 |
| Television > Personally Speaking > Study Guide |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
- Mary Higgins Clark lost both her husband and father at a very young age, but she is still a woman of hope. In her interview, she recalled a quote from Rose Kennedy: The birds sing sweetest after the storm. What do you think she meant by that?
Have there been times in your life that you found this to be true?
- When you've been faced with challenges or hardships in your life, how have you maintained hope? How do you offer hope to others?
- All of the guests on this program credit a parent with instilling in them a strong sense of their Catholic faith. In what ways has your own faith life been influenced by your parent(s)
or another spiritual role model? What are you doing that will inspire your children or others to embrace their faith and continue
to grow spiritually? In what other ways could you encourage this kind of spiritual development?
- Nicholas Sparks gained fame for The Notebook and other romantic novels, but his life wasn't always a fairytale. But at the darkest
times in his life – the death of his mother, father, and sister in a short period of time – he drew strength from 1 Corinthians 10:13, "God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so
that you may be able to bear it." Think about times in you own life when you've struggled or faced challenges. Did you turn
to God for help or did you question your faith?
- Through Nicholas Sparks has been blessed with great success, the best-selling author doesn't let that success go to his head.
"Faith...keeps me grounded," he said during his interview. "There's more to life than the television shows or whatever; way
more. This isn't the important stuff." What is the "important stuff" in your life? What role does faith play? Does it keep
you centered or is it just one more thing on your "To Do" list? How can you make faith more central in your life?
- All of the guests on this program maintain a close relationship with God. In what ways do they nurture that relationship? Do
you share any of these attitudes or practices? Are there some you would you like to adopt? What holds you back?
- Jack McKeon is the manager of the Florida Marlins, a World Series Champion, and author of a new book, I'm Just Getting Started Here.
He credits the power of prayer with helping him throughout his life. What's the state of your prayer life? Do you pray to God only
when you want something or when things aren't going right, or do you also pray in thanksgiving for the good things you enjoy?
In what ways can you enrich or improve your prayer life?
- In addition to an active prayer life, Jack McKeon also attends Mass every day. "I go and I have peace of mind when I go," he said
during his interview. "It gives me great perspective and I feel good. I know that I'm going to go out there and do the best job I can
because I've got the Man looking after me." How often do you go to Mass? Try to go to mass everyday. What affect does that have on your day?
How does it affect your prayer life?
- All of the guests interviewed on this program uphold Christian values intentionally – both in their work and family life. What
does it mean to be "intentional" in your faith? In what ways can you put your faith into action in your daily life?
|