An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers
denarius (pl. denarii): a Roman unit of money equivalent to one day’s pay for a common laborer. (See also aureus, sesterce, quadrans.)
fanum (pl. fana): a temple that was larger than a shrine but smaller than the regular temples
frigidarium: the room in the baths where the water was cold
Hades: Greek god of the underworld
haruspex (pl. haruspices): a person at a temple who supposedly could interpret supernatural signs by examining the vital organs of animals sacrificed by the priests
Hera: Greek queen of the gods. In mythology, Hera was the sister and wife of Zeus and was identified with the Roman Juno.
Juno: Roman goddess, comparable to the Greek goddess Hera. Juno was the goddess of light, birth, women, and marriage. As wife of Jupiter, Juno was the queen of heaven.
Jupiter: the Roman supreme god and husband of Juno. Jupiter was also the god of light, sky/weather, and the state (its welfare and laws). Jupiter was comparable to the Greek god Zeus.
lararium: part of a Roman dwelling. The lararium was a special room reserved for idols.
lying-in: Roman term for labor (during childbirth)
mandragora: mandrake. A Mediterranean herb of the nightshade family used especially to promote conception, as a cathartic, or as a narcotic and soporific.
Mars: Roman god of war
mensor (pl. mensores): a shipyard worker who weighed cargo, then recorded the weight in a ledger
mezuzah (pl. mezuzoth): originally the Hebrew word for doorframe, mezuzah also came to refer to a box mounted on the doorframe or, more importantly, to the parchment inside the box. On the parchments were written certain key Scriptures (two passages from Deuteronomy) and also Shaddai, the name of the Almighty. God had commanded the Jewish people to (perhaps metaphorically) “write them on the doorposts [mezuzoth] of your house and on your gates.” The parchments were replaced after time and a priest would come to bless the mezuzah and household. (See also phylactery.)
Neptune: Roman god of the sea (or water). Seven sacred dolphins often accompanied his representation. Comparable to the Greek god Poseidon.
palus: a cloaklike garment worn by Roman women over a stola
peculium: an allotment of money given to slaves by their owner. Slaves could treat peculium as their own personal property, but under certain circumstances their owner could take it back.
peristyle: a section of a Roman dwelling (often a secondary section) that enclosed a courtyard and was surrounded by columns on the inside. Often located in the peristyle were the bedrooms of the family, the domestic shrine (lararium), the hearth and kitchen, the dining room (triclinium), and the library (bibliotheca). In wealthier homes, the courtyard in the peristyle became a garden.
phylactery: a small, square, black calfskin case that held strips of parchment on which were written four select passages, two from the book of Exodus and two from Deuteronomy. The phylactery was fastened by long leather straps on the inside of a devout Jew’s arm between the elbow and shoulder nearest the heart. Another phylactery was tied to the forehead during prayers. This was in response to God’s words in Deuteronomy 6:6: “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. . . . You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”
posca: a drink made from acetum (a vinegarlike alcohol) and water
proconsul: a governor or military commander of a Roman province; answered to the Senate
propylon: (also called propylaeum) an architechtural term for an outer monumental gateway, arch, or vestible
quadrans (pl. quadrantes): a bronze Roman coin. It took four of them to equal a copper coin, sixteen to equal a sesterce, and sixty-four to equal a denarius.
rennet: lining membrane of a stomach or one of its compartments
sacrarii: shipyard workers who carried cargo from wagons and dropped it on a scale
scimitar: a saber (sword) made of a curved blade with the cutting edge on the convex side
sesterce: a Roman coin, worth one-fourth of a denarius
sicarii (sing. sicarius): zealots who had turned to attacking travelers on the roads in Judea
sopherim: Jewish term for a scribe, a man who copied the Holy Scriptures for phylacteries and mezuzoth
statio (pl. stationes): a stopping place along the road where horses could be changed for hire and where garrisons of soldiers who patrolled the roads were stationed. Generally there were stationes every ten miles along the roads.
stola: a long, skirtlike garment worn by Roman women
stuppator: a shipyard worker who balanced on scaffolding to caulk ships when they docked
tabernacle: a small tent commonly found on the roof of a Jewish home
tallis: a shawl worn over the head or around the shoulders by orthodox and conservative Jewish men during morning prayers. The shawl is made from wool or silk and is rectangular with fringes at the corners.
tepidarium: the room in the baths where the water was warm and soothing
toga: the characteristic outer garment worn by Romans (although its use was slowly abandoned). It was a loose, oval-shaped piece of cloth worn draped about the shoulders and arms. The color and pattern of a toga were rigidly prescribed—politicians, persons in mourning, men, and boys each had a different toga that was to be worn. Boys wore a purple-rimmed toga, but when they came of age, they were allowed to wear the toga virilis, or man’s toga, which was plain.
triclinium: the dining room of a Roman dwelling. The triclinium was often very ornate, having many columns and a collection of statues.
usus: the least binding form of marriage for Romans. It was probably similar to what we might today call “living together.”
