Kingdom's Quest

by Chuck Black

  4. At one point, Gavinaugh tells the men that to become Knights of the Prince they must “Simply believe, tell others, and prepare.” What does this represent?

  CHAPTER 5

  1. Keanna has been an active character for the past few chapters. Now do you know who she represents?

  2. Gavinaugh abandoned Keanna when the Shadow Warriors first came for her. Now he has chosen to protect her. What does this change of heart portray?

  3. Have you ever held a grudge against someone? What helped you overcome your anger? Find a verse that addresses anger.

  CHAPTER 6

  1. Who does Sandon represent?

  2. After Gavinaugh loses consciousness from the brutal beating, he has an encounter with the Prince, who encourages Gavinaugh to continue with his mission. What does this represent?

  3. What event in Paul’s life does Gavinaugh’s beating symbolize?

  CHAPTER 7

  1. Although Gavinaugh remains at Penwell, the biblical location of his mission moves somewhere else. Where is this place in the Bible?

  2. Gavinaugh is again arrested and thrown into Penwell’s prison. What does this represent?

  3. After spending many days and nights in prison, Gavinaugh, Weston, and Sandon are released when two Silent Warriors appear and order the governor to release his three prisoners. What does this event allegorize?

  4. At the end of this chapter, Sandon asks to travel with Gavinaugh and Weston. What does this represent?

  CHAPTER 8

  1. The beginning of this chapter recounts the journey from Penwell to Thecia. Read Acts 17:1–14. Have you ever found yourself the target of ridicule or harsh treatment because you believe in Jesus?

  2. What does the city of Thecia represent?

  3. What do you think the Court of the Lords represents?

  4. Gavinaugh tells his fellow knights that to the Thecians he will be a Thecian so he can win their attention and tell them of the Prince. Find the passage written by Paul in 1 Corinthians concerning this. Why do you think this is important?

  5. The Thecian nobility have devoted all their time, energy, and wealth to attaining new heights of nobility through their grand tournaments. What does this cultural development symbolize?

  CHAPTER 9

  1. What does the Tournament of Lords represent?

  CHAPTER 10

  1. At the beginning of this chapter, Weston warns Gavinaugh not to go back to Chessington. Find in the chapter in Acts where Paul’s fellow disciples warn him not to return to Jerusalem. What is Paul’s response?

  2. Gavinaugh journeys to Chessington and is captured and imprisoned. Leisel visits him and pleads for his love one last time. Who do you think Leisel represents?

  3. Leisel is described as “a prisoner behind the bars of religious devotion to a false concept of nobility.” What do you think this means?

  4. In the New Testament, Paul warns believers not to fall back into the bondage of the Law. When this happens, our faith becomes empty because our relationship with God becomes burdensome and not joyful. Is your relationship with God burdensome or joyful? If burdensome, why and what can you do to change it?

  CHAPTER 11

  1. In this chapter, Kifus begins to represent more than just the head of the Pharisees. He questions Gavinaugh about his motives. Who else does Kifus represent in this scene?

  2. At one point during Gavinaugh’s explanation of his motives, Kifus seems to understand the truth and becomes afraid. Yet he does not become a follower. Why do you think this is? Is understanding the truth enough to become saved? Why or why not?

  3. Gavinaugh is eventually sent on a ship to the Namorian realm. Who do the Namorians represent?

  CHAPTER 12

  1. Read Acts 27. The Tempests attack the Raven, and the crew is fearful. What do the Tempests represent?

  2. Gavinaugh uses his sword to help save the crew of the Raven from being captured by the Tempests. What does this symbolize, and what verse in Acts 27 applies here?

  3. We often encounter “storms” in our lives. What lesson can we learn from Paul in facing our storms? Find a Scripture verse to support your answer.

  CHAPTER 13

  1. What island in Acts is represented by the Isles of Melogne?

  2. In the scene with the strangler vine, Gavinaugh survives because of the sword training he received from the Prince. Through the sword he was protected. How does this relate to Paul’s survival of the poisonous snakebite?

  3. On the island, Pliubus’s father is taken captive by Lord Malthos. What does this represent, and who is Lord Malthos?

  4. Gavinaugh defeats Lord Malthos and frees all of his slaves. What does this symbolize?

  CHAPTER 14

  1. Gavinaugh continues to court Keanna and win her heart. What does this represent?

  2. Gavinaugh loves Keanna but realizes that she must belong to the Prince before he can fully give his heart to her. Have you ever been tempted to compromise your convictions to please someone else instead of God?

  3. Keanna finds it difficult to believe in the Prince because of the pain she has experienced as well as the pain she sees all around her. Find the verse that tells us to be ready to give an answer to those who are seeking God.

  4. In Keanna’s moment of decision to follow the Prince, the Shadow Warriors steal her away. Find a parable in Matthew where Jesus talks about how this can happen to someone who hears the word of the kingdom.

  CHAPTER 15

  1. Keanna is taken to Devinoux’s stronghold, which is the lair of the Tarmuwth, where Gavinaugh must face the dragon. What do you think the dragon represents?

  2. There are many ways that Satan can establish a stronghold in our lives. How does Gavinaugh defeat this stronghold, and what can we learn from his battle? Find a verse to support your answer.

  3. Keanna frees herself and helps Gavinaugh defeat Devinoux and the dragon. Why do you think she finds courage to do this, and how does this apply to a Christian’s life? Can you find a verse that supports your answer?

  4. A Shadow Warrior poses as a Silent Warrior and tries to kill Gavinaugh. What does the Bible have to say about this kind of demonic deception? How can we be as discerning as Keanna?

  CHAPTER 16

  1. When Gavinaugh is wounded by the dragon, he nearly dies. He is eventually taken across the Great Sea because of his wounds, and Keanna continues his work. What does this represent biblically?

  ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  CHAPTER 1

  1. The Prince charged Gavinaugh to share His message with and train the Outdwellers.

  2. In a broad sense, they represent all non-Jewish people of the world, the Gentiles. Later in the book, Outdwellers are specifically represented by one character. Watch for who this might be.

  3. Matthew 5:16.

  4. When the disciples feared that Saul would imprison them but Barnabas vouched for Saul’s sincerity in Acts 9:26–27. Weston represents Barnabas.

  5. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

  CHAPTER 2

  1. Acts 15:1–2, 5–19.

  2. Weston now represents any of the disciples who traveled with Paul, be it Barnabas, Silas, Luke, or someone else. (Acts 15:22).

  3. Biblical truths as taught by Jesus and Paul (Mark 10:25; Matthew 6:19–20; Luke 14:16–23; Revelation 5:10; Romans 10:8–9).

  CHAPTER 3

  1. All of chapter 3 represents Paul and Barnabas’s missionary journey to the city of Paphos on the isle of Cyprus, where Paul blinds a sorcerer and converts the proconsul of the country in Acts 13:6–13.

  CHAPTER 4

  1. Santiok represents Antioch (Acts 13:14).

  2. Ephesians 5:8.

  3. Paul’s sermon in Acts 13:16–41, Paul and Barnabas’s charge in verses 46–47, and their departure in verse 50.

  4. These are essentially the words of the Great Commission, given by Jesus to His disciples. The remark in the book represents Paul’s dedication to Jesus and His teaching.

  CHAPTER 5

  1.
Keanna represents the Gentiles.

  2. Gavinaugh has learned through the Prince that the Outdwellers are also called to become Knights of the Prince. This is allegorical of Paul’s outreach to the Gentiles.

  3. Answer based on personal experience; one choice is Ephesians 4:26.

  CHAPTER 6

  1. Timothy (Acts 16:1–3).

  2. The appearance of Jesus to Paul to encourage him in Acts 18:9–10.

  3. The stoning of Paul at Lystra in Acts 14:19–20.

  CHAPTER 7

  1. By now, Paul has traveled to Philippi in Acts 16:12.

  2. Paul’s imprisonment at Philippi (he was thrown into prison because he cast out a demon of divination in a servant girl in Acts 16:16–24).

  3. God’s intervention to free Paul and Silas through the dramatic event of an earthquake (Acts 16:25–26).

  4. Timothy traveling with Paul (Acts 16:4).

  CHAPTER 8

  1. Answer based on personal experience.

  2. Athens, Greece (Acts 17:15).

  3. The Athenians’ Mars Hill, where there were altars to many gods including “the unknown god” (Acts 17:23).

  4. 1 Corinthians 9:22–23. At this point in Christianity’s history, the gospel of Jesus Christ was just being introduced to many cultures. Without compromising righteousness, Paul adapted to each culture to establish credibility so he could tell others about Jesus.

  5. The Athenian pursuit of wisdom and understanding through intellectual and scholarly debates (Acts 17:21.) Just as the Athenians use their words—the Thecians’ swords of nobility)—Paul uses the Word of God—Gavinaugh’s sword of the Prince (Hebrews 4:12).

  CHAPTER 9

  1. The entire biblical event when Paul disputed in the synagogue and the marketplace, including when the prominent philosophers brought him to them to discuss his “new doctrine” (Acts 17:16–34).

