Breaking Ground
What’s your favorite comfort activity when you are feeling down? Consider specific movies, food, books, hobbies, etc.
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued exploring the major themes in the Book of Psalms by looking at the Psalms of Lament. These Psalms depict a psalmist bringing before God their present sorrow, suffering & pain (usually in visceral & brutally honest ways).
Read Psalm 88 (an example of a lament). Begin by reflecting on the Psalm broadly.
What language or imagery stands out to you most? Is there anything that you find immediately relatable or unsettling?
Notice, the Psalmist doesn’t arrive at any conclusions for their suffering, but rather simply names it & invites God into it. Why do you think that is?
Why do you think the Bible includes such intense, dark pieces of poetry like this one? What does the inclusion of such psalms tell us about the character of God & how we can relate to Him in the dark seasons of our lives?
Close by reflecting on how this Psalm & its broader lament genre might speak to you personally.
Have you ever been in a mental or emotional state like the one described in this Psalm? If you are willing, then share about what was going on in that season of your life.
Did you feel God’s presence during that season?
How did that season of sorrow impact how you understand God & His presence/work in areas our suffering? Did it reveal any unhealthy ideas about God & suffering that needed to change?
In this present season of life, how comfortable are you bringing your raw emotions of sadness & sorrow before God? How might embracing the honesty epitomized here open you to a more intimate relationship with God in the hardest & most painful areas of your life?
Where do you need to practice an honest prayer & sharing of laments right now? If you’re comfortable, consider doing so with the group & invite them into that struggle with you.
Getting Out of the Hole
This week, reflect on the teaching from Sunday morning.
- Read Psalm 88.
- Write down the key metaphors & themes from the Psalm.
- Meditate on how these metaphors or themes appear in your life right now. Be creative & try to enter into the Psalm personally.
- Re-read Psalm 88 & pray over what came to mind during this time. Ask God for wisdom & meditate on the theme that resonated with you the most over the course of the week.
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
The Book of Psalms by Robert Alter
Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, October 23rd: Join us next Sunday for week three of our series Breathe, where we are exploring the major themes of the Book of Psalms!
* Please see mye3.org for details.