Icebreakers in groups of 2-3: Name a voice or voices that have calmed you down in times of trouble in your life OR a time your voice was able to calm someone else.
Matthew 14:22-27
- What incident had just happened? Jesus had fed the multitudes.
- What does the first word in our text “immediately” tell us? That Jesus was eager to get his disciples across the lake and that he was ready to be alone with his Father.
- What light does John 6:15 shed on why Jesus dismissed the crowd? Some wanted to make him king.
- Do we know if this was a regular place of prayer for Jesus and perhaps his disciples as well? No doubt he had more than one place for regular prayer. It was often on a mountain or other secluded places. How can having a regular place of prayer be beneficial for us as well? Yes.
- We all know the benefit of spending time alone with God every day. Are there times in life we need an extended time alone with him. Yes. What might some of those occasions be? Seeking God’s will for a major decision, personal or family crisis to name a few.
- Ask someone to google Lake Galilee and find out the width of the lake.
- What did Jesus do when he saw the disciples were in a bad storm? He walked toward them on water.
- What was the response of the disciples? They thought he was a ghost and were terrified.
- How did Jesus respond to them? He spoke to them.
- Can a familiar voice be reassuring in times of trouble? Most certainly
- When Jesus said, “It is I, “do you think he had in mind God’s name of “I AM”? Read Exodus 3:14
Matthew 14:28-30
- What do these verses remind us about Peter’s character? He was often impulsive and would engage his tongue before he did his brain.
- Why did Peter want to walk on the water instead of just swimming to Jesus? This is more or less an opinion question. One possible answer was to prove to Jesus and the others that he had the faith to do so. What other reasons can group member think of?
- Why did Jesus begin to sink? He took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind and waves.
- As we face the storms of life, where should our focus be? On Jesus and not the storm.
Matthew 14:31-33
- When Jesus spoke the words to Peter recorded in 14:31, what do you think was his tone of voice? A. Stern B. Caring C. Lecturing D. Good natured
- If you had been in Jesus’ place, what might you have said? How should we respond to people when they fail? How do know when people need a hug instead of a lecture and vice versa? Our response is often based on our own character. Our response is often determined on whether we are in the flesh or the Spirit.
- What was the response to Jesus from the disciples after he got in the boat and the storm immediately stopped? They worshipped him and acknowledged him as the Son of God. What should be our response to Jesus when does something supernatural for us? Worship and thanksgiving