buy the great belonging: how loneliness leads us to each other

Hope for the Lonely Small Group Discussion Guide
Week One Episode 2
Starting the Conversation

Opening Questions
(Everyone is invited to share their answers with the group.)
Before we get started, what are your initial thoughts about the topic of loneliness? And, what do you hope to gain from our Hope for the Lonely small group meetings?

Take one-to-two minutes of silence to let go of any cares, concerns, etc.

Listen to Episode 2 of Hope for the Lonely (11 min 22 sec)

Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever talked about loneliness with anyone?
2. Did any of the definitions of loneliness from this episode catch your attention? How do you define loneliness?
3. In this episode, Charlotte talks a bit about the loneliness of motherhood. What seasons have seemed lonelier to you?
4. When you have struggled with loneliness, what has given you hope?
5. What additional thoughts or observations would you like to share?

Read Psalm 13 together.

A Prayer
Lord, when we feel forgotten or alone, comfort us. When we wrestle with our worries, give us peace. Enable us to trust you, to receive your love, and to rest in your grace. Amen.

Share prayer requests and pray together.

Charlotte Donlon is a writer, a spiritual director for writers, and the founder and host of the Our Faith in Writing podcast and website. Charlotte’s writing and work are rooted in noticing how art helps us belong to ourselves, others, God, and the world. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. Her first book is The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. You can subscribe to her newsletter and connect with her onTwitter and Instagram.