Westside Community Church

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CHAOS TO CALM


CHAOS TO CALM

Help @ Home - Part 3 | April 23, 2023

Steven Barker | @stevenjbarker


8Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. 9The LORD God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 16But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” 

- Gen 2:8-9;16-17 NLT

6The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 11b“Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”13Then the LORD God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” - Gen 3:6-7;11b-13 NLT

1. Come to AN AGREEMENT ahead of time to avoid DISAGREEMENT later.

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 NIV

2. Then reflect on ME.

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” - Galatians 6:7 NLT


3. Only then reflect on WE.

“All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.a Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” - 1 Peter 3:8-9


FOR DISCUSSION & REFLECTION:

1. What is your picture of “calm” in your relationships?

2. Read Galations 6:7 & 1 Peter 3:8-9. Consider a recent “chaos” moment in your life. What tweaks to your plan do you need to make to get closer to “calm”.

3. Make a long list of 10 alternative options as a team or family.


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