1. When Susan and Jimmy lose their infant sons, Susan at first struggles with the belief that she is “carrying more than her fair share of the grief.” How does she come to understand Jimmy’s grieving process? Was there a time when you processed a loss or another difficult situation differently from someone you loved? How did that affect your relationship?
2. What did you think of Jimmy’s decision to resubmit the adoption application? Was he right to do that without telling Susan? How would you have advised them to move forward when they felt differently about trying again for an adoption?
3. Do you think Susan and Jimmy tell David about his adoption at the right time, in the right way? How would you have suggested they broach the subject, if they’d come to you for advice?
4. Melissa thinks about David constantly, wondering about his life and how he’s growing up, while Brian tries not to think about their son and wants to move on. Did you understand both reactions? Whose perspective did you sympathize with more?
5. David also struggles when his wrestling career is interrupted. When you’ve faced disappointment, have you been more inclined to sit with it for a long time or to quickly put it behind you? How do you balance disappointment with the desire to move forward? What does trusting God look like after a loss?
6. Melissa tells Brian, “You can’t keep secrets all your life. They’ll eat you up inside. They’ll tear other people apart too.” Do you believe there’s ever a reason to keep secrets? How are the characters in this story affected by secrets?
7. As David grows, Susan and Jimmy face the fear of losing him in a number of different ways. How do they respond to each of these instances? How do you think you would respond in their place?
8. Shawn tells Melissa, “You know what I’ve heard about prayer? Sometimes we don’t ask too much. We ask too little. We don’t think God is powerful enough to grant our requests, so we hold back. Why don’t you pray something big?” Do you agree with his perspective on prayer? Was there a time in your own life when you found yourself asking God for too little? Or when you risked praying something big? What happened?
9. David’s experience gives him the opportunity to talk to Reese and influence a critical decision in her life. What pieces of your own story, even if painful, might be used to help or strengthen or inspire others?
10. Has adoption touched your life in any way? Tell the story.

Preview of Overcomer

OVERCOMER