1. In Chapter 1, Karol and Jim make a quick, almost naive decision to host Moise. What do you believe motivated their initial "yes"? Have you ever felt a calling or made a commitment without fully understanding the cost? How did that shape you?

2. Upon meeting Moise at the airport, Karol is terrified by his condition. She writes, "A voice in my head screamed at me not to go through with the plan." Discuss the conflict between fear and commitment. What does this moment teach us even when we feel inadequate or afraid?

3. The subtitle of the book is Loving the World's Most Vulnerable. How did your understanding of that phrase change from the beginning of the book to the end? Who are the vulnerable in your own community?

1. The book details a relentless series of medical challenges—from heart surgery and cytomegalovirus to the loss of hearing, vision, and mobility. How did Karol's role as a mother evolve into that of a fierce advocate? Describe the tension she felt between trusting medical professionals and trusting her own "mama instinct."

2. Karol often expresses concern about the impact her disabled children's needs would have on her four older children. In what ways did growing up with disabled siblings shape Jamee, Grant, Jade, and Brock? What does their story reveal about sacrifice, compassion, and finding a "new normal" in family life?

3. In Chapter 8, the family faces the pain and frustration of public judgment and stares. In contrast, they also experience incredible kindness from strangers—like the carnival workers or the little girl on the playground. What can these moments teach us about how we can interact with families affected by disability?

1. Throughout the book, Karol is brutally honest about her spiritual struggles. In Chapter 5 she asks, "He was supremely sovereign. But was He good?" Have you ever felt this way? Discuss whether it is faithful to question God's character in the midst of suffering.

2. After Moise loses his vision, Karol reads a passage where Jesus tells Peter, "What is that to you? You follow me?" She interprets that as Jesus telling her, "It's none of your business." How did this revelation shift her perspective? How can we apply this mindset to the things in our own lives that we cannot control?

3. When faced with Moise's final illness, the Holmes family makes the difficult decision to not put Moise on a ventilator. Discuss the difficulties of this choice. How does a belief in heaven and God's sovereignty impact end-of-life decisions?

1. The Holmes family grieves the loss of two children, Jalayne and Moise. Karol notes that the grief was different for each. Compare the grief of a sudden, tragic accident with the grief of watching a long, slow decline. What did you learn about the nature of grief from Karol's experience?

2. Karol writes about the isolation of grief, stating that the church is often "woefully ill-equipped to handle" long-term suffering. What does it truly mean to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15)? How can we better support those in our community who are walking through extended periods of trial or sorrow?

3. The title, Only Jesus Knows, reflects a central theme of mystery. What are some of the things about Moise's life and purpose that "only Jesus knows"? How can we find peace in accepting that we may never have all the answers on this side of heaven?

1. The story of Jelani in Chapter 16 is a powerful example of Moise's impact. Jelani says, "Moise made me realize that everyone needs a person. I had to be his person because no one else would be." Who were some of the other people called to be Moise's "person" throughout his life? Have you ever felt called to be someone's "person"?

2. Chapter 15 is a direct challenge to the reader concerning the crisis facing adults with IDD. Before reading this book, were you aware of the challenges families face when a child with disabilities ages out of the school system? What is one practical step you or your group could take to support "the least of these" in your community?

3. At the end of the book, Jade says, "People have often mentioned how lucky Moise is to have our family. But I think what people didn't recognize was how lucky we were to have him." After reading Moise's story, what do you believe was Moise's gift to his family and to the world?