Questions for Discussion
1. Feelings of guilt and disloyalty plague Rachel when she finds herself being attracted to Jake. Do you believe there’s an appropriate time to mourn a beloved spouse before moving on? Or do you believe that love is a gift from God and should be joyfully accepted whenever it’s given?
2. Jake’s sister’s violent death caused him to blame God—to completely move away from Him. Eventually, his anger faded, but by that time life had become busy and his faith had been back-burnered so long that he didn’t miss it. Was there a time when life was so consuming that you did the same? If you returned to God, what did it take to bring you back?
3. Do you believe that people who don’t attend church, yet believe in God, can be saved? What about people who don’t believe? Will God reward them if they’ve lived good lives?
4. Did you feel any sympathy for the villain who killed to protect someone he loved?
5. What are your feelings about people who do bad things for what they believe to be “good” reasons? Short of murder, can these actions ever be justified?
6. Rachel finds comfort in the scriptures, particularly the psalms and those mentioned in this book. Are there favorite passages in the Bible that speak to you?
7. It was difficult for Jake and Rachel to admit their love for each other—even to themselves—because of a betrayal in his past, and Rachel’s loyalty to the husband she’d lost. Was there a time when you wanted to tell someone that you cared, yet held back because admitting your feelings would make you uncomfortable, or you feared your feelings wouldn’t be reciprocated? Did you regret it?
8. Small towns like Charity have their share of gossips. How do you feel about gossip in general? Do you always believe what you hear? Does it end with you or do you pass it on?
9. Before sharing information that could hurt someone—even if the information is true—do you ever consider the Golden Rule—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"?
10. Rachel is overheard accusing Joe Reston of murder, and is swiftly and soundly taken to task for it. Have you ever wished you could take back something you’ve said or done?
11. The chief of police in this story is an arrogant man who does his job, but his social skills leave much to be desired. How do you deal with people who are cold and insulting for no apparent reason? Do you turn the other cheek? Or do you try to understand what made them that way and include them in your prayers?
12. On Deadly Ground opens in the spring of the year when the woods are greening, and all around there’s a feeling of rebirth. Dandelions fill the fields, songbirds seem to come out of hiding and fawns and newborn elk calves make their wide-eyed appearance in this lovely world God has created for us. Do you ever see and feel God’s presence in natural settings?