Below are some additional interactions on the article: Loss Through Divorce. Read it first.
Words:
Check out this psalm King David wrote. You see everyone goes through different struggles; the difference is to whom do you turn when things look bad or you’re unsure of what to do next. King David trusted in the Lord, and God was faithful. Read over this psalm a few times. Feel the raw emotion penned down. Maybe you can relate to the feelings David shared. Maybe you didn’t have words for it before. Borrow David’s. Cry out to God. He is there and he is listening. Trust in him to guide you.
Psalm 6
A Prayer for Help in Time of Trouble
1Lord, don’t be angry and rebuke me!
Don’t punish me in your anger!
2I am worn out, O LORD; have pity on me!
Give me strength; I am completely exhausted
3and my whole being is deeply troubled.
How long, O LORD, will you wait to help me?
4Come and save me, LORD;
in your mercy rescue me from death.
5In the world of the dead you are not remembered;
no one can praise you there.
6I am worn out with grief;
every night my bed is damp from my weeping;
my pillow is soaked with tears.
7I can hardly see;
my eyes are so swollen
from the weeping caused by my enemies.
8Keep away from me, you evil people!
The LORD hears my weeping;
9he listens to my cry for help
and will answer my prayer.
10My enemies will know the bitter shame of defeat;
in sudden confusion they will be driven away.
Scripture:
Mark 11:24—Here Jesus tells us to ask him for what is on our minds, to believe that he will answer us. Even with this pain, God will bring something better with time.
Malachi 2:16—“I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel. “I hate it when one of you does such a cruel thing to his wife. Make sure that you do not break your promise to be faithful to your wife.”
Psalm 56:3–4—When you are afraid, trust God.
Psalm 18:19—Even in the hard times, family is something you can count on. It just looks a little different now. Open yourself up.
Proverbs 12:18—It can be easy to lash out and be angry, but be careful with your words, remember that others are hurting to. Know that your words can bring healing to those around you.
Matthew 6:25–34—Know that you do not need to worry about your future, live according to God’s word and he will take care of you.
Small group guide:
Large group guide:
Life Questions:
- Go back and read over Psalm 40. Are there pieces of those verses that you can relate to more than others? What are they? How does it make you feel knowing that you are not alone in your feelings?
- Go back and read Philippians 4:4–9. What can you take from those verses? What will you do after having read them? Do these verses offer you hope? How?
- Maybe the divorce happened a while ago now. What are some good things that have come from the divorce (Stepparents whom you like? More one-on-one time with your mom or dad? A different school? New friends? Deeper relationships?) Even when hard things happen, there is good that God will bring about. Write them out and thank God for the good that has come about. If you’re still going through it, take the time to pray that God would guide you as you continue on.
- Do you have a third place where you are known? Often times we are known at school and at home, but do you have a third place where you are known and can be you? Sometimes that can be a place like the church or Club Beyond; other times it can be a sports team or club you are a part of. If you don’t have one, find this place. It should be a place where you can come and be, a place where all the troubles of home can be left behind for a while. Make a list of places you want to try to make your third place. If you have a place already, how has it helped you throughout this past year or so as you transition?
Music:
Check out this playlist of songs. They all talk about relationships; some of them you may have heard before, others you may not have. See what you think. Listen to the words. What messages are they trying to send you? How are they different or similar to the message that Christ has for you?
Reflect:
Whether your parents are just now getting a divorce or did a long time ago, sometimes it is good to get another perspective. Check out this article to see what it has to share about divorce, why it happens and specifically what you can do to help your parents out during this process. It can be easy to forget that our parents are struggling too, so pay close attention to that section. See what you can learn and, if you have siblings, see what they think too.
