Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4 Copy

Welcome
Every roller coaster experience starts with a first time walking through a maze to get to the loading platform (and you feel it start welling). Often, there's a line of other people waiting with lots of conversations happening (and it wells up more.) Eventually, you reach the end of the maze and it is from this platform that you board the train and get strapped in with safety bars (and now your heart is really pumping). You know that the ride is safe and you see people exiting after the ride, but the control isn’t yours and there is a certain level of anxious fear that builds and builds as the train leaves the platform and you traverse that first hill. Welcome to the fifth week of our series called Emotional Rollercoaster. Each week of this series we have focused on the wild turns our emotions lead us on and this week, we discuss fear.  

Opening Prayer
God, this life is full of emotions. Thank you for giving us wisdom and examples in the Bible to help us navigate the complexities. Thank you for this group and for the opportunity to discuss our emotions with each other. We ask that you bless our time and that you grant us new insight as we discuss fear. It is in your name we pray, amen.  

Ice Breaker
What is the wildest roller coaster you have ever been on? If you're not into roller coasters, how about other wild amusement rides? What made it so wild?
 
The Head
This week, we will examine two readings from the New Testament book of Mark and the New Testament book of Luke. They both describe the same event which turned out to be the last night Jesus had as a free person before he was imprisoned and crucified. Each reading documents different details that add extra depth to the event. The story picks up immediately after the last supper.

Luke 22:39-46

39 Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” 41 He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. 42 He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” 43 Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. 45 When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.”

• This is the only time in the Bible that Jesus expressed fear. It was not fear in the sense of something dark or evil lurking, but it was fear based on extreme anxiousness. What specific things did Jesus do to address his emotions?
• In this account, we read that an angel appeared to comfort Jesus.  What makes that dynamic especially significant?
• Why do you think Jesus was concerned that his friends kept falling asleep?

In this short reading from Mark that describes the same event, other emotions are shared.

Mark 14:32-36

32 Jesus and his disciples came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John along with him. He began to feel despair and was anxious. 34 He said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert.” 35 Then he went a short distance farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, he might be spared the time of suffering. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible. Take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.”

• What other words did Jesus use here to describe his fear?
• What emotions do you think the disciples were experiencing during this night?
• You get the sense that Peter, James, and John were Jesus’s closest confidants. What makes that dynamic special in this time of fear?

The Heart
The name Gethsemane is derived from the Hebrew phrase ”gat shemanim” which commonly means “oil press.” The garden is located at the base of a hill called the Mount of Olives. It is here in this place – named for a device that slowly pulverized olives by grinding and grinding and grinding to exude the necessary immense sustained pressure to produce oil – where Jesus feels the weight of the world. The symbolism here was not a mistake. He does not divert from the plan to sacrifice himself for the purpose of salvation, but he does relate to all of humanity with that kind of anxious fear we have all experienced.

• Jesus recognized that his human response to fear was to ask God to take away the suffering. But, he was also quick to recognize his obedience to God's plan. Why do you think it was important for Jesus, our Lord and Savior, to demonstrate this dynamic?
• Jesus knew his “cup of suffering” would be like no other. The agony of his crucifixion would be sustained and immense. The sin of all mankind, sin from the beginning of time to the end of the age, was his burden. The weight of spiritual death from every single person was upon him and he felt it. How does this perspective highlight different feelings Jesus may have experienced during his time in Gethsemane?
• In what ways does knowing that Jesus experienced this kind of fear resonate with you?  

The Hands
Leaning on a passage from the Old Testament sometimes provides comfort during events when fear takes hold. Psalm 23 is one such passage that seems to resonate with many. There are layers of peace, fear, comfort, and blessings that are contained in these six verses:

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

• Dark valleys are part of life. What steps can you follow to overcome and calm your fears?
• When you experience an anxious fear, how do you break down the fear into other emotions feeding into it? What is your process?
• When you are around others who are experiencing that kind of fear, what do you do to help them?

Closing Prayer
Hey God, When we experience fear in our lives, please grant us the peace and comfort we need to keep going. Help us to remember that you know that feeling well and that your presence is always near.  Please bless our efforts and help us to be good neighbors to others in need.  Guide us on righteous paths and forgive us when we stumble.  It is in your name we pray, amen.

Going Deeper
If you are struggling with fear or anything else, you don't need to be alone! Reach out to a pastor, connect with your CoreGroup leader, or check out The Gathering’s Wellness Ministry.

References
Background on the name Gethsemane: http://biblehub.com/greek/1068.htm