The Captain's Christmas Family (19 page)
Read The Captain's Christmas Family Online
Authors: Deborah Hale
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #General
- At the beginning of the story, Marian hears that Captain Radcliffe has arrived at Knightley Park in spite of her prayers. Have you ever felt God was ignoring your prayers? How did that make you feel? Looking back, do you still see it that way or has time given you a new perspective?
- Faced with his two young cousins, Gideon fears he cannot provide what they might need emotionally. Have you ever felt you weren’t equipped to help someone who might have needed you? What did you do?
- Marian allows rumors and gossip about the captain to color her initial opinion of him. Do you find it hard to keep an open mind about someone when you’ve heard bad things about them? Can you think of ways you might try to counter the effects of gossip?
- When Marian asks if he will mind hearing the girls practice their piano lessons, Gideon says, “It is difficult to learn anything of value without making mistakes.” How do you think that statement applies to Gideon in this story?
- Gideon doesn’t believe that God knows or cares about his “trivial concerns any more than the vast ocean cares for one insignificant ship that floats
upon it.” What kind of answer would you have given Gideon if you had been in Marian’s place? - When Marian decides it would be good for Gideon to seek custody of Dolly and Cissy, she thinks it is “too important a task to leave up to the power of prayer alone.” What do you think about that? In what ways might our prayers and actions work together for good?
- How did the events of Gideon’s childhood shape his doubts about the power of prayer? Have painful events in your life affected your ability to trust or believe? Were you able to overcome them and, if so, how?
- Gideon thinks that Marian’s painful memories might trouble her more at Christmastime, in contrast to the pervading happiness of the season. Do you know anyone for whom Christmas is a sad or lonely time? Can you think of any ways you might help?
- When she hears the carolers singing, Marian is touched by the wonder of Christmas. What is your favorite Christmas carol? Why does it have special significance for you?
- When Gideon slips on a patch of ice while running after Cissy in Newark, it seems like a disaster, yet his fall brings the child back to him. Have you ever
had something bad happen to you that turned out to be a blessing in disguise? - Cissy tells Gideon she thinks God hasn’t answered her prayers because she hasn’t been good enough. How would you respond to a child who felt that way?
- Gideon, Marian and the girls exchange small Christmas gifts that carry a great deal of care and love. What other precious, intangible gifts do they give each other through the course of the story?
ISBN: 978-1-4592-8258-2
THE CAPTAIN’S CHRISTMAS FAMILY
Copyright © 2011 by Deborah M. Hale
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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