Healing Through Lament

Healing Through Lament

By Richard Smith

4-27-25

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

1. Does anyone have a testimony to share from this week of how the resurrection’s hope either worked in your own life in the middle of a pit or through your life to reach out to someone in a pit?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

2. Read Psalm 77 and reflect on the vulnerable and faithful observations the Psalmist makes about God.

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

3. How does the concept of lament challenge our typical approach to worship and prayer in modern churches, especially in light of 1/3 of the Psalms being full of lamenting?

4. How does the Psalmist’s example in Psalm 77 guide us in approaching God during times of deep distress or doubt?

5. How might our perspective on suffering change if we view it through the lens of John 9:3, where Jesus says illness can happen ‘so the works of God might be displayed’?

6. What role does community play in the process of lament, and how can we better support one another through times of grief?

Respond: Look ahead and around to see how you can be obedient and missional.

7. What are some examples of God’s past deeds that you can use to help transform your personal times of lament into hope?

8. Consider someone in your sphere of influence (family, coworker, neighbor, small group, church, team) that is grieving or struggling to hope. How might you be with them in their lament in moving toward healing this week?