found again in secular society? If you could bring back an old-fashioned notion such as this, which one would you revive and why?

6. In the house garden, Avery tells Mary Elizabeth about coercing Gideon into promising to attend the work frolic. Mary Elizabeth in turn tells Avery that the voice of God played a hand. How do you feel about the Lord speaking through us? Do you feel you’ve heard the voice of God? Did you obey what was said or no? Were you sorry or grateful for that decision?

7. After Avery’s arrival, Gideon goes into town, plants crops, and begins to restock his animals. How does her arrival spurn him to action without her direct encouragement? Do you think this is an example of how God works in our lives without us even realizing it?

8. Ex-fiancé Jack is the reason Avery came to Oklahoma Amish country. How does his appearance solidify her views of her friends and her time with the Amish? Is Jack an accurate representation of the secular world? Or is he merely the personification of the intrusions we all face when walking in faith? How do you deal with these intrusions into your life?

9. Avery encourages Gideon to invest in alpacas and make his farm self-sustaining again. How could raising different livestock help Gideon? Have you ever had to start over from scratch? How did starting over affect your family and friends?

10. Ruth’s cancer diagnosis is the breaking point for Gideon. How does this news end up renewing his faith and bringing him closer to his family? How has such news in your life affected your family? What could you do to bring family closer together in the face of tragedy?

11. Avery believes that Gideon is reluctant to kiss her because of his love for his late wife. Most Amish marriages are based off need and compatibility, but not romantic love. How does Gideon use Avery’s misconception to temper their attraction? Have you ever allowed someone to misunderstand in order to protect your heart?

12. The underlying theme of
Saving Gideon
is “love heals all wounds.” How does God’s love heal us? Have you ever been in a situation where the love of God or the love of another person healed/saved you from grief (or worse)?

13. Does Avery save Gideon? Or does Gideon save Avery? How is this reflected in what Jesus sacrificed for mankind?