Discussion guide for March 2026 issue

“The binaries of grief” by Christopher Elwood

Questions:

1. If you have read Thornton Wilder’s play “Our Town” and/or Louise Penny’s novel Still Life, what do you think of Christopher Elwood’s interpretations? If you haven’t read either, are you motivated to read one or both?
2. When you have experienced grief in the loss of a loved one or dear friend, how did you manage your grief? What helped you move beyond the grief?
3. In the section “How can we continue to weep?” the author focuses on some of the convictions of Martin Buber, a German Jewish philosopher during the reign of Adolf Hitler. What do you think about the author’s contrast of Buber’s Jewish perspective with a Christian perspective? 
4. When a dear friend has died, what is the message you would like to write to their surviving, grieving family members? If you were to add a Scripture reference, what passage(s) would you choose?

“Grieving what is to come” by Vern Farnum

Questions:

1. If the phrase “anticipatory grief” is new to you, what do you think about how the author defined and described the phrase?
2. The author writes, “When we know those transitions are approaching, we can experience anticipatory grief.” What are some occasions when you have experienced anticipatory grief? How did you manage it? What did you learn? What new ventures opened for you?
3. During this season of Lent, what are some connections you make between what Jesus anticipated would happen in Jerusalem and what you anticipate will occur in the transitions of your life?
4. The author shared a story of three men in a retirement facility who were facing death and how others in the group responded to them. What can we learn from that story that we can apply to our personal lives and/or to our church’s ministry?
5. Reread the section ”The Lessons of Lent.” What do you find to be most helpful in that section?

“Still Born” by Aaron Pratt Shepherd

Questions:

1. What were your initial thoughts and emotions as you read this story written by the father of Amos, who was stillborn?
2. If you were asked to preside at the graveside of a stillborn child, what words of Scripture would you share? What words of comfort and affirmation would you offer the grieving parents?
3. The author refers to several passages of Scripture as he reflects on the theological impact of Amos’ birth on him and his wife. Which of these passages is most helpful to you? Are there any other passages you might choose?
4. Consider that you would like to write a note to the author and his wife. What message would you write?

“Writing your lament and loss, discovering God’s grace” by Julie Hester 

Questions:

1. The author writes of how the practice of writing became an important part of her healing from the loss of a child. When was a time when writing your laments or thoughts helped bring healing and hope as you grieved a transition in your life or in a relationship?
2. Of the eight suggestions the author offered as prompts for our writing, which of them have you found to fit your circumstances and style? Which one would you like to try? What is another writing practice you have used?
3. In what ways have you seen God’s grace revealed to you through your writing?
4. What are you prompted to write after today’s discussion?