~~ Sailing the pages of great books! ~~
2. Was there any character you feld you could most relate with/to?
Joachim - quiet, wise, loving
Hannah - prideful, stubborn, jealous bitter
Mary - quiet, strong-willed, passionate
Joseph - physically strong, growing emotionally
Timna - loving, kind, generous, hospitable
Jacob - reserved/shy, quiet, lazy
3. Do you think the author portrayed the characters and story well?
4. What was your favorite part, if any, and why?
5. What problems does Hannah suffer due to her pride?
6. Why do you think Joachim started to doubt Mary's story, even though he had believed her at first?
7. Mary believed that, as a child, she was more open to receiving visions and messages from God, to His communicating with her, but that -- as she grew older -- she crossed a threshold and became less receptive. Do you agree or disagree? Are we more receptive as children? What would cause that to change, if Mary's assumptions were true?
8. "He [Joseph] knew that the gift of total committment is never small." (p.74) Discuss this statement. Do you agree/disagree? Why?
9. "God ... does not expect perfection." (p.89) Do you feel comforted by this statement? Why, or why not?
10. "Human passion people could comprehend. But the passion of God for man -- no, it was too appalling." (p.183) Why is it so hard for humans to grasp the concept of God's passion for them? Why is it so hard for us them (us) to accept His unconditional love?