Bible ReadingPsalm 107:23–30 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters. They saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
[18:09]Acts 27:13–25 When a moderate south wind began to blow, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”
[28:08]Matthew 8:23–27 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
[25:34]Jonah 2:1–2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.”
[27:25]Observation questions- In Psalm 107, what words describe the sailors’ fear and helplessness before they cry out to the Lord? What changes after God stills the storm? [18:38]
- In Matthew 8, what do the disciples say to Jesus, and what does Jesus do before the disciples begin asking who he is?
- What items do the people on Paul’s ship throw overboard in Acts 27, and what does that show about how severe the storm had become? [28:57]
- What does Paul promise will be lost, and what does he promise will be preserved? [29:36]
Interpretation questions- Psalm 107 says that the sailors had seen God’s wondrous works, yet their courage melted in calamity. Why can people who have known God’s faithfulness still struggle to keep courage during a hard season? [25:25]
- Jesus does not criticize the disciples for coming to him; they wake him and cry, “Save us.” What does this reveal about the difference between honest fear brought to Jesus and fear that forgets who Jesus is? [25:46]
- Paul says there will be loss of the ship but not loss of life. How can this help a believer understand that God may preserve what matters most even when a plan, comfort, possession, or expectation is broken? [29:41]
- The cargo and tackle had to be thrown overboard so the people could endure the storm. What kinds of burdens can become “unnecessary baggage” when a person is already facing a difficult season? [30:32]
Application questions- What storm are you facing right now—or what recent storm has left you tired or fearful? What would it sound like to cry out honestly to God about it instead of trying to appear stronger than you feel? [26:14]
- When your courage begins to melt, what helps you find calm in God’s presence—prayer, Scripture, worship, a trusted friend, quiet, or something else? Which of those could you make room for this week? [25:01]
- Is there a burden you are carrying that God has not actually asked you to carry: the need to fix every problem, control an outcome, worry over someone else’s choices, or take responsibility for everyone’s well-being? What might it look like to lay that burden down? [31:04]
- Someone close to you may be in a storm of grief, conflict, illness, financial pressure, or family trouble. How can you “hold up the person, not the storm” in a practical way this week? [32:11]
- What are signs that concern for another person’s hardship has become anxiety that you are carrying as your own? How can you remain present, loving, and helpful without trying to control what only God can handle? [32:35]
- Think back to a storm God has already brought you through. What did God provide during that time, and how can remembering it strengthen your faith in the storm you face now? [33:08]
- Peace after a storm can make it easy to move on and forget. What is one specific way you can give thanks to God for his unfailing love this week? [33:43]
