Peculiar Treasures Forever

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Important meeting information

Just a reminder that our October meeting is on Oct 28 at Great Skate from 6:30-8:30pm.

Also, starting in November, we will be meeting at Family Vision Library.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Ok. After a trial run at the new meeting schedule of 4th Mondays, it seems that is not going to work, so I have asked to have our meetings back on the 3rd Monday. So, our next meeting will be Sept 16th.

However, in October, instead of meeting at our usual time and place, we will be meeting at Great Skate Roller Rink on Oct 28th, which is the 4th Monday. Hopefully that will work for most.

Here is the schedule for the Fall:

Sept 16, 7-9 pm Starry Night
(Book 7 OR Christy Miller Volume 3: book 2)

Please turn in your Read a Thon pledge sheets and pledges at the September meeting!

Oct 28 6:30-8:30pm Great Skate Night ($5 entrance, $1 skate rental)

Nov 18, 7-9pm : Seventeen Wishes
(Book 8 OR Christy Miller Vol 3: Book 3)

December Date and Time to Be Determined: Caroling Party

Discussion Questions for Starry Night

Starry Night It’s Christmastime, and Christy Miller has so much going on: family time, work, and maybe, just maybe, going to the Rose Bowl Parade with a bunch of friends. If only she could answer Uncle Bob’s tough questions. Todd’s buddy Doug gives her some insight, and she starts to appreciate him in a whole new way. Rick Doyle shows up again...but is he pursuing Christy or the cutest elf at the mall? Through it all, will Christy find someone special to count the stars with?

* What did you think about Jon asking Christy not to say Merry Christmas to the customers? What did you think of Christy's response? Do you think you would have been brave enough to do the same? What was the result of Christy standing up to Jon? How was that a witness to him?

*Why does Christy get so upset about her family's plans for Christmas and Katie being able to hang out with her friends without her? Christy has learned not to behave poorly when things don't go her way. How did she learn that? How does that help her in the end? How do you behave when your parents don't agree to your plans?

*Why does Christy want to talk to Rick? What did she accomplish with her talk? Do you think it is possible for boys and girls to be friends after they have dated? What helps or does not help that to happen?

* Doug says that Christy is irresistible to others because of her love of God. Why do you think he said that? Why does that make her irresistible? Do you think he is right about Rick's response to Christy? Think about the image you portray to others. Do they know you love God? Do you stand up for your beliefs even when others may give you a hard time, like Jon and Rick? How do you think that makes others feel about you?

*Christy wondered what it was that made her and Todd close but her and Doug just friends. What do you think the difference is?

*In a world that doesn't believe that abstinence only education is realistic, do you believe it is realistic that a guy would not kiss a girl until their wedding day? What do you think of this standard? How would it make you to feel if your boyfriend waited till your wedding day to kiss you? How do you think it would make you feel to know that your boyfriend never kissed anyone but you? What is Todd's standard for physical affection? Why do you think he set that standard? How were Todd's kisses different than Rick's?

*Have you thought about your standard for physical affection?

*Think about how Rick and Doug handled Christy's relationship with Todd. How were they different?

*Why do you think Rick was jealous of Todd?

*What do you think is happening with Rick and Katie? Why did Katie get upset about the talk about "virgin lips"?

*Todd said he was not afraid of anything in creation because he knew the creator. What did he mean by this?

*What did Todd mean when he said five of the surfers had laid down their weapons and surrendered to God?

*Why didn't Todd go the the competition after all his preperation? What did he say was the reason for going to Hawaii? What did he find more important: winning the competition or winning souls? What did you think of that? Have you ever been in a situation like that?

*Have you ever felt like God made a promise and then disappeared? What reminders does God give you to show that he is still there and will keep his promises? Do you find it hard sometimes to wait for God's timing? What promise was Todd having faith in? Why was it hard sometimes to trust in that promise?

*At the beginning of the book, Robin dedicates the book to Rich Mullins, Margaret Becker and Bryan Duncan, who all wrote songs that helped inspire this book. Listen to this song by Rich Mullins and relate it to what you read in the book.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Discussion Questions for True Friends

1. What characteristics do you believe make a true friend?
2. What made Todd a true friend?
3. What made Katie a true friend?
4. Was Christy a good friend?
5. Do you want your friends to be as honest as Katie, even if what they say might be hard to hear?
6. Do you think you would do something like skiing, even if it wasn't your thing, for a friend?
7. Christy liked the quote from Constantine that says, "My Treasures are my friends." Do you agree?
8. Christy's youth group leader said, "Each of us is a missionary right where we are." How can you be a missionary where you are? What are some things you can do?
9. What did you think of Katie calling the ski trip a mission trip? How was it so?
10. What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?
11. Have you ever made a "hit list" of people to pray for and witness to? Think about who you might include.
12. Do you have trouble thinking of how to approach others with the Gospel like Christy did? Do you have suggestions to share with others?
13. Christy's youth leader had them thank God for something they never consciously thanked Him for. Can you think of something like that to thank Him for?
14. Have you ever been tempted to betray a friend just to fit in with the crowd?
15. How do you think you would have handled the situation with the girls on the ski trip?
16. Christy never specifically shared the Gospel with anyone in this book. Do you think she was a witness to anyone? How does the way we live our life speak to others about God?
17. What were your favorite and least favorite parts of the book?
18. What lessons did you learn from this book?