It's Complicated (S2): WK 6 - 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
After the resurrection, who are some of the people you can’t wait to be reunited with?
HEAD
1. Read 2 Samuel 18:9-33 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Knowing everything you know about the story, what would you have done if you found Absalom hanging in that tree?
3. Why do you think Joab was so quick to run Absalom through when he knew the king’s wishes? Do you think he made the right decision?
4. Why not bring Absalom’s body home so David can properly mourn his son?
5. How do you think David would have responded if the war continued, but Absalom was alive? What would the next steps have been, or should they have been?
6. So Absalom’s death seemed to be the best thing for Israel and the worst thing for David. True? Explain. Was there another way to handle this situation?
HEART
1. Do you think the outcome of this situation would have been different if David was quicker to reconcile with Absalom instead of making him wait two years?
2. How does anger and hatred affect us? Mind? Body? Soul?
3. Have you ever journeyed with someone through the stages of grief? Are those stages a checklist or more of a continuum of two steps forward, ten steps back?
4. Why do you think our body revolts such much with grief? Weeping. Hyperventilating. Moaning. Etc…
HANDS
Is there anyone in your circle of influence who has been grieving a loss; maybe a job, a situation, a loved one? Knowing how difficult grief can be to navigate, could you do something for that person this week to help them know they are not alone? Send them a note, make them a treat, call them and chat, etc…
LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
1 O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me?
4 Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.
7 My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
8 Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.
Psalm 6:1-9, NLT
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
After the resurrection, who are some of the people you can’t wait to be reunited with?
HEAD
1. Read 2 Samuel 18:9-33 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Knowing everything you know about the story, what would you have done if you found Absalom hanging in that tree?
3. Why do you think Joab was so quick to run Absalom through when he knew the king’s wishes? Do you think he made the right decision?
4. Why not bring Absalom’s body home so David can properly mourn his son?
5. How do you think David would have responded if the war continued, but Absalom was alive? What would the next steps have been, or should they have been?
6. So Absalom’s death seemed to be the best thing for Israel and the worst thing for David. True? Explain. Was there another way to handle this situation?
HEART
1. Do you think the outcome of this situation would have been different if David was quicker to reconcile with Absalom instead of making him wait two years?
2. How does anger and hatred affect us? Mind? Body? Soul?
3. Have you ever journeyed with someone through the stages of grief? Are those stages a checklist or more of a continuum of two steps forward, ten steps back?
4. Why do you think our body revolts such much with grief? Weeping. Hyperventilating. Moaning. Etc…
HANDS
Is there anyone in your circle of influence who has been grieving a loss; maybe a job, a situation, a loved one? Knowing how difficult grief can be to navigate, could you do something for that person this week to help them know they are not alone? Send them a note, make them a treat, call them and chat, etc…
LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
1 O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me?
4 Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.
7 My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
8 Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.
Psalm 6:1-9, NLT
Pastor Paddy McCoy & Dave Ferguson
Crosswalk Portland & Crosswalk Chattanooga
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