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Table of Contents
About The Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes an inspiring Baxter Family novel about a beloved high school principal who starts a Bible Study to improve the lives of his struggling students, only to become the national focus of a controversial lawsuit.
Hamilton High Principal Wendell Quinn wants to see real change in his community, so he starts a voluntary after-school Bible Study and prayer program called Raise the Bar. He knows he is risking his job by leading the program, but before long, Raise the Bar meetings are standing room only.
A year later, violence and gang activity are sharply down, test scores are up, and drug use and teen pregnancy have plummeted. The program is clearly working—until one parent files a lawsuit, claiming Wendell has violated his daughter's rights.
But Principal Quinn knows God is on his side, and he refuses to back down. As he prepares for court, he is deluged by a storm of national attention and criticism. He wants just one attorney on his side in the fight of his life—Luke Baxter.
A timely and nuanced exploration of religious freedom and what it means to be a person of faith in today’s culture, In This Moment will satisfy Kingsbury fans, old and new.
Hamilton High Principal Wendell Quinn wants to see real change in his community, so he starts a voluntary after-school Bible Study and prayer program called Raise the Bar. He knows he is risking his job by leading the program, but before long, Raise the Bar meetings are standing room only.
A year later, violence and gang activity are sharply down, test scores are up, and drug use and teen pregnancy have plummeted. The program is clearly working—until one parent files a lawsuit, claiming Wendell has violated his daughter's rights.
But Principal Quinn knows God is on his side, and he refuses to back down. As he prepares for court, he is deluged by a storm of national attention and criticism. He wants just one attorney on his side in the fight of his life—Luke Baxter.
A timely and nuanced exploration of religious freedom and what it means to be a person of faith in today’s culture, In This Moment will satisfy Kingsbury fans, old and new.
Reading Group Guide
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This reading group guide for In This Moment includes a discussion questions your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. What are your thoughts on Wendell Quinn as a principal? What sort of man was he?
2. Do you think it was wrong or right for Wendell to begin the Raise the Bar club? Explain your thoughts.
3. What do you think of Wendell’s claim that he was merely trying to do this job by starting the club?
4. Would you be willing to defend Wendell Quinn in a court of law? Why or why not?
5. What have you noticed about religious freedom in the United States, or in your country? Give examples.
6. How do you think the founding fathers intended us to view religious freedom?
7. Have you ever felt afraid to talk about your faith in public? Share about that.
8. What is one way you can help preserve religious freedom in this country, or in the nation where you live?
9. Why is it important that we have religious freedom? What are the risks if those freedoms and rights are taken away?
10. Alicia lived her life consumed by fear. Explain her fears, and whether you feel they were rational or not?
11. When have you been deeply afraid? How did you come through that time?
12. Luke Baxter has a very supportive family. Still, his work hours were out of control. Has work ever consumed you or someone you love? Talk about that.
13. What did you think about Reagan’s determination to love Luke despite her husband’s excessive work?
14. Reagan’s Bible study taught her that marriage requires 100 percent from both people, every day. What does this mean to you? Do you agree?
15. Another lesson from Reagan’s Bible study was the idea of loving your spouse because such an action is mandated by God – whether the spouse deserves the love or not. How can this truth help you or someone you love?
16. The Raise the Bar club made tremendous changes in the lives of students at Hamilton High. When have you seen God work in a transformational way in your life or the life of someone you know?
17. Cami and her father were jaded toward God because of a hurtful past experience. Have you or has someone you know ever blamed God for something a person has done to you? Why or why not? How did that situation work out, or what did you learn?
18. What were some of the key reasons Luke was able to successfully defend Wendell Quinn? Talk about this.
19. Reagan’s surprise party for Luke was her way of loving him, even when his actions frustrated her. Talk about a time when you or someone you know loved unconditionally. What was the result? How did it feel to love that way?
20. What do you think about the lawsuits that are often filed against schools and sports teams because of longstanding traditions that deal with God? Are there cases that have come to your attention? What are your thoughts?
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. What are your thoughts on Wendell Quinn as a principal? What sort of man was he?
2. Do you think it was wrong or right for Wendell to begin the Raise the Bar club? Explain your thoughts.
3. What do you think of Wendell’s claim that he was merely trying to do this job by starting the club?
4. Would you be willing to defend Wendell Quinn in a court of law? Why or why not?
5. What have you noticed about religious freedom in the United States, or in your country? Give examples.
6. How do you think the founding fathers intended us to view religious freedom?
7. Have you ever felt afraid to talk about your faith in public? Share about that.
8. What is one way you can help preserve religious freedom in this country, or in the nation where you live?
9. Why is it important that we have religious freedom? What are the risks if those freedoms and rights are taken away?
10. Alicia lived her life consumed by fear. Explain her fears, and whether you feel they were rational or not?
11. When have you been deeply afraid? How did you come through that time?
12. Luke Baxter has a very supportive family. Still, his work hours were out of control. Has work ever consumed you or someone you love? Talk about that.
13. What did you think about Reagan’s determination to love Luke despite her husband’s excessive work?
14. Reagan’s Bible study taught her that marriage requires 100 percent from both people, every day. What does this mean to you? Do you agree?
15. Another lesson from Reagan’s Bible study was the idea of loving your spouse because such an action is mandated by God – whether the spouse deserves the love or not. How can this truth help you or someone you love?
16. The Raise the Bar club made tremendous changes in the lives of students at Hamilton High. When have you seen God work in a transformational way in your life or the life of someone you know?
17. Cami and her father were jaded toward God because of a hurtful past experience. Have you or has someone you know ever blamed God for something a person has done to you? Why or why not? How did that situation work out, or what did you learn?
18. What were some of the key reasons Luke was able to successfully defend Wendell Quinn? Talk about this.
19. Reagan’s surprise party for Luke was her way of loving him, even when his actions frustrated her. Talk about a time when you or someone you know loved unconditionally. What was the result? How did it feel to love that way?
20. What do you think about the lawsuits that are often filed against schools and sports teams because of longstanding traditions that deal with God? Are there cases that have come to your attention? What are your thoughts?
About The Author
Photograph © Dean Dixon
Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures. Karen recently opened her own film company called Kingsbury Productions. The company’s first theatrical movie, Someone Like You, is considered one of the most anticipated movies of the year. For more information visit SomeoneLikeYou.movie. Also, the first three seasons of Karen’s Baxter Family books are now an original series called The Baxters on Prime Video. Karen and her husband, Donald, live in Tennessee near their children and grandchildren.
Product Details
- Publisher: Howard Books (November 7, 2017)
- Length: 400 pages
- ISBN13: 9781451687644
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): In This Moment eBook 9781451687644
- Author Photo (jpg): Karen Kingsbury Photograph © Dean Dixon(0.1 MB)
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