It's Complicated (S2): WK 5 - GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN POINT TO CONSIDER/SHARE
This content may be difficult for some in your group to process together. Be sure to let your group know the topic before you meet, and give permission to anyone to bow out if they are concerned about being triggered, or who simply don’t want to talk through this particular story.

OPEN QUESTIONS
What are some of the stories from Scripture that you struggle to understand, have questions about, or wish you had some sort of answer for that you currently don’t?

HEAD
1. Read 2 Samuel 13:1-39 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Verse 1 says that Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became ill. How do you think that happens and what do you think happens to one’s ability to make choices when it does happen?
3. Do you think if Amnon had a better friend/cousin than Jonadab, he may have avoided this disaster? Jonadab enabled Amnon and gave him a way to quench his obsession. What do you think Amnon could have done differently, if anything, to avoid what happened?
4. What were the ways Tamar was taken advantage of?
5. Tamar offered Amnon a better way, but he refused. Why?
6. Was there anything Absalom could have done to keep his hatred and anger from consuming him?
7. Both Amnon and Absalom had a similar problem, they became so focused on something that it destroyed them. How do you and I keep each other from this same fate?

HEART
1. Obviously, Amnon and Absalom both inherited traits from their dad, and not all the good ones. How do you and I keep cycles of abuse, trauma, or bad choices from continuing in our lives?
2. Tamar lived desolate after this, which was party a product of her culture. But what advice would you have given Tamar so that she didn’t let the shame of this experience, or any self-blame, define her for the rest of her life.
3. David experienced all sorts of grief through this story. How does one survive the weight of such horrific loss?

HANDS
This week, I simply want to encourage you to take some time to pray over all of those who have ever suffered under sexual, physical, emotional, or mental abuse. Pray for their peace, pray for their healing, pray for them to know that they are loved beyond measure.

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
13…In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper!
Psalm 69:13a-14, NLT