Series:   A Year in the Life
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Survivor Guilt

May

By: Mike Mazzalongo     Posted: September, 2020
The tornado missed my house by several miles. Storm chasers described its wicked course while reporters chronicled the destruction and death in real-time images that mesmerized viewers huddled around their TVs, unable to look away. A familiar spring ritual in Oklahoma.
Discussion Questions
  1. Have volunteers share their personal stories and experiences with survivor guilt.
    • What do the stories have in common?
    • Try to formulate a definition of survivor guilt.
  2. What part of the grieving process does survivor guilt fit into? Why?
    • Shock
    • Denial
    • Anger
    • Bargaining
    • Acceptance
  3. How does a person come to some kind of "closure" when there is no answer to the question, "why?" when experiencing great loss?
  4. In your opinion, how does one overcome survivor guilt after being spared when others have not.
  5. What promises from God come to mind that help believers deal with tragedy that seem to have no rhyme or reason?
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