Leader Guide
Jason Gray
Jason Gray
http://www.jasongraymusic.com
Album: Disorder EP
Label: Centricity Music
Song: Remind Me Your Here
Sarah Taylor
Gulf Cove United Methodist Church
Port Charlotte, FL
[email protected]
Theme
Grief, God’s presence
Objective
To remind students that, despite the grief they may experience, God is always with them.
Warm Up
Have students share (if they will) a time they experienced a loss. This may be the loss of a family member, a friend, or a family pet. No loss should be considered insignificant as grief affects each of us in different ways. Spend some time together, sharing memories and stories of loved ones.
Transition
At some point in our lives, we will experience loss. Some losses will almost seem insurmountable – they will be devastating. Some losses may be expected, and some may be sudden. Sometimes the emotions we experience are overwhelming – we feel angry, sad, lonely, sick.
Video
In his new song “Remind Me You’re Here,” Jason Gray sings about this kind of grief. He pleads to God to remind him that, despite the questions and frustrations that grief brings, all he wants is to experience God’s closeness and comfort.
Transition
God is no stranger to the grief we experience. Jesus experienced grief in a very real and personal way when he was on Earth.
Bible Study
Read John 11: 1-44
Wrap Up
We all experience grief (if we haven’t yet, we will at some point in our lives). Sometimes the death of a loved one brings about questions – it tests our faith in God. We want to know why such things happen. If the story of Lazarus’ death teaches us anything, it’s that we’re not alone in our grief. Jesus walked with Mary and Martha in their sorrow. He cried with them, even knowing that Lazarus could (and would) live again.
Death is a sad reality of the world we live in. But God never leaves us to navigate the sorrow and sadness alone. (Read Psalm 23)
We have a hope through Christ that death is not the final answer. Our grief is only temporary! Jesus promises us so much more! In John 14, Jesus is preparing the disciples for the grief they are about to face – but he promises that their grief will only be temporary! How exciting to know that we have something to look forward to!!
Jason Gray
Jason Gray
http://www.jasongraymusic.com
Album: Disorder EP
Label: Centricity Music
Song: Remind Me Your Here
Sarah Taylor
Gulf Cove United Methodist Church
Port Charlotte, FL
[email protected]
Theme
Grief, God’s presence
Objective
To remind students that, despite the grief they may experience, God is always with them.
Warm Up
Have students share (if they will) a time they experienced a loss. This may be the loss of a family member, a friend, or a family pet. No loss should be considered insignificant as grief affects each of us in different ways. Spend some time together, sharing memories and stories of loved ones.
Transition
At some point in our lives, we will experience loss. Some losses will almost seem insurmountable – they will be devastating. Some losses may be expected, and some may be sudden. Sometimes the emotions we experience are overwhelming – we feel angry, sad, lonely, sick.
Video
In his new song “Remind Me You’re Here,” Jason Gray sings about this kind of grief. He pleads to God to remind him that, despite the questions and frustrations that grief brings, all he wants is to experience God’s closeness and comfort.
Transition
God is no stranger to the grief we experience. Jesus experienced grief in a very real and personal way when he was on Earth.
Bible Study
Read John 11: 1-44
- Who do you relate to the most in this story? Mary, Martha, Jesus, the disciples?
- Do you think Jesus planned all along to raise Lazarus from the dead? Why/why not?
- Do you think Martha was being unfair to Jesus? Was she expecting too much of him?
- What is Jesus’ response to Mary’s grief?
- Do you think Jesus responds to our grief in the same way?
- Why do you think Jesus cried if he knew he was going to raise Lazarus?
- Summarize this passage in your own words.
- Is it easy to see God during the hard times? Why/why not?
- How did you experience God, the shepherd, during your time of grief?
- What is the writer of this psalm saying?
- How do these verses make you feel?
Wrap Up
We all experience grief (if we haven’t yet, we will at some point in our lives). Sometimes the death of a loved one brings about questions – it tests our faith in God. We want to know why such things happen. If the story of Lazarus’ death teaches us anything, it’s that we’re not alone in our grief. Jesus walked with Mary and Martha in their sorrow. He cried with them, even knowing that Lazarus could (and would) live again.
Death is a sad reality of the world we live in. But God never leaves us to navigate the sorrow and sadness alone. (Read Psalm 23)
We have a hope through Christ that death is not the final answer. Our grief is only temporary! Jesus promises us so much more! In John 14, Jesus is preparing the disciples for the grief they are about to face – but he promises that their grief will only be temporary! How exciting to know that we have something to look forward to!!