It's Complicated(S1) : WK 4 - 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 QUESTIONS
Who is one of your oldest friends (not in age, but in length of years you’ve known them), and what is one thing the two of you love doing together?

HEAD

1. Read I Samuel 18:1-4, 19:1-7, and Psalm 55 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. The way the story is written, it’s as if David and Jonathan knew they’d be best friends from the moment they laid eyes on each other.  Knowing about the tensions between Jonathan’s family and David, how do you think these two kept their friendship alive and well?
3. Jonathan removing his robe and giving it today was significant.  He was passing the torch of leadership. If Saul caught wind of this, what do you think his response would have been and why?
4. Do you think Jonathan’s actions in 1 Samuel 19:1-7, was a betrayal or something else?
5. What can we learn about addressing conflict from how Jonathan address Saul in this interaction?
6. Do you think David’s “enemies” were literal people, or the enemies of anxious thoughts, painful and crippling grief, and anything that kept him from living life the way he wanted to live it?  Explain your answer.

HEART

1. What does it take for you and me to invite new people into our lives?
2. When do you know whether or not friendship and love is worth the risk involved? What qualities are you looking for?  What things do you need to know?
3. Have you ever lost a loved one and gone through the stages of grief?  What was it like and what lessons did you learn from that journey that you carry with you and share with others?
4. Read through Psalm 55 again.  What feelings and emotions can you identify with and why?
5. Have you ever been in a situation or season in life where you wanted to “fly away…far away, to the quiet wilderness”? What was going on?  In what ways to you practice pulling away from the complications that life brings, to simply sit at the feet of Jesus and cling to his every word?

HANDS
Because grief is such an awkward and complicated journey, is there someone you can think of in your circle of influence who has experienced a loss in the last two years?  Could be the loss of a job, a dream, or a loved one.  What’s one way you could reach out to them this week to let them know you love them, you care, and that you are there if they need someone to talk to?

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
“3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy…8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.”
-Philippians 1:3-4, 8-9, NLT