It’s Ok to Not be Ok Study Guide Loneliness

Connect
Recall a time or a memory in your life where you felt particularly lonely. Share this with the group. Were there any circumstances that created this loneliness? What or who comforted you through this time?

Engage

Read Genesis 2:18-25
According to verse 18, what was God’s reason for creating Eve? Prior to the creation of Eve, didn’t Adam have companionship with God? Wouldn’t you think that communion with God would be enough to keep Adam from being alone? Why or why not?

Read 1 John 4:7-12
Several places in this passage, John calls us to love one another. According to verse 12, what are two results of loving one another? What does this passage say about the connection between our relational life with others and our spiritual life with God?

Read 2 Corinthians 7:5-7
In this passage, Paul had been travelling from town to town on his missionary journey. When he reached the Macedonia region, he was very discouraged about his reception and treatment from those he encountered along the way. According to verse 6, what was it that eventually brought comfort to Paul. Have you ever experienced a time when a visit from a friend lifted your spirits? Explain.

Apply
Scott provided the following ways to confront loneliness in your life. Each of these is intended to be done in person.

• Get connected…in person
• Be vulnerable…in person
• Forgive those…in person
• Show up….in person

According to Scott’s message, what is the reason for these things to be done in the presence of others? What might be the trade-offs of using other forms of communication like phone or e-mail/text?

In his message, Scott acknowledged that loneliness can be painful. He went on to say that this is normal. Experiencing pain in loneliness is more a reflection of what’s right with you than what’s wrong with you. If you are experiencing loneliness in your life right now, what are some next steps you can take to confront this loneliness? Are there folks in your life group or in your workplace that you can connect with at a deeper level?

Pray together
Lord, we know that you created us to be in relationship others, just as you are in relationship with us. Help us to connect in meaningful ways with others in a healthy community. We want to be vulnerable with others so that the relationships we have grow to a deeper level. If there is unresolved conflict in our lives, help us to have those hard conversations with those that are involved so that restoration can begin. Help us to love others, just as you love us. Amen.