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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Wedgewood Grey

1. In Chapter One, Junior, as an 11 yr. old boy, almost single-handedly built a bridge between two families. Describe a person, perhaps a child, who has done that in a family you know . . . perhaps your own.

2. In Chapter One, on a night when the "clouds were overpowering the moon" the Parkers were awakened to pray for their friend Mose. Describe a time you have been awakened in the dark of night to pray for someone.

3. In Chapter Two, Tripper deeply regretted his involvement in the attack. Share a time when you have made a poor decision you later regretted.

4. What memories do you have of a bully like Bainbridge in your life?

5. How often can it be said of a person like Tripper, "that one is more afraid of being a coward than of taking a beating"?

6. What is your definition of bravery? Who is the bravest person in the story? Why?

7. In Chapter Two, young Bill Prince reflected, "every angel he had ever imagined had been black". Describe the appearance of angels you have imagined.

8. In Chapter Three, Jerry Nations "spent the remainder of his life still trying to escape the effect of a single bad choice". If you know someone of whom this is true, share it.

9. In Chapter Four, it was said of Bainbridge, "Whether or not he eventually got killed mattered less to him than getting to kill the woman and the kid." Does this kind of an evil mind actually exist? In what way?

10. Have you ever had to explain death to a young child as Mose was commissioned to do? What was the result?

11. In Chapter Four, Bobby Lee said to Susan, "If we don't know, we won't have to lie." Explain the profound wisdom in that statement.

12. In Chapter Five, Mose says: ". . . the good Lord sometimes sees fit to let what seems right come up short against what is." What does this statement mean to you?

13. Throughout the book we see Bill Mann express his difficulty and reluctance to trust in God because of the pain he suffered as a result of losing his father and mother. Why is it so difficult for Bill to trust and believe but not for Mose who has experienced just as much pain in the loss of his son and his wife?

14. In Chapter Six, "the boy" said, ". . . didn't want to ask the question because he knew he didn't want to hear the answer . . ."? Tell of a time when you've shared that same feeling.

15. Tripper Sherman and Frank McClellan are walking back to town after a night when they've seen an innocent woman beaten to death for no reason, and Frank tells Tripper, "You did all you could." Tripper responded, "Not if I ain't dead, I didn't." What do you think of that statement? What do you think about Tripper's convictions regarding personal responsibility in life? Are there things in life worth dying for? If so, what are they?

16. In Chapter Seven, it is said of Mose: "Mose Washington is only mild-mannered till he's pushed." Who do you know of whom this could be said?

17. Aside from personality and external appearances, what are the foundational differences between SAIC Bert Fuller and Jeff Wagner? Which of these two men would you say reminds you more of yourself? Why?

18. In Chapter Eleven, Sam Jones receives an unexpected message: "His name is Samuel Washington Williams." Have you ever had anyone named after you? Why? How did it make you feel?

19. Mose prayed very specifically that the Lord would "show Yo'self to him" (the boy.. Share a time when you asked God for something specific and tell us His answer.

20. In Chapter Fourteen, Missy was described as impressive because she was "committed to a cause". Describe someone you know like that who has impressed you!

21. In Chapter Seventeen, Wagner said, "I've been listening, but I haven't been hearing." If you could say this about yourself, explain.

22. Describe Jeff Wagner before he changes his beliefs regarding religion, God, Jesus, etc., and describe him after he has changed his beliefs. Which description would you say is a description of who you are? Why?

23. Why do you think Jeff Wagner changed his beliefs?

24. Bill Mann's dad told "yarns" to him of pre-flight training. Share a "yarn" that entertained you, told by a parent when you were a child.

25. In Chapter Twenty-two, Bill finds himself in a difficult spot. Share a time like Bill's, when you found yourself in a situation from which you wanted to escape.

26. In Chapter Twenty-three, we see Bill struggling to know what to believe. Who in your life has been as resistant to God as Bill Mann?

27. How are Bill Mann and Jeff Wagner alike? How are they different?

28. Is this an inspiring story or a depressing story? Why?

29. Many of the characters in the story are Christians. Would you say they are good examples of what a Christian should be, or bad examples? Why? Have your experiences with Christians in real life been positive or negative? How have your experiences shaped your views of Christianity? Should the way one person lives out the beliefs of Christianity affect the way another person views the philosophical principles of Christianity? Why?

Wedgewood Grey
by John Aubrey Anderson

  • Publication Date: February 12, 2007
  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Warner Faith
  • ISBN-10: 0446579505
  • ISBN-13: 9780446579506