August 24th - Sermon Small Group Guide
Small Group Guide
Big Idea: Real faith isn’t denying doubt—it’s being honest about it.
Scripture: Psalm 13:1–6
Psalm 13 is a heartfelt prayer where David wrestles with feelings of abandonment and despair, crying out four times, “How long, Lord?” He is weighed down by sorrow and troubled by enemies, yet instead of turning away from God, he turns toward Him with an honest plea for help. The psalm shifts from wondering to waiting to trust, showing that true faith is not the absence of doubt but the willingness to bring those doubts before God. In the end, David chooses to trust in God’s unfailing love, rejoices in His salvation, and resolves to sing of His goodness—even before his circumstances change.
Two Common Options When We Struggle
1. You deny your faith.
2. You deny your questions.
Both leave you stuck—either pretending you don’t hurt or pretending you don’t believe.
- Wrestle with God’s justice
- Embrace God’s goodness
- Wondering (v.1–2): “How long, Lord?” → Honest questions
- Waiting (v.3–4): “Look on me and answer.” → Desperate prayer
- Trusting (v.5–6): “But I trust… I will sing.” → Chosen trust and worship
Discussion Questions
1. When have you felt like David, asking “How long, Lord?”
2. Which section of Psalm 13 (wondering, waiting, trusting) do you connect with most right now?
3. Why is it dangerous to deny your faith—or your questions?
4. What does it look like to “wrestle with God’s justice and embrace God’s goodness” in your own life?
5. How can your group encourage one another to move from complaint to prayer to praise?
- Invite each person to name one “How long, Lord?” area in their life.
- As a group, pray through Psalm 13:
- Be honest (v.1–2)
- Ask boldly (v.3–4)
- Choose trust (v.5–6)