Miracles of Nature — Walking On Water
Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21
1. Of all your adventures in life, which was the most daring?
2. Describe you first experience waterskiing, surfing, or ice-skating.
3. What was one of your greatest childhood fears? Bugs, Darkness, Water?
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Jesus Walks on Water
Matthew 14 22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
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Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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Question of Discovery, Seeking God’s Message Then and Now
1. Why did the multitudes want to take Jesus by force? John 6:15
2. What did Jesus constrain (compel) his disciples to do? Matthew 14:22
3. Why do you think Jesus wanted to pray alone? Matthew 22-23
4. When did the disciples enter their boat? They headed toward what city? John 6:16-17
5. Describe the wind and sea? Matthew 14:24
6. How far had the disciples rowed? John 6:19
7. When did Jesus come to the disciples? Matthew 14:25 (4 watches at night)
8. What was the disciple’s reaction when they saw Jesus walking on the sea? Matthew 14:26
9. What did Jesus tell them? Matthew 14:27
10. What do Peter’s actions reveal about his personality? What was Jesus’ response? Matthew 14:28-29
11. When did Peter begin to sink? Why then and not earlier? Matthew 14:30
12. What did Jesus do and say? Matthew 14:31
13. After Jesus and Peter got into the boat, what occurred? (Matthew 14:32) What does John add? John 6:21
14. What should they have perceived in the lesson of the loaves that would have prepared them for this? Who is Jesus revealing himself to be?
15. What did the disciples conclude and acknowledge about Jesus? Matthew 14:33
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Questions for Personal Reflection
1. Has Jesus ever frightened you? How?
2. Would you be ore likely to stay in the boat or step out of it?
3. What do you see in your own life that parallels Peter’s attempt to walk on water?
4. The disciples did not understand about the loaves and fish because “their hearts were hardened.” What in your life needs to be softened.
5. What promise does James give us? James 4:8
6. What cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ? Romans 8:38-39
7. What does separate us from God? Isaiah 59:2
8. Where in your life do you need Jesus to say, “It is I, don’t be afraid”?
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