From Adventures in Odyssey Wiki
- For the dramatized version of this book, see Passages: Darien's Rise.
[edit] Summary
Kyle and Anna, two kids from 1950's Odyssey, find themselves transported to a strange new world called Marus. They are immediately caught up in a struggle between a power-mad king and his valiant young general.
- For a full plot, see Darien's Rise saga.
Jack Allen has purchased some goods from the Estate of a retired Odyssey School Teacher who has passed away. As Jack says: "Nothing Remarkable", except an old Manuscript written in a school notebook. The title reads: Manuscript #1 "The Chronicle of the Chosen", and is dated October 3rd, 1958. The story begins in the summer of 1958 as Kyle and Anna are visiting their Grandparents in Odyssey. One day they explore an abandoned house in the woods nearby. Kyle gets careless and falls through some floorboards, but...suddenly finds himself wrapped in a curtain? He gets loose just in time to save a young man's life, and race away. When Anna came to help Kyle, a White Light surrounds her, and she finds herself in completely different world called Marus. Caught as a spy, and sold as a slave, Anna is rescued by an old man called the Old Judge. He explains that have been chosen by the "Unseen One" as a Voice and Protector.
[edit] Discussion Questions
- Discussion questions are based on the dramatized version.
| Chapters 1-2
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- Jack and Whit have been friends for a very long time. What do you like best about long-term friendships?
- How is a longstanding friendship different from a new friendship?
- Kyle and Anna were staying with their grandparents in Odyssey. Do you like spending time with your grandparents?
- Anna saw King Lawrence and Prince George arguing about Darien’s popularity. Are you popular now?
- Would you like to be?
- Why do so many people covet popularity?
- Whose favor should we desire?
- Read Proverbs 8:35 and Psalm 90:17 How can you gain God’s favor?
- What does “establish the work of our hands” mean?
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| Chapters 3-5
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- The waiter attributed victory to “the Unseen One!” Who do you give the glory to when you have done amazing things?
- Why should you recognize God in all your ways?
- Read Matthew 10:32-33. Why would you want God to acknowledge you?
- The men on the train believed in the power of the Unseen One. Do you believe that God is all-powerful?
- Read 1 Chronicles 29:11 and Ephesians 1:19. Knowing that God created the world by speaking His word, how able do you think He is today to carry out his plans?
- What about God’s creation makes you feel awed and amazed?
- The Old Judge told Anna that she had been chosen for something. What do you think you have been chosen for?
- Read John 15:16. What kind of fruit are you producing?
- What does good fruit look like in your life?
- Prince George stated the king had not been himself since his last argument with the Old Judge. When you have been afraid, are you able to talk with God?
- Does fear put a barrier between you and God?
- Who should you fear? Read Psalm 19:9 and Deuteronomy.
- What do you think the fear of the Lord means?
- What are different kinds of fear?
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| Pages 52 through 66
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- Kyle saved General Darien’s life for a second time. Are there ways that you could save someone?
- If you tell others about Jesus, how do you save them?
- Have you saved someone trouble by telling him something?
- Can you name other ways that you can save people?
- General Darien was betrayed by one of his own men from Marus. Why does it hurt more when a friend hurts you then when a stranger treats you badly?
- Do you think Jesus felt that way when He knew His disciple was going to betray Him?
- Read Matthew 26:21 to see what Jesus knows about betrayal. Why should you talk to Jesus when you feel betrayed?
- Anna’s dream told her to have faith in the Unseen One and she would be His voice. Do you have faith in God?
- How would you define faith?
- Read Hebrews 11:1-2. What do you hope for?
- Is your hope in Jesus and His promises of eternal life with Him?
- Darien played the piano as he tried to figure out what to do next. What do you do when you are trying to figure things out?
- Read Mark 1:35 to see what Jesus did to figure out what to do.
- How does prayer help you figure out what to do?
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| Pages 66 through 88
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- Anna explained the Unseen One to Kyle. Have you ever told someone about your faith in God?
- Read Matthew 9:37. How do you bring in the harvest in the Kingdom of God?
- The newspaper stated that there had been a plot to overthrow the king and implied that Darien was part of it. When was the last time you were accused of doing something that you had not done?
- How did it make you feel?
- What does Matthew 5:25 tell you about working out problems?
- George suggested Darien hide out until Lawrence’s jealousy subsided. Read Exodus 20:5. What do you think it means when God says that He is jealous?
- How do we sometimes withhold our love from God?
- What is the difference between human jealousy and the jealousy of God?
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| Pages 88 through 106
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- The Old Judge told Darien the Unseen One rarely made things easy. Why would the Unseen One do this?
- What was something that you worked hard for?
- Did you appreciate the end result of that hard work?
- Read Hebrews 12:4-7. Why would God discipline those He loves?
- How would you compare discipline from God with discipline from your parents?
- The Old Judge wanted Anna to develop her gift with Sister Leona. Who might be able to help you develop your gifts?
- What gifts do you think God has given to you?
- Read 2 Timothy 1:6. How can you “fan the flame” of your gifts?
- Sister Leona told Anna she would learn only what she was willing to learn. How is that true for you, too?
- Can you think of a time you had a chance to learn something, but didn’t?
- Have you ever ignored a teacher or coach instead of listening to what they had to say?
