The Way - Chapter 4 - Calming the Storm

Click here if you'd like to watch the sermon that this lesson is based on.  It contains much of the video we watched in class.

This week's lesson takes place at various locations around the Sea of Galilee.  We learn a lot about who Jesus is from his actions on and around the lake.  This lesson shows us Jesus in three different situations.  First, Jesus calls some of the disciples.  Then, Jesus calms a storm as the disciples travel across the lake to a quiet place... of course, Jesus fell asleep in the boat, much to the dismay of those around him.  And lastly, we see Jesus walk across the water, and the reaction of those in the boat, especially Peter.  Each of these settings uncovers new information and inspiration about Jesus, his identity and his call to bring people into the Kingdom of God.

Think about these questions as you remember this week's reading.

1. What are some of the prevailing stories involving water in the Scriptures? What does water represent?  How can a large lake be both some to praise God for and also something to fear?\
2. The first story involves Jesus calling the disciples.  What do you think Peter thought about Jesus’ requests, first to take him out so that he could teach, and second to let out the nets when they had not caught anything all night?  What about his reaction when they hauled in the biggest catch of their lives?  Why was this an important moment in Jesus’ ministry?
3. The second story involves Jesus calming a storm while on the lake, again showing his power over creation.  What other kinds of storms does Jesus calm?  Do the storms always disappear?  If not, what does this mean?  How do we respond?  How does God respond?  
4. The third story is the story of Jesus walking on the water.  It begins with Jesus retreating from the crowds after a very busy day.  What was he seeking on the other side of the lake?  What does this tell us about Jesus?  What might it say to us?  
5. Peter is so confident in who Jesus is that he gets out of the boat to go to him.  What happens when he takes his eyes off of Jesus and focuses instead on what is happening around him?  What can we learn from this?  
6. How do we “fish for people”?  What are some of the barriers in our lives that get in the way of following Jesus? How do we overcome them?
7. How do these stories help illustrate the theological truth that Jesus is both human and divine?  What does it mean to move from fear to faith?  Is that always possible?  In spite of ourselves, what does God always offer us?

Being with Jesus is always a revelation.  "Who is this man?"  That is the question that the people around him asked.  But Jesus didn't answer the question in simple terms.  It's in the stories he tells, the word pictures he paints, the miracles he performs - they all tell us something about who Jesus is - and who God is - and who God wants us to be.  When Jesus borrows Peter's boat, first to preach and then to fish, he asked "Can I borrow your stuff?"  He asks the same question of us.  When the disciples woke him in the midst of the storm, he asked them "Why are you afraid?"  He wants us to trust him, too.  When Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on the water, he did great until he took his eyes off of Jesus, so Jesus kept him from drowning by bringing him into the boat.  And so it is with us.  Jesus is in the boat with us, no matter what. All we have to do is ask.

With each encounter, the disciples got a broader picture of who Jesus was.  Gradually, they went from asking "Who are you?" to declaring, "You are the Son of God."  With each encounter, we can also come closer to knowing who Jesus is, and mold our lives to conform to his way of life.  It means opening ourselves to the miraculous, and putting his will before our own.  It starts with acknowledgement, turns into commitment, and is ultimately a lifetime's work.  I'm finding it hard work, but really rewarding... how about you?

Peace, Deb

Closing Prayer:

Lord, as the man said to Jesus, so we say to you, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Help us to be willing to take our boats out, even when we are tired and ready to give into our weariness.  Give us to courage to call out to you when we are afraid, and to accept the peace that your voice brings to our lives.  And help us to keep our eyes on you, so that when we are stepping out in faith, we will not falter or fail, and we will always trust in the saving grace of Jesus, in whose name we pray.  Amen.