The following discussion guide is designed for a four-week group study of Appointments with Heaven. Questions within each week are broken up by chapter so you can adjust for a shorter or longer study as best fits your needs. Feel free to stop and focus on the questions or ideas that resonate most with your group; this guide is intended to be a starting point for deeper conversations and discussions, for stronger community, and for spiritual growth. Use this discussion guide as a base, and let God guide your time together.

Week 1: Read chapters 1–8

Chapter 1

1. As a physician, Reggie sometimes sees families trying to prolong their loved one’s life. If you’ve been at the bedside of a dying loved one, what conflicting emotions did you experience?

2. Reggie talks about a “veil parting” and allowing him to experience the intensity of heaven here on earth. Have you ever felt the veil between heaven and earth part for you? How so?

Chapter 2

1. Reggie writes that “the responsibility of caring for an animal taught a boy lessons he couldn’t learn from a textbook” (page 8). Can you think of a responsibility you were given as a child that taught you a valuable life lesson? How does that lesson influence your life today?

2. Reggie says his faith was initially rooted in the attributes of God—such as beauty, power, and magnificence—that he saw around him in nature. What pulls your heart toward God?

Chapter 3

1. Think about Reggie’s sudden realization that Santa was not real. What revelations did you experience as a child that changed how you saw the world and your family?

2. Like Reggie, did you ever see your parents or another loved one give up their pride out of love for you? If so, what impact did that make?

Chapter 4

1. Reggie writes about some lines of demarcation that he noticed as a child growing up in the South—white and black, gnats and no gnats. What lines of demarcation have you encountered in life? In what ways might you “hold open the door” for those on the “wrong” side of the line?

2. How did Reggie’s early summers on the farm affect his view of the relationship between heaven and earth? Do you see these two realms as interconnected, or do you feel as if they are very distinct?

Chapter 5

1. Considering how hard Reggie had to work, why do you think he so enjoyed his summers at the Atlanta State Farmers Market?

2. How would you describe the impact Jerry and Jimmy had on Reggie? As a child or teenager, did you have any “watermelon kin”—distant relatives or friends who served as positive role models? Explain.

Chapter 6

1. When he found out about the Alday murders, Reggie was shocked and hurt—and angry at God. He prayed, Why did you let this happen? They trusted you. How could you do this? (page 43). Describe a time in your life when something happened that made you angry at God.

2. After the Alday murders, what emotions and thoughts led Reggie to conclude that God didn’t really exist?

Chapter 7

1. After rejecting God, Reggie turned to school and academics. What “gods” do you turn to when your faith in God wavers?

2. Reggie relates a rather convoluted path of choosing his career and future aspirations—from air force pilot to dentist to doctor. In what ways has your life been redirected over the years? How did these experiences bring you closer to God or push you further from him?

Chapter 8

1. Reggie describes his first dissection of a cadaver in medical school as a reverent, almost religious experience. What is the most reverent experience you’ve ever had? How did that moment impact you?

2. When he was dissecting the Lady of the Lab, Reggie realized that “she was a work of art. And art required an artist” (page 63). Explain an event or experience that pointed you back to the Creator. 

In Summary

In this section, Reggie talks about his experiences as a child and how he saw heaven and earth as inextricably linked. He saw heaven in the world around him, and he experienced God everywhere, not just in church. Reggie also talks about how the Alday murders caused him to reject God out of anger. Reggie couldn’t understand why God let such a horrible thing happen, but God wasn’t done with Reggie yet. As you think about these chapters, consider these verses:

“Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?

Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?”

says the lord. (Jeremiah 23:24, emphasis added)

Then the lord answered Job from the whirlwind: . . .

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?       

Tell me, if you know so much.

Who determined its dimensions

and stretched out the surveying line?

What supports its foundations,

and who laid its cornerstone

as the morning stars sang together

and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:1, 4-7)

Week 2: Read chapters 9–17

Chapter 9

1. If Reggie truly believed that God didn’t exist, why do you think Karen’s question, “Reggie, why are you so mad at God?” struck such a nerve in him?

2. At one point, Reggie wonders, “If God, my supposed heavenly father, were truly omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent . . . why couldn’t he do at least as much as my earthly father?” (page 75). What things do you expect from God because of the example set by your father or others in your life?

Chapter 10

1. Have you ever prayed a prayer like “God, if you’re real, make yourself known to me”? If so, what was the result?

2. Based on what you’ve read in chapters 9 and 10, how would you say God had been preparing Reggie to encounter him during the camping trip?

3. While at Virgin Falls, Reggie began to wonder if it was possible “that God was even more present in tragedy than he was in our ordinary circumstances” and whether “our tears and screams blind us to [God’s] presence and deafen our ears to his voice” (page 78). How would you respond to these questions?

Chapter 11

1. God gives Reggie some startling news about his future life—including his marriage. Have you ever sensed God telling you to do something that other people might consider crazy? Explain.

2. Have you ever felt the “cattle prod” (page 93) that Karen describes, as if God is nudging you to do something you’re not sure you want to do? How so? What was your response?