- Read Luke 6:39. What do you think this verse says about learning?
- Kyle and Anna were both sad when they had to leave each other. Have you ever felt that way when you had to leave a good friend?
- Is there anything positive that comes from parting from family and friends?
- Darien and Kyle saw an idle shepherd who seemed harmless. Read Ecclesiastes 10:18 and 11:6. What does the Bible say about laziness and idle hands?
- Have you ever waited until the last minute to get projects done?
- How does this harm you?
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| Pages 106 through 124
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- Kyle and Anna became convinced of the Unseen One. Are you convinced that God is alive today and acts on your behalf?
- Read Isaiah 64:4. What is the one thing God asks you to do while He acts on your behalf?
- Why do you think He asks you to wait?
- Darien thought the convent massacre was his fault. Have you ever felt responsible when something bad happened?
- How did you learn from your mistakes?
- Read Proverbs 15:31-32. Why do you think the Bible says, “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself”?
- Colonel Oliver scouted ahead and found that the Palatians had overtaken Kellen. Do you plan ahead?
- What are some of the advantages of planning ahead?
- Read Proverbs 27:1 and Proverbs 27:12. After reflecting on these two verses, what do you think about planning ahead?
- How can we plan ahead and still allow God to change our plans?
- Darien toasted the Unseen One in thanksgiving for their victory. How can you spend time in thanksgiving to God for all the good things that happen to you each day?
- Read Psalm 100:4. When you talk to God, do you start off with your problems, or do you start by praising Him and thanking Him?
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| Chapter 13 through page 146
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- Darien and his men prayed to the Unseen One before Darien surrendered to the king. How often do you pray?
- How does the amount of time you pray compare to the amount of time you talk to your friends?
- Darien and his men were saved because King Lawrence’s men received a distress call from Furnchance. Have you personally witnessed something wonderful that God did?
- Did you tell everyone you know about it?
- Read Psalm 9:1 and Psalm 119:27. How does thinking about God’s wonders strengthen your faith?
- Darien told Anna and Kyle that the Old Judge had died. Read bible:1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. What is our hope when people die?
- How can we be sad that a person has died but still celebrate that person’s ongoing life in heaven with God?
- When King Lawrence got on board the train, Darien decided to go to his compartment. What is the last reckless thing you did?
- What does Proverbs 14:16 tell you to do about being reckless?
- How does being reckless harm you?
- Darien showed the king his coronation medallion as proof that he would not harm him. How does God prove to you that He is for you and does not want to harm you?
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| Pages 136 through 164
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- Anna read the Sacred Scrolls, while Kyle was bored and eventually questioned the Unseen One’s existence. Is it easier to believe in God when everything is going well or when things are going badly?
- Why is that?
- Read Proverbs 12:5. Are you more like Kyle or Anna?
- How does studying the Bible help you?
- The Rat did not believe in the Unseen One, and yet Kyle listened to him. How discerning are you when you speak with unbelievers?
- Do you think their words may influence you?
- Read Proverbs 12:5. Where should we go for advice?
- The baron offered Darien and his men a significantly large portion of Marus’ northern counties, with Darien as their king, if they would side with the Palatians.
- Why didn’t Darien accept the offer?
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| Pages 164 through 185
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- General Liddell and King Lawrence came to Anastasia’s shack for help. Have you ever spent time with someone you knew you shouldn’t be around?
- Kyle decided to take matters into his own hands rather than waiting on God. Have you ever done that?
- Why is it hard to trust in the Lord while things are chaotic around you?
- Read Psalm 37:3-4. What does “delight yourself in the Lord” mean?
- The Old Judge told Kyle that he was in bad company and should have had faith and been patient. Patience is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Are you patient?
- Read Proverbs 19:11. How you can you put this into practice the next time you are offended?
- Both Kyle and Anna went through a lot of difficult situations. Like the two of them, do you ever feel your life is filled with struggles?
- Read Psalm 13:1-2. Is that how you feel at times?
- Read on to Psalm 13:5-6. When times are hard, can you say the same thing?
- Why or why not?
- Kyle couldn’t protect the king as he protected Darien. When was the last time you tried to do something you couldn’t do?
- Have you ever been prideful?
- What does James 4:10 tell you to do?
- What happens when you lift yourself up instead of letting God lift you up?
- Kyle thought about how he knew what it was like to die a coward without faith. Do you have dreams of being a hero?
- Who are your heroes?
- How can you be a hero?
- Kyle felt he had failed because he stopped believing. He forgot the Unseen One. Do you ever forget who made you?
- How does forgetting who your Creator is stop you from living the life you should?
- Read Lamentations 3:22. How does it make you feel to know that God never forgets you?
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[edit] Characters
- This book was dramatized and aired on the radio in the 2009 Season. The nine parts were packaged in Passages: Darien's Rise.
- Included with every Passages book is a collectible map of Marus. It can also be found on the official site.
- The first chapter of this book can be read here.
- Characters in this book visit a town called Nob. The scene parallels the biblical story of David when he visits the priests in Nob.
- Portions of this episode were included in the June and July 2000 issues of Breakaway magazine.
[edit] Artwork
Third edition cover, to be released in April 2010
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Second edition Book with collectible map
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Second edition back cover
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