• We can learn 4 keys to coping with despair from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: Place, People, Prayer, Purpose

• Jesus isn’t just dying for us, He’s suffering with us

• Find a purpose in the pain when you can, and  nd a purpose in spite of the pain when you can’t

• “I don’t want to remain in this place of sorrow and anger... I want to choose life again, and I want to find life again.” - Simon Thomas

• What did you  nd most helpful, inspiring or challenging in what Pete Greig, Gemma Hunt and Simon Thomas shared?

• In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus shares with his friends that “[His] soul is overwhelmed to the point of death” – what are the barriers or obstacles you face when sharing honestly or openly with friends? Would anyone be willing to share about a time in which their soul felt ‘overwhelmed’?

• What happens to your prayer life when you are feeling overwhelmed or upset? What do you notice that you do differently?

• Pete Greig says, “God does not leave us to suffer alone” – is this something that you have experienced? Where has God met you in your suffering?

• Do you think that it’s possible for everyone to find a purpose in – or in spite of – their pain?

• Pete Greig talks about the holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl and the importance of finding some kind of purpose in spite of our pain. Take a minute or two in the silence to reflect on an area of suffering you have experienced, consider ways in which you have been able to find – or might be able to find – some kind of purpose in it or in spite of it.

• Simon in his interview shares about his honest – often angry – prayers to God. What are the things that make it hard to be truly emotionally honest with God?’

• How might we as a church do more to invest in one another during struggles and trials? Are there practical steps that need to be taken to support one another more?

• How are you feeling about the things covered in this session? Are there any areas in which you’d appreciate prayer - get in touch.

• Take time to pause and reflect on The Isenheim Altarpiece, by Matthias Grünewald, which Pete Greig talked about in the session. (available online at https://www.wikiart.org/en/ matthias-grunewald/the-isenheim-altarpiece-1516)

When life hurts,

I get confused, dishonest, suspicious, and critical.

I put on the belt of truth.

When life hurts,

my relationships suffer—especially my relationship with You. 

I put on the breastplate of righteousness.

When life hurts,

I either get really lazy or I make myself really busy.

I put on the shoes of the gospel.

When life hurts,

I let down my guard and leave myself exposed.

I take up the shield of faith.

When life hurts,

my thinking gets negative and I question everything.

I put on the helmet of salvation.

When life hurts,

I’m a coward.

I take hold of the sword of the Word.

Lord, it doesn’t feel very “finished” down here.

I don’t feel very “finished’.

See me kneeling.

Help me stand.

Books

• Life Interrupted, Simon Thomas

• Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl 

• God on Mute, Pete Greig