The Choosing (34 page)

I feel as though I couldn’t say thank you enough to the people who helped this story come to life and helped me survive the process. No one writes a book alone, and I owe everything to the beautiful hands that helped shape this one.

To everyone at Tyndale for seeing what I saw in this story and believing in its message, as well as in me. To Jeremy Taylor for making it shine while staying true to its origins. To Cara Highsmith for holding my hand in the early stages and walking me through to the end. To Esther Fedorkevich for being the best agent on the planet, and Whitney Gossett for bringing so much excitement to this project.

To all my Blue Monkeys: I could never put into words the gratitude and love I have for each of you. You were the first to believe that this crazy dream of writing was possible, and then continued to support and encourage every step of the way. A specific shout-out to Kelsey Keating and Stephanie Pazicni Karfelt, my beautiful blue sisters. I owe you so much. It’s a beautiful thing to know I’m not on this journey alone.

To Katy Austin: woman, I love you. You probably have no idea the positive impact your friendship has had on me this last year. When I say I couldn’t have made it through without you, I mean it.

To my parents: my mom for being a rock. A constant voice of encouragement. A beautiful place I could go for release when the journey got too heavy. My biggest cheerleader who honestly never doubted me. I love you. My dad
 
—thank God you have walked this road before me. Thank you for letting go of this world and in doing so showing me how to walk on water. I would have drowned without your example and love. I love you.

To my husband: I don’t even know where to start. Thank you doesn’t feel like enough for the strength you give me. When doubt, fear, and worry threaten to storm the gates, I can always find you standing beside me in faith. You remind me that I am capable of all that I dream. Your excitement, commitment, drive, creativity, encouragement, and love help me face the dark days and rejoice in the ones filled with light. I love you with my whole heart.

To the One who gave me the gift to write and entrusted me with stories and dreams, to you alone I give my soul. I am yours and you are mine. Lead me through the darkness so I can know the light. It is well with my soul.

Thank you all,

Rachelle

The oldest daughter of
New York Times
bestselling author Ted Dekker,
R
ACHELLE
D
EKKER
was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair. Visit her online at
www.rachelledekker.com
.

1. In the very first chapter, the day that Carrington Hale has prepared for her entire life goes exactly the opposite of the way she imagined. Has anything like that ever happened to you, for better or for worse? How did you handle it?
   
2. The Choosing
   is a dystopian novel. What is it about dystopian fiction that most intrigues you?
   
3. Did you notice any elements of Carrington’s futuristic society that reminded you of twenty-first-century life? What would be the most challenging aspect of Carrington’s world for you, if you lived there?
   
4. In chapter 7, Carrington dreams of her mother telling her, “I’ve heard stories of a time when the Choosing didn’t exist. Everyone chose for themselves. People were joined and then ended their commitments. . . . People in committed relationships were unfaithful;
   people fought over one another. . . . Society lacked peace, and the people were full of jealousy and hate.” Do you think Vena accurately describes today’s society? If so, what might be the source of these issues, and how can our society
    
   —or our churches
    
   —better address them? The Authority believes the solution lies in the Choosing Ceremony. Are they right?
   
5. One of the main themes of this novel is the source of our worth and value. What determines a person’s worth, according to the Authority? According to Aaron, the prophetic voice in the story? According to modern American culture? According to Scripture?
   
6. Truth Six teaches girls that “not to be chosen would yield a cruel fate of [their] own making.” But if we are followers of Christ, God sees us as blameless, worthy, and completely forgiven. Why is it often difficult for people to accept this reality? Read Romans 8:1-4. How would your life look different if you truly understood that, in Christ, you are free from condemnation?
   
7. Can you think of a time in your life when you weren’t “chosen” (professionally, academically, romantically, etc.)? Looking back, are there ways you wish you would have dealt with the situation differently? What would you say to a friend or family member who feels like he/she wasn’t chosen?
   
8. The Authority’s holy book
    
   —the
   Veritas
    
   —sounds a lot like the Bible in many ways. But how does it differ from Scripture? For example, compare Romans 13:1-2 with this quotation from the
   Veritas
   : “Let every citizen be subject to the Authority. For there is no true authority except from God, and those who have been appointed have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the Authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” How can you avoid misinterpreting or misapplying Scripture in your own life? How can you discern when a teacher of Scripture is wrongly representing it for his/her own purposes?
   
9. Though some members object, eventually the Authority agrees to execute Arianna Carson. Why is she so dangerous to them? Why do you think her father, President Ian Carson, doesn’t protest more strongly? What’s your opinion of Arianna’s character and her influence on Carrington?
   
10. Compare and contrast the characters of Aaron and Isaac. What is similar or different in their methods of leadership? Their views of God? Their interactions with others?
    
11. Vena’s treatment of Carrington seems to change depending on circumstances
     
    —when Carrington isn’t chosen, Vena turns her back; when Carrington is
    selected by Isaac, Vena shows her favor again. Do you think Vena truly loves Carrington? What motivates Vena’s actions? Do any relationships in your life feel like this? How can you avoid letting the judgments of others affect your self-worth? How can you keep from treating others this way?
    
12. What lies ahead for Carrington and Remko? What struggles and triumphs might they face in book two of this series?
    

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www.rachelledekker.com