Courageous: A Novel
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We encourage you to refocus your passions toward the higher purpose of glorifying God and not living for your own temporary fulfillment in this life. Start your days in the Word of God and in prayer. Pray that people will be wowed by the changes that Christ has made in you. And let your commitment be independent of others. People will fail you, reject you, and let you down. But don’t be discouraged. Don’t let anything or anyone cause you to stop loving Him. Find a group of believers at a local church who share this passion and who will join you in this great adventure! Then let’s plan to rejoice together as we watch God glorify Himself through our lives and do more than we can ask or imagine! May your life in Christ be courageous!
God bless you!
Alex and Stephen Kendrick
Discussion Questions
1. Which characters or events in this novel resonate with you? How has your life been similar?
2. Discuss some of the differences between bad parenting, “good enough” parenting, and effective parenting. What are the marks of excellent parenting? Why do many people settle for good enough?
3. In the very first scene Nathan refuses to let go of the steering wheel, risking his own life to rescue his son. What in your life is worth that kind of risk? What are some sacrifices God might ask of you for the sake of people you love?
4. Have you had a positive father figure in your life? If not, how can you seek out and cultivate that kind of relationship even now? If so, what can you do to express your appreciation for that person’s influence?
5. Where was the breakdown in the relationship between Dylan and Adam? What did each do to bridge the gaps between them?
6. Why is Adam reluctant at first to share his faith with Bronson? How does Bronson’s outlook eventually change? Who is someone in your life who needs to hear the truth?
7. How does Javier reflect his faith in God’s provision and sovereignty? In what situations does he live out his faith well or not so well?
8. Name and discuss some of the characters in this story who receive grace, compassion, or forgiveness. How does it affect these characters’ lives?
9. Were you surprised by Shane’s actions at the end of the story? Why do you think he made the decisions he did? In what situations is it easy to make excuses for our wrongdoing?
10. David finds many second chances through the course of this story, including an opportunity to truly become a father to his daughter. But consider if Amanda had not invited David back into her and Olivia’s life—how could David still have fulfilled his Resolution?
11. Discuss the truths of Proverbs 22:6. What does this verse say about child rearing? What does it say about children who leave the faith?
12. In what ways did the men in Courageous maintain their Resolution? In what ways did they fail to keep it? How can a man make sure his Resolution is more than just an idle promise?
About the Authors
Randy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to starting EPM, he served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has spoken around the world and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is the bestselling author of over thirty-five books (4 million in print), including the novels Deadline, Dominion, and Deception, as well as The Chasm, Safely Home, and Courageous. His nonfiction works include Heaven; If God is Good; Managing God’s Money; Money, Possessions, and Eternity; The Treasure Principle; The Grace and Truth Paradox; and The Law of Rewards. Randy has written for many magazines and produces the popular periodical Eternal Perspectives. He’s been a guest on numerous radio and television programs, including Focus on the Family, The Bible Answer Man, Family Life Today, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform, and Faith Under Fire.
The father of two married daughters, Randy lives in Gresham, Oregon, with his wife and best friend, Nanci. They are the proud grandparents of several grandchildren.
You may contact Eternal Perspective Ministries by e-mail through their website at www.epm.org or at 39085 Pioneer Blvd., Suite 206, Sandy, OR 97055, (503) 668-5200. Visit Randy Alcorn’s blog at www.epm.org/blog. Connect with Randy also at facebook.com/randyalcorn and Twitter: twitter.com/randyalcorn.
Alex Kendrick is an associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church. In 2002, Kendrick Brothers Productions in association with Sherwood Pictures began work on the first movie, Flywheel, which Alex wrote, directed, produced, and acted in. After the overwhelming response to the film, Alex and his brother Stephen again partnered to write and produce Facing the Giants, which was picked up and distributed by Provident Films, a branch of Sony Pictures. Alex directed and acted in the film, which went on to gross more than $10 million in box office receipts. The DVD was released in thirteen languages, in fifty-six countries, and sold more than 2 million copies. Alex and Stephen followed that hit by writing and producing Fireproof, the highest-grossing independent film of 2008 with over $33 million in box office sales. Alex directed the film, which has since sold more than 3 million DVDs. To date, Alex has received more than twenty awards for his work, including best screenplay, best production, and best feature film.
Alex and his wife, Christina, have been married for seventeen years and live in Albany, Georgia, with their six children.
Stephen Kendrick is an associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church. Kendrick Brothers Productions in association with Sherwood Pictures has released four films. Stephen has cowritten, produced, and held key roles in all of the Sherwood Pictures movies. He has also worked with Provident Films to develop marketing and Bible study resources for each picture. In 2007, the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate passed a resolution honoring Sherwood Pictures for its ministry success and positive impact.
Alex and Stephen coauthored The Love Dare, a nonfiction title based on the Fireproof plot, which quickly became a number one New York Times bestseller and stayed on the list for more than two years. With over 5 million copies sold, it is an international bestseller with translations in thirty-two languages. The Kendricks also coauthored (with Eric Wilson) novels based on the screenplays of Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof, and wrote The Love Dare Day by Day, a 365-day devotional for couples, and The Love Dare Day by Day: Wedding Edition.
Stephen and his wife, Jill, live in Albany, Georgia, with their four children.