The hardest part of running a church book club is often the preparation. The Second Shore by Faith Marlowe takes care of that for you, with two free resources designed for groups.

What’s included (free)

• Book Club Discussion Guide: fifteen questions on grief, unanswered prayer, marriage, forgiveness, accountability, community, grace and second chances.
• Scripture Companion (PDF): explores the six Bible passages that close each part of the novel.

A six-week plan

The novel’s six parts each end with a Scripture-based reflection, so it divides naturally into six meetings:

Week	Part	Passage	Theme
1	The Kitchen	Ephesians 2:8–10	Grace comes before achievement
2	The Attic	Psalm 13	Lament can still be prayer
3	The Garden	Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, 11	Some things cannot be hurried
4	The Porch	Luke 10:25–37	Mercy becomes practical
5	The Workshop	Acts 9:36–42; 1 Kings 19:4–8	Service needs limits, rest and support
6	The Shore	John 21:9–19	Restoration does not erase the past

Why groups love it

The story is gentle enough for any group and honest enough to start real conversations. Nell’s habit of turning every kindness into a debt she must repay is one many readers recognise in themselves, and Ruth’s letters give permission to talk about doubt without fear.

Tip: ask everyone to buy their copy a week before your first meeting.