Unlikely Disciples: Part 3 - Storm Story
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
May 1, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OneLife Students Serve Saturday - May 7
Our Middle and High School students are going to West High School for our first ever Students Serve Saturday! This is going to be an awesome opportunity to serve our community and love on the faculty and staff. For more information, write “Students Serve Saturday” on your Connection Card.
Salvation and Baptism Class - for Elementary Kids & Parents - May 15
If you’re a parent of an elementary student and your child has been talking to you about their relationship with Jesus - or if you’re wanting to learn more about HOW to talk to your child about Jesus - then we have a class you don’t want to miss. It’ll take place next Sunday, May 15 at 9am in the Meeting Room of our North & East campuses. For more information or to sign up, mark the “Kids Salvation & Baptism” box on your Connection Card.
Micro Church Launch & Lunch - May 22
To kick off the summer, we’re having a Micro Church Launch event on May 22 at 12:15pm at our North & East campuses. If you’re not a part of a Micro Church, this is the perfect opportunity for you to join one. At the event you’ll get to meet your new Micro Church and have lunch together. Childcare will be provided. Mark the “Micro Church” box on your Connection Card and we’ll follow up with more information. Also, if you’re interested in starting or leading a Micro Church, let us know on your Connection Card as well.
OneLife Students Summer Kick-off Night - May 25
On Wednesday night, May 25 at 7:00pm, our middle and high school students from both campuses will come together at our East Campus for our Summer Kick-off night! There will be food, epic games, and a big reveal of our theme for the summer. Rising 6th graders, you’re invited to attend as well! For more information, or to keep up with everything happening in OneLife Students, mark the “OneLife Students” box on your Connection Card. We can’t wait to see you there!
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Storms reveal the direction of my faith.
Matthew 14:22-25 NLT
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.
1. Jesus joins me in my storms.
Matthew 14:26 NLT
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
2. When I am in fear, faith shrinks.
Matthew 14:27-29 NLT
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
3. When I am in Christ, faith grows.
Matthew 14:30-31 NLT
30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
4. Jesus is faithful, even when I am not.
Matthew 14:32-33 NLT
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
5. The power of God is greater than the most powerful storm.
Start Talking
What has been your scariest experience in a storm (a literal storm!)?
Where did you instinctively go or what did you instinctively do to find safety to or shelter? Why was that your first instinct and why did you trust that to be your safest option?
Start Thinking
Read Matthew 14:22-23. Why do you think Jesus wanted to be alone? What does this show about his priorities? How do you think this may have even prepared him for what is about to happen next?
What do you think this example should mean for us? How should this impact our priorities? How do you think following this example will help prepare us - and is even necessary for us - to face the storms that we will walk through?
Start Sharing
Read Matthew 14:24-26. When have you been in a storm (metaphorically speaking) and when Jesus showed up or God began to intervene, it seemed even scarier in the moment? What was it about God's intervention that may have even seemed like yet another trial or another difficulty, but it was really His presence at work?
Read Matthew 14:27-31. When have you experienced momentary peace like Peter in the midst of your storm because you saw Jesus at work, but then when the storm continued your faith was challenged again? How did you experience Jesus still being faithful to you even when your faith may have shrunk again?
Jesus asked Peter, "Why did you doubt me?" as if He wanted Peter to learn from this storm in a way that would grow his faith and prepare him for the next storm. What is it for you that causes you to doubt Jesus in the midst of your storms?
Start Doing
Read Matthew 14:32-33. Has worship been your response when you've been rescued from your storms? What can you do to worship Jesus even now and this week in response to his faithfulness to you through your storms?
When you face a storm in the future, what can you learn from Peter so that you can stay focused on Jesus? What specifically can you do to make sure the direction of your faith stays toward Jesus rather than fear?
How will the way you respond to storms impact others around you? How can you use the storms you've been through and your experience of Jesus in those moments as a story to share with people who are far from God or with people who are also going through their own storms?
Start Praying
What is a storm that you have been through, are in now, or can see coming? Pray for each other to keep your eyes on Jesus and grow in your faith with Jesus. Pray for each other to be prepared to share these stories with others as a way to disciple them closer to Jesus.
