By Judy Mitchell Rich

LIKE SHEEP

By Judy Mitchell Rich

Discussion Guide

By Mitch Todd

Chapter 1-5

SHARE: Describe an awkward worship experience you’ve had.
REFLECT: If you were in Suzanne’s shoes, what would you have done differently in your first days at Harvest?
READ: Psalm 23. Share times you’ve experienced this well-known passage.
DISCUSS: The painting of Jesus and the lambs is a centerpiece for this community. Up to this point, how is Suzanne a shepherd, and how is she a lamb?
THINK: What happens to an existing system (church, family, etc.) when an outside element is introduced?
ACT: Revisit how you respond to new people in your church, community, neighborhood.
PRAY: Pray for people outside of their comfort zones, for people taking on new challenges, and for those who live different lives from our own.

Chapter 6-10

SHARE: What, to you, is an ideal size and setting for a church?
REFLECT: How is Bell’s work the same or different from Suzanne’s? Which job would you prefer?
READ: Matthew 25:35-36. Of this list, which might be the most difficult for you to do?
DISCUSS: What is the main purpose of a church? Does a church’s size change its effectiveness?
THINK: The Harvest church has been plagued by a “ghost”. What effect can sabotage have on a system?
ACT: Everybody has a life story. Whose story would you like to learn?

PRAY: Pray forpeople who feel harassed, for people who open their homes to others, and for people who struggle to find their way.

Chapter 11-15

SHARE: Tell about one of the worst bosses you’ve worked for.
REFLECT: Suzanne shares her challenges in a safe place (clergy group) and an unsafe place (Dr. Talley). What makes a place safe or unsafe for you?
READ: Colossians 4:5-6 Who are the “outsiders” in your community?
DISCUSS: George is angry about the phone calls, but doesn’t want help from any “outsiders”. Why not?
THINK: The definition of the word “insidious” is: “proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect; stealthily treacherous or deceitful” (dictionary.com). Is an insidious threat worse than an overt one?
ACT: Do you have a group of friends you can confide in? If not, what would it take to start one?
PRAY: Pray for those facing harassment, for those who seek to overcome it, and for those who have been burned by it.

Chapter 16-20

SHARE: Did you (or your kids) ever go through a rebellious phase?
REFLECT: Do you think there’s any correlation between Suzanne’s work life and Peter’s rebellion?
READ: Romans 12:9-10 What challenges make this so hard to do?
DISCUSS: Mrs. Robbins dies having had seemingly little meaning or purpose to her life. How are the people of Harvest able to authentically celebrate her life?
THINK: As Suzanne’s relationship with Peter struggles, her relationship with the women of the church abruptly improves. How are these relationships alike? How are they different?

ACT: Visit shut-ins and those in nursing homes.
PRAY: For the rebellious, for the reconciled, for the dearly departed.

Chapter 21-25

SHARE: Has anyone left you an anonymous note? What impact did it have?
REFLECT: When Peter and Julie ring the church bell, it represents a seemingly small change in the traditions of Harvest church. How does tradition (and the possibility of change) effect different people differently?
READ: Isaiah 1:11-17. In this passage, Isaiah declares God’s dissatisfaction with a longstanding Israelite tradition. What traditions (spoken and unspoken) may need to change at Harvest, or in your church or family, and for what purpose?
DISCUSS: A “Whodunnit” is fun in an Agatha Christi mystery, but in Harvest the seeds of suspicion are becoming more and more disruptive. Is there an antidote to suspicion? If you were Suzanne, what would you do?
THINK: In Suzanne’s visit with Minnie, Minnie says “It seems like God has left us. I used to feel God in the church but not so much anymore.” Under what conditions does it most seem to you that God is present or absent?
ACT: Write a supportive note to somebody. And sign your name.
PRAY: For churches who struggle, for people who cry out “Help me”, for the innocence of children and the tendency to become jaded as adults.

Chapter 26-30

SHARE: What qualities do you look for in a confidant? Share an example.
REFLECT: Alton says “If you stir it up, no good will come of it. Just let it alone.” What are some of the different ways people deal with conflict? What about you?
READ: Psalm 13:1-2. The situation in Harvest has caused pain (grief) to many. How is the pain affecting: George, Alton, Suzanne, Bell, Bertha, others? How do you deal with pain?
DISCUSS: Suzanne says to Bertha: “We’d have a hard time speaking truth to someone hidden.” How do people tackle hidden problems like abuse, addiction, or mental illness?Do you move toward people in pain or away from them?

THINK: Frances calls with pain of a very different variety. Do you think pain seeks out pain? Does evil seekout evil?
ACT: Pour out your pain. In a journal, to a friend, in prayer, etc.
PRAY: For people in conflict, for marriages in trouble, for a world of hurt.

