1. What would you say is the major theme of Beloved? Did the opening surprise you? Could you relate to the main characters in the novel?
2. Like the prodigal son, Tyson Applegate lived a dissolute existence for many years. While he didn’t waste his fortune, he did discover a barrenness of his soul. Have you tried to fill an emptiness within that God wanted to fill with His Spirit? How did you finally recognize it?
3. Diana Applegate had been wounded by many losses in her brief life. To protect herself from more hurt, she planned to marry where there was no love. Have you ever avoided love because of the risk that comes with it? What happened because of your choices?
4. Tyson’s sins were legion, but he found forgiveness in Christ. Should he have asked or expected the same forgiveness from Diana? Could you have forgiven him?
5. Jeremiah underwent a change of heart during the story, but not in the same way as his son. Is it possible for God to change a person before they belong to Him? Do those changes always lead a person to Him?
6. Tyson and Diana learned to love Ned and wanted the boy to stay with them. But both of them had to become willing to let go if that was God’s will. Have you ever had to let go of something or someone? How easy or hard was it to do?
7. Tyson discovered that “conditional trust” wasn’t trust at all. Has God ever asked you to trust Him in what seems an impossible circumstance? What was the outcome?