Excerpt

 Beyond Reach Discussion Questions: by Melody Carlson

1. Early in the story, Samantha begged God to give her a break from her special gift, but when He did, she got worried. Have you ever asked God to give you a break from something? Explain why and what happened.

2. Why do you think Samantha was feeling stressed when Ebony asked her to help in the Peter Clark case? Should Sam have done anything differently? Explain.

3. Were you surprised at what Sam discovered when she visited the suicide website? What are your thoughts on suicide? How do you think God feels about suicide?

4. If you suspected a friend was considering suicide, what would you do or say to help that person?

5. What do you think about the dating relationship between Samantha and Conrad? What do you like or dislike about it?

6. Did you think it was important for Samantha to talk to her pastor about her unique gift as well as her employment opportunity with the police force? Why or why not?

7. How did you feel about Samantha’s mother when she came home drunk? If you were Samantha, how would you have dealt with it?

8. What were your first impressions of Garrett Pierson? Do you know anyone like him? If so, how do you interact with that person?

9. Garrett seemed confused by a lot of things, including his sexual orientation. But Sam and Olivia pretty much accepted him for who he was. Do you think that was right or wrong? Why?

10. Do you think Sam was taking too big of a risk when she went onto the railroad bridge to talk Garrett down? Why or why not?