Chapter 31-35

SHARE: Frances’ visit is because of pain, but there is a lot of joy in the reunion. Have you ever experienced joy in the midst of pain?
REFLECT: An anonymous call sends Suzanne out on dangerous roads. Is there a line between harassing behavior and evil behavior?
READ: Leviticus 26:4-12. A covenant is a kind of holy promise. How is Frances’ marriage covenant threatening to be broken? What about the covenant between God and the people of Harvest? The covenant amongst the members of the church?
DISCUSS: Minnie speaks about Tess and Grady, saying: “It’s not fair. They’ve had enough grief.”Do you know someone with more grief in life than most have? Have you ever wondered why that is?

THINK: Most of the families associated with Harvest are related in some way. What are some commonalities and differences between a family system and a church system?

ACT: Make a list of the covenants you are a part of. Honor them!
PRAY: For friends who are struggling, for those struggling with illness or old age, for covenants kept and broken.

Chapter 36-40

SHARE: Can you remember a time you watched a “family discussion” as an outsider?
REFLECT: Look through Chapters 36 and 37. Whose reaction to Suzanne’s sermon most resembles what yours would be?
READ: Psalm 145:17-19. Suzanne tries to get the congregation to preface their comments with “The truth as I see it”. What is the power of truth?
DISCUSS: After a parenting conversation with Bell, Suzanne laments that she has no control in her life. What parts of your life do you have under control, and what parts seem out of control?
THINK: At the Elders’meeting, Suzanne and these church leaders agree to tap the church phone.Under what conditions will a system be willing to take unpopular actions to change? Can you think of any examples?
ACT: Make two lists: 1) The things you’re committed to getting under control. And 2) The things you’re called to give up control over.
PRAY: For preachers, For committees or teams with difficult decisions to make, For those who feel out of control.

Chapter 41-45

SHARE: Peter and Julie bring unexpected joy into the congregation by sharing their singing. When have you experienced (or provided) unexpected joy to a tough situation?
REFLECT: Minnie admits to calling George [some], just to give him a “taste of his own medicine”.What is the difference between her actions and that of the anonymous phone caller?
READ: Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus offers this method of dealing with church conflicts. How does this compare to Danny and Minnie’s behavior? Is the Matthew passage realistic?
DISCUSS: “I just want us to all be happy” is one of Susanne’s motivating desires. How can such a statement be a help or a hindrance? What are your motivating desires?
THINK: Review the acts of vandalism at the church on Easter Sunday. They speak symbolically to the pain of Good Friday and The Crucifixion rather than the joy of Easter. How do Suzanne and the congregation respond? (Look especially at the baptism).
ACT: Remember your baptism. Find the baptismal questions for your church and study them.
PRAY: For people living in darkness, for forgiveness of our sins, for resurrection.

CAREFUL--THE QUESTIONS BELOW CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!!

Chapter 46-50

SHARE: What are some of the greatest challenges churches you've been a part of havehad to overcome?
REFLECT: Grady's death is unexpected and painful for the whole community. What are some of the different ways the characters responded to grief? Who do you most identify with?
READ: Psalm 23 was the scripture for the first set of these discussion questions. Read it again now, and reflect on its power in times of grief.
DISCUSS: When Suzanne breaks down, she says to Bell, "You told me not to stay out there. Alton told me I didn't understand the people. George said leave it alone, Dr.Talley said don't get involved. I should have listened, should have listened." Is she right to feel guilty?
THINK: Sarah and Sam talk about the history of grief in their family.What has been handed down in your family? example:holiday traditions, superstitions, beliefs, behaviors.

ACT: Reach out with love to a family who has lost someone. Reach out to your extended family.
PRAY: For those who have died by suicide. For those who grieve. For those who are numb.

CHAPTER 51-54

SHARE: In the church service, Bertha says: "I'm thinking maybe all we can do is make good choices and leave the rest to God. Like this weather. If it turns to hail, we could lose our wheat. if it doesn't, we're looking at a mighty good harvest. But whatever happens we'll go on." How is your philosophy similar to or different from Bertha's?
REFLECT: Take some time to study,(and maybe even draw your own versionof) Grady's last picture, and reflect on its meaning.
READ: Hebrews 11:1-16. This is the scripture Suzanne preaches from on the Sunday after Grady's death. When is a time you, your family, or your church has had to journey "by faith"?
DISCUSS: What does Tess mean by "He took everything"?
DISCUSS:Lassie is a symbol all through the novel, a symbol of what?
DISCUSS: How does Gradyseem tosee his death as a sacrifice?
THINK: What causes Evil? Can evil be right in front of us without us knowing? Is there protection from evil? Is there a cure for it?How do you respond to evil?
ACT: What lessons can be learned from Suzanne's time at Harvest? How can they be applied in your life?
PRAY: For the author, for each other, for your churches and community, and for God who is our shepherd.