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If Suicide's the Answer … What's the Question? If Su If Suicide’s the Answer … What’s the Question? If Suicide’s the Answer … What’s the Question? The Desperation of Disillusionment The Desperation of Disillusionment Backed into a corner. No end to the tunnel, let alone no light. Standing on the edge of Backed into a corner. No end to the tunnel, let alone no light. Standing on the edge of world with no hope. Whether you get there because of bad decisions you’ve made, or world with no hope. Whether you get there because of bad decisions you’ve made, or because life has got in the way of your hopes and dreams, despair for some is too because life has got in the way of your hopes and dreams, despair for some is too near to ignore. The desperation of despair is one of the most common experiences near to ignore. The desperation of despair is one of the most common experiences people have who are considering a life-ending option. This week’s conversation in the people have who are considering a life-ending option. This week’s conversation in the If Suicide’s the Answer, What’s the Question? series will explore the complexities of If Suicide’s the Answer, What’s the Question? series will explore the complexities of hopelessness and what you can do to bring light to people’s dark places. hopelessness and what you can do to bring light to people’s dark places. 1 Samuel 31:1–6 1 Samuel 31:1–6 1. __________________ is the universal emotional experience of 1. __________________ is the universal emotional experience of those contemplating suicide. those contemplating suicide. 2. King Saul entertained three unholy perceptions: that he was 2. King Saul entertained three unholy perceptions: that he was _______________, _______________, and _______________. _______________, _______________, and _______________. 3. God does not _______ ______ as we _______ _____________. 3. God does not _______ ______ as we _______ _____________. 4. You are the _______ that your ________________ __________ 4. You are the _______ that your ________________ __________ ________. ________. My Count Me In! Commitments My Count Me In! Commitments ☐ I’ll be here next Sunday ☐ I’ll be here next Sunday ☐ I’ll invite a friend ☐ I’ll invite a friend ☐ I’ll write a paragraph describing how I believe God sees me ☐ I’ll write a paragraph describing how I believe God sees me ☐ I’ll share my paragraph with a close friend ☐ I’ll share my paragraph with a close friend ☐ I will articulate “the hope that I have” with someone this week ☐ I will articulate “the hope that I have” with someone this week Additional Notes Additional Notes Digging Deeper, Going Further Digging Deeper, Going Further Monday Monday Read: 1 Corinthians 16 Read: 1 Corinthians 16 1. How much was each person to set aside for the special offering to Jerusalem? 1. How much was each person to set aside for the special offering to Jerusalem? 2. In verse 9, Paul mentions that “many oppose me.” This was true both of the 2. In verse 9, Paul mentions that “many oppose me.” This was true both of the Jews, but also those who were in the church. Why do you think they were Jews, but also those who were in the church. Why do you think they were opposing him? opposing him? Reflect: What opposition does the church face today? Reflect: What opposition does the church face today? Tuesday Tuesday Read: 2 Corinthians 1 Read: 2 Corinthians 1 1. According to verses 3–4, why does God offer his comfort to us? 1. According to verses 3–4, why does God offer his comfort to us? 2. What did Paul do when he experienced “great pressure, far beyond our ability 2. What did Paul do when he experienced “great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure”? (v 8) to endure”? (v 8) Reflect: What do you do to keep yourself standing firm in Christ? (v 21) Reflect: What do you do to keep yourself standing firm in Christ? (v 21) Wednesday Wednesday Read: 2 Corinthians 2 Read: 2 Corinthians 2 1. Paul’s first letter (1 Corinthians) was painful in a number of the places. 1. Paul’s first letter (1 Corinthians) was painful in a number of the places. According the 2 Corinthians 2, why was he so harsh? According the 2 Corinthians 2, why was he so harsh? 2. What punishment do you think the church leveled against the sinful man? (v 5– 2. What punishment do you think the church leveled against the sinful man? (v 5– 11) 11) Reflect: How would you describe the “pleasing aroma of Christ”? How are you a Reflect: How would you describe the “pleasing aroma of Christ”? How are you a pleasing aroma to God? pleasing aroma to God? Thursday Thursday Read: 2 Corinthians 3 Read: 2 Corinthians 3 1. On what was the old covenant written? The new covenant? 1. On what was the old covenant written? The new covenant? 2. What does it take to remove the veil that covers our hearts? 2. What does it take to remove the veil that covers our hearts? Reflect: What are you going to do today as a “minister of the new covenant”? (v 1) Reflect: What are you going to do today as a “minister of the new covenant”? (v 1) Friday Friday Read: 2 Corinthians 4 Read: 2 Corinthians 4 1. Who has blinded the minds and hearts of those who do not believe in Jesus 1. Who has blinded the minds and hearts of those who do not believe in Jesus Christ? Christ? 2. What was Paul willing to sacrifice for the sake of sharing the gospel? (v 7–12) 2. What was Paul willing to sacrifice for the sake of sharing the gospel? (v 7–12) Reflect: What sacrifices are you making to ensure that unbelievers and the unchurch Reflect: What sacrifices are you making to ensure that unbelievers and the unchurch have the best opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? have the best opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? Saturday: Who will you invite to worship with you tomorrow? Saturday: Who will you invite to worship with you tomorrow? .
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