1. “The end justifies the means” is a well-known phrase. Unfortunately, one cannot guarantee that the chosen “means” will ever produce the desired “end.” Can you think of historic or current events where questionable means, even with good intentions, resulted in unplanned and undesired consequences? In Betrayed, what long-term effect did an “end-justifies-the-means” philosophy have on Central America and US involvement in the region?

2. When in crisis and frantic to make safe and wise decisions, Vicki is given the Sarah’s daughter challenge: “You are [Sarah’s] daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear” (1 Peter 3:6). In what crisis situations did the biblical Sarah find herself (Genesis 12:10-20; 20:1-18)? What role did her husband, Abraham, play in her predicament? From where --- and whom --- did her deliverance finally come?

3. What resulted from the one instance when the biblical Sarah forgot this principle (Genesis 16)? What consequences has this single wrong decision had for human history ever since?

4. One of the characters makes the comment: “It’s all personal. It’s all I, because as long as I can make it we, I don’t have to make my own decision at the time on the spot as to the right thing to do.” What does he mean by this? What does this mean in your own life?

5. In Betrayed, when certain decisions are made based on fear of future possibilities rather than what is morally right, what is this character saying about God’s sovereignty and foresight? What assumption is the person making in determining that a morally wrong decision (or means) today is acceptable because it is necessary to secure a desirable end tomorrow?

6. Have you or someone you’ve known ever made a decision based on fear rather than right? What were the long-term consequences?

7. In the last chapter, a protagonist says to Vicki: “We were never called to save the whole world, just do our part. You’re the one who told me what we’re called to do, the difference one person can make.” What had Vicki told this person?

8. If individual wrong decisions have impacted entire nations and changed the course of history, what could be the result of enough individuals accepting with Vicki the Sarah’s daughter challenge: “Do what is right, and do not give way to fear”?

9. Is there a dilemma or crisis in your life right now to which this principle should be applied?