Lighthouse Baptist Church
and Christian Academy

I. WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR WORRY, GOD GIVES US HIS PEACE.

[Group Objective: Help people recognize worry in their lives and realize the importance of giving it to God.]

So don't ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34 (GW)

• What does this verse say about tomorrow?

Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (GW)

• Why are we to cast all our worries on Jesus.

When the Bible speaks to us about worry and anxiety, we see that these are problems that everyone faces to some degree. What are some worries that we commonly see in our lives and the lives of people around us.

• How do these worries make us feel? What effects can they have on the way we live our lives?
• Discuss some excuses people use to deny or minimize the effects of worry in their lives.

I'm leaving you peace. I'm giving you my peace. I don't give you the kind of peace that the world gives. So don't be troubled or cowardly.

John 14:27 (GW)

• What should our response to this peace be according to this verse?
• How does God's peace differ from the peace the world offers?

Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (GW)

Verse 6 tells us that we are to give our worry, or anxiety, to Him in prayer.
What does verse 7 say will happen when we do this?

Maturity - An important part of our spiritual growth is developing a habit of prayer. What are you worried about and what prevents you from giving your worry to God in prayer? What first step can you take toward surrendering that worry to God? Write it down somewhere, such as on a post-it note, and put it where you are likely to see it this week. Whenever you are tempted to worry, remind yourself to pray.

II. WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR HURTS, GOD GIVES US HIS HEALING.

[Your Objective: To look to God in the midst of pain and frustration whenever we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances.]

O LORD, out of the depths I call to you.

Psalm 130:1 (GW)

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.

Psalm 138:7 (NKJV)

• To who do the Psalmists cry out in these verses?
• During times of pain, what causes us to want to control the situation, rather than surrender it?
• List some examples of times God has exchanged hurt for healing.
  1. What role does the Lord play in Nahum 1:7? How does Nahum view God, according to this verse?
  2. What was Mary confident of in Luke 1:48?
• How did Mary view herself in relationship to God? Why was that important?
• In what way might Mary have felt overwhelmed by her circumstances?
• When is our faith most evident to those around us?

What does 1 Corinthians 1:4 encourage us to do with the comfort we have received from God during trials?

• How does experience qualify us to help another person?
• Based on 1 Corinthians 1:4, what is the essence of ministry

Ministry - During times of trouble and heartache, God is waiting for us to release our sadness to Him. He wants to help us and end our pain. More than that, He wants to grow us to help others with similar struggles. He wants to use our healed hurts. That's ministry! What hurt has God healed in your heart? What lessons have you learned and what trials have you persevered through? This week take an hour to sit down with a pen and paper to write down examples of when God has healed your mind and your heart. Really think about what you learned and where it might be used to help others. Chances are there is a ministry opportunity in the making. Then pray about where God is leading you to serve. God never wastes a hurt... especially not yours!

III. WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR GRIEF, GOD GIVES US HIS JOY.

[Your Objective: Consider God's plan in our grief. Believe God knows and understands our grief and we can have joy when we trust in Christ Jesus.]

1. Read Psalm 30:11-12 aloud. What did the Lord do for David according to verse 11? What was David's response in verse 12?
2. What do Psalm 30:5 and John 16:20b promise us?

Grief is a natural response to loss. If we love, we will grieve. What expectation do these verses offer that grieving is not a permanent condition? What does God promise in its place?

• What was the good news of great joy delivered by the angel in Luke 2:10-11?

When we are grieving, what is our greatest desire? Whatever your expectations are, how can God exceed them?

What hope did the arrival of Jesus provide? Why would that hope create joy?

Fellowship (Membership) - Grief comes from thinking of dreams and people we've lost. It's often undeserved, unrecognized or unresolved. When we are grieving, that's when we most need a Savior - someone who can do for us what we are unable to do for ourselves. How can membership in God's family put us in a place to take hold of all the Savior offers? Are you connected to a small group? If not, plan to take the first steps to make that connection this week. Don't lose this opportunity to turn your grief into joy.

Take a moment to review any assignments/challenges made during the personal application and commitment section of your previous meeting. Seeing God at work in the lives of those who commit to Him is essential for growth.

IV. PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Understand the awesome simplicity of God's gift exchange system, and determine to invite another to discover it as well.]

Would you like to participate in God's gift exchange program this year? The good news is, there are no lines to wait in - you can go to Him right now! If you're worried and would like His peace, pray. Give Him your worries and accept His peace. Do you have a hurt that needs healing? Reach out to someone else in need. Minister to them, and see how He uses that experience to salve your pain as well. Perhaps this season finds you grieving for a loss in your life. For that you need a Savior. If you've never believed before, accept the gift of God's own Son. If you are already a believer, give Him your sorrow and transform it into joy.

We all need a Savior. Accept Him as much as you know how - you don't need to know or understand everything! Accept His gift of love and forgiveness at whatever level it makes sense to you. If you've never invited Him in, do it now. Then share that gift with someone else who needs to know it too. Who can you can bring to a Christmas service? Invite them this week. The best part of God's gift exchange plan is that it comes with an unlimited 100% guarantee - there are no quantity limits and no expiration date.

...he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.

Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)