Trevor Hunt Rockford Campus October 16, 2022
JOY FROM SORROW
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
REMINDERS
- Men’s Groups! Monday @7pm, Wednesday at 6am and 6:30pm
- Women’s Groups! Check the website for our many options!
TOGETHER IN LIFE
**On Sunday, Trevor talked about communication. Can you remember a time where a lack of communication caused a conflict? Looking back, can you think of a clarifying question that would have helped avoid the conflict?
TOGETHER IN THE WORD
“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:16-24
QUESTION: Why do you think the disciples asked each other, “what does He mean?” instead of just asking Jesus directly? Do you ever find yourself asking questions of others instead of going directly to the source?
THREE DIFFERENT WAYS WE CAN INTERPRET THE TEXT
- The second coming
- Seeing Christ post resurrection
- Seeing the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Christ
YOUR SORROW WILL TURN TO JOY
QUESTION: Do you have a sorrow right now that you’re willing to share with your group?
QUESTION: Do you ever fear of a sorrow that you may have to experience in the future that you’re willing to share? While considering your story, can you see a connection between your past experiences and why you might be fearful of this particular sorrow?
QUESTION: Do you have a story of a sorrow that God has used for your good? Would you go as far as to say that he’s turned it into joy? If you’re willing, please encourage each other with these stories of God’s faithfulness.
CHRIST IS OUR COMPANION IN OUR JOURNEY OF SORROW
QUESTION: Have you experienced the closeness of Christ during sorrow? Thinking back over your life, share about a time when you felt closest to Jesus.
QUESTION: Jesus does not minimize the pain and confusion that the disciples are feeling, and He never minimizes our pain either. Do you believe that God cares about your pain and confusion during difficult times? If so, how does He demonstrate this care during those times?
QUESTION: Read Psalms 63:1-3 together as a group. Maybe read it over a couple of times. What word or phrase stands out to you most in that passage?
THREE GROUPS
- Christ is enough.
- Christ plus _____ is enough.
- Christ is not the answer.
HOW TO GROW YOUR LOVE FOR JESUS
- Ask
- Seek
- Walk
- Stay
QUESTION: Considering the four previous points of how to grow your love for Jesus, which one do you believe might be your next step?
TOGETHER IN ACTION
What is one thing that competes with your desire to have more of Christ?
TOGETHER IN WORSHIP
Read scripture this week and pray that God will show you more of Jesus.
