HIS STORY

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HIS STORY: Week 30 – The Captain Of The Storm Open in Prayer W elcom e/Introductions/Cast Vision Rem ind the Grow Group of the ground rules Share context of the story [Provide context by sharing the information below.]

Jesus had been traveling all around Judea and Galilee, teaching, healing people, and casting out demons. His spiritual power was obvious through His ministry. Today’s story is one of the greatest examples of how Jesus’ authority and divinity expressed itself physically. While on the Sea of Galilee, as a storm nearly destroyed the disciples’ boat (on which Jesus was sleeping), Jesus calmed a raging tempest with just a command, thus showing Himself to be God. Tell the story – Mark 4, Matthew 8 [Have someone tell the story.] Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember.] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted.] Discuss these questions:

1. What do we learn about God from this passage? [Only God has control over nature and all the natural processes in our world; Jesus showed that He is God by His control over nature; even in our darkest moments, God is with us; God will, at times, allow His people to go through storms so that He can deliver them; God’s plan for man is not devoid of suffering (2 Corinthians 4:7-11); God may seem quiet during some of His people’s times of despair, but He is present with them through every storm; etc.]

2. What do we learn about Man/Us from this passage? [I can focus on the storms of life rather than the Savior; fear is a natural response to hard times in my life; trust in God is supernatural and requires faith; I can think that God has forgotten me in the midst of His plan for me; my idea of protection looks much different than God’s idea of protection; I have to go through hard things in my life to recognize just how great God is; my faith is not strengthened unless it is tested; etc.]

3. What is God saying to you specifically through this passage as it pertains to your life, marriage, family, and work? 4. In light of what you’ve learned today, what do you need to do to obey God? Other Q uestions specific to this passage:

1. Jesus knew the storm was on its way before he laid his head down to sleep. Why would Jesus take the disciples to a place where a storm would arise? 2. What storm in your life has God brought you through? Assign Next week’s passage – M atthew 14, M ark 6, Luke 9 [Ask someone to tell the story.] Close in Prayer

HIS STORY: Week 30 – Leadership Coaching The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Grow Group leader. Each week, we will include concepts, challenges, and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your Grow Group and grow as a disciple yourself.

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively] o Prepare well. Pray through and know your material. o Facilitate and do not teach. Facilitation cultivates discussion; teaching only dispenses information. o Don’t feel like you have to know all the answers. We are human, and it’s okay for your Grow Group to see that you are limited. o Don’t talk more than the rest of the Grow Group. Use questions to generate discussion by asking people to explain their answers and go more in-depth. Allow multiple people to respond, even if the first person gets the “right” answer. Do your best not to interrupt.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep] Discuss our Seven Ministry Essentials with your Grow Group this week. As an extension of our church body, we encourage you to spur one another in making these a priority in your Grow Group. Encourage your group members to commit to living them out. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)

Abide In Christ (ABIDE) Engage Lostness (SHARE) Connect The Unconnected (CONNECT) Chase The Strays (CHASE) Disciple Towards Spiritual Maturity (DISCIPLE) Deploy Leaders (LEADERSHIP) Pull Together (UNITY)

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself] In order for us to be used by God to help develop other disciples, we must first know who we are in Christ. It must be the center of everything we do, or we will mindlessly do things in our own strength. What is it that you need to be reminded of today? o You are His creation, created in His image. (Genesis 1:27) o You are the salt and light of the earth. (Matthew 5:13-16) o You are commissioned to make disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20) o You are forgiven. (Romans 5:10-11) o You are not your own, you were bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23) o You are an heir of God. (Galatians 4:6-7)