Victory in the Storms of Life Print

WELCOME ICEBREAKER

What was your greatest challenge this past week?

WORSHIP

Choose songs that deal with the victory we have through Christ.

WORD

Read Matthew 7:24-28

This parable by Jesus ends His Sermon On the Mount. Those who would do more than just listen to the wonderful words of Jesus would survive the upcoming storms of life. Note the doers of the word are not immune from storms, they are assured, however, they will make it through.

Many times we are praying for God to change our circumstances in life—to remove the storms we encounter. What the Lord wants to do is first change us. He is the potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8). Hearing and doing the word will build a solid foundation to handle the trials we all face. Note: we need to be prepared, be a doer of the word before the storm hits, not scrambling to quickly get some faith when a storm comes our way. Hearing alone in the storm won’t cut it. We have to DO the sayings of Jesus.

The Serendipity Bible lists several questions for your group to discuss:

  1. Who is Jesus addressing here?

    1. people with hearing problems
    2. housing developers
    3. a crowd faced with a big decision
    4. nobody I know
    5. everybody I know

  2. What does the rock refer to?

    1. the truth of the Gospel
    2. faith in Jesus
    3. Jesus Himself
    4. obedience to Jesus’ word

  3. What do you think the sand refers to?

    1. atheism and agnosticism
    2. weak doctrine
    3. wishy-washy commitment
    4. the world’s values
    5. disobedience to Jesus’ word

  4. Why did the foolish man build his house on the sand?

    1. he wanted a beach in his yard
    2. it was an easier place to dig
    3. he got the land at a bargain price
    4. other people were doing it
    5. he didn’t know what he was doing

  5. To be a “wise builder” at this point in your life, do you need to learn more, or practice what you have already learned?

  6. What is Jesus promising those who are willing to live by His words?

    1. you will never experience storms
    2. you will experience the same storms as everyone else
    3. the storms won’t destroy your faith
    4. you will get a new house if the old one collapses

Read James 1:2-8 and John 16:33

  • What part does joy play when we are in the storms of life?
  • What is the source of joy?

WORK

Read 2 Timothy 1:12

  • What cares do we need to commit to the Lord tonight?
  • As a group share your cares and pray for each other.

Has this lesson helped you? Please let us know! Email home group testimonies with this form!

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock."

Matthew 7:25 — NASB