Series: Life Sentence- DAMAGED EMOTIONS
Icebreaker
What’s a “small thing” that can completely change your emotional day (good or bad)?
1) GOD RESTORES MY SOUL
Read: Psalm 23:3 (NKJV) “He restores my soul…”
1. When you hear “God restores my soul,” what do you think that actually means in real life?
2. The sermon said life beats us up with discouragement, fatigue, failure, frustrations, fears. Which one hits you the most lately?
2) LET GOD REMOVE YOUR GUILT
Read: Psalm 38:4 My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear.
3. The sermon said: “Nothing destroys a soul faster than guilt.” Why is guilt so powerful?
4. “We all have reasons to feel guilty” — what are common sources of guilt people carry? (past, parenting, marriage, purity, money, anger, etc.)
Read: Psalm 32:1-2 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
5. Psalm 32 describes the joy of being “cleared of guilt” and living in honesty. What does “complete honesty” with God look like?
3) LET GOD RELIEVE YOUR GRIEF
Read: Psalm 31:9 + 2 Samuel 12:22–24 + Psalm 37:5
6. The sermon says grief is real on earth: loneliness, heartbreak, despair, sorrow, loss. Which one do you relate to most right now?
7. When your heart is breaking, what’s your default response?
isolate
stay busy
“if only” spiral
anger
or prayer
David’s 3 grief lessons (from sermon)
8. Accept what cannot be changed
What is one thing you’re still trying to rewrite that God is asking you to accept?
9. Play it down and pray it up
What does “commit your way to the Lord” look like during grief?
10. Focus on what’s left, not what’s lost
What’s something God has still given you that you can choose to value in this season?
4) LET GOD REPLACE YOUR GRUDGES
11. What is one “grudge” that is really a wound that needs healing?
Cast Down Sheep illustration
13. What part of the Shepherd’s care hits you the most:
· He comes close
· He speaks reassurance
· He turns you over
· He holds you up
· He carries you until stability returns
14. Where do you need the Shepherd to “lift and steady you” right now?
Pray
“Jesus, restore my soul. Remove my guilt. Relieve my grief. Replace my grudges. I don’t want damaged emotions to rule my life. Break this life sentence and give me Your freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”