Withstanding the Storms
Motives + Methods
Part of DNA Guides
July 25, 2022

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.

Read Together:

Matthew 7:24-29 CSB
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

Grow Together: Observe and Apply

This week, we learned that wise - “appears a total of 7 times in Matthew and most importantly describes one who prepares…” (Charles L. Quarles).

Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that in this life we will have trouble, so how can we be like the wise man who prepares?

3 Principles to Prepare:

  1. Put into practice everything I learn. (See Matthew 7:24.)
  2. Turn my focus on how great God is. (See Psalm 34:1-4.)
  3. Remember how much he cares. (See Mark 6:46-49).

Where do you need to focus your attention most in preparing for withstanding the storms of life? Which of these is most difficult for you?

Read Mark 6:46-49. In this story, we see several reasons that the disciples may have been afraid:

  1. It was dark - they couldn’t see their way out of it.
  2. They were far from the safety of the shore - they felt insecure.
  3. They were in deep water - out of their comfort zone.
  4. They felt alone - Jesus was not in the boat.
  5. The wind was against them.
  6. They were rowing hard - they were exhausted.

How can you relate to the disciples in a storm you’re facing now or have recently faced?

As we look deeper into Scripture together, we find 4 reasons we, as Jesus’ disciples, shouldn’t be afraid:

  1. He speaks to us (Matthew 7:24, 2 Timothy 3:16).
  2. He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
  3. He will come to you (Mark 6:48b).
  4. He is in control (Matthew 7:29).

Which of these gives you the most comfort today?

Pray Together:

Jesus, thank you that you are with us in every storm we face. Thank you that you never leave us or forsake us. Thank you that you are in control. Help us to take care to prepare for withstanding the storms of life by putting into practice what you teach us, turning our focus on how great you are, and remembering how much you care. Help us to build upon you as our foundation, our solid rock.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.