Chapter 12

1. When someone experiences an “insight into eternity” (page 101), such as the one God gave Reggie in his dream, what effect does it have? Has God ever drawn you closer to him in a similar way? If so, explain.

2. Reggie says, “We don’t spend our lives walking toward eternity—eternity walks alongside us” (page 101). What examples have you seen of how eternity is with us here and now? How does this realization impact the way you live?

Chapter 13

1. Describe the ways in which Reggie sensed God’s presence in the room where Dennis died. Have you ever experienced God through your senses? Explain.

2. When Reggie stays with patients as they pass on from this life, he describes seeing a glow and being surrounded by a fragrance. How unique do you think Reggie’s perceptions are in such situations? Why might he be more tuned in to the transition from death to life than most people are?

Chapter 14

1. What are the similarities between an infant’s first breath and a dying person’s final breath? How are these moments different?

2. If you’ve given birth or attended a birth, do you relate to Reggie’s description of a veil parting to let the new life enter our world? Explain.

Chapter 15

1. As Reggie scrambled to discover why a baby boy was choking, he felt God guiding him through his thoughts and actions. Have you ever had a similar experience, either in a crisis or during your everyday work? Explain.

2. When Reggie worried about how he’d support his family if he and his fellow residents were banned from moonlighting, God came through in an even better way than he could have imagined. When has God miraculously come through for you, perhaps turning an awful-looking situation into something good?

Chapter 16

1. When Reggie was trying to save the man with the stab wound, he credited God with guiding his hand to insert the needle in just the right place. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to do something exactly right and you felt God was guiding you?

2. DeWayne saw his granny while the nurses and Reggie were saving his life, even though she had died long before. Consider the way DeWayne’s family and the medical team responded to this story. What do you think about this account?

Chapter 17

1. When Reggie didn’t see Ashland City on the list of places he could work, he thought he might have misinterpreted God. “How could Karen and I reconcile what we thought we’d heard from him with what the evidence revealed?” he wondered (page 147). Have you ever worried that you misunderstood God’s will for your life? How did your situation work out?

2. Have you ever persisted on a course you believed God had set for you, despite the fact that those around you said you were crazy? What gave you the strength to persevere in the face of criticism?

In Summary

In this section, Reggie relates his slow return to faith in Christ as God pursued him and intervened miraculously in many areas of his life. As you think about these chapters, consider these verses:

So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:3-4)

And the Lord worked through [the disciples], confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. (Mark 16:20)

Week 3: Read chapters 18–26

Chapter 18

1. Mary and her family lived a lifestyle that was entirely dependent on God—without the technology and medication available to other people. When have you had to trust God completely for your needs? What was that like for you?

2. In what way are Reggie’s hands critical tools in his practice of medicine? Do you rely on a particular sense or method in your work that might surprise other people? Explain.

Chapter 19

1. Even before the man collapsed on the tennis court, Reggie felt there was a reason he was at the gym that day. When have you felt that you were somewhere for a reason? Did you discover what that reason was?

2. According to Reggie, God is “still healing people just as he did two thousand years ago” (page 172). What do you think about this statement? How have you seen or experienced God’s healing power?

3. On page 172, Reggie explains some of the reasons he thinks God may allow him to witness extraordinary things. Based on that list, how might you sharpen your own perception of God’s work around you?

Chapter 20

1. When Elizabeth awoke from her coma, Reggie saw it as a miracle. What is your reaction when you hear of a dramatic healing such as hers?

2. Reggie observes that when believers are near death, they are usually ready to go. What, if anything, might hold you back from being ready to meet your Creator?

Chapter 21

1. Reggie describes the scent of heaven as citrusy and flowery, the most refreshing fragrance he has ever experienced. Have you ever associated a particular scent with heaven? If so, what?

2. On pages 185–186, Reggie explains how he talks with dying patients to help them prepare for their transition from this world to the next. As you look through that list, can you see any decisions or preparations that you need to make sometime in the future? Explain.

3. Reggie describes the room where Eddie died as “dark and shadowy, as if it were being swallowed by a black abyss” (page 190). What other differences did Reggie notice between Eddie’s death and the deaths of believers that he had witnessed?

Chapter 22

1. Reggie wanted his daughters to end up like Lauren, but in the end, he was thankful to God that they did not. Have you ever wanted something in your life to turn out one way, only to be thankful that it didn’t? How have God’s plans exceeded your plans for your future and relationships?

2. Reggie realizes that, as a doctor, he gets to help people through difficult life transitions, such as the death of a loved one. How can you use your experiences and work to comfort and bless others?

Chapter 23

1. According to Reggie, the elderly and the young have greater clarity of vision and are able to recognize that some things in life come from the other side of the veil. Do you agree? If so, why do you think this is?

2. Reggie asks, “What if the faith we had as children continued throughout our entire lives?” (page 208). How might you see things differently if you had the faith of a child?

