Heal Your Hurting Mind: When You're Stuck in the Middle

Small Group Discussion Guide — Week 2

A Note to Facilitators: This guide is designed for a 60–90 minute group meeting. You know your group best — feel free to skip questions, slow down on ones that spark great conversation, or adjust the pace as needed. You don't need to be a theological expert to lead this discussion. Your job is simply to create a safe space for honest conversation and point people toward Jesus. All scripture passages are printed in full so no one needs to scramble for a Bible.

OVERVIEW

This week, Pastor Craig explored the often-overlooked experience of being "stuck in the middle" — not in crisis, but not thriving either. Using the story of Jesus healing a blind man in two stages (Mark 8:22–25), he showed that healing is often a process, not just a moment, and that God is still actively at work even when we can't feel it. The sermon also highlighted our deep need for community — the "some people" who carry us to Jesus when we can't get there on our own.

BEFORE YOUR GROUP MEETS

A few things to keep in mind:

• This sermon touches on mental health, anxiety, depression, and personal vulnerability. Some group members may be carrying real pain. Create a safe, non-judgmental environment from the start.
• If someone shares something that suggests they are in crisis or danger, please connect them with a pastor or professional counselor rather than trying to handle it within the group.
• Celebrate honesty. Pastor Craig modeled vulnerability by sharing his own story. Invite your group to do the same, but never pressure anyone to share more than they're comfortable with.

SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER

(5–10 minutes)

Start with something light to help everyone settle in and feel comfortable before moving into deeper territory.

Opening Question:

"Think of a time in your life when you were somewhere between 'not great' and 'totally fine' — maybe a season where things weren't falling apart, but they weren't great either. Without going too deep yet, what does that kind of season feel like?"

Allow 2–3 people to share briefly. This doesn't need to go deep — it's just warming the group up to the topic.

SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING

(5 minutes)

Have someone in the group read the passage aloud. If your group is comfortable with it, you could have two different people read — one for each healing story — to highlight the contrast Pastor Craig drew.

Primary Passage — Mark 8:22–25 (NIV)

"They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 'Do you see anything?'

He looked up and said, 'I see people; they look like trees walking around.'

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly."

Companion Passage — Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

For Context: Pastor Craig also referenced a similar healing story in John 9, where a different blind man was healed with a single touch. He used the contrast to make a key point: same Savior, different process. Jesus healed both men, but not the same way or on the same timeline. That contrast is at the heart of this week's message.

Related Passages for Further Study (optional, for groups who want to look these up):

• Romans 12:2 — "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
• 1 Peter 5:7 — "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
• Galatians 6:2 — "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(30–45 minutes)

Work through these questions at a pace that fits your group. Questions are organized from lighter/observational to deeper/personal. You don't need to cover all of them — choose the ones that feel most relevant to your group.

THEME A: "The Middle" — Naming Where We Are

(~10 minutes)

1. Pastor Craig described "the middle" as a place where you're not falling apart, but you're also not experiencing breakthrough or real joy. In your own words, how would you describe what "the middle" feels like?

[Leader Tip]: This question helps the group put language to an experience many people recognize but rarely name. Don't rush it. If the group is quiet at first, you might share a brief example from your own life to open the door.

2. Pastor Craig said that in the church, we tend to talk about two extremes — the really hard times and the breakthrough moments — but we don't talk much about the in-between. Why do you think that is? What makes "the middle" harder to talk about than a crisis or a victory?

3. The blind man in Mark 8 gave Jesus an honest answer: "I see people, but they look like trees walking around." He didn't pretend to be fully healed, and he didn't say nothing had changed. What would it look like for us to be that honest — with God and with each other — about where we actually are?

[Leader Tip]: This is a great question to let breathe. Some people in your group may have spent years pretending to be "fine." Normalize the idea that honesty with God is not a lack of faith — it's actually an act of trust.

THEME B: "Some People" — The Gift of Community

(~10 minutes)

4. The Bible doesn't give us the names of the people who brought the blind man to Jesus — Mark just calls them "some people." Pastor Craig suggested that might be intentional, because their identity isn't the point — their action is. What does that tell us about the kind of community God designed us to live in?

5. Pastor Craig shared that for a long time, he tried to fight his own mental and emotional struggles alone — partly out of pride, partly out of fear of being vulnerable as a pastor. Can you relate to that? What makes it hard to let people in when you're struggling?

[Leader Tip]: This question may surface some deep responses. If someone shares something vulnerable, resist the urge to immediately fix it or offer advice. Simply acknowledging what they shared ("Thank you for trusting us with that") goes a long way.

6. Think about the two roles in this story: the blind man who needed help, and the "some people" who brought him to Jesus. Which role do you find yourself in more naturally — the one who needs to be carried, or the one who does the carrying? What does it feel like to be in the other role?

THEME C: "Once More" — Progressive Healing

(~15 minutes)

7. Jesus healed this blind man in two stages. Pastor Craig made the point that "partial healing is not failed healing — it's healing in progress." Where in your life have you seen evidence of healing that is real, but not yet complete?

[Leader Tip]: Some people may struggle to identify any progress at all, especially if they're in a hard season. Gently help the group think broadly — progress in relationships, thought patterns, willingness to forgive, returning to church, etc. Small steps count.

