What Does the Bible Say About Grief and Loss?

What Does the Bible Say About… Grief & Loss • Martha needed a _____________ to her crisis: how can she be made ____________ again? Jesus gave her the _______________: in Jesus there is hope for all grief to be undone. August 22, 2021 The Question Behind the Question: • Grief is universal—we cannot ____________ it, stop it, control it, or ____ it. • • Grief is ________________________—we don’t like to witness or ________________ it. What Jesus Said to Mary (John 11:28-36) • How do we find __________________ from our grief—and how can we __________________ others? • Mary was _______________________ by grief. It dominated her entire _________________, every thought, feeling and actions. • Mary needed to __________________ her pain—to find a way to _________ through it. Jesus gave her his ______________—he shared her grief with his __________________, empathy and vulnerability. What Jesus Said to the Disciples (John 11:1-16) • The disciples were _____________ by grief. They knew Lazarus well enough to be _______________________ by his death. • • They needed to make ____________ of the situation: how could Jesus ____________ a close friend to die? Conclusions: • Grief is the ______________, appropriate and _______________ response to loss. • Jesus gave them the big picture: death is not ________________, and God is still ____________________.. • Finding comfort requires attentiveness—matching the right answer with the right moment. What Jesus Said to Martha (John 11:17-27) • Martha was __________________ by grief. Lazarus’ death had created a __________ in her life. • Jesus promises that all who mourn will be __________________. (Matthew 5:4) Discussion Questions • What does Paul say about the Gospel—the good news that the love of God will triumph over death? • Which of these passages most encourages you? 1. Getting Started: • What did you find most interesting about the sermon this week? The most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? • How comfortable are you in talking about grief? What makes you uncomfortable about discussing grief? • Who could you empathize with the most between the Disciples, Martha and Mary? 3. Going Deeper • In Romans 12:15 Paul tells us to “mourn with those who mourn.” What might it look like to look for opportunities to mourn with others? 2. Into the Bible (Read Romans 8:18-39) • In this passage Paul encourages the Romans in the same ways Jesus did. What does Paul say about how God comforts his people with his presence? • How can we tell what people need in their grief—whether they need the big picture, the gospel, or tears? • What does Paul say about the “Big Picture”—the assurance that God is still in control? • How can we overcome our own discomfort with grief and comfort others when they mourn?