We heard in the weekend message that a recent survey said that 36% of all Americans reported feeling lonely most of the time. Loneliness is an epidemic that is becoming more and more prevalent in our world. God never intended for loneliness to take over the human condition. Loneliness is a symptom of sin. In our loneliness, God offers a lifeline of hope for us. He gives us a lifeline in Scripture to hold on to when we feel lonely.
BREAK THE ICE
When did someone reach out to you during a time you felt lonely?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some leading causes of loneliness today?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Romans 5:1-8. How does God bring good out of trials, such as loneliness? Why is this important?
Romans 5:1-8
"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
3. Read Hebrews 10:23-25. What are some of God's promises we can hold on to when we feel lonely?
Hebrews 10:23-25
"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
4. What do these verses instruct Christ followers to do? How does obeying these instructions combat loneliness?
Application
1. When do you most often feel lonely?
2. What community has God placed in your life? What is one step you can take to dive deeper into that community?
3. Who is someone you know who might be feeling lonely? How will you reach out to them this week?
MOVING FORWARD
This small group is one of the gifts of community God has placed in your life. Plan a time with your group now to share a meal. This plan can include meeting at someone's house or a park, bringing dishes to share, or meeting at a restaurant. As you spend time meeting outside of small group, you will cultivate community and provide opportunities for your small group community to grow.
GOING DEEPER
One of the most significant sources of comfort in our loneliness is the truth that God is with us. Even in our loneliness, He never leaves. One piece of evidence we have of His nearness is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity who helps us and lives life alongside us. So we will take a few minutes to look at what Scripture says about the Holy Spirit and find comfort in knowing that we are never alone because God is with us.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit:
Before Jesus left this Earth, He told His disciples He was leaving. However, he wanted them not to be concerned that He was leaving because the Holy Spirit was coming. Look at some of Jesus' last words to His disciples and what He promised them.
1. Read John 16:5-15.
"But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I've told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. 12 "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'"
"But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I've told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'"
2. Why was it better, according to Jesus, for Him to leave His disciples?
3. Jesus described the Holy Spirit as an advocate. What does it mean to be an advocate?
4. What else did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would do for believers?
The Holy Spirit is a Helper
Not much makes us feel lonelier than when we need help and are unsure what to do. The enemy wants to make us think we have no one to help and choose to give up. The truth, however, is that we are never alone in any situation. We have the Holy Spirit, who helps us throughout life.
1. Read Romans 8:26-27.
Romans 8:26-27
"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will."
2. How does the Holy Spirit help us? In what situations would we need this kind of help from the Holy Spirit?
3. Read John 14:26. How does the Holy Spirit advocate for us? How does this advocacy help us?
John 14:26
"But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you."
4. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit's help?
The Holy Spirit Gives Us Power
Because the Holy Spirit walks through life with us, we have the power of the Holy Spirit every day. This truth gives us boldness and confidence as we walk through life that eclipse any feelings of loneliness. Before He left Earth and returned to Heaven, Jesus talked about this Holy Spirit power that would come upon His disciples. This same power is available to us today.
1. Read Acts 1:8.
Read Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2. Describe the power that is written about in this verse.
3. How did this power impact Jesus' first disciples?
4. How does this power impact us today?
The Holy Spirit Helps Us Grow
As we grow in our faith, the Holy Spirit helps us to grow. As we grow, we become more like Christ. We mature as the Holy Spirit works in our lives, guides us, and teaches us. We are certainly not alone when we have this kind of guidance to help us and challenge us to grow.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. What is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is helping us to grow in our faith?
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
"A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have."
2. Read 2 Corinthians 3:18. According to this verse, how does the Holy Spirit help us to grow?
2 Corinthians 3:18
"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."
3. How have you seen evidence of this kind of growth in your life?
Reflect:
As your time comes to an end, take a few minutes to reflect on the Holy Spirit's presence in your life and how the Spirit's presence speaks into your feelings of loneliness.
1. Of all of the different ways that the Spirit impacts our lives, what stood out to you the most? Why?
2. How does the presence of the Holy Spirit combat loneliness?
3. How can you lean into the presence of the Holy Spirit today (pray, ask for help, listen, boldly obey, trust the Spirit's power, etc.)?
What area do you need the help of the Holy Spirit? Share it with your group. After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask the Spirit for help, guidance, and wisdom. Thank Him for the comfort that we are never alone, especially when we need help and guidance.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21
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