The Surprising Blessing

All of us are on our own journeys, and many times the path God asks us to travel leads us to  unexpected routes with unforeseen difficulties, distractions, and discouragements. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and outmatched–but thankfully, that’s not the end of the story. This week we’ll take a closer look at an extraordinary event that took place on a stormy sea, and by the end we’ll see that the true blessing is not always what we expect.

Scripture References from the Sermon

Matthew 14:22-33   |   Romans 12:1   |   Hebrews 12:1b–2   |   Philippians 4:6–7   |   Matthew 28:20b   |   John 14:15-18

Discussion Questions

• Has God ever sent you on a journey that ended up being a painful process? What did you learn?
• What is an example you have of having to exercise faith that felt “dangerous”? What was the outcome?
• What is God currently calling you to that feels scary? Are you in a boat that He’s asking you to step out of? Share your story with your group.
• When the journey gets hard and painful, why is it so easy to look at our circumstances rather than our Savior? What are some practices we can engage in to help reorient our focus?
• Have you ever been surprised to learn that it was the difficulty of the journey that turned out to be the true blessing? Share your experience with your group.
• Pastor Dan shared testimony from Group Leaders. What is a testimony that you can share with the church? https://gracechurchsp.org/story/

Fill Your City

Prayer Requests From Our Community

• Pray for repentance and forgiveness in marriages
• Pray for guidance and provision for people facing career change
• Pray for Cornerstone Baptist Church and Pastor Bucky Hendrix

Serve Opportunities

• 12 March – Blood drive at the Seven Lakes Campus (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• 14 March – Re|planted interest lunch at the Southern Pines Campus (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
• 26 March – Robbins Elementary PBIS Celebration (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) | visit https://graceintheparknc.org/ for details
• 28 March – Grace in the Park @ Robins, NC | visit https://graceintheparknc.org/ for details | Volunteers should arrive at the event at 9:15 a.m.

Respond Throughout the Week

Pray – Throughout your week, dedicate time to listening to and speaking with the Lord.	Read – Feed your soul with God’s Word daily. Review the scriptures used in the sermon. There is a link to a Bible reading guide on our website.
Journal – Write a summary of what you’re hearing from God every day. Capture things you’re hearing from Him.	Communion – If Jesus is your savior, consider taking the elements, at home, with your family, or Group. There is a communion guide on our website.
Salvation – Want to give your life to Jesus? Tell someone in your family or your Group.	Worship – Take time to thank God for who He is. Before asking or seeking, just be grateful, and tell your soul that it’s time to bless the Lord.
Intercede – Who is someone in your city who needs prayer this week? Also consider inviting someone to pray for you.	Give – Giving is an expression of the heart, not just your budget, by trusting God with your finances. For ways to give, go to https://gracechurchsp.org/give/.

Event Highlight  |  Baptism Weekend  |  Seek Week

• Baptism Weekend is March 5 & 8, 2026. The orientation classes will be March 1, 2026. For more information go to gracechurchsp.org/events.
• Seek Week begins 29 March and culminates on Easter Sunday! Be watching the website for more information coming soon.