Discussion guide for June 2025 issue

Summary: Discussion questions on articles about social connection, repairing the church, having intentional community building, how the congregation can help male loneliness, the true meaning of hospitality and inclusivity.

Note: The leader and small group members discussing these six articles may find it helpful to look at the Surgeon General’s report on Loneliness and Isolation.

Overcoming loneliness by Donald Griggs

Questions:

1. Where do you see yourself on the spectrum of loneliness to being socially connected?
2. What are some activities you engage in that help you overcome any tendency toward loneliness?
3. If your church has many seniors and they are good candidates for loneliness, what are some things your church is doing or could do to help seniors deal with loneliness?
4. If you have looked at the Surgeon General’s Report on Loneliness and Isolation, what are some of your takeaway insights? 

Repair as an antidote for loneliness by Jess Cook

Questions:

1. If you have ever had a mystical experience like the author describes, what was the experience like? What were the consequences, if any?
2. How do you respond to the author’s statement, “The reality is that most people today either don’t feel safe attending church or don’t see its relevance in daily life?”
3. In what ways do you see this article addressing the epidemic of loneliness that exists in our society?
4. The author refers to the Mark 10 narrative of Jesus’ encounter with a rich man. What is your response to the author’s application of the narrative to the institutional church?

Swipes and likes: Redefining the loneliness epidemic by Kathleen Robinson

Questions:

1. How well do you think the author answered her question in the opening paragraph, “At a time when a simple swipe or tap can create connections, why do we find ourselves lonelier than ever?” 
2. What do you understand as the difference between transactional and connective relationships concerning loneliness?
3. To what extent do you feel social media impedes or enhances meaningful social interaction and connectedness?
4. How do you think age, personality type, and/or gender affect one’s loneliness or social connectedness?

The long loneliness (of men) by Catherine Knott

Questions:

1. The author suggests that there are men in Scripture who show their empathy and willingness to express emotions of love, grief, and despair. What are some Bible narratives where men show their emotions?
2. For men in the group:  how do you respond to what the author describes as men’s reluctance to seek social involvement? For women in the group: How do the author’s main points help you understand men you know?
3. In the last section of the article, the author presents five ways in which Jesus expressed his masculinity. What are your thoughts about those examples? What other examples can you think of that add to this topic?
4. What are some things your church can do to offer men ways to be socially engaged with other men?

Westminster College’s ComPASS Program by Jamie Minn and Gina Vance

Questions:

1. What insights have you gained from this article that are relevant to your congregational setting?
2. What are some ways your church’s staff, leaders and members could reach out to the college students in your church?
3. Toward the end of the article, the author lists four questions. Spend some time discussing one or more of the questions.

Transgender teen’s testimony at GA by Eric Ledermann

Questions:

1. What are your impressions of or responses to the story of Owen Gibbs?
2. How has the action of the General Assembly and presbyteries’ actions on Amendment 24-A, to make gender identity and sexual orientation part of the anti-discrimination clause a part of the PC(USA) constitution, been shared in your congregation?
3. How can our faith communities be welcoming and inclusive of all in membership and leadership?