Reader's Discussion Questions

                                                                                                                    Below are book club discussion questions to read AFTER you've read the book.  

1.)        Tonya harbored tension and anger off and on for years towards Carolyn as the driver of the car that took her mother’s life.  Could you forgive someone who harmed you or one of your closest friends/family members? Read Matthew 6:14-15.

2.)        Read Exodus 18:21 & Leviticus 10:8-10. Do you agree with Stacey that    God requires higher standards for those who lead His people?

3.)        Do you think Carolyn overreacted when she arrived home to find Sister Jackson cooking in her kitchen?

4.)        What did you think of Charles? Do you think he and Carolyn have a good marriage? How do you feel about Carolyn’s comment in Chapter 39 that she needed sense knocked into her?

5.)        Do you agree with Carolyn that there is no harm in looking upon the opposite sex as long as you are not looking lustfully? Read James 1:14-15 & Matthew 5:28.

6.)        Throughout the book, Carolyn is told that she is high-minded. Do you find that some Christians act as if they are better than non-Christians or even other Christians?

7.)        Have you ever not heeded an altar call for fear of what others might  think or say?

8.)        Were you surprised when the meek and mild Carolyn slapped Tonya’s hand out of her face? How would you have handled the situation? Do you believe Carolyn is a “fake” Christian or just a bit “over-the-top” when it comes to the things of God?

9.)        Tonya constantly complained about fatigue, aches, and pains but delayed seeking a diagnosis for her symptoms. Have you or someone you know delayed some sort of medical treatment for any reason? If so, what was the reason?

10.)      In Chapter 31, Carolyn gets up and walks out of church when Pastor Fine stands before the entire congregation and uses her missteps as a sermon topic.  How would you have handled the situation? Do you personally know of any pastors or church leaders who use the pulpit to vent and operate in the flesh regarding an issue or concern the leader is having with someone?

11.)      In Tonya’s testimony she admitted to going to church “for a man”. However, while there she accepted Christ. Was her salvation experience believable? Have you or someone you know ever gone to church for what could be considered the “wrong” reason?

12.)      Read Romans 12:2 & Matthew 12:36-37. Is it acceptable for Christians to use the language of the world (cursing)?

13.)      Both Tonya and Carolyn had their issues with forgiveness – Tonya forgiving others and Carolyn forgiving herself. In the end, do you believe they were truly able to let go of old patterns and move on?

14.)      What is the most important lesson you learned from reading Joy Comes in the Mourning?

15.)      In Chapter 16, David expressed that more often than not, it takes some sort of catastrophe to get us to respond to God’s nudging.  Do you agree?