Walking on Water and Calming the Tempest

JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA

 

            Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”                                                                         

Matthew 14: 22-33

 

Possible Discussion Questions:

  1. Why can’t the sea usually be walked on? Why could Jesus walk on it?
  2. When did this miracle occur? Did Jesus “set the disciples up”?
  3. Why did Jesus let the disciples be tossed around most of the night?
  4. Why did the disciples not recognize Jesus?
  5. Why did Peter sink?

 

 

 

THE CALMING OF THE TEMPEST

 

            On The same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”                                                                                                        

Mark 4: 35-41

 

Possible Discussion Questions:

  1. Why, when Jesus seemed to usually pray all night, was He asleep?
  2. Why did He rebuke the wind first, then the sea?
  3. Why did the disciples complain?
  4. What kind of storms might we face? What kinds of complaints do we give?
  5. Are there other instances in Scripture of God controlling the sea? Compare and contrast.