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
May 1, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OneLife Students Serve Saturday - May 7
Our Middle and High School students are going to West High School for our first ever Students Serve Saturday! This is going to be an awesome opportunity to serve our community and love on the faculty and staff. For more information, write “Students Serve Saturday” on your Connection Card.
Salvation and Baptism Class - for Elementary Kids & Parents - May 15
If you’re a parent of an elementary student and your child has been talking to you about their relationship with Jesus - or if you’re wanting to learn more about HOW to talk to your child about Jesus - then we have a class you don’t want to miss. It’ll take place next Sunday, May 15 at 9am in the Meeting Room of our North & East campuses. For more information or to sign up, mark the “Kids Salvation & Baptism” box on your Connection Card.
Micro Church Launch & Lunch - May 22
To kick off the summer, we’re having a Micro Church Launch event on May 22 at 12:15pm at our North & East campuses. If you’re not a part of a Micro Church, this is the perfect opportunity for you to join one. At the event you’ll get to meet your new Micro Church and have lunch together. Childcare will be provided. Mark the “Micro Church” box on your Connection Card and we’ll follow up with more information. Also, if you’re interested in starting or leading a Micro Church, let us know on your Connection Card as well.
OneLife Students Summer Kick-off Night - May 25
On Wednesday night, May 25 at 7:00pm, our middle and high school students from both campuses will come together at our East Campus for our Summer Kick-off night! There will be food, epic games, and a big reveal of our theme for the summer. Rising 6th graders, you’re invited to attend as well! For more information, or to keep up with everything happening in OneLife Students, mark the “OneLife Students” box on your Connection Card. We can’t wait to see you there!
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Storms reveal the direction of my faith.
Matthew 14:22-25 NLT
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.
1. Jesus joins me in my storms.
Matthew 14:26 NLT
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
2. When I am in fear, faith shrinks.
Matthew 14:27-29 NLT
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
3. When I am in Christ, faith grows.
Matthew 14:30-31 NLT
30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
4. Jesus is faithful, even when I am not.
Matthew 14:32-33 NLT
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
5. The power of God is greater than the most powerful storm.
Start Talking
What has been your scariest experience in a storm (a literal storm!)?
Where did you instinctively go or what did you instinctively do to find safety to or shelter? Why was that your first instinct and why did you trust that to be your safest option?
Start Thinking
Read Matthew 14:22-23. Why do you think Jesus wanted to be alone? What does this show about his priorities? How do you think this may have even prepared him for what is about to happen next?
What do you think this example should mean for us? How should this impact our priorities? How do you think following this example will help prepare us - and is even necessary for us - to face the storms that we will walk through?
Start Sharing
Read Matthew 14:24-26. When have you been in a storm (metaphorically speaking) and when Jesus showed up or God began to intervene, it seemed even scarier in the moment? What was it about God's intervention that may have even seemed like yet another trial or another difficulty, but it was really His presence at work?
Read Matthew 14:27-31. When have you experienced momentary peace like Peter in the midst of your storm because you saw Jesus at work, but then when the storm continued your faith was challenged again? How did you experience Jesus still being faithful to you even when your faith may have shrunk again?
Jesus asked Peter, "Why did you doubt me?" as if He wanted Peter to learn from this storm in a way that would grow his faith and prepare him for the next storm. What is it for you that causes you to doubt Jesus in the midst of your storms?
Start Doing
Read Matthew 14:32-33. Has worship been your response when you've been rescued from your storms? What can you do to worship Jesus even now and this week in response to his faithfulness to you through your storms?
When you face a storm in the future, what can you learn from Peter so that you can stay focused on Jesus? What specifically can you do to make sure the direction of your faith stays toward Jesus rather than fear?
How will the way you respond to storms impact others around you? How can you use the storms you've been through and your experience of Jesus in those moments as a story to share with people who are far from God or with people who are also going through their own storms?
Start Praying
What is a storm that you have been through, are in now, or can see coming? Pray for each other to keep your eyes on Jesus and grow in your faith with Jesus. Pray for each other to be prepared to share these stories with others as a way to disciple them closer to Jesus.
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
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