Book Group/Study Guide Questions: "Fractured Not Broken"

Now Featured in the Patheos Book Club
Fractured Not Broken: A Memoir
By Kelly Schaefer

Book Group/Study Guide Questions: Fractured Not Broken

1. Kelly's accident happened when she was nineteen years old. What were you doing when you were nineteen? What was your greatest fear at this age?
2. If your life became as tough and pain filled as Kelly's, how difficult would it be for you to value life? Would you consider suicide? Has Kelly's value of life changed your opinion? (As a comparison, read Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes)
3. In what ways did Brenda and Andy exhibit supportive love? How did their attitude instill strength in Kelly? Did you learn any practical ways to support a friend going through a difficult time? (James 1:12)
4. Kahlil Gibran said, Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. Do you think this is true? Why or why not? (2 Corinthians 12:9-11 NIV)
5. Some see a hopeless end while others see an endless hope. Why do you think some people cope better than others? Is it personality? Genetics? Faith? Personal choice? What gave Kelly reason for hope? (Romans 8:25 NIV).
6. Kelly suffered heartbreak when her boyfriend left her after the accident. Compare the heartbreak with her neck fracture. How did both impede her healing? Which break do you think was more traumatizing? Why?
7. Forgiveness and reconciliation are essential for Christians to live in freedom. Where did Kelly give, seek, and receive forgiveness/reconciliation? How did that free her? Was she able to let go of anything? What would be the most difficult thing for you forgive? (Mark 11:25)
8. Which scenes were emotional to you? Why?
9. First Kelly sought healing and then God's will. How did God open doors to teach Kelly that miracles come in a variety of forms and answers? What were some of the miracles? How has God shown you miracles in the midst of difficult situations? Were those miracles different than what you prayed for?
10. Kelly didn't let the wheelchair define her life. Is there something that defines you that holds you back from attaining your goals? (Ephesians 3:20)
11. How often do you think people like Kelly's gym teacher at USI discriminate against people with disabilities? Compare the differences between the attitudes of the gym teacher at USI and Chad Schnieders toward Kelly.
12. What did you learn about quadriplegics that you didn't know before you read the book? How will that change your attitude toward or conversations with a person with disabilities in the future?
13. In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. How did Kelly find humor in her situations? How do you find humor in your life? (Proverbs 17:22)
14. As a parent, if a man showed up on your doorstep and said he'd been searching for your twenty-something-year-old daughter for seven years, how would you react?
15. Kelly's boyfriend before the accident professed to love her. How does Shawn's understanding of love differ from Eric's?
16. There are several families in this book: Kelly's blended family, her family with Shawn, her faith family, her family of friends, and the Jasper community family. What did you learn about the importance of a family as you read Fractured Not Broken? How does your community family compare? (Matthew 22:37-39)
17. Throughout Fractured Not Broken, we see Kelly's journey on many levels. One is her spiritual journey. Discuss her faith in the beginning of the book compared to the end. (Romans 5:4)
18. Did you learn anything about yourself from reading the book? If so, what?

Suggested Reading

Love Does, by Don Goff

How Good is Good Enough? By Andy Stanley

Still I Will Praise, by Renee Bondi

Redemption Series, by Karen Kingsbury