Review this week's message.

Key Thought:

Stay calm. God’s got this.

Key Quote

“How can you ever be amazed by God if you never need him?” Pastor Bil Cornelius

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• What’s your favorite past time right now?
• What’s a skill that you’ve always wanted to learn?
• What storm (either physical or otherwise) do you remember most?
• Who do you know that seems consistently calm under pressure?

Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.

• Why do you think our fears and anxieties “come alive” during the night?
• How can having a plan relieve stress and anxiety during times of uncertainty?
• Why is it better to turn to God before going to others when a storm hits?
• What does it look like to let your faith take over your fear?

Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.

• Do you watch TV or scroll through your phone right before going to bed? Does it impact your quality of sleep?
• How have you seen God work in a storm in your life?
• How do you take your worries to God?
• Who are the people who bring calm to you? How do they do it? How can you use their example to bring calm to others?

Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.

Dear Jesus, thank you that even in the midst of our storms you are present. You never leave us or forget us. Help us to remember that you’re always near and we can go to you for comfort. In your name we pray, Amen.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• In this message, Pastor Bil suggested going through the alphabet, using the ABCs of thankfulness to list things we have to be thankful for. Example: A – All my family, B – blessings from friends, C – Church Unlimited, etc. Start a list where each day you write down three things you’re thankful for and pray over them, thanking God for these blessings (start with ABC, then DEF, GHI, etc.), until you have 26 things listed. Then start over and keep going with new blessings for each letter. Share your list with your LifeGroup every time you meet.
• A sign of faith is that we trust God with all of the gifts he’s given us, including our relationships, time, money, and possessions. Are you choosing to live in faith and trust God with the first 10% of your income? If not, begin tithing today. Remember, you are not giving to Church Unlimited, you are giving through Church Unlimited.
• Use this time to create a plan for you and your household in case of emergency. Once it’s done, communicate it with your family so you’re all prepared when an unexpected event occurs.
• Practice discernment and “critical media literacy” when watching the news. Sort out the difference between facts versus the emotional hooks and click bait used to increase ratings. Use the truth of God as a foundation.

Scriptures

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Matthew 8:23 NLT

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” Mark 4:35 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT

Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. Matthew 8:24 NLT

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Mark 4:38 NLT

The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. Matthew 8:25-26 NLT

The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” Matthew 8:27 NLT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV