Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione (26 page)

C
HAPTER
7

1. As Duncan becomes more stable and focused on his mission for the Prince, his partnership with Kendrick improves greatly. What are some of the effects of being focused on the Lord?
   

C
HAPTER
8

1. Although Duncan’s intentions were good, it was foolish for him to enter the castle. List two reasons why it was foolish. How does this apply to Christians?
   
2. Can you think of a time when you experienced the “powerful pull” of temptation as Duncan does at the festival? How did you respond to it? What do you think are some wise and effective methods of dealing with temptation?
   
3. Duncan realizes that in spite of their appearance of strength and power, the Shadow Warriors fear the power of the Prince. Why is this so? Find some verses that show this.
   

C
HAPTER
9

1. Kendrick proclaims to the two Shadow Warriors, “Though my blood may spill, I am not afraid of you.” What resource does he draw on that gives him this courage? What does this represent biblically?
   
2. Find the passages in the Bible that tell about the rebellion of Lucifer and his angels.
   
3. Can you describe why you think Bronwyn is so upset and angry? Have you ever watched something evil gain power and strength and greatly wanted to stop it? What did you do?
   

C
HAPTER
10

1. Morley says, “I can see in your face that you have lost one to Lord Ra … like so many before you. Others have come to me, but I can offer them nothing except this: the choice was their own, and their own shall they bear.… Mourn not for the foolish, though they be your sons or daughters, for darkness swallows all who play in its shadows.” Give some examples of how people choose to “play in the shadows” of darkness.
   
2. Ancel says, “I didn’t want to become like them—truly, Mother. I just wanted to see what the festival was like.” Why is this a dangerous attitude?
   
3. What are some ways that the stronghold of rebellion is manifested in the youth once they enter the castle at the festival?
   

C
HAPTER
11

1. While Kendrick’s words could not convey that he had come in peace, he found a way to convince Landor. How did he do it? What did he display that encouraged Landor to consider his requests? What does this say about the way we live as Christians?
   

C
HAPTER
12

1. Kendrick says, “Let me tell you of the bread that brings hope and life to all who eat of it.” What is he talking about? Find a Bible verse or passage that speaks of this bread.
   
2. Have you seen the story of Jesus transform a life such as how the Prince’s story changed Kendrick? How does observing that change make you feel? What does it do for your own faith?
   
3. The names of the blood wolves that protect Lord Ra’s castle are Hypoc, Deceptor, Toxica, Revel, Plezior, Arrogoy, Destroyer, Carnage, Chaos, and Tormentor. What do you think these beasts represent?
   
4. Kendrick is resolved to save Duncan, even after having to travel high into the mountains to find the mysterious Landor and then hearing him speak of all the dangerous obstacles he would have to meet in order to find Duncan, who Landor believes is already dead. Though the situation seems all but hopeless, Kendrick remains steadfast in his mission to rescue his friend. Loyalty is one of the virtues focused on in
   Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione.
   What kinds of obstacles did Jesus face in order to be loyal to the Father and to us in His mission to rescue mankind?
   

C
HAPTER
13

1. As Kendrick moves closer to the castle and Ra’s forces, he begins to experience fear. Find a verse about overcoming fear. If we are believers in Jesus Christ, why don’t we have to be afraid? (Refer to 1 John 4:4.)
   
2. Kendrick is hindered in his mission to rescue Duncan by Ra’s beasts. First Thessalonians 2:18 says that Paul was also hindered by Satan. In what ways does Satan try to hinder our work for the Lord?
   

C
HAPTER
14

1. Looking into Teara’s eyes, Kendrick vows “never to forget her image” because it is “a picture of Lord Ra’s work in the souls of men and women.” Do you react this way to lost people you encounter? What does Jesus say in Matthew 9:37–38 about reaching the lost?
   

C
HAPTER
15

1. In this chapter, Landor explains the three responses to participating in Ra’s festivals. Take some time to consider the three roads a person can take once he decides to enter the stronghold of rebellion.
   

   1. What is the most common response? When these people grow up, what do they expect from their own children? Why don’t they realize what is really going on? What does this response look like in our society? Do you see examples of this response in anyone you know … or even in yourself?
      
   2. What is the second response? What eventually happens to these people? What kinds of “snares of death” does the devil set for people in our society who respond this way? What are the possible outcomes for people who fall into these traps? Do you know any examples of this response?
      
   3. What is the response that Lord Ra is most earnestly seeking? What does he do with these people? What are some examples of who these people might be in our society today?
      
2. There is actually a fourth possible response to Lord Ra’s festivals. What is it? How do youth in our society make this response? Can you think of at least one character in the book who chose this response?
   
3. Near the end of the chapter, Kendrick tells Landor that the Prince came “to restore this land, these people … and to restore you, no matter what you’ve done.” Find two verses that offer salvation to anyone who believes.
   

C
HAPTER
16

1. Kendrick says, “I can promise you one thing. When you say yes to the Prince, you had better hang on tight, for His stallion rides far and fast!” What does Isaiah 64:4 say about God’s amazing plans for you? Have you experienced adventure in Christ?
   
2. Kendrick calls many Knights of the Prince into battle against Lord Ra. What does this symbolize for believers? How do we battle against evil?
   
3. There are several examples in the Bible of battles in which God used a highly outnumbered force to bring victory to His people. Find one of these instances. Why do you think God did this? Does He still work on this principle today? Have you seen an example of this in your own life (maybe not with numbers, but perhaps with ability or experience)? If yes, what was it?
   
4. Reread Kendrick’s speech to prepare his knights for battle. His powerful words are based on several Bible verses. Can you find the references?
   

C
HAPTER
17

1. As Landor, Duncan, and the other knights neared the castle’s dungeon, Duncan started to become fearful and anxious because of his past experiences. How did he deal with this? Look up Matthew 16:24–25. How do these verses apply to us?
   

C
HAPTER
18

1. When Kendrick defeats Ra, he tells Ra that the Prince makes all things possible. Find a Bible verse that supports this. Have you seen an example of this in your own life or the life of someone close to you?
   
2. Kendrick and the other Knights of the Prince are victorious over the stronghold of rebellion. Find a Bible verse that assures us of having power through God to destroy strongholds.
   
3. When Landor reveals the truth of his past to Kendrick, Kendrick struggles between the way of his former life and his new life in the Prince. What is it that finally draws Kendrick to forgive Landor? What does this symbolize for Christians? Forgiveness is another virtue addressed in
   Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione.
   Why is forgiveness so important? What does Colossians 2:13–15 say about forgiveness?
   
4. What is it that finally convinces Landor to believe in the Prince, and how is this an example for Christians?
   

C
HAPTER
19

1. Bronwyn tells Kendrick he is taking the Shadow Warriors to a “place prepared for them where they will not be able to influence Arrethtraens anymore … at least not for a long while.” What does he mean?
   
2. When Kendrick brings Teara up out of the dungeon, he refuses the credit for setting her free. Instead, he tells her that the Prince saved her, just as He saved Kendrick from his own prison. What was that prison? What other kinds of “prisons” does Jesus set people free from?
   
3. The reunion scene at the end of chapter 19 is a picture of the joy and healing that the Lord can bring when He frees a lost child from rebellion and brings him home, repentant,
   to his family. Can you find a similar story in one of Jesus’ parables?
   
4. When Kendrick is preparing to share the story of the Prince with the citizens of Bel Lione, he looks out over the many thousands of people and feels their need. Jesus also felt compassion for a large crowd. Can you find an example of this in the Bible?
   

C
HAPTER
20

1. Because of Kendrick’s loyalty and faithfulness to the Prince, a haven is started in a city that only weeks earlier was in almost total rebellion to the King’s good ways. All of this was accomplished by the power of the Prince. The power of Christ doesn’t change and is always available to those who seek it, yet our efforts for Him are not always so successful. What does this tell you about the importance of faithfulness and loyalty on our part?
   
2. We learned that each book in the Knights of Arrethtrae Series deals with a specific set of vices and virtues. Review the two vices and two virtues that are dealt with in
   Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione.
   What are they? Which characters represented these traits?
   
3. Did any of the characters you identified in question 2 have a heart change in regard to their vices? If so, what do you think caused the change in each case? What circumstances developed the virtues in the characters you identified?
   
4. Have you realized anything new or thought about changing anything in your own life because of the tale of
   Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione
   ?
   
5. The theme verse for this book is Isaiah 42:6–7. What does this verse say about the power of Christ in people’s lives?
   

1. The Prince represents Jesus Christ.
   
2. The Knights of the Prince represent all Christians.
   
3. The Noble Knights represent the Jewish religious leaders during the time of Christ (for example, the scribes, Pharisees, teachers of the Law, and so on).
   
4. Chessington represents Jerusalem, and Arrethtrae represents the whole world (the words
   earth
   and
   terra
   are combined backward to make up this word).
   
5. The Dark Knight, also referred to as Lucius, represents Satan.
   
6. The Silent Warriors are God’s angels, and the Shadow Warriors are Satan’s demons.
   
7. A haven represents a local church where believers are trained, discipled, and sent out to share the gospel with others.
   

C
HAPTER
1

1. Jesus deals with us in grace, while the world is geared toward evaluating others based on performance and works. The Bible teaches that a person can be instantly saved through faith in Christ. The training and discipleship come afterward.
   
2. One choice is 2 Corinthians 10:17–18; answers based on personal experience.
   
3. For example, “The church is a body of believers, not a building,” or “I don’t find my worth in trendy clothes but in my identity in Christ.”
   
4. The Council of Knights represents the leadership of the early church and primarily the apostles.
   
5. When we have conflicts with other people, we must realize that the problem is not actually with those people but with the work the devil is trying to do in all of our lives. People often don’t realize that their actions are sinful and in line with what Satan would want, especially if those people aren’t saved. (Rest of answer based on personal experience.)
   
6. If we are living godly Christian lives, we will experience persecution, but we can welcome it without shame and with rejoicing because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon us. When the fullness of Christ’s glory is revealed to us, we will be exceedingly joyful that God counted us worthy to share in even a little bit of Jesus’ sufferings so that the gospel could be spread! See what Jesus had to say about persecution in John 15:18–20 and 16:33. Christians all over the world are experiencing different levels of persecution; an Internet search for “Christian persecution” will bring up several Christian Internet news sources.
   
7. Being aware of Satan’s devices can help us live more victorious Christian lives by keeping us safe from the deception, confusion, and torment he can so craftily bring to unsuspecting and vulnerable people. Several things might happen if we dwell on the plans of the devil instead of focusing on the good plans of the Lord. First of all, we might begin to fear. Even though we know we have no reason to fear since “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) and “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4), spending too much time investigating evil can sometimes affect our perspective. Second, we might unwittingly allow the devil to steal our joy—and the joy of the Lord is a precious and powerful thing that should be carefully guarded. Third, we might give the devil undue attention (which is really what he wants—to get the glory God deserves) and begin to see him as bigger and more powerful
   than he really is. Fourth, our mission to share the good news can be thwarted by our spending too much time battling darkness. Though it is necessary to take time and effort to tear down strongholds, allowing more people to come to the knowledge of the truth, we must remember that the devil has already been defeated by Jesus. Finally, we might miss the precious guidance, direction, and quality time building our relationship with the Lord if we spend all of our time talking to and rebuking the devil. (Other responses possible.)