Way, the: a term used in the Bible (the book of Acts) to refer to Christianity. Christians probably would have called themselves “Followers of the Way.”
Yeshua: Hebrew name for Jesus
Zeus: Greek king of the gods and husband of Hera; identified with the Roman god Jupiter
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Dear reader,
We hope you enjoyed this story and its many characters by Francine Rivers. It is the author’s desire to whet your appetite for God’s Word and His ways—to apply His principles to your life. The following character study is designed for just that! There are four sections of discussion questions for each of the four main characters:
• Character Review—gets the discussion going
• Digging Deeper—gets into the character
• Personal Insights/Challenges—gets you thinking
• Searching the Scriptures—gets you into God’s Word
When writing this story, Francine had a key Bible verse in mind: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). We can choose to be self-sufficient or to rely on God. We can act on our own understanding regarding life’s circumstances, or we can seek God’s will in every situation. But only one choice assures us that God will direct our paths. Making wise choices is an ongoing process. With this in mind, let me encourage you to get together with some friends and discuss your favorite scenes, characters, and personal insights from this novel. May your insights never end, and may your discussion “runneth over”!
PEGGY LYNCH
HADASSAH
Character Review
1. What is your favorite encounter with Hadassah and why?
2. What changes are evident in Hadassah since the arena (other than physical)?
Digging Deeper
1. Discuss how Hadassah perceived herself.
2. Describe how Hadassah moved from fear and timidity to power and love.
3. What fears keep you from experiencing God’s love and power?
Personal Insights/Challenges
1. In what ways do you identify with Hadassah? How are you different?
2. What do you think motivated Hadassah? What motivates you?
3.
Searching the Scriptures
As you discuss Hadassah and how she grew in her faith, read the following Bible verses. They may shed light on her journey and yours as well.
O Lord my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. PSALM 30:2-3
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 PETER 3:3-4
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 TIMOTHY 1:7
MARCUS
Character Review
1. Discuss Marcus’ journey. What do you think he was looking for?
2. Did Marcus understand the real meaning of truth? Describe his attitude toward truth and how it affected his actions and decisions.
Digging Deeper
1. Describe some of the changes you have observed in Marcus.
2. Contrast Marcus’ understanding and response to “truth” with Julia’s.
3. Recount Marcus’ conversion to Christianity. What were the steps that led him to this point?
Personal Insights/Challenges
1. In what ways do you identify with Marcus? How are you different?
2. Why do you think Marcus began his journey for truth? In what ways do you seek truth?
3. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). In what ways did Marcus experience God’s direction in his life?
Searching the Scriptures
As you think about Marcus’ journey in faith, look up the following Bible verses. They may reveal his motives and expose your own as well.
A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash. Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. PROVERBS 15:14, 20
We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer. PROVERBS 16:1
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ROMANS 8:28
PHOEBE
Character Review
1. Describe your favorite scene with Phoebe and what stands out about her.
2. Elaborate on Phoebe’s relationship with her children.
Digging Deeper
1. Discuss Phoebe’s lifestyle and priorities. How did her lifestyle and/or priorities change in the course of the book?
2. In what ways did Phoebe demonstrate her faith in God?
3. What would your own list of priorities look like?
Personal Insights/Challenges
1. In what ways are you like Phoebe? How are your different?
2. Do you think Phoebe’s prayer life was realistic? How does your prayer life compare?
3. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). In what ways did Phoebe learn to trust God?
Searching the Scriptures
As you think about Phoebe’s journey in faith, read the following Bible verses and see if they provide the reasons and hope that motivated her and hopefully you too.
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. JAMES 1:27
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. ROMANS 8:26
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. JAMES 5:16
JULIA
Character Review
1. Choose a memorable or moving scene with Julia and discuss what caught your attention.
2. Describe Julia’s lifestyle.
Digging Deeper
1. Elaborate on some of Julia’s choices and the consequences of those choices.
2. In what ways did Julia attempt to justify her choices?
3. In what ways do you justify your own attitudes or actions?
Personal Insights/Challenges
1. How do you identify with Julia? In what ways are you different?
2. When do you think Julia began to soften toward God and why?
3. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). In what ways did Julia struggle with her “own understanding”? In what ways do you?
Searching the Scriptures
As you ponder Julia’s journey to find the Savior, look up the following Bible verses. They may shed light on her struggles and your own as well.
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. She will not hinder him but help him all her life. PROVERBS 31:10, 12
Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ROMANS 13:11
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. ROMANS 10:9-10
Francine Rivers, An Echo in the Darkness
(Series: Mark of the Lion # 1)