LifeGroup Notes

BIG IDEA
In 1866, Thomas Chisholm was born in a log cabin near Franklin, Kentucky. He didn’t have a formal education. He became a teacher and later a newspaper editor. At 27, he became a follower of Christ. He later became a pastor, but due to his poor health, he had to leave the ministry and eventually sold insurance. His life wasn’t filled with excitement or tragedy, but he loved to write poetry. In fact, he wrote over 1200 poems during his lifetime. In 1923, his friend, William Runyan, from Moody Bible Institute, was deeply moved by one of his poems and put it to music.

The poem was titled, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” When asked later about what led him to write the hymn, he responded, “There is no circumstantial background for ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness,’” adding that the poem was simply an overflow of his “morning by morning realization of God’s personal faithfulness.” Later in life, he wrote: “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”

This week, we will take a look at the passage that inspired this hymn, a lament from its author, the prophet Jeremiah. Unlike Thomas Chisholm, Jeremiah had experienced great pain, suffering, and sorrow. Through his lamentations to God, we will see how Jeremiah found hope in the middle of seemingly overwhelming odds.

Passages we’ll review:
Lamentations 3:1-6; Lamentations 3:21-26; James 1:2-4

OPENING
What stood out to you from the message this week? What led you to really think? Did anything challenge you? Have you ever had to share something that you really loved, something that had immense value to you?

Agree or Disagree: Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to what happens to you. Explain your choice.

READ

Read Lamentations 3:1-6

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a lament is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. For 40 years, Jeremiah had been preaching God’s truth to the people of Israel, but they refused to listen. They were experiencing the wrath of God because of their choices. As a result, Jeremiah was deeply troubled. He had suffered great pain and it had taken its toll on him, leaving him looking old and worn-down.

When we face God’s judgment, it can often lead to feelings of bitterness and hopelessness. Have you ever felt this way? What things do you see in our world today that should cause lamenting? How have these things affected you?

Jeremiah’s words sound so hopeless. Yet we know that Jeremiah knew God and all that He could do. He didn’t fully understand why he was having to suffer in this way. As he wrote Lamentations, Jeremiah felt like God had abandoned him and left him to die. He had even been ridiculed by those he had been called to warn, which led to his lamentations to God. Lamenting is not just grumbling or complaining. A lament is simply a prayer in pain that leads to trust. —Editor’s Note

What is the solution to hopelessness?

Read Lamentations 3:19-26

Jeremiah had to be sure to balance his feelings and his faith. It can be so easy to allow our feelings to take over in times of struggle. Often, our feelings get in the way of the Word of God. Which is the truth - our feelings or God’s Word? When our feelings contradict God’s Word, what should we do?

How can our prayers and lamentations be an expression of our faith in God? How can it be a form of worship?

How did Jeremiah change his focus from grief and despair? Is this a natural response? What is the secret to it?

We can have hope because of who God is, His character! What specific truths about God did Jeremiah remember? Which of these give you hope in hard times?

How can reminding ourselves of what we know is true about God fuel hope in our lives, even if our immediate circumstances don’t change? What time in your past can you recall God’s faithfulness fueling your own faithfulness in Him?

In verse 24, Jeremiah says, “The Lord is my portion.” What does he mean by this?

What does Jeremiah mean when he says, “God is good to those who wait for Him?” Why is waiting so hard?

DIGGING DEEPER

Read James 1:2-4

Do you think people expect God to make them “happy?” Is this a wrong idea? What does this passage say about it?

When we are in the middle of a trial, are we supposed to deny our sorrow, grief, or frustrations? What must we choose to believe if we are going to consider our trials occasions for joy?

It seems that God often uses suffering to help us mature and persevere. Why do you think trials refine us so well? How does our relationship with God change as we go through trials and difficulties?

Why is it important that our faith is tested? What is the end goal?

How have the trials you have experienced brought you closer to or pushed you further away from God? How have they affected your faith?

In all things, we must remember that God builds our character before He gives us our assignment! When we look to the lives of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Paul, and many others, we find that He first works IN us so that He can then work THROUGH us! —Editor’s Note

LET’S PRAY

Consider the following as you pray together:

1. What challenges do you personally face when it comes to expressing your laments to God? Is anything holding you back?
   

2. What can you do on a daily basis to keep hope as your focus during life’s difficult times? Remember to take time each day to thank God for His faithfulness and mercy in your life!
   

3. How can you use Lamentations 3 to give hope to someone experiencing a difficult situation? Who can you give hope and encouragement to this week (note, text, e-mail, phone call, etc)?
   

“So strong, so beautiful is hope that it is scarcely possible to overpraise it. It is the divine alchemy that transmutes the base metal of adversity into Gold. In the midst of death Paul could be bold and buoyant because he had firm confidence in the final outcome.” A.W. Tozer