Skip to main content

EMOTIONAL ISSUES: Discouragement


Icebreaker:

When have you ever read a book, watched a TV show or a recording game when you already knew the outcome?
How did you feel during the tense moments knowing the outcome?

Overview:

Discouragement is a common emotional issue. Things don’t always turn out the way we hope. People that we thought we could count on let us down. Discouragement is normal. Today’s scripture says that Jesus was tempted in all things. Then did Jesus experience discouragement? He knew how everything was going to turn out but perhaps in the moment He experienced discouragement. We, too, know how everything is going to turn out — eventually. Our challenge is to handle the discouragement that we are experiencing in this earthly moment.

Discussion:
Read Hebrews 4:14-16.

When did Jesus experience discouragement?
What did Jesus expect of Peter? (Read Matthew 16:23.)
How discouraged was Jesus with the disciples? (Read Matthew 26:36-46.)
Since Jesus experienced discouragement, how does that help you?
What does today’s scripture say to handle discouragement?
How does drawing near to God help?
How does accepting the mercy being offered help?
How does looking for grace help?

Prayer:
Pray for active solutions for the discouragement we face in life.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Small Group or Personal Bible Study Questions

 The best way to use this archive is to use the "Search" feature and just type in the topic or book of the Bible you would like to study. You can also look through the list of topics in the "Labels" section. If you would like to follow a series, click on the "Archive" for publish dates. I hope you find some useful information here. Back several years ago, I had the crazy idea to volunteer to help our pastor by writing questions each week to accompany his sermon. We had just formed small groups after going through Rick Warren's "Purpose-driven Church" study. Our pastor was new to us and wanted to create a sense of unity by having all adults studying the same topic as the sermon for the week. I volunteered to help out and he was crazy enough to let me. I did not know what I was getting into or how far it would take me. God knew, however.  The result was about ten years of writing weekly study materials for our church. One series, Broken, was pu...
Post a Comment
Read more

STEPS OF FAITH

Only the passage of time can judge how far we have travelled and how well we have followed the Lord in steps of faith. Time goes quickly and slowly simultaneously. We encounter tremendous obstacles along the way such as leaders with moral failings and a mountain of debt and the obstacles seems unsurmountable; yet, we put one step in front of the other placing our faith in God. “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ― Corrie ten Boom   It takes courage and steadfastness to keep going. We have no choice really. We can’t give up! We will keep going in faith until the battle is truly won and Heaven is our home. An old choral hymn by Carlton Pearson says it well: We've come this far by faith Leaning on the LORD Trusting in His Holy Word He never failed me yet Oh' can't turn around We've come this far by faith . Discussion: What emotions did you feel today as the church building mortgage was burned? So we are alway...
Post a Comment
Read more

EMOTIONAL ISSUES: Precious Memories

Icebreaker: Note: Not everyone in your group will have precious memories of their mother. Some in your group may not have known their mother. For women who never had a child, it can be a sad reminder of empty arms. Be sensitive to everyone’s situation.   Overview: On a trip to Ephesus, Turkey, our tour group visited a restored, stone house overlooking the Aegean Sea that is believed by many to be the house where the Apostle John took Mary, the mother of Jesus, after Jesus’ death on the cross. Mary lived in this tiny, mountainside home the rest of her life. No one can say for sure if this dwelling is the actual home of Mary, but I can tell you that when I stepped inside, I was overcome with an emotion that I cannot explain. Mary was a real person who lived and loved her children. She was just like me and millions of other mothers except one of her children just happened to be the Son of God. What precious memories she stored up in her heart! Discussion: Read John...
Post a Comment
Read more