Storm Warning: Smooth Sailing

1. Are you a ‘planner’ or do you tend to take things as they come? Why is that?

2. Garry shared the quote: “The best laid plans of mice and men oft’ go awry.” What do you tend to do when plans go awry? 

3. When a gentle southerly breeze came up, they weighed anchor, thinking it would be smooth sailing.’ But they were no sooner out to sea than a gale-force wind, the infamous nor’easter, struck. (Acts 27:13-14) Can you recall a time when you thought things were smooth sailing, only to be met with unexpected challenges? How did you respond?

4. I can assure you that there’ll not be a single drowning among us, although I can’t say as much for the ship—the ship itself is doomed. “Last night God’s angel stood at my side, an angel of this God I serve, saying to me, ‘Don’t give up, Paul. You’re going to stand before Caesar yet - and everyone sailing with you is also going to make it.’ So, dear friends, take heart. I believe God will do exactly what he told me. But we’re going to shipwreck on some island or other.” (Acts 27:21-26)

What stands out for you in these verses? How can you be like Paul and be a source of encouragement to others in the middle of a storm?

5. Everyone made it to shore safely. (Acts 27:44) What do these final words teach us about God's faithfulness? How can this encourage us when we go through personal storms?

Take some time this week to remember past hardships and look to see how God worked through them. Trust that even when life doesn’t go as planned, God is still there and still in control.