How to Stand in a Storm

Main Thought

Storms are inevitable. This is true in nature, and it’s true in our own lives. Stress, emergencies, and other “storms” come for everyone. How can we prepare for them? According to a famous parable of Jesus, we have two options when it comes to building our lives. (We build our lives on something when it’s the foundation of important things like our identity, direction, or hope.) The first option is to build our lives on “sand.” Sand can represent things in the world that are subject to change. This covers a wide range of things; some common examples may include a situation, possibilities that we see, or the good things people say about us. When storms come, we’ll eventually find that these things are unreliable. Thankfully, we have a second option on which to build our lives: Jesus and His Word. His love, His presence, and our assurance in Him are unmoved by life’s storms. If we want to build our lives on Christ, then we must repeatedly choose to live and act by faith. If we do this, then we will be well-prepared to stand strong in life’s storms.

Main Passage

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

- Matthew 7:24-29

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

2. Have you experienced any significant storms in your life recently?

3. How can you act in faith and build your life on Jesus?

The Burden That Brings Rest

Main Thought

We live in a chaotic and restless world. This can even be true in our own minds. Everyone experiences restlessness at some level. One of the biggest reasons for this restlessness is our need to perform well or prove ourselves (either to ourselves or to others). In moderation, these things can become blessings. Left unchecked, these desires can become cravings that only leave us wanting more. They cannot be satisfied, and they cause the chaos in our minds to become a heavy burden. God doesn’t want us to carry burdens like this. He invites us to exchange our burdens with Him. We can receive God’s love and approval for us. These things are free gifts through Jesus Christ. Living from this place of love and approval is key to experiencing the peace we search for while continuing to walk by faith.

Main Passages

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

- Matthew 11:28-30

Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

- Jeremiah 6:16

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

- 1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. When can a desire to perform well or prove ourselves be helpful? When do those desires become unhealthy or burdensome?

3. How can receiving God’s love and approval help lift the burdens in our minds, and free us to live well?

Comfort for the Troubled Heart

Main Thought

Change is constant in the world we live in. Sometimes, change can be uncomfortable or chaotic. We might feel vexed or troubled. Where can we find comfort for our troubled hearts? When our lives or the world is in a state of disarray, we can turn to God and His Word. God’s Word points us to a future place with God where we’ll be free of trouble forever. We can reach that place through faith in Jesus Christ. But Jesus didn’t just leave us waiting to find peace in eternity. He promised that we could also have peace through the presence of His Holy Spirit while here on earth. These present and future promises give us strength, stability, and comfort in a world that’s gone mad.

Main Passages

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 

- John 14:1-2

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

- John 14:4-6

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 

- John 14:25-27

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

2. What are some things that have troubled you or challenged you recently?

3. How does God give us peace in an unpredictable world? Have you ever experienced that for yourself?