“Jesus could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” —Mark 6:5-6 NIV
“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” —Luke 7:9 NIV
HOW BIG IS YOUR FAITH?
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“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” —Matthew 14: 22- 33 NIV
YOU CANNOT PLAY IT SAFE AND PLEASE GOD.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God…” —Hebrews 11:6 NIV
“and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.” —Matthew 14:24 NIV
AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A GUARANTEE, YOU DON’T HAVE FAITH.
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” —Hebrews 11:1 NLT
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said.” —Matthew 14: 28-29a NIV
TO STEP TOWARD YOUR DESTINY, YOU HAVE TO STEP AWAY FROM YOUR SECURITY.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” —Hebrews 11:8 NIV
“…Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” —Matthew 14:29 NIV
Questions:
Icebreaker - Share a time you were absolutely amazed by something.
1 - Read Matthew 14:22-33 - What, to you, is the most amazing thing about this passage and why?
2 - Have you ever had a time where you took a big risk spiritually or relationally?
3 - Read Hebrews 11:6 & 11:1 - What is it that truly pleases God? Why does this please Him?
4 - The pursuit of safety is something ingrained in us by our parents from birth and for good reasons. But safety often limits development, and it is mostly in taking risks that growth happens. Do you feel limited in your spiritual development and if so what faith risks could you take in the pursuit of growth in Jesus?
5 - As a culture we’re obsessed with guarantees, but often the day to day decisions of following Jesus don’t have any. This means we often have to go back to the basic promises from God in our daily efforts. Read Hebrews 11:1 again - What basic promises from God can we fall back on as our confidence and our hope?
6 - Read Hebrews 11:8 - Fear is often what keeps us from following in faith. Name some areas that you are fearful to follow God’s direction. Why do you find it hard to trust Him there?
7 - Read Matthew 14:29 - What would it take for you to get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus?