Discussion questions for Like Always, by Robert Elmer
- Will’s Uncle Fred questioned their decision to
buy a remote, run-down resort. If you were Uncle Fred, how would you have
advised the couple, and upon what would you base your advice?
- When Michael is on his way home from serving in
Iraq, he wonders if he will be able to forget the horror of what he had
seen and experienced. Does he ever forget? If not, what or who helps him
he most? Is it realistic to think we can forget our worst memories? How
does God deal with our unpleasant memories? What does Isaiah 61:3 say
about God’s methods?
- Then at the end of the story (page 303), Will
finally realizes that he had forgotten Michael was adopted. In that
forgetfulness they had overcome a barrier in their relationship. What does
it take to forget in that way?
- In the beginning of the book Stephanie asked
herself if God had anything exciting for her life, fearing she was stuck
in her hometown for the rest of her life. What did God send in answer to
her prayer? Have you ever felt stuck—in a place or a situation? What’s the
difference between being stuck and being faithful? How can you tell the
difference? And if you do decide you’re stuck, what’s the best way to get
unstuck?
- Explain Michael’s motives for tearing down the
poster with his picture, hanging on the wall at the tire store. Do you
think his motives were proper? What’s the best way to respond when people
call attention to your accomplishments? When does modesty become false
modesty? Can you think of a Scriptural basis for your opinion?
- At Merit’s book club, everyone seems to know that
Bernice is a Christian. Why do you think that was true? Did she get away
with it because of her old age? Are people in everyday social settings
aware of your faith?
- At her going-away party, Merit made her friends
repeat the words “I solemnly promise that I will come to visit Merit and
Will, and that everything will be like it always was.” What motivated her
to do this? In a similar situation, would you make your friends promise
the same thing? Can anyone expect to maintain a long-distance friendship,
after one of the friends moves away? If so, how can it be done—or should
it?
- Merit and her older sister Sydney drifted apart
over the years. What kept them apart, and how did each sister specifically
try to rekindle the relationship? Were their methods similar? For
yourself, is it harder or easier to maintain a relationship with a close
relative? What should we do if we find ourselves far apart in issues of
faith? What if it gets especially heated, as in chapter 24?
- When Will first hears the news of Merit’s
condition from the doctor (page 135), he admits to himself that he had
been ignoring his relationship to God. At that point, how did he pray? Do
you ever fall back on memorized prayers? What are the advantages, or
disadvantages?
- This book revolves around a decision Merit makes
in chapter 17 (page 139). Although it seemed to the doctor that she made a
snap decision, what went into Merit’s stand? How important was it for Will
to back her up, and how close do you think she came to reversing her
decision without his full support? (See page 157.) If Merit were your
friend—or your daughter—what would you tell her to do?
- Will said he was “not okay” with Merit’s decision
to refuse medical treatment (page 146). As a husband, was he justified in
saying this? As a father, could he also make the same claim? Can you think
of times when your obligations have conflicted, depending on which role
you assume? In those cases, how do you resolve the conflict?
- Pastor Bud tells Will about the case of Rita
Fedrizzi, a real-life example of someone who faced a choice similar to
Merit’s. In a sense, Mrs. Fedrizzi’s case inspired this fictional story;
her moral courage was the model for
Merit. Whose moral courage serves as your model?
- In chapter 22, Stephanie explains how her mother
had always pointed out landmarks, significant places because “it was
important for her to know where she came from.” Does Stephanie follow that
pattern? Why or why not? How important are those reminders in your life,
and why are they important?
- In chapter 22, Will wonders “what to say that God
didn’t already know or that (He) hadn’t already been begged for.” (page
174) Explain what part this wondering plays in his spiritual journey. Have
you ever felt that way about prayer? How did you resolve the tension
between persistent prayer and believing that God answers?
- When Will and Merit argue about moving back to
California (chapter 23) Merit says God moved them to Idaho for a reason,
and Will counters that she is “spiritualizing” things, looking for an easy
out. With whom do you agree, and why?
- In chapter 25, Merit hangs up on the reporter who
had lied and fabricated a story about them. She later misleads a
television reporter. Is her anger justified, and thus her actions? How
should a person react when they are misrepresented or lied about? Have you
ever been in that position?
- When Merit and Will get away in chapter 29, Will
says he is afraid. (page 233) What is he afraid of? Have you ever felt the
same kind of fear? How do you resolve it?
- When Merit addresses visiting church members
(page 289) she calls herself “crazy.” What kind of crazy is she talking
about? Define it. Now Read 1 Corinthians 1:27 – Is Paul talking about the
same kind of crazy? If so, how can we build that kind of foolishness into
our lives?