Kingdom's Quest (23 page)

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Authors: Chuck Black

BOOK: Kingdom's Quest
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It is now time for me to cease the telling and prepare for the battle that is coming. But perhaps before I go, you might care to know what ultimately happened to the mighty Sir Gavinaugh and the fair Lady Keanna. It is said that their love for each other grew to transcend the highest mountains of Arrethtrae. Their marriage was as simple as a peasant's but seemed as royal as a king's—for their hearts needed nothing
more than each other and the Prince. Unfortunately, not long after their union, Gavinaugh's wounds from the Tarmuwth dragon eventually overcame him during one of his battles with a Shadow Warrior, and he was carried away across the Great Sea by the Silent Warriors. Keanna's grief was so great that the entire kingdom could feel the pain within her heart. But she rose up and carried on the work Gavinaugh had begun. As for the saga of the rest of their lives, I am afraid I cannot tell it, for such a man and woman as these deserve the eloquent words of a herald far better than I.

The time of my departure is here. Place your hand gently on the soil beside my own, and feel the rumble of the earth beneath. The power of a thousand thousands is coming … evil warriors fighting against the Noble One. Here I stand with Him. Take up your sword and come with me, for the Prince is calling. And if you do not go … who will?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

To further facilitate the understanding of the biblical allegory of this series, a few discussion questions and answers are provided below.

C
HAPTER
1

1. Throughout the first chapter, Gavinaugh slowly realizes what his mission from the Prince entails. What is that mission?

2. The Outdwellers are people of Arrethtrae who are not citizens of Chessington. Who do they represent?

3. Porunth, a Silent Warrior, tells Gavinaugh that it is “easy to tell when one has been with Him.” We should live so it is easy for others to see that Christ lives in us as well. Find a verse that talks about this.

4. When Gavinaugh first meets two Knights of the Prince, they fear that he has come to arrest them. They even call him the “Tyrant of Chessington.” Then Weston comes and proclaims that Gavinaugh is a true Knight of the Prince. What does this event portray, and who is Weston?

5. Gavinaugh tells William and Barrett that “the Prince has made all things new” in him. Find a verse that supports this statement.

C
HAPTER
2

1. In the first paragraph of this chapter, there was a disagreement among the Knights of the Prince regarding the Outdwellers and what they must do to become true Knights of the Prince. Find the passage in Acts where the disciples had a similar disagreement regarding the Gentiles.

2. Until this point, Weston represented Barnabas. However, his biblical representation broadens. Who does he become now?

3. What does the conversation between Gavinaugh and Cade represent? Find verses in the Bible that are discussed in this passage.

C
HAPTER
3

1. Gavinaugh confronts the Shadow Warrior who is terrorizing Kumbria. His moving words speak of the power of the Prince. What event in Acts does this represent?

C
HAPTER
4

1. What does Santiok represent?

2. Weston tries to pacify Gavinaugh's intense anger over the despicable treatment of people by saying, “They do not know the ways of the Prince. They have lived in this darkened condition since the beginning of the kingdom.” Paul states something similar in chapter five of the book of Ephesians about living in a darkened condition. Can you find the verse?

3. Gavinaugh addresses the people of Santiok in order to share the words of the Prince with them, and at the end of his address, Gavinaugh pleads, “Free your slaves and show compassion to your fellow citizens, as the King has shown His compassion to you.” The people's obnoxious response prompts Gavinaugh and Weston to leave the auction. Find three parallel events in Acts 13.

4. At one point, Gavinaugh tells the men that to become Knights of the Prince they must “Simply believe, tell others, and prepare.” What does this represent?

C
HAPTER
5

1. Keanna has been an active character for the past few chapters. Now do you know who she represents?

2. Gavinaugh abandoned Keanna when the Shadow Warriors first came for her. Now he has chosen to protect her. What does this change of heart portray?

3. Have you ever held a grudge against someone? What helped you overcome your anger? Find a verse that addresses anger.

C
HAPTER
6

1. Who does Sandon represent?

2. After Gavinaugh loses consciousness from the brutal beating, he has an encounter with the Prince, who encourages Gavinaugh to continue with his mission. What does this represent?

3. What event in Paul's life does Gavinaugh's beating symbolize?

C
HAPTER
7

1. Although Gavinaugh remains at Penwell, the biblical location of his mission moves somewhere else. Where is this place in the Bible?

2. Gavinaugh is again arrested and thrown into Penwell's prison. What does this represent?

3. After spending many days and nights in prison, Gavinaugh, Weston, and Sandon are released when two Silent Warriors appear and order the governor to release his three prisoners. What does this event allegorize?

4. At the end of this chapter, Sandon asks to travel with Gavinaugh and Weston. What does this represent?

C
HAPTER
8

1. The beginning of this chapter recounts the journey from Penwell to Thecia. Read Acts 17:1–14. Have you ever found yourself the target of ridicule or harsh treatment because you believe in Jesus?

2. What does the city of Thecia represent?

3. What do you think the Court of the Lords represents?

4. Gavinaugh tells his fellow knights that to the Thecians he will be a Thecian so he can win their attention and tell them of the Prince. Find the passage written by Paul in 1 Corinthians concerning this. Why do you think this is important?

5. The Thecian nobility have devoted all their time, energy, and wealth to attaining new heights of nobility through their grand tournaments. What does this cultural development symbolize?

C
HAPTER
9

1. What does the Tournament of Lords represent?

C
HAPTER
10

1. At the beginning of this chapter, Weston warns Gavinaugh not to go back to Chessington. Find in the chapter in Acts where Paul's fellow disciples warn him not to return to Jerusalem. What is Paul's response?

