Bible ReadingMatthew 14:22-33 “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’ And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
[40:32] [41:02]Hebrews 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
[52:42]Matthew 14:13-21 “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ But Jesus said, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘We have only five loaves here and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
[48:25]Matthew 14:34-36 “And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”
[01:01:22]Observation questions- In Matthew 14:22-33, what details show that the disciples were facing real resistance on the sea, and what details show that Jesus was aware of them even before he spoke to them? [52:07]
- What does Jesus say to the disciples when they are terrified, and what does Peter say when he begins to sink?
- What happened just before this storm on the sea, and what happened right after they reached the other side? How does that place this event between ministry to the hungry and ministry to the sick? [01:01:05]
- What boat images are used to describe the church, and what do the mast and the sails point to? [47:07]
Interpretation questions- Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and the wind was still against them. What does that suggest about the relationship between obedience and hardship? [50:44]
- Jesus came in the fourth watch of the night, during the hardest part of the night. Why might this detail matter for understanding the way Christ meets his people in seasons of weariness and delay? [53:42]
- Peter walked on the water while moving toward Jesus, but he began to sink when he saw the wind. What does that reveal about the difference between honest awareness of circumstances and being ruled by circumstances? [59:13]
- The disciples worshiped Jesus in the boat, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Why is worship a fitting response at the end of this passage, not just relief? [01:00:19]
Application questions- Where does life currently feel like “great effort, little progress, strong resistance” for you right now? How have you been interpreting that season? [55:15]
- Christ sees his people, loves his people, and intercedes for his people. How might this week look different if you really believed that your struggle is fully known to him right now? [52:42]
- “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” is a word for fearful hearts. What fear has been taking up too much room in your mind lately, and what would it mean to bring that fear under the voice of Christ? [56:40]
- Peter did not sink because Jesus was far away. He sank within reach of Christ’s hand. When fear rises quickly in your life, what does your first cry usually sound like, and how could it become more like “Lord, save me”? [58:44]
- The boat is not made to stay safely on shore; it is made for wind and wave. In what area have you been tempted to seek only safety instead of faithful obedience? [01:04:38]
- Christ leads his church forward into ministry and mission. What is one practical way you can keep moving forward in service rather than shrinking back because conditions are not ideal? [01:00:00]
- We are in the same boat, serving the same Savior, empowered by the same Holy Spirit. What would it look like for this group to encourage, forgive, pray for, or steady one another more intentionally in this season? [01:06:49]
