A Crazy, Holy Grace Leader Guide: The Healing Power of Pain and Memory

By Frederick Buechner

When pain is real, why is God silent? This brand new collection is the best of acclaimed author Frederick Buechner's essays on pain, loss, and the healing power of memories that explores God's tender grace and how to be stewards of the pain in our lives.

Here now are the best of Buechner's writings on pain and loss, covering such topics as the power of hidden secrets, loss of a dearly beloved, letting go, resurrection from the ruins, peace, and listening for the quiet voice of God. And he reveals that pain and sorrow can be a treasure—an amazing grace.

The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Release date: Mar 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781501858345

Frederick Buechner

Frederick Buechner is the author of more than thirty published books and has been an important source of inspiration and learning for many readers. A prolific writer, Buechner’s books have been translated into twenty-seven languages. He has been called a "major talent" by the New York Times, and "one of our most original storytellers" by USA Today. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, Buechner has been awarded honorary degrees from institutions including Yale University and Virginia Theological Seminary.

Book preview

Introduction

Welcome to this four-session study based on A Crazy, Holy Grace: The Healing Power of Pain and Memory by Frederick Buechner (Zondervan, 2017).

It would be good to read Buechner’s book thoroughly at least once before beginning your study, but rest assured that you do not have to be the group’s resident expert in the book, or in Buechner’s writings as a whole. Your job is to ask good questions and keep meaningful discussions moving.

Each session in this guide provides

•elements you can use, if desired, to set your group’s discussion in the context of corporate worship;

•many more discussion questions than you will likely have time to address—choose those that seem most relevant and meaningful to your group’s members;

•suggestions for activities that include but move beyond questions and answers. These help engage participants more fully in the study;

•a Call to Action that suggests specific ways in which participants might choose to respond to the session’s themes;

•a closing prayer.

Helping to deal with pain in Christian ways—ways that are attentive to both the realities of human emotional suffering and the hope of the gospel—is one of the most important ministries the church can offer. In agreeing to lead this study, you are equipping your community of faith to provide that ministry. Thank you, and may God bless you in the experience.

Session 1

The Gates of Pain

PLANNING THE SESSION

Session Goals

This session’s discussions and activities will equip participants to:

•identify ways they tend to deal with their own and others’ pain and suffering;

•describe the concept of being a good steward of pain;

•relate Jesus’ Parable of the Talents to experiences of pain; and

•plan faithful ways to comfort and support other people who are suffering.

Preparation

•Read and reflect on Frederick Buechner’s essay, The Gates of Pain (A Crazy, Holy Grace, pages 15–32). Make notes about anything that raises a question or sparks a strong reaction from you.

•Read through Session 1 in the Participant Guide, deciding which portions of the material will be of most interest and relevance to you and your group.

•Read through this entire session outline and develop a balance of reading, discussion, activity, and reflection that will best serve your group’s needs in the time available.

•Read, think about, and pray about the following Scriptures:

οMatthew 25:14-30

οJob 1-2; 3:11–4:9; 19:1-11, 42

οPsalm 131

οMatthew 11:28-30

•Provide a markerboard or large sheet of newsprint on which to write participants’ ideas and questions.

•Have paper, pens or pencils, and Bibles available for participants to use.

•Depending on the activities you choose, you will also need a wax or electric candle, hymnals, recordings of musical settings of Psalm 131, or images based on Jesus’ Parable of the Talents.

GATHERING

Informally welcome participants as they gather. Depending upon the group’s familiarity with each other, spend a few minutes on introductions. Consider asking each participant to talk briefly about why this study of Buechner’s book interests them. Pay special attention to these responses, and use them to inform your plans for and leadership of the sessions.

When you sense that participants are ready to begin, start the session with a time of prayer, using this ritual if desired:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Listen for God’s Word through these words of the apostle Paul:

"May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer