Melissa and Courtney talk with Megan Hill about how God’s Word helps us understand the deep hurts that can come from God’s own people. They discuss why church hurt is so painful as well as why we shouldn’t run from church when we’ve been hurt. They talk about how to know when it might be right to leave a church and how to find comfort in God’s Word. Listen to this episode if you’ve ever experienced church hurt or want to care for those who have.

Recommended Resource: Sighing on Sunday: 40 Meditations for When Church Hurts by Megan Hill

Related Content:

• Let’s Talk: Overcoming Church Hurt
• Understand Church Hurt’s Source
• We’re Hurt, and Healed, in Community

Discussion Questions:

1. When you hear the phrase “church hurt,” what comes to mind? How would you define it in your own words?

2. What makes church hurt different from conflicts in other areas of life, such as work or friendships?

3. How did the biblical examples of church hurt that were shared encourage or convict you?

4. How can you come alongside those in your church who are healing from past hurt? In what specific ways can you pray for them?

5. How would you discern whether it’s time to leave a church community? Who could you turn to for wise, godly counsel in that process?

6. How does understanding God’s perfect justice equip you to encourage and reassure those struggling in the wake of church hurt?