Leading When The World Is Weeping | LG Guide October 2025
LEADERSHIP THOUGHT:
When our world is marked by mourning (disasters, shootings, division, war), how do we respond as followers of Christ? What does it mean to lead and love well when people are hurting? Here are some thoughts that can help us lead effectively during challenging times:
Weep with those who weep.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15 ESV)
We don’t always need to fix it or explain it. Sometimes the most Christlike thing we can do is be present, feel with others, and cry with them in their pain.
Highlight the problem of sin.
Sin is the problem. (Genesis 3:17-18, Romans 8:22-24)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 ESV)
Sin is the root issue behind all suffering, division, and brokenness in the world. We live in a fallen world that groans for redemption.
Jesus is the solution. (Genesis 3:15, Colossians 2:15, 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 2:14)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6 ESV)
Jesus came to defeat sin. He is our only hope for personal healing and the restoration of the world.
Highlight the spiritual component behind the scenes.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)
What we see in the news often has spiritual forces at work behind it. Our battle isn’t against people, it’s against darkness, and prayer is our first response.
Remember that the church’s primary mission is to proclaim the gospel.
“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:45 - 48 ESV)
Our highest calling isn’t to commentate on world events but to point people to Jesus, the Savior of the world. The gospel brings real change from the inside out.
Avoid political debates in a group.
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:23–26, ESV)
We can’t afford to get caught in arguments that divide. Our posture should be humility and kindness, helping others see truth through love.
Remember to live a life that represents Jesus.
“You are the salt of the earth…“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13 - 14, ESV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:43 - 45 ESV)
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27 - 28, ESV)
When the world gets darker, it’s an opportunity for our light to shine brighter. Our lives should reflect God’s love, even toward our enemies.
Engage people one-on-one and heart-to-heart, graciously pointing them back to the Word.
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:5 - 6 ESV)
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil…” (1 Peter 3:15 - 17 ESV)
People need grace, not just answers. Let’s respond with gentleness and wisdom, pointing others to the hope we have in Christ.
Work towards unity within the body of Christ around the gospel.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Ephesians 4:1 - 3, ESV)
”Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 3…For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1, 3 ESV)
Unity means walking in love, humility, and peace around the gospel. When the church is united, the world sees Jesus more clearly.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
With everything happening in the world, what is the overall feel you’re sensing in the group? How are people processing the news, emotionally or spiritually?
Have any difficult or divisive topics come up recently? What kinds of conversations have surfaced in the group?
Are there any new or exciting developments happening in the group? Share exciting updates from this season of revival we are in?
PRAYER POINTS:
During this season of revival, we are asking our Small Groups to pray through 2 Chronicles 7:14 and the following prayer points:
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)
Humility: “if my people…humble themselves”
Pray that we will all humble ourselves before God and one another, resisting the spirit of pride.
Hunger: “if my people…pray and seek my face”
Pray for seekers and believers to develop a spiritual hunger to seek God in prayer, worship, and the Word, as well as a hunger to serve others through evangelism and service.
Repentance: “if my people…turn from their wicked ways”
Pray for a spirit of repentance where people turn away from sin and turn towards living for God.
Revival: “...then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Pray for revival to break out in every part of the world and in every heart.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Seek Week:
Join us as we seek the Lord together as a church family in our annual prayer and fasting “SEEK WEEK” on October 21-23, 2025. For prayer surge schedules and prayer points, please visit www.pearlside.org/seekweek.
Annual Household Update:
To better serve you, we have an Annual Household Information Update form that will be used to keep you up to date with the necessary information from our church.
If you have recently joined our Pearlside family or have any changes to your household information, please complete and submit this form. Please complete and submit the form by Sunday, October 26, 2025.Upcoming Classes:
Upcoming Classes:
Freedom Weekend:
Kapolei Women’s Freedom, Saturday, October 4, from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm at Lanakila Baptist
Nanakuli Women’s Freedom, Saturday, October 4, from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm at Nanaikapono Elementary School Library
Kapolei Men’s Freedom, Saturday, October 11, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Lanakila Baptist
Kahala Women’s Freedom, Saturday, November 8, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Kahala
Main Campus Women’s Freedom, Saturday, November 22, from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm in the HUB at Main Campus
Main Campus Men’s Freedom, Saturday, November 22, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in Classroom 1 at Main Campus
Discipleship Track:
Main Campus Discipleship Track, every Saturday, October 18, 25, November 1, 8, and 15 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am in Classroom 1 at Main Campus
