Week 59 | Section 65
As a long day of teaching and the deliverance of one demoniac drew to a close Jesus decided it was time to cross the Sea of Galilee1. Jesus entered the boat with his disciples, they hoisted the sails for the five mile trip. A flotilla of those who wanted to hear more followed along in other boats and Jesus slept while his trusted disciples navigated the waters.
Scripture
[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 8:18, 23-27
18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.2 23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Behold, a violent storm3 came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.
25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”
26 He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27 The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.”5 36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was,6 in the boat. Other small boats were also with him. 37 A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. 38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?”7 39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”8[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 8:22-25
22 Now on one of those days, he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples,9 and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side10 of the lake.” So they launched out. 23 But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.11
24 They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm.
25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”[/one_third]
Group Dialog:
- Fear is a normal and acceptable emotion, but what is a faith-filled response to fear?
- what situation have you been in which struck fear in you – and what did you think of or do that transformed it into a moment faith.
- What is faith? How has Jesus become the author and perfecter of your faith?
- What do you know about the nature of God which has given (could give) you faith to overcome and press on in fearful situations?
- What stories of faith have you learned from others in your life which later gave you faith in a moment of concern?
- What habits and spiritual disciplines have helped you carry on in faith?
Learning Objectives: the nature of fear, the power of faith, the authority of God, confidence and determination to carry out the mission, lesson in life, godly character
Photo: Waves at sunset, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA overlooking Arrowhead Point, Still Water Cove, and the 8th hole at Pebble Beach, CA.
Study Notes:
This week while we read about Jesus cleansing the temple, we are challenged to examine ourselves, our traditions and the busyness and commerce we’ve allowed and perhaps even brought into our local church.