8. Pastor Craig said the goal isn't just healing — it's dependence on Jesus. He described himself as "a lot better, but still needing the Word every single day. Still needing God's people every single day." How does that reframe the way you think about healing? Does that feel like good news or frustrating news — and why?

9. Philippians 1:6 says that God "who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." What does it mean to you personally that God is the one responsible for completing the work — not you?

[Leader Tip]: This question often surfaces a tension between grace and effort. Encourage the group to sit with both sides: God does the completing, but we participate by showing up, seeking help, staying in community, and staying in the Word.

10. Pastor Craig said that one of the enemy's oldest tactics is isolation — that if he can disconnect you from community, he can keep you stuck. Have you ever experienced a season where you pulled away from people and it made things harder? What brought you back?

SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION

(10–15 minutes)

These questions are more reflective and personal. You might invite people to share with a partner, or give everyone a moment of quiet to think before opening it up to the group.

1. On a scale of 1–10, where would you honestly place yourself right now? (1 = really struggling, 10 = thriving and at peace, 5 = stuck in the middle.) What would it look like to take one small step toward a higher number this week?

2. Is there someone in your life right now who is "stuck in the middle" and needs a "some people" moment — someone to pray for them, check in on them, or simply sit with them? What's one concrete thing you could do for that person this week?

3. Pastor Craig said that when more than one trusted person in your life tells you that you need help, that's love — not an attack. Is there any area of your life where you might be resisting help that God is trying to offer you through the people around you?

4. Where do you need to ask God for a "once more" touch this week? What's one thing you want to bring to him honestly — not pretending you're fine, and not pretending it's worse than it is — just honestly?

SECTION 5: THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

(Read aloud before closing prayer)

Choose one of the following to practice this week:

• 🙏 Pray honestly. Instead of telling God you're fine or asking him to fix everything immediately, try praying like the blind man answered — honestly describing where you actually are. "God, I see something, but it's not clear yet. Touch me again."

• 👥 Reach out as "some people." Think of one person in your life who might be stuck in the middle. Send them a text, make a call, or invite them to coffee. You don't need to have answers — just show up.

• 📖 Meditate on Philippians 1:6. Write it on a sticky note, set it as your phone wallpaper, or say it out loud each morning this week: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion."

• 🤝 Take one step toward help. If you've been struggling privately, take one step toward getting support — whether that's talking to a trusted friend, reaching out to a pastor, or looking into professional counseling. You weren't designed to do this alone.

SECTION 6: PRAYER FOCUS

(5–10 minutes)

Close your time together in prayer. Here are some suggested ways to structure this:

Option A — Open Group Prayer Invite anyone who feels comfortable to pray aloud. Suggest the group pray specifically for:

• Those who are stuck in the middle and need a "once more" touch
• Someone they know who needs to be brought to Jesus right now
• The courage to be honest with God and with each other
• Gratitude for the ways God has already been at work, even if healing isn't complete

Option B — Partner Prayer Have people pair up and share one thing they'd like prayer for this week (it can be as simple or as specific as they're comfortable with). Give 2–3 minutes for partners to pray for each other.

Option C — Guided Group Prayer (read aloud slowly)

"Father, we come to you not pretending to be fine and not pretending to be broken beyond repair. We come honestly, like the blind man, saying — we see something, but it's not completely clear yet. We thank you that partial healing is not failed healing. It's healing in progress. We ask for your 'once more' touch today — on our minds, our hearts, our relationships, and our families. Thank you for the people you've placed around us. Help us to be 'some people' for someone else this week. And help us to remember that you who began a good work in us are faithful to complete it. We trust you, Jesus. Amen."

SECTION 7: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE

(For groups with extra time or who want to go further)

These bonus questions are for groups that want to explore the theological or practical dimensions of the message more deeply.

Deep Dive 1: Pastor Craig explained that we are spirit, soul, and body — and that while salvation (spiritual rebirth) happens in a moment, the healing of the soul (mind, will, and emotions) is a process over time. How does understanding this distinction change the way you think about your own struggles or the struggles of people you love? Does it bring you more patience or more frustration — and why?

Deep Dive 2: Romans 12:2 says we are "transformed by the renewing of your mind." Pastor Craig referenced this in the context of replacing lies with truth. What are one or two specific lies that tend to take root in your mind during hard seasons? What specific truths from Scripture could you use to counter them? (You might brainstorm these together as a group and make a list.)

Deep Dive 3: The "some people" in Mark 8 are completely unnamed and uncelebrated in the story. The spotlight stays on Jesus and the blind man. What does that tell us about the nature of true, Christlike service? And practically speaking, what does it look like to be someone who serves without needing recognition or credit — especially when it comes to supporting someone through a long, slow healing process?

QUICK-REFERENCE SUMMARY FOR FACILITATORS

KEY QUOTES TO REVISIT

"Partial healing is not failed healing. It's healing in progress." — Pastor Craig Groeschel

"If he touched you once, he stands ready to touch you again." — Pastor Craig Groeschel

"One of the enemy's oldest tactics is to isolate you. If he can disconnect you, he can discourage you." — Pastor Craig Groeschel

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." — Philippians 1:6

This guide was prepared for small group use in connection with the "Heal Your Hurting Mind" sermon series at Life.Church. For additional resources, visit life.church or ask your group leader about the companion book, Heal Your Hurting Mind, by Craig Groeschel and Dr. Wayne Shappell.