Thanks to Daisy Hutton and her team at Thomas Nelson, including Ruthie Dean, Katie Bond, Ami McConnell, Amanda Bostic, Becky Monds, Jodi Hughes, and Kristen Vasgaard. What a year of changes we’ve all had. I appreciate everything you do.
Marjo Myers. Thanks again for your friendship and for getting the ball rolling by reading the original galley of The Reason. I’m guessing that you may have recognized a special little girl’s name in The Sinners’ Garden . . .
Thanks to all of you who have read The Reason and helped make it a bestseller. I’ve enjoyed meeting many of you, and your phone calls, e-mails, and letters have meant so much to me and have changed the reason why I will continue to write.
Speaking of The Reason, this may sound like a bit of a roll call of the book’s characters, but I want to thank my family. Thanks to Jim, Shirley, Kim, Karen, Kathy, Kaitlyn, and Macey. A special thanks to Ken and Alison for their support and belief in my writing. I love you all and thank you again for being you.
Finally, I want to thank God. You have been way too good to me. I’m so glad that You never step aside or quit doing Your thing. I am living proof of Your miracles and grace and will do my best to do the only thing You ask of me.
And that is to only believe.
William Sirls
Gibraltar, Michigan
June 5, 2013
READING GROUP GUIDE
1. What did the garden symbolize for you?
2. Do you think Rip actually made the jump over The Frank and Poet? Why or why not?
3. Why do you think we don’t see as many miracles today as they did in Bible times?
4. Rip had a sign above his front door that said “SERVANTS’ ENTRANCE.” How do you apply this in your life?
5. Is there a voice inside of you that tells you what to do? What are some examples?
6. At Bible study, Rip talks about how people get into daily routines that don’t include time for God. Is this a challenge for you? If not, what are some strategies you use to make sure you have time?
7. Judi spent a great deal of time living in the past. What did she need to do to move forward with her life? Have you or someone you loved ever struggled with the same thing? How did they/you get past it?
8. Have you ever pondered the spiritual whereabouts of a deceased loved one? How did you deal with that?
9. Rip believed that the Bible tells us to confront someone when we see them going astray. Do you agree or disagree?
10. What did Andy learn from little Marjo? Have you ever needed to hear something similar? Discuss.
11. Rip mentioned that being one person on Sunday and somebody else the rest of the week wasn’t uncommon in the world. What did he mean by that? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
12. Andy wanted to celebrate at the end. Why don’t Christians celebrate more at funerals?
13. Andy told Judi, “It’s your time to show others God’s strength in you . . . His ability to heal.” Have you experienced an opportunity to do this? Describe.
14. Pastor Welsh told Rip that being a Christian comes with a great deal of responsibility. What do you think he meant by that?
The Sinners' Garden Page 35