  CHAPTER 10

  1. Acts 21:4, 11–12. Paul says that he is ready to die at Jerusalem for Jesus’ sake.

  2. Leisel represents the Jewish people just as Keanna represents the Gentiles.

  3. “False concept of nobility” symbolizes a faith built on one’s works and the law for salvation instead of on simple faith in Jesus Christ.

  4. Answer based on personal experience. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18.

  CHAPTER 11

  1. Kifus represents other leaders in Jerusalem at the time of Paul’s captivity, specifically Governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa, as found in Acts 24–26.

  2. Kifus might have understood the truth, but he realized that he would have to give up everything in order to become a follower of the Prince. His selfishness and pride kept him from submitting to the truth. Understanding the truth is not enough. Jesus requires us to give Him lordship of our lives as well. James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

  3. The Romans.

  CHAPTER 12

  1. The mighty storm that Paul’s ship endured for many days.

  2. The sword always represents God’s Word, and in Acts 27:24, God sends an angel to Paul to tell him that he and the entire crew will make it through the storm.

  3. Answer based on personal experience. One pertinent Bible verse is Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

  CHAPTER 13

  1. Malta in Acts 28:1.

  2. God told Paul that he would make it safely to Rome because he was to give his testimony before Caesar. God’s Word protected Paul from even a poisonous snakebite (Acts 28:3–6).

  3. This represents when the father of Publius becomes ill (Acts 28:7–8). Lord Malthos represents disease and sickness. Malthos is derived from malady and pathosis.

  4. Paul’s healing of Publius’s father and others who had diseases (Acts 28:8–9).

  CHAPTER 14

  1. Paul’s fervent desire to see the Gentiles’ hearts turn to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

  2. Answer based on personal experience. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Often we must be patient, but remember that God is faithful and knows your heart.

  3. 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

  4. Matthew 13:3–23, the parable of the sower. Verse 19 says that the wicked one “snatches away what was sown in his heart.”

  CHAPTER 15

  1. Tarmuwth is Hebrew for “deceit.” Without the truth of Jesus Christ, the world is under the power of Satan’s deception. Satan is often referred to as a dragon in the Bible.

  2. Gavinaugh overcomes this stronghold by once again using the sword, God’s Holy Word. It is powerful. Second Corinthians 10:3–4 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”

  3. Keanna became confident and found courage to fight against her foes when she put her trust in the Prince and believed. As Christians, we receive our strength from the Lord and can do battle against the evil one. Psalm 31:24 says, “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”

  4. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light to deceive people. A close relationship with the Lord through Bible study and prayer will allow the Holy Spirit to give us great spiritual discernment.

  CHAPTER 16

  1. Paul is eventually killed for his faith in Jesus Christ. The fruit of his work—the gospel being spread throughout the world by the Gentiles—continues through us today.

  AUTHOR’S COMMENTARY

  Kingdom’s Quest was written as an attempt to capture the spiritual conflict and significance of Paul’s life on this earth. As an instrument to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, Paul’s ministry shook two worlds: the temporal and the spiritual. I brought the character of Keanna into the story as a primary point of focus for this spiritual drama.

  Keanna represents the Gentile world that, until the time of Christ, seemed to have little regard for matters of spiritual truth, as evidenced by the attitude of God’s chosen people toward them. This was depicted when Gavin refused to help Keanna as she was fleeing the Shadow Warriors near Cartelbrook. The Gentiles were, for the most part, subject to the powers of Satan and his demons until God told Peter and Paul to take the truth of Jesus to them.

  As the gospel of Jesus spread into the world, His power began to invade Satan’s realm of strongholds and set people free. Paul’s fervent desire to see the world of the Gentiles saved is portrayed through the character of Gavinaugh and his growing love for Keanna. Keanna’s character transitioned from enslavement to true freedom as she yielded to the truth of the Prince. Paul never married, but just as the Bible uses marriage symbolically to describe the relationship between the Father and Jews in the Old Testament, and the church and Jesus in the New Testament, with some trepidation I used the same symbol of marriage to portray Paul’s love for the Gentiles. The culmination of the battle for the souls of the Gentiles occurs when the Shadow Warrior and the Tarmuwth dragon (tarmuwth is Hebrew for “deceit”) attempt to enslave Keanna once again, but Gavinaugh gives his life to free her.

  It is my heartfelt desire to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with all of my work here on earth. The purpose of this series is to draw people to Christ through parable stories that point them to the Scriptures. I used the example of Jesus for my guide, as He taught the people through many parables that drew the attention of His audience. My prayer for you is that your zeal for living for Jesus will grow and never be quenched by the cares of this world.

  Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

  Philippians 1:6

  Kingdom's Quest