1. The focal point of Forsaken is Simon Mason's dilemma. He must choose between God and his daughter, Kacey. What is your reaction to the choice he made?

2. How do you think you would choose if faced with a similar situation: Deny God or allow someone you love to die? What do the martyrs’ choices in the face of such circumstances say to you today?

3. After Simon chose to save Kacey, he was tortured by his denial of Jesus. That led to another choice – the choice to become a martyr. But that choice ultimately left Kacey an orphan. How do you feel about Simon's second choice? Would you ever take this kind of risk to follow a call from God? Why or why not?

4. The concept of self-sacrifice is woven throughout the story of Forsaken. What sacrifices did you identify in the story? What were the characters’ motives for the sacrifices? Do their motives matter, or is a sacrifice equally laudable regardless of the motive?

5. Have you ever made sacrifices for your faith? If so, what were they? How do you feel now about having made them?

6. Simon observed that guilt was a possible motive for the martyrdom of the Apostle Peter. Do you agree with that view? Is guilt a worthy motivation for self-sacrifice? Have you ever been motivated by guilt to make a sacrifice? If so, how?

7. As any parent would, Simon agonized over whether he could let his child die. What insight does that provide regarding how God viewed the decision to allow Jesus to die for us?

8. In light of Simon’s abandonment of his son, do you believe there was an element of justice in the dilemma with which he was confronted? Does God work that way? Have you ever felt that God put you in a difficult situation to punish you for something you had done? Explain.

9. God uses even our bad or questionable decisions for good if we let him. How did God use Simon’s decisions for his purposes in Forsaken? Has God ever used one of your bad or questionable decisions and made something good out of it? Explain.

10. Taylor is self-critical and insecure. What is the root of her negative self-image? Was it justified? Have you known anyone like Taylor? Have you ever been like Taylor?

11. With which of the characters of Forsaken do you most identify? Why?

12. If you could have dinner with one character from Forsaken, who would it be? What would you want to discuss?