Restoring Calm, Part 2: Finding God in the Garden

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR

God loves !

I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, 
the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers in the wasteland, 
the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know, 
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this, 
that the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:18-20

I (Paul) planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field… 1 Corinthians 3:6-9a

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

The Promises of God

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17 

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Completing the Story

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people… Galatians 6:9-10a

Small Group Questions

1. Do you like to grow things? Why or why not?
2. What’s one spiritual lesson you can take from a garden or the process of growing seed?
3. How do you respond to the promises found in Proverbs 19:17 and Proverbs 22:9?
4. Read James 2 out loud. What principles from this passage apply to God’s call to feed the hungry?
5. What did you “sow” this week that you saw come back to you in a good way? What did you “sow” this week that came back to you in a negative way?
6. What do you need prayer for today?