Today’s Scripture
Matthew 14

Cut the Rope

If we choose to wait for the easy bus to come around, the enemy will chew us up and spit us out before we can say the word “GOSPEL.”

Jesus is the only One who can take a seafood snack pack, feed 20,000 people and still have 12 baskets of leftovers.

Strength needs

in order to get stronger.

If Jesus is holding His arms out to you telling you to

, He will

Reveal Answer

you.

We can’t just ask God to use us where it’s

.

If we take our eyes off the Lord and focus on the

and

Reveal Answer

fear will take the wheel and kick

Reveal Answer

to the backseat.

There will be plenty of people that will call you towards

Reveal Answer

when you are attemping something big the Lord has called you to do.

There will always be those who taunt the water walkers from the comfort of the boat.

2. Discuss in a Life Group

READ TOGETHER:

Five Thousand Fed
13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17 They *said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

28 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” —Matthew 14:13-33

DISCUSS
When Jesus fed the 5,000 which group, the people or the disciples, benefitted from it the most? Why?

DISCUSS
What lessons do we learn from the fact that Jesus did not calm the wind and waves for Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water to Him?

DISCUSS
What lessons can we learn from Peter sinking into the water?

DISCUSS
What things do you know God has “called you to” that you have avoided and you know you need to decide to just “cut the rope.”

PRAY

Take some time to pray for each other. Any specific needs can be listed here