This book is a longer but super-easy read and we have found it irreplaceable in Year Two. We specifically use it where we use it in the reading plan to push the disciple to holiness and focusing on the real work of God along with preparing disciples for Year Three. The topics are heavy and revealing to folks new to ministry life and reflective of what more experienced have seen (unfortunately) in their fellowship journeys. This story is a tough one, big to process and full of life-protecting revelations as the characters succeed and fail in ministry.
We read the book over four weeks reviewing each section (using the book club method) after each week’s reading. It is critical to review this book along the way as the themes build and to avoid missing great conversations and “aha” moments. There is simply too much valuable content to review all at once. Our reading plan and sample questions are listed below. We have included section summaries and themes to refresh the minds of disciple makers who have read the book before (it is a long read to read again) but we always bring our marked up copy to the meeting to make sure we don’t miss critical highlights that we have made as leaders. You may not need the sample questions as most groups find that disciples have more than enough comments about what they have read.
This book is so critical that the SD team’s home church makes it required reading before entering any form of leadership in the church.
Week 1 – Chapters: 1–5
Theme: Change comes to Centerville Christian Church as new pastor Paul Hudson arrives with vision and energy.
Summary: The novel introduces Paul, his wife Eunice, and the small congregation. Paul dreams big for the church, but seeds of tension emerge between vision and humility.
Discussion Questions:
- How does Paul’s arrival impact the church members?
- What early signs do you see of Paul’s strengths and weaknesses?
- How do different characters respond to change?
Week 2 – Chapters: 6–9
Theme: Growth brings excitement—and subtle compromises.
Summary: Paul’s ministry flourishes in numbers and programs, but Eunice feels neglected, and spiritual health may be taking second place to visible success.
Discussion Questions:
- What does “success” look like to Paul? To Eunice? To God?
- How does the book portray the balance (or imbalance) between ministry and family?
- What warning signs are beginning to appear?
Week 3 – Chapters: 10–15
Theme: Pride, conflict, and personal struggles threaten to undo progress.
Summary: Conflict deepens between Paul’s vision and the spiritual maturity of the congregation. Relationships fray, and Paul’s own walk with God is tested.
Discussion Questions:
- How does pride show itself in Paul’s decisions?
- Which secondary characters stand out as voices of wisdom or warning?
- How do the spiritual battles in the story mirror real-life church struggles?
Week 4 – Chapters: 16–20 & Epilogue
Theme: God redeems brokenness through repentance and renewed calling.
Summary: The story builds to a climax of personal crisis and spiritual renewal. True revival begins not in the building but in the hearts of God’s people.
Discussion Questions:
- What turning points lead to Paul’s change of heart?
- How does Rivers portray God’s grace in the lives of the characters?
- What lessons about ministry and calling stand out most to you?
We review each week’s reading using the book club format. We open with a general question to the group (“What hit you as you read this week?”) following responses around the room using the no cross-talk method and listening/talking individually with each disciple. If the general question does not get responses, we begin asking individually asking questions like,
- We read chapters x to y this week. Sue what did you think?
- Bob, did any of the truths “sting” you or remind you of a church experience? Like have you ever faced a struggle like this?
- Mary, how did you handle these chapters?
- Tom, what do you think are the main takeaways this week?
