Discussion Questions for 3/20/22
Gospel Community Discussion Questions
Read Acts chapter 27. What are several observations that stand out to you? Imagine that you were on the ship with Paul, Luke & Aristarchus. How do you think you would have responded?
There are storm winds that prove to be a hindrance and then there are storm winds of hurricane force that can feel like life is going to break apart. Which describes your circumstances right now?
When things were most intense, the sailors attempted to escape the storm by sneaking off the ship via the lifeboat in order to save themselves. What could be some of those lifeboats that people use today in an attempt to save themselves from the storm? Do you have a tendency, when a storm in life is most intense, to try to create your own lifeboat of escape? Explain
When the storm was at its worst, the pilot of the ship lost all sight of his navigational tools – the sun, moon and stars for 14 days. How important to you, in your life practice, is God’s Word in helping you navigate through the storms of life? Explain.
Pastor Jim gave us 3 lessons to help us navigate through the storms of life. Lesson one was, “Do not allow the circumstances of life to dictate your theology.” In your own words explain what you think this means. Is your tendency to allow your circumstances to determine your beliefs about God? Explain.
Share with the group one promise of God, found in his word, that serves as an anchor of hope for you during a time of waiting or while in the storm.
Lesson Two: “God’s will does not always mean smooth sailing.” You can be in the midst of a huge storm and at the same time in the center of God’s will. Is this hard for you to accept? Why? What good can possibly come out of the storms of your life? Are those things enough for you?
When we believe we are in God’s will and yet a major storm invades our life, we can tend to think one of 2 things. Either that I totally was confused and wrong about God’s will or God is punishing me for some sin in my life I am unaware of. Speak to one of these stories.
* How does Paul’s story debunk this belief?
* How does the story of Jesus and the blind man debunk this belief?
What did Jesus say was the purpose for this man’s blindness?
9. Lesson Three: “Bloom where you are planted.” Paul never allowed his 2-year wait, in Caesarea, before getting to his desired destination of Rome or being on a ship with a storm of hurricane force, to distract him from his life passion – to live for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Share with the group where your life is at right now. Are you waiting in Caesarea or on a boat tossed and turned by hurricane force winds? How are you handling this time in your life? Is there a lesson from last Sunday’s sermon that you need to apply? How can this GC better support you through this time?
