Psalm 13--Small Group Exercise

I recently had to lead a continuing education for a group of Stephen Ministers. Having just studied Psalm 13, I thought it would be awesome to equip them to use this tool in their work. Stephen Ministry is a ministry of one-on-one Christian care for those experiencing short-term crisis. For more information on Stephen Ministry, visit http://www.stephenministries.org/. Below is the general lesson plan I followed:

Begin with a larger conversation about lament psalms:

• Ask the group, "What is a lament?" Affirm answers, and remind them that a lament is also a prayer for help.
• Laments are raw, some of the most raw stuff in the Bible. Some would say it even borders on blasphemous. It might mean a lot to someone experiencing crisis to know that material like this is in the Bible...and addressed to God, no less!

Read the Psalm out loud as a group. (I used the CEB version provided on handouts.)

Divide the larger group into smaller groups of 4. Ask them to take 10 minutes to discuss the following questions:

• What emotions would you say this psalm conveys?
• What situations (for Care Receiver or otherwise) could you imagine the speaker in the middle of as s/he speaks these words? What real-life situations today might these words apply to?
• There is a big shift between verse 4 and 5. What do you think happened?
• How could you imagine this psalm helping a Care Receiver?

After 10 minutes, gather the larger group together. Share some basic information about Psalms:

• Psalm 13 is made up of 4 basic elements: a complaint, a call for help, affirmation of trust, vow to praise. (Have the group identify these elements.) Point out that all but one of the laments has this turn to a vow of praise.
• Point out other laments: Psalm 22, 31, 69, 88 (special psalm!)

As a group, have them share their answers to the four questions.

Finally, imagine what ways you might creatively use Psalm 13 in a caring relationship.

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I was so impressed with how readily this group dove into the text. I was also blow away by their answers, and so wanted to share them here. These are all direct quotes from that session:

• What emotions would you say this psalm conveys?
• abandonment, fear, defeat, loneliness, frustration, anger, disappointment, ranting, praise, distrust/trust
• What situations (for Care Receiver or otherwise) could you imagine the speaker in the middle of as s/he speaks these words? What real-life situations today might these words apply to?
• natural disaster, divorce, financial problems, abuse/rape, grief, depression, anything a Stephen Minister would deal with, bartering with God
• There is a big shift between verse 4 and 5. What do you think happened?
• Perhaps the person has mental illness?
• Remembering God's faithful love in times past
• Trying to 'clean up' your language for God
• Person hit rock bottom, only place to go was up
• Person was letting go and letting God
• Seemed like a toddler--a meltdown and immediate rebound
• In the middle of railing against God, person recognized the security of the relationship with God as one where they were still loved.
• Could be that it was a long time between those verses. The person could have even had a Stephen Minister who walked on that long journey with them to finally praise God again.
• How could you imagine this psalm helping a Care Receiver?
• Gives persmission to speak honestly about negative feelings with God
• If it's in the Bible, it must be OK
• Conveys hope to those who do not feel it now
• Feeling dejected doesn't make someone unfaithful
• Keep talking to God, no matter what you are saying.
• Imagine what ways you might creatively use Psalm 13 in a caring relationship:
• Creating a timeline of one's faith life, looking at good times and bad to see God's faithfulness.
• Encouraging Care Receiver to look for God in ordinary things.
• Just being a compassionate presence for them to let out their hard feelings.