Chapters 1-20
01 Heartbreak and New Beginnings
At the beginning of the book, Bellamy and Natalee make a big move in response to heartbreak. What kinds of heartbreaking experiences have you had in your life? How do you normally handle heartbreak?
02 Starting Over
What challenges do you think Natalee and Bellamy faced moving to Jenson? Have you ever had a big move where you faced similar challenges? What was that like?
03 Character Matters
As you got to know Ambrose and Bellamy better, what about their character stood out to you? Is there anything about either one you could relate to?
04 Natalee
Everyone needs a Natalee. Has there ever been someone who played that role in your life? Is there anyone you know who could use a Natalee? How can you be a Natalee for that person?
Ruth Connection
Chapters 1-20 of Bellamy are loosely patterned after the first three chapters of Ruth. What parallels did you see between these chapters? Did reading them together give you any insight into the other?
Chapters 21-33
01 Childhood
As you learned about Bellamy’s and Ambrose’s childhood, which one could you relate to more? What are some specific moments from your childhood that stand out to you?
02 Love Languages
What are the different ways Ambrose and Bellamy express love to one another in chapters 23, 24, and 33? How do you best receive love? How might these chapters inspire you to express love to others?
03 Out of Place
How did you feel reading the chapter about Ambrose’s birthday dinner (chapter 25)? Have you ever felt out of place like Bellamy did? What do you normally do in those situations?
04 Giving Advice
Suppose you were at the dinner party as Bellamy’s friend and she took you aside to ask you for advice. What would you tell her?
Ruth Connection
Chapters 21-33 explore the differences between Bellamy’s and Ambrose’s upbringing and the challenges that those differences pose to their relationship. How do you think this relates to Ruth being a Moabitess and Boaz being an Israelite?
Chapters 34-Epilogue
01 Life Lessons
What do these chapters teach us about moving past prejudices? What do they teach us about extending and receiving forgiveness? Is there a specific situation in your life where these lessons could apply?
02 Boundaries
How did you experience Bellamy’s confession and Ambrose’s response to her sexual history in chapter 42? What are your thoughts on their sexual boundaries?
03 Engagement and Matrimony
What aspects of the proposal and the wedding ceremony did you most resonate with?
04 Suffering and Blessings
Bellamy moves from great suffering to great blessing. Have you had a similar experience in your own life? What do you think makes us long for stories with this pattern?
Ruth Connection
Chapters 34-Epilogue of Bellamy are loosely patterned after the fourth chapter of Ruth. What parallels did you see between these chapters? Did reading them together give you any insight into the other?