Let's discuss historical fiction

The Teacher of Warsaw ~ by Mario Escobar, 2022, historical fiction, 368 pages

The start of WWII changed everything in Poland irrevocably — except for one man’s capacity to love.  In 1939 on the first of September. 60-year-old Janusz Korczak and the students and teachers at his Dom Sierot Jewish orphanage are outside enjoying a beautiful day in Warsaw.  Hours later, their lives are altered forever when the Nazis invade.  Suddenly treated as an outcast in his own city, Janusz — a respected leader known for his heroism and teaching — is determined to do whatever it takes to protect the children from the horrors to come.

When over four hundred thousand Jewish people are rounded up and forced to live in the 1.3-square-mile walled compound of the Warsaw ghetto, Janusz and his friends take drastic measures to shield the children from disease and starvation.  With dignity and courage, the teachers and students of Dom Sierot create their own tiny army of love and bravely prepare to march toward the future — whatever it may hold. T his book is a reminder that one person can inspire hope and love in others.

** Does anybody want to discuss this book with me?  I haven't started reading it yet, but I'm about to order this book because a friend recommended it to me.  I'll also post this information on Bonnie's Books, my primary blog since January 2007, found HERE.

Chapter 6 ~ Justice

Questions

1. Read Micah 6:1-8.  What are some of the ways that your family and community "Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God"?
2. How does this passage demonstrate the tension, or complementary relationship, between the work of compassion and the way of just living?
3. In your immediate community, who are the most vulnerable populations?  What are the immediate needs of these neighbors, and also, what would a deeper, more restorative kind of justice look like?
4. What are some barriers that your family or faith community might face in talking about privilege or systemic injustice?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows a doll who seems a bit perplexed by the book.

Chapter 5 ~ Joy

Questions

1. What does your family like to create together?
2. How do you practice joy as a family and in community?
3. Can you think of a time when your church (or community) faced uncertinty with creative problem solving?
4. Describe some glimpses of joy that you have seen in a simple moment, or in the midst of an otherwise difficult time.

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows a big toy tiger holding the book.

Chapter 4 ~ Nonviolence

Questions

1. In what ways has violence become an accepted part of life for you?  Is there any level of violence in your theology, entertainment, or language that feels "appropriate" or "acceptable"?
2. How do you practice nonviolence in your home?  In your neighborhood or faith community?
3. What cultural barriers make that practice more difficult?
4. What Scriptures have you heard used out of context to defend capital punishment, "stand your ground" laws, or upholding violent systems in other ways?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows my cat Clawdia asleep beside the book.

Chapter 3 ~ Sabbath

Questions

1. What are some of the messages of scarcity that you receive on a daily basis?
2. How does your family practice gratitude and generosity?
3. How does your faith community embody the "liturgy of abundance"?  Or if your church lives in a pattern of scarcity, what language or practices might begin to change that pattern?
4. What is your favorite biblical story of abundance?  What does it teach you about living generously?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows the book and a toy elephant given to my mother many decades ago by one of her twelve grandchildren when they were young.  Mom had lots of great-grandchildren by the time she died in 2004.  (In other words, I've lost count.)

Chapter 2 ~ Abundance

Questions

1. What are some of the messages of scarcity that you receive on a daily basis?
2. How does your family practice gratitude and generosity?
3. How does your faith community embody the "liturgy of abundance"?  Or if your church lives in a pattern of scarcity, what language or practices might begin to change that pattern?
4. What is your favorite biblical story of abundance?  What does it teach you about living generously?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows Snoopy and his little pal rather than Clawdia, my cat who refused to pose for me.  Maybe she'll do it next time.

Chapter 1 ~ Compassion: Love in Action

Questions

1. What passion does your child possess that could be nurtured into an active compassion?  What passions of your own could be focused outward?
2. When have you heard "love" expressed in a way that might not be very loving in spirit?  How might you reframe that perspective and shape it into something more life-giving?
3. Where do you meet your greatest challenge to compassionate living?
4. How does your church, family, or local community engage in acts of compassion?  Do you see evidence of this practice or activity in the world around you?

The overview of More than Words is found here.  The photo above shows the author at a bookstore.