Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Poirot’s main focus is his personal encounter with Jesus, rather than a detailed tour of heaven’s geography. How did this focus on relationship over spectacle affect your experience of the book?

2. Did you find the blend of personal testimony with medical records and CT scans compelling? Why do you think Poirot chose to include this medical evidence alongside his spiritual account?

3. Many books, like John Burke’s Imagine Heaven, document near-death experiences. What, for you, makes 18 Days in Heaven stand out within this genre, and how does it compare to other accounts you might have read or heard about?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The book argues that spoken words have tangible power, acting as either “bridges” for divine help or “permission” for destructive forces. How does this idea resonate with your own views on the power of language in your life?

2. In his life review, Poirot saw that moments and relationships he had overlooked held immense value, while worldly successes seemed less important. If you were to look at your own life from this perspective, what kinds of moments might stand out as more significant than you currently realize?

3. What did you think of the analogy of a person’s core identity being unchangeable, like a blueberry that remains a blueberry no matter its form? Does this idea of a fixed, divinely given identity feel liberating or challenging to you?

4. The narrative reframes the Parable of the Talents, suggesting that the third servant’s failure is rooted in a fearful, distorted view of his “master.” Did this interpretation change how you see the parable or the role that trust plays in taking risks?

5. Poirot describes a transformative holy fire that reoriented his desires, making him want to live differently out of love rather than obligation. Have you ever had an experience that similarly shifted your motivations or perspective?

6. During the basketball court incident, Poirot’s choice to respond with grace instead of anger completely changed the situation. Think about a time when you chose grace over anger, or someone else extended grace to you, and it de-escalated a tense conflict. What was the outcome?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. What role do you think stories like this play in the larger cultural conversation about life, death, and consciousness, particularly as scientific research on near-death experiences continues to develop?

2. Poirot has a massive online ministry, particularly with younger audiences. What does the popularity of his testimony and platform suggest about the changing landscape of faith and evangelism in the social-media age?

3. A strong critique of institutional religion runs through the book, contrasting it with a direct, personal relationship with God. How does this reflect broader trends you may have observed in society between organized religion and personal expressions of faith?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The book weaves together several types of writing: memoir, theological reflection, scientific commentary, and eyewitness testimony from others. In your opinion, how effective is this hybrid structure in building the narrative’s authority?

2. How does the recurring symbol of Jesus’s scars, which still “speak” and bear Poirot’s name, work to make the abstract doctrine of atonement feel concrete and personal for the reader?

3. The concept of time in heaven is described as circular, allowing Poirot to witness biblical events like Moses at the burning bush. What is the narrative effect of removing the constraints of linear time, and how does it support the book’s theological points?

4. Poirot’s physical description of Jesus is detailed and intentionally challenges softer, more passive portrayals. How did this depiction of a powerful, authoritative Jesus impact your reading of the heavenly encounters?

5. The author frequently uses The Passion Translation of the Bible, which is known for its expressive and interpretive language. What impact did its inclusion have on your perception of the book’s scriptural arguments?

6. Rick Renner’s Foreword contrasts Poirot’s detailed account with the apostle Paul’s reticence in 2 Corinthians to describe his own heavenly vision. What are the potential strengths or weaknesses of sharing such an experience so explicitly, as Poirot does?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Heaven’s colors and songs are described as a synesthetic experience, where sights can be heard, felt, and tasted. If you were commissioned to create a piece of art representing a single heavenly color, like the “burning purple” of Jesus’s eyes, what would it look, sound, or feel like?

2. In Poirot’s life review, Jesus spoke counter-declarations over the negative labels that Poirot had received throughout his life. Imagine you could write a similar counter-declaration for a common human struggle, such as fear of failure or feelings of inadequacy. What would that positive, divine declaration sound like?

3. What might the title for the first chapter of your own personal “Book of Life” be if it were written from the heavenly perspective described in the book, and why would you choose it?