Discussion Question 8 (chapters 66, 67)

What do you learn about God and about yourself as you read Ron and Denver’s closing reflections?  What is one change you want to make in your life as a result of this story?

Discussion Question 7 (chapters 54-56)

How does this part of the story show that, in God’s hands, even sadness and loss can be “bent” to serve good purposes?  How much are you able to trust God when circumstances turn dark in your life?

Discussion Question 6 (chapters 43-49)

In what ways do you see God’s presence in this darkest part of the story?  How did God work in Ron’s life?  In Denver’s life?

Discussion Question 5 (chapters 32, 33)

What do you learn about assumptions and snap judgments from Ron’s experience at this time of crisis? How do Denver’s choices and attitudes speak to your own spiritual experience?

Discussion Question 4 (chapters 20-24)

What do you learn from this account of the first steps in friendship that Ron and Denver took? What attitudes do you share with either of them that make it difficult for you to cross social or cultural barriers?

Discussion Question 3 (chapters 15, 17, 19)

Denver gives us a short course in homeless street survival skills. What did you learn about being homeless that you did not know? What points of connection, if any, do you find between your feelings and experiences and Denver’s when he was homeless?

Discussion Question 2 (chapters 14, 16)

What important life choices did Ron make that led him into the setting in which he first met Denver?  How does his experience show that our choices matter?

Discussion Question 1 (chapters 1-10)

How did Denver and Ron’s early experiences affect the ways they lived their adult lives? What are some significant attitudes, experiences or emotions from your early life that still affect you?

Book Review – “Same Kind of Different as Me”

If Same Kind of Different as Me were a novel, you wouldn’t believe it—honest! But it’s the true story of Denver Moore, an angry drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. It’s the true story of Ron Hall, an upscale art broker with a nose for money. It’s the true story of Deborah Hall, whose faith gave her a deep sense of mission for the homeless—and whose reluctant art-dealer husband came along. Ron planned to throw some “crumbs” of culture to the derelicts at the homeless shelter, and instead found an improbable friendship, a spiritual companion who would carry him through devastating sadness and loss.

This book will teach you much about race and poverty—but it’s about friendship, courage and God’s mysterious ways. If Same Kind of Different as Me were a novel, you wouldn’t believe it—but you will, and you’ll be changed.