Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4

Welcome
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars,” says a motivational poster in countless high school classrooms right now. It's a lovely sentiment, encouraging us all to set our sights high, but it doesn’t account for the inevitable disappointment that comes with missing the mark. Unmet expectations create disappointment.

Opening Prayer
God, Thank You for bringing us together today. We come with open hearts, knowing that You created us with the capacity to feel deeply. As we discuss emotions, we ask for Your presence to guide us. Give us the courage to be honest, the grace to be compassionate, and the wisdom to learn from one another. May Your peace fill this space, and may we grow in understanding of ourselves and Your love through this conversation.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Ice Breaker
Which fictional character do you relate to most when you’re in a bad mood? Share a specific scene from that character’s storyline that epitomizes your typical bad moods.

The Head
Every week before we receive communion in worship, we remember the story of the Last Supper. On the last night of his life on earth, Jesus has gathered his disciples together to share a final meal together. While we usually focus on the sacrament of communion that was born out of this meal, scripture also lets us in on the interpersonal dynamics around Jesus’ table.

Luke 22:14-34

14 When the time came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles joined him. 15 He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 I tell you, I won’t eat it until it is fulfilled in God’s kingdom.” 17 After taking a cup and giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 I tell you that from now on I won’t drink from the fruit of the vine until God’s kingdom has come.”19 After taking the bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, he took the cup after the meal and said, “This cup is the new covenant by my blood, which is poured out for you.

21 “But look! My betrayer is with me; his hand is on this table. 22 The Human One goes just as it has been determined. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays him.” 23 They began to argue among themselves about which of them it could possibly be who would do this.

24 An argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them should be regarded as the greatest.

25 But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles rule over their subjects, and those in authority over them are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant. 27 So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn’t it the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

28 “You are the ones who have continued with me in my trials. 29 And I confer royal power on you just as my Father granted royal power to me.30 Thus you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has asserted the right to sift you all like wheat. 32 However, I have prayed for you that your faith won’t fail. When you have returned, strengthen your brothers and sisters.”

33 Peter responded, “Lord, I’m ready to go with you, both to prison and to death!”

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster won’t crow today before you have denied three times that you know me.”

• This passage doesn’t tell the story of just one disappointment, but several. Name all of the possible disappointments you see in the text.
• Why do you think Jesus “earnestly desired” to eat this meal with his disciples even though they would go on to disappoint him?
• What emotions do you think the disciples felt when Jesus said that one of them was going to betray him?
• How does Jesus defy the expectations of his disciples in the story? 

The Heart
In her book "Atlas of the Heart," author and researcher Brene Brown suggests that disappointment is one of the most frequently experienced emotions. She writes, “Disappointments may be like paper cuts, but if those cuts are deep enough or if we accumulate them over a lifetime, they can leave us seriously wounded,” (p. 52). To deal with life’s many disappointments we need to be honest about our expectations, gentle with ourselves when we feel let down, and full of grace for the people around us.

• Jesus was likely disappointed by his disciples. Judas and Peter were likely disappointed by their own actions. Which do you feel more in your life currently? Disappointment in others or in yourself?
• Jesus was clearly disappointed by his friends at the Last Supper. Do you ever feel like you have disappointed God? What truth can you embrace to remind yourself of God’s never ending love, grace, and forgiveness? 
• Have you ever felt disappointed with God? How did you handle it?
• When the disappointments of life leave you seriously wounded, what can you use to promote healing and restoration in your soul?

The Hands
The move out of the bummed out, frustrated place of disappointment can be tricky. There is a temptation to lower expectations or go numb, but we are called to be people of hope. It is worth giving some thought to how we can avoid unnecessary disappointment while also living lives marked by hope.
 

• Do you tend to dwell on disappointment or quickly move on? How can you find a healthy balance between processing it and moving forward?
• Think about an area of your life (or a particular relationship) that has left you feeling disappointed. Consider your expectations surrounding this situation. Have you named and communicated those expectations to yourself and those involved? 
  • If not, why not? 
  • If so, how has that impacted your feelings of disappointment?
• What are some ways you can cultivate hope and stay positive in the face of disappointment? 
• How can you support someone else who is facing a season of disappointment?

Closing Prayer
Thank You for this time together. As we have shared our hearts and reflected on disappointment, we are reminded that You are near to the brokenhearted. Help us to trust You in our own seasons of disappointment. When we feel disheartened, strengthen our faith. When hope feels distant, draw us closer to You. As we go from this place, fill us with renewed hope and the assurance that You are faithful no matter what we are feeling. Amen.

From Pastor Charity
If there was a time we needed wholeness and community, it's now.

This Spring's Wellness Groups are a diverse and timely mix of support and learning. I'm asking you to review the list of groups and then invite your family and friends. Maybe share the flyer below on social media.

Wellness Groups are FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. People do not have to be members or attend The Gathering. For complete descriptions and to sign up go here.