Chapter 24

1. When Reggie was struggling to keep Bobby alive, he heard God say, “This is my child” (page 213). How does the fact that you are God’s child affect your view of family? How does it affect the way you look at death and life on this earth?

2. What does William and Betty Sue’s story suggest about the strong bond between some couples? Describe a couple you’ve known who’ve demonstrated a powerful connection. What can we learn from their marriage?

Chapter 25

1. When describing the Chapmans, Reggie says that while he heals with medicine, Steven Curtis heals with music. In what ways do you bring healing to those around you?

2. Reggie notes that following God’s lead isn’t always easy. Describe a time when you sensed God asking you to do something that was difficult for you. What did you learn from that experience?

Chapter 26

1. In response to a family tragedy, both Reggie and Reggie’s father placed some of the blame on themselves. If you had a chance to talk with someone in a similar situation, what counsel would you offer?

2. In what ways did Reggie’s faith struggles after the Alday Massacre prepare him to help his sister and brother-in-law with the pain of losing Jon? How have your trials and struggles enabled you to help others who may be enduring similar circumstances?

In Summary

In this section, Reggie reflects on how the tragedies he witnessed and experienced often served a purpose larger than himself. For instance, when Reggie saved a man who nearly died on a tennis court, he learned how that man’s faith and marriage were strengthened as a result. Elizabeth fell into a coma, but when she woke up, her life was a miracle. And when Jon died, Reggie realized that his pain over the Alday murders had prepared him to comfort his brother-in-law. Reggie also began to sense heaven in real, physical ways. As you think about these chapters, consider these verses:

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)

[In heaven] there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. . . . The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. (Revelation 21:4, 21)

Week 4: Read chapters 27–32, Epilogue, and Appendix

Chapter 27

1. When Reggie’s daughter Kristen got married and moved to Belfast, Ireland, he was relieved to see growing political stability in the region. What did that teach him about God?

2. Reggie compares the lifting of the veil between husband and wife to the lifting of the veil between heaven and earth. What do you think of this comparison? 

Chapter 28

1. As tragic as Maria’s death was, Reggie was comforted by the fact that she was in heaven, where she was enjoying all God had to offer. Have you ever experienced that kind of grief seasoned with joy? Explain.

2. What personal suffering or pain has shaped your faith and views of life? How does it impact the way you respond when those close to you are suffering?

Chapter 29

1. After Maria’s death, Reggie says he “stuffed” his own feelings so he could comfort everyone else. Think back to the significant trials in your own life. What has your typical response been? How has that helped or hurt those around you who were also grieving? How has it affected you?

2. Reggie describes how the pain the Chapmans experienced pointed them toward God, not away from him. What experiences in your life, painful or otherwise, have pointed you toward God? How?

Chapter 30

1. Out of Maria’s death came Maria’s Big House of Hope and an influx of aid to orphan care; even though she lived only five years, Maria made a huge impact. In what ways have you seen God use your pain and loss for good?

2. Reggie wept as he realized the burden of responsibility that he had carried after Jon’s and Maria’s deaths. What responsibilities are you carrying that have become burdensome? How might you be able to hand them to God?

Chapter 31

1. Even though Mike had been distraught over Jon’s death for years, Reggie noticed “the renewed life in his eyes and the bounce in his step” (page 288) when Mike started going to a church that loved and supported him and his family. What people in your life need to find new hope and purpose in the midst of their grief? How can you encourage them?

2. When Reggie had a vision of his father in heaven, his father expressed that heaven is even more magnificent than he thought it would be. What do you hope heaven will be like? 

Chapter 32

1. Over the course of his medical career, Reggie realized again and again that “we don’t spend life walking toward eternity; we walk alongside it” (page 299). After reading all of Reggie’s experiences, do you agree with him? Why or why not?

2. Why does Reggie compare death to a trip to Italy? Have you ever visited an amazing place that leaves you both excited and jealous when you hear about friends who will be going there?

Epilogue

1. Reggie writes that “death is not the failure of medical science but the victory of the soul” (page 307). What do you think of this perspective on death? How does it change the way you see death and life on this earth?

2. While many doctors claim that faith and science should be separated, Reggie says that faith cannot be separated from any part of life here on earth. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Appendix

1. The Gospel of John was one of the first books of the Bible that guided Reggie in his journey back to God. Are there certain books of the Bible or passages that are especially meaningful to you? Why? If you are exploring the ideas of God and heaven, do any of the verses quoted in this section intrigue you? Explain.

2. Reading Scripture attentively and talking to God can make us “mindful of the many ways he is at work in the lives around [us]” (page 314). Where do you see God most clearly? How could you be more attentive to his presence?

In Summary

In this section, we read how loss struck close to home in Reggie’s life, with the sudden death of little Maria. Maria’s death opened the door for Reggie to show love to his mourning friends, the Chapmans, and opened the doors of Maria’s Big House of Hope to show love to needy children. Through all the pain that comes with death, Reggie talks about the importance of loving one another as reflections of God’s image. In addition, Reggie challenges us to see death, not as defeat, but as victory. As you think about these chapters, consider these verses:

Whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)