1. How does pride get in the way of Bella’s picture of the “ideal” life? What are the events that humble her? Can you think of a time in your life when you learned a lesson through a humbling event?
2. Bella finds out she has a God-given talent for writing. What are your talents? How could you use your gifts for God? How could Bella? Just for fun, imagine if you could have any talent in the world, what would it be?
3. What would your advice be to Bella so she doesn’t date a “Hunter” again?
4. Bella has a hard adjustment to make when she leaves her life in Manhattan for Truman, Oklahoma. What are some things she could have prayed for in order to prepare for that difficult change?
5. Bella does not come from a perfect family. Do you relate to that at all? What are some ways God sometimes challenges us with family issues?
6. Materialism is an idea that pops up a lot in this novel. Even if you’re not rich as a rock star, this can be a trap. In what ways was Bella materialistic? Now look at your own life. Do you have this in common with Bella?
7. Unlike Bella, Hunter is not a Christian. What are the dangers of dating a nonbeliever in your life? How did this not work out for Bella?
8. Bella often rebels against her mother’s instruction. Why? Can you relate to this at all? (And who doesn’t!)
9. Bella meets her friend Lindy by helping her out. Is it hard for you to meet new friends?
10. Bella found she had drifted away from the Lord. How do you think this happened? What are the reasons we sometimes get inconsistent with our time with God?
11. What kind of a role does our attitude play in being open to new opportunities?
12. One theme for the book is “things are not always what they seem.” Can you describe the numerous ways this is evident in the book? What’s the danger of taking things at face value?
13. A great verse to go along with Bella’s life would be Jeremiah 29:11 which says:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
How is this verse relevant to the book, as well as your own life?