Today's episode is big topic in this Breaking Chains series: Navigating Grief. It's not called overcoming grief, it's not called conquering grief or dismantling grief, because—like it or not—grief is part of the story. You have to go through it. It's not good for us to avoid it or go around it. Grief is universal.

Join us In this episode as Scott and Gary walk through many different types of profound loss we may experience in life, including stories from their own experiences. Along the way, we will find wisdom and hope in God's word on how to move forward.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Grief is a heavy topic so let's start with a light question: Can you remember the time you laughed the hardest? (Or one of the times you've laughed the hardest?) Share the story with the group.

How do you define grief? The podcast defines grief as feelings of great sorrow, distress and emotional pain that stems from significant loss. What significant losses have you grieved in life?

The 5 stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, & Acceptance. When you look back on your times of grief are these stages evident?

Gary's 5 emotions connected to grief: Profound sadness, guilt, fear, physical fallout/symptoms, & aimlessness. Which of these emotions have you experienced the most in your times of grief?

Scott's 7 things to help navigate grief: Community, anticipate awkwardness, lean into your faith, support groups, grief counseling, anticipate and plan for "grief triggers", & grieve well. Which of those help you the most in times of grief?

"A good friend won't lecture, correct, or react to our insanity [in times of grief]." What does it look like to help others when they are dealing with grief?

The enemy will lie to us in our grief. Read 1 Peter 5:7 & Matthew 11:28-30. What do these passages say about God's heart for us during our grief?

Gary and Scott talked about grieving the loss of people to suicide. What from that discussion did you need to hear?

Read Revelation 21:4. Some grief will never go away on this side of Heaven. What hope can we place in this truth from Revelation about when Jesus returns?

"Please, don't turn the helpers away." - Paul David Tripp. Are you in need of help right now? Who can be your helper?

What else from the podcast spoke to you?

What did God/Holy Spirit speak/prompt/say to you? What's God asking you to do? What does He want to give you? What does He want you to lay down?

RESOURCES

Suicide:

• Hope Always, Matthew Sleeth, M.D.

Grief:

• The View From a Hearse, Joe Bayly

• Experiencing Grief, H. Norman Wright

• Good Grief, Granger Westberg

• It's OK That You're Not OK, Megan Divine

NEXT STEPS

• Look at our Care resources for Grief Share, counseling referrals, and more at southland.church/care

• Join a Group at southland.church/groups

• For any other questions or comments email [email protected]