Truth in the Storm
Preacher: Daniel Erasmus
Worship and check-in: Spend time in worship giving praise to God That’s the Power by Hillsong Worship, then pray back what’s on your heart and mind about who God is to you!
Bible Readings: Matthew 8:23 – 27; Proverbs 16:9; Matthew 8:22, 25; John 16:33; John 10:10; Luke 19:10; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 17:20
Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:
For some of us right now it feels like our lives are in a storm. Our world, our family, our kids, our finances, our marriages, our mental health, our physical, our emotional health – everything is in a storm. When we look at the news, it can also feel like our city/country/world is in a storm.
- Justin shared around giving from 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, 14 and that everything we have comes from God and that He invites us to partner with Him in taking the Gospel to those prodigals we are praying for. When you read this verse what is God speaking to you personally about how you can partner with Him using your time, treasure, and talents?
- Ps Daniel shared 4 faith-building truths. We know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Proverbs 16:9), yet what happens to us when the storm hits us? Read the verses of Scripture above, and reflect on the following points:
- Storms come, but Jesus is always with us.
- The storms in our lives can create a crisis of faith and focus.
- Jesus is Lord of the Storm.
- It is His love that anchors us through all our storms.
The following are some questions to ask ourselves based on what we know about Jesus and how the storm was used to build the disciple’s faith. Share with the group:- a) What is the storm that’s surrounding you or that you have been through recently?
- b) How close are we to and with Him? Do we talk to Him and can we hear His whisper?
- c) What has/is God revealing to us in the storm?
- d) If you think about your level of faith, are you doubting God, or are you trusting Him?
- The disciples were in the boat with Jesus, yet they feared the boat sinking. They only had enough faith to wake up Jesus. When Jesus woke up, his rebuke wasn’t harsh, but a tender invitation to trust Him. Do you trust Jesus wholeheartedly or is your faith as small as a mustard seed and just enough to wake Jesus up, to call on His name? Share with the group how you can grow your faith and trust in God.
- The Bible tells us that Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost and that He is our anchor in the storms of life –Jesus left His throne to become fully human and to experience our pain and suffering. We often don’t know how long the storm will last or doubt God’s love for us. How can we be assured of God’s love for us while we’re in the storm? How can others support you while you are in the storm?
Check out and Prayer:
Keep checking in on how it’s going with your prodigals – keep praying and trusting God. Take the names out of the jar as they return to God.
Pair up and pray with one another, trusting with each other for God to do what only He can do in the situation you are facing.
Love God:
- Meditate on Matthew 28:20 (NIV) “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- For personal study check out the following devotions on YouVersion:
Love People:
- For upcoming next steps in your discipleship journey; like Baptism or serving. Sign up online at Church Center/ the website.
