One of the feelings we most often hide under the surface is loneliness. We don't want other people to think less of us or perceive us as needy. We try to act like we have it all together, but often our heart hurts under the weight of feeling alone. The good news is that God doesn't want us to struggle through this journey of isolation. He provides an opportunity to fix what is broken inside of us all. Today, we are going to be encouraged in Scripture that even though sometimes we feel alone, we are not because the Lord is right by our side.
If you could be friends with one celebrity, who would it be and why?
1. In your experience, what causes most people to feel lonely?
2. Describe a time when you felt lonely (maybe that time is now). How did you respond?
3.Read Psalm 16:7-11. What hope do these verses provide to someone who is lonely?
Psalm 16:7-11 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Psalm 16:7-11
I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
4. In what ways do you specifically seek the Lord in your loneliness? If you are not currently seeking Him, what ways can you start seeking Him in your loneliness?
5. Read Galatians 6:1-5. In what ways does sharing each other's burdens help in times of loneliness?
Galatians 6:1-5 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
Galatians 6:1-5
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
6. Who do you know who is in need who you can reach out to?
7. Read Ephesians 5:15-16. How can you make the best use of your time, whether you are experiencing loneliness or not?
Ephesians 5:15-16 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Ephesians 5:15-16
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Who can you, as a group, reach out to in order to share the hope of Christ with someone who is lonely and does not have a relationship with Him? Make a plan, whether you are going to take a meal to someone who is hurting, start meeting at a coffee shop frequently and befriend the barista, or help with someone's yard work. Whatever you decide, share the hope of Christ with someone beginning this week.
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1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
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