2. Gavinaugh journeys to Chessington and is captured and imprisoned. Leisel visits him and pleads for his love one last time. Who do you think Leisel represents?

3. Leisel is described as “a prisoner behind the bars of religious devotion to a false concept of nobility.” What do you think this means?

4. In the New Testament, Paul warns believers not to fall back into the bondage of the Law. When this happens, our faith becomes empty because our relationship with God becomes burdensome and not joyful. Is your relationship with God burdensome or joyful? If burdensome, why and what can you do to change it?

C
HAPTER
11

1. In this chapter, Kifus begins to represent more than just the head of the Pharisees. He questions Gavinaugh about his motives. Who else does Kifus represent in this scene?

2. At one point during Gavinaugh's explanation of his motives, Kifus seems to understand the truth and becomes afraid. Yet he does not become a follower. Why do you think this is? Is understanding the truth enough to become saved? Why or why not?

3. Gavinaugh is eventually sent on a ship to the Namorian realm. Who do the Namorians represent?

C
HAPTER
12

1. Read Acts 27. The Tempests attack the
Raven
, and the crew is fearful. What do the Tempests represent?

2. Gavinaugh uses his sword to help save the crew of the
Raven
from being captured by the Tempests. What does this symbolize, and what verse in Acts 27 applies here?

3. We often encounter “storms” in our lives. What lesson can we learn from Paul in facing our storms? Find a Scripture verse to support your answer.

C
HAPTER
13

1. What island in Acts is represented by the Isles of Melogne?

2. In the scene with the strangler vine, Gavinaugh survives because of the sword training he received from the Prince. Through the sword he was protected. How does this relate to Paul's survival of the poisonous snakebite?

3. On the island, Pliubus's father is taken captive by Lord Malthos. What does this represent, and who is Lord Malthos?

4. Gavinaugh defeats Lord Malthos and frees all of his slaves. What does this symbolize?

C
HAPTER
14

1. Gavinaugh continues to court Keanna and win her heart. What does this represent?

2. Gavinaugh loves Keanna but realizes that she must belong to the Prince before he can fully give his heart to her. Have you ever been tempted to compromise your convictions to please someone else instead of God?

3. Keanna finds it difficult to believe in the Prince because of the pain she has experienced as well as the pain she sees all around her. Find the verse that tells us to be ready to give an answer to those who are seeking God.

4. In Keanna's moment of decision to follow the Prince, the Shadow Warriors steal her away. Find a parable in Matthew where Jesus talks about how this can happen to someone who hears the word of the kingdom.

C
HAPTER
15

1. Keanna is taken to Devinoux's stronghold, which is the lair of the Tarmuwth, where Gavinaugh must face the dragon. What do you think the dragon represents?

2. There are many ways that Satan can establish a stronghold in our lives. How does Gavinaugh defeat this stronghold, and what can we learn from his battle? Find a verse to support your answer.

3. Keanna frees herself and helps Gavinaugh defeat Devinoux and the dragon. Why do you think she finds courage to do this, and how does this apply to a Christian's life? Can you find a verse that supports your answer?

4. A Shadow Warrior poses as a Silent Warrior and tries to kill Gavinaugh. What does the Bible have to say about this kind of demonic deception? How can we be as discerning as Keanna?

C
HAPTER
16

1. When Gavinaugh is wounded by the dragon, he nearly dies. He is eventually taken across the Great Sea because of his wounds, and Keanna continues his work. What does this represent biblically?

ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

C
HAPTER
1

1. The Prince charged Gavinaugh to share His message with and train the Outdwellers.

2. In a broad sense, they represent all non-Jewish people of the world, the Gentiles. Later in the book, Outdwellers are specifically represented by one character. Watch for who this might be.

3. Matthew 5:16.

4. When the disciples feared that Saul would imprison them but Barnabas vouched for Saul's sincerity in Acts 9:26–27. Weston represents Barnabas.

5. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

C
HAPTER
2

1. Acts 15:1–2, 5–19.

2. Weston now represents any of the disciples who traveled with Paul, be it Barnabas, Silas, Luke, or someone else. (Acts 15:22).

3. Biblical truths as taught by Jesus and Paul (Mark 10:25; Matthew 6:19–20; Luke 14:16–23; Revelation 5:10; Romans 10:8–9).

C
HAPTER
3

1. All of
chapter 3
represents Paul and Barnabas's missionary journey to the city of Paphos on the isle of Cyprus, where Paul blinds a sorcerer and converts the proconsul of the country in Acts 13:6–13.

C
HAPTER
4

1. Santiok represents Antioch (Acts 13:14).

2. Ephesians 5:8.

3. Paul's sermon in Acts 13:16–41, Paul and Barnabas's charge in verses 46–47, and their departure in verse 50.

4. These are essentially the words of the Great Commission, given by Jesus to His disciples. The remark in the book represents Paul's dedication to Jesus and His teaching.

C
HAPTER
5

1. Keanna represents the Gentiles.

2. Gavinaugh has learned through the Prince that the Outdwellers are also called to become Knights of the Prince. This is allegorical of Paul's outreach to the Gentiles.

3. Answer based on personal experience; one choice is Ephesians 4:26.

C
HAPTER
6

1. Timothy (Acts 16:1–3).

2. The appearance of Jesus to Paul to encourage him in Acts 18:9–10.

3. The stoning of Paul at Lystra in Acts 14:19–20.

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