What Did We Learn from the Storm?

What Did We Learn from the Storm?

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD (seeing God’s terror and comfort in our fight against sin and our love for others) was put into practice?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

2. Look back at Richard’s survey of creation and the fall from Genesis 1-3 and discuss the highlights: God showing his goodness in creation (1:31), God establishing choice (2:16-17), mankind redefining “good”(3:6-7), and the curse/shame that followed (3:7-8).

3. Richard referred to several texts to address our questions about suffering, pain, and loss (Is. 55:8-9; Deut. 29:29; Ps. 56:3; Ps. 46; Rom. 8:28, 32, 35). Which of these texts spoke to your heart/circumstances the most? Why?

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

4. How is God’s confounding goodness displayed in this excerpt Richard showed from Ryan Hammett’s text?

“The surest hurricane of God’s wrath is put upon Him for you and for all of us. We praise the matchless name of Jesus because He did not employ His authority to be contrary to the Father and tell this hurricane of wrath, “Peace, be still!” He became the lighthouse consumed in the tidal wave and we, the ships out at sea, see the light and can come home even being so near to the deadliest judgement waters.”

5. How does knowing that God controls the number of our days and is our judge (Ps. 139:16 & Acts 17:31) give us assurance to face God’s choices that may seem arbitrary?

Respond: Look ahead and around to see how you can be obedient and missional.

6. In light of Hebrews 13:3 and Richard’s challenge to offer people your presence more than your answers, how can you step into the current sufferings of those around you?

7. Considering that the burdens of Helene we’ve experienced are the normal life for much of the world, how do we stay active in the work of being global burden-lifters?