February 26, 2024 • Pete Greig • Matthew 5:3–5, Luke 18:9–14
Kicking off the course with an honest look at the four big questions we all ask when confronted with suffering. With special guest, author Bob Sorge.
Bible passages - Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 5:3-5
Key points:
–It’s a sign of faith, not doubt, to wrestle with unanswered prayer
–We need to talk about unanswered prayer for three reasons:
–Emotionally – most of us have pain we need to process
–Intellectually – we may also have questions we need answered
–Culturally – sadly the church can be less honest than the Bible
–‘Grace groweth best in winter’ (Samuel Rutherford) – Harsh winters are often the seasons in which we mature and become more fruitful
–“Faith says, ‘Even though I don’t understand you right now, God, I love you. I believe your heart for me is good.’” – Bob Sorge
Discussion questions
30 – 45 minutesQ. What did you find most helpful, inspiring or challenging in what Pete Greig, Gemma Hunt and Bob Sorge shared?
Q. Pete Greig said that we need to talk about unanswered prayer for three reasons: emotional, intellectual and cultural. Which feels most relevant to you at the present moment as you begin this series?
Q. The words of Jesus in the book of Matthew teach us to expect blessing in the midst of challenges – how does this encourage (or discourage!) you in your faith?
Q. Pete says that “there’s so much faking it” at church. If you could ask God one totally honest question about something you find difficult in your life, what would it be?
Closing prayer:
A prayer for trust in Jesus, by Ignatius of Loyola:
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
– taken from God on Mute, chapter 4
2 | Maundy Thursday: How?
March 4, 2024 • Pete Greig • Mark 14:32–37, Psalm 23, Romans 5:3–4
In this session we address questions of the heart: seeking to find purpose in pain and strategies for dealing with disappointment. With special guest, TV presenter Simon Thomas.
Bible passages from the session: Mark 14:32-37, Psalm 23, Romans 5:3-4
Key points:
–We can learn 4 keys to coping with despair from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: Place, People, Prayer, Purpose
–Jesus isn’t just dying for us, He’s suffering with us
–Find a purpose in the pain when you can, and find a purpose in spite of the pain when you can’t
–“I don’t want to remain in this place of sorrow and anger… I want to choose life again, and I want to find life again.” – Simon Thomas
Discussion questions
Q. What did you find most helpful, inspiring or challenging in what Pete Greig, Gemma Hunt and Simon Thomas shared?
Q. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus shares with his friends that “[His] soul is overwhelmed to the point of death” – what are the barriers or obstacles you face when sharing honestly or openly with friends? Would anyone be willing to share about a time in which their soul felt ‘overwhelmed’?
Q. What happens to your prayer life when you are feeling overwhelmed or upset? What do you notice that you do differently?
Q. Pete Greig says, “God does not leave us to suffer alone” – is this something that you have experienced? Where has God met you in your suffering?
Q. Do you think that it’s possible for everyone to find a purpose in – or in spite of – their pain?
Q. Pete Greig talks about the holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl and the importance of finding some kind of purpose in spite of our pain.
Closing prayer:
Lord,
help me to stand today.
Temptations and trials abound.
When life hurts,
I get confused, dishonest, suspicious, and critical.
I put on the belt of truth.
When life hurts,
my relationships suffer—especially my relationship with You. I put on the breastplate of righteousness.
When life hurts,
I either get really lazy or I make myself really busy.
I put on the shoes of the gospel.
When life hurts,
I let down my guard and leave myself exposed.
I take up the shield of faith.
When life hurts,
my thinking gets negative and I question everything.
I put on the helmet of salvation.
When life hurts,
I’m a coward.
I take hold of the sword of the Word.
Lord, it doesn’t feel very “finished” down here.
I don’t feel very “finished’.
See me kneeling.
Help me stand.
– taken from God on Mute, by Pete Greig, chapter 10
3 | Good Friday: Why?
March 11, 2024 • Pete Greig • Mark 15:33–34, John 14:12, Genesis 17:17–22, Ephesians 6:10–17
In this session we wrestle with the some of the most difficult intellectual questions: why does an all-loving, all-knowing, all-powerful God allow suffering? With special guest, 24-7 Prayer leader Alain Emerson.
Bible passages from the session: Mark 15:33-34, John 14:12, Genesis 17:17-22, Ephesians 6:10-17
Key points:
–Our unanswered prayers can be attributed to God’s world, God’s will or God’s war
–Miracles have to be the exception rather than the rule because our world is infinitely complicated
–The will of God is often far darker and more painful than we imagine for reasons we can’t immediately understand
–Spiritual warfare is real. Sometimes we need to stop fighting against God, and start fighting with him against the enemy of our souls
–“There is hope, but that hope will not invalidate your pain…” – Alain Emerson
Discussion Questions:
Q. What did you find most helpful, inspiring or challenging in what Pete Greig, Gemma Hunt and Alain Emerson shared?
Q. If you could ask God one “Why?” question, what would it be?
Q. On the cross Jesus asks God “Why have you forsaken me?” Would anyone be willing to describe a time that you felt abandoned or deserted by God when you needed him most?
Closing prayer
Today we’ve tried to understand better the things we can, and to trust better when we can’t understand. Let’s finish now with a prayer of relinquishment written by George Macdonald. It’s not an easy prayer but you may like to open your hands as a sign of surrender.
Afresh I seek thee, lead me—once more I pray— Even should it be against my will, thy way.
Let me not feel thee foreign any hour,
Or shrink from thee as an estranged power.
Through doubt, through faith, through bliss, through stark dismay,
Through sunshine, wind, or snow, or fog, or shower, Draw me to thee who art my only day.
– by George Macdonald (2). Taken from God on Mute, by Pete Greig, chapter 9
