I got the movie from Netflix.

Phooey on finding time to watch it

Here are the first discussion questions for The Last Sin Eater:

1. In your opinion, who or what caused the families in the valley to believe in a
sin eater? Why do you think these people went along with such an idea? What
consequences occurred because of their fear? How did they respond when
confronted with the truth?

2. What traditions or patterns in your life might be holding you captive? What are
some ways fear might prevent you from experiencing truth?

I think they believed in a sin eater because that's what they had always believed.  Traditions can be really hard to break.  They went along with it out of fear, I think.  The fear that if they didn't, they're loved ones might be lost.  Some responded well to the truth, but some were hard-hearted, very true parallel to real life.

I can't think of traditions that might be holding me captive.  Maybe just letting go of trying to do things myself, and letting God do the work in and through me.  I feel like I have let my fears go pretty well, but I think sometimes fear of what other people think might cause someone to experience truth.

Anyone else have any thoughts?  I know I'm not the only one who read this book!  :)

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their
blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked
and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful
plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil. Your unfailing
love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the
clouds.PSALM 36:1-5

3. What things were revealed about Brogan? How were they revealed? What
excuses did he offer for his actions? How did he respond to truth?

4. What kinds of excuses do you use to cover up your secrets?

1. In your opinion, who or what caused the families in the valley to believe in a sin eater? Why do you think these people went along with such an idea? What consequences occurred because of their fear? How did they respond when confronted with the truth?

I also believed that tradition and fear caused the families to believe in a sin eater plus deep within themselves they believed that they alone weren't enough to 'right' the wrongs they committed. Asking for forgiveness wasn't enough to receive forgiveness from God, they believed someone had to take those sins from them so they could go to God clean and worthy of His love.

They responded to the truth with fear, shame and guilt. Now, they also had a burden that they deceived their loved ones and also feared that those they loved wouldn't reach heaven because of the sin eater. For some,

2. What traditions or patterns in your life might be holding you captive? What are some ways fear might prevent you from experiencing truth? I need to think on this question a little more. The one pattern that I can see is that I'm a worry by nature. Always have been and even though I know I shouldn't, I have this 'fear' that if I don't 'worry/think' about what can/could go wrong in a situation then it will. Even though rationally I know I do not have control of everyone or everything in a situation. I think fear can keep us from truly letting go and trusting in God. I can debate over and over again if I'm making a choice that really is God's will and in the end land up not stepping out in faith and staying in a rut (not making a decision) because I fear of making a wrong choice and thereby not growing in my walk with Jesus. 

The people where lead by a strong man who lead by fear. He let them know it was his way or else. The Last Sin Eater was Jesus. It is very hard to be open to something new and be told that what you have believed for all these years isn't right. It reminded me of the time when we stop and say is this what I believe or is it what I have been taught all my life? Is this my faith walk or my parents???   That time can be very scary time for most of us.

The one thing I really was glad to see is that the women loved him for all those years no matter what. That she didn't run away or take the easy way out. She knew her heart and never let anything or one get in between her love and her self. Sorry I don't remember their names, I took the book back to the Library with my notes in it :( 

I was glad the children stayed true to the truth. Even after all the saw and heard they kept going foward. They wouldn't let fear win. That isn't easy no matter your age. Often when I feel fear I am reminding myself that Jesus is with me and I will be ok.

I learned the hard way the truth will set you free!!!  Thank you Jesus for being the one who was there for me in the darkness.

I was glad the children stayed true to the truth. Even after all the saw and heard they kept going foward.

I think you're right, in that it's not easy at any age.  For this reason, the story almost seemed unrealistic to me, but then I remember that God can work through anyone, and it is Him who gives them strength.  It's not their own strength they rely on.

Any more comments on this one?  I was going to post the rest of the discussion questions, but the page won't upload for me.  If anyone else wants to try, you go to the Francine Rivers website, go to the books, click on The Last Sin Eater, then on the right it says "book guide" or something like that.  All it pulls up for me is a blank page, and it used to work.

=) Just wanted to say that I *just* got my copy of this book. It was NOWHERE around here, and I had to special order it. Then the order was on backorder. So it took me a whole month to get. I will post it once I've read it so that some fortunate soul doesn't have to go through that to read it! ;)

I'm glad to finally have a copy!

That's too bad that it took so long for you to get your copy!  I hope you enjoy it, after all that!  :)