For the Glory

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer:

"Would you be willing to share a time when something went so wrong that you or others were searching for someone to blame? How did you react or cope with that experience?"

Facilitator note: Invite participants to respond at a level that feels right for them. This question can be answered lightly or deeply. The goal is to gently explore how we process pain, confusion, and responsibility without forcing personal exposure.

Group Dialogue (30 minutes). Read Psalm 79:1–9.

Facilitator note: If the group decides to read aloud, consider assigning three voices: one for the devastation and grief (verses 1-4), another for the anger and blame (verses 5–7), and a third for the confession and plea for mercy (verses 8-9).

Discussion:

Facilitator tips: Encourage discussion without pressure. It’s okay if not all questions are answered. Allow about five minutes for each of the earlier questions. Give extra space to the final question, which may offer opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual growth. The bullet points under each question offer sample responses or perspectives to help guide discussion. They are not meant to be read aloud with the question but can be used to spark deeper reflection, reassure quieter participants, or help refocus the group, if needed. These ideas are offered to help the conversation unfold. As the facilitator, you help set the emotional tone. Normalize different levels of engagement and let participants know they are welcome to reflect inwardly, even if they choose not to speak.

1. The psalmist begins in verses 1 through 4 by naming deep destruction and grief. What emotions do you hear behind these words?

• Shock, sorrow, humiliation
• Anger or abandonment
• Helplessness

2. In verse 5, the psalmist seems to blame God or assume that it was the Israelites' fault that they were attacked. Have you ever struggled, wondering if events in your life were a punishment? How did that affect your view of God or your understanding of yourself?

• May lead to confusion or guilt
• Can create distance from God or deepen dependency
• May open space for lament and honesty

3. In verses 6-7, the psalmist moves from grief to anger toward others. Why do you think this shift happens? What might that reveal about how we process pain?

• Redirecting blame can be a coping mechanism when we feel powerless.
• It reflects the human impulse to make sense of suffering.
• It may reveal an internal struggle with justice or identity.

4. In verses 8-9, the psalmist moves from blame to confession. What does it take to move from blaming others to asking for help and forgiveness?

• Courage, humility, or exhaustion
• A willingness to face one’s limitations
• Trust that God might still care.

Follow-up: When applying this to our own lives, does this movement feel like spiraling into shame or a movement into strength and wholeness? What makes the difference between the two?

5. The psalm never fully resolves. It’s written from the wreckage, not the resolution. How do you relate to this kind of prayer?

• It may feel more honest than polished prayers.
• It reflects real-life faith in the midst of pain.
• It gives permission to speak from the middle of the mess.

6. What’s one small way you could bring a spirit of God’s compassion and grace into your life this week? What would this look like in prayer, in a relationship, or in how you think about the world?

Prayer (5 minutes). Invite the group to share prayer requests, if appropriate. Then read or adapt the following:

Closing Prayer:

God of mercy, when the world is broken and we feel broken with it, help us not to turn away from you. Give us the courage to speak truthfully and the grace to hope, even before the healing comes. We trust that your compassion will come quickly. Amen.

Sending Forth (2 minutes) You may choose to close with a blessing, the Lord’s Prayer, or this short commissioning:

Go this week with honesty and humility. Call upon the Lord from wherever you are. God hears. God holds. God helps.

Rev. Anthony J. Tang is the Senior Associate Minister of Mission and Vision at First United Methodist Church of Dallas, Texas. An elder in full connection with the Desert Southwest Conference, he brings a deep interest in the intersection of vulnerability, leadership, and grace. He is passionate about organizational development that fosters purpose and belonging and helps people live into their God-given calling.