Group Study Guide

Date: May 6-7, 2023
Speaker: Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Series: Asking for a Friend
Message: #1 - What Does Trust Look Like?

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Scripture

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. —Matthew 14:22-36 (NIV)

² They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. —John 16:2 (NIV)

Notes

Key Question: What is the voice of God? How do you know?

Is it in line with what the Bible teaches? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Does it reflect the character and priorities of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:27)
Am I moving through open doors or pushing them open? (Acts 16:6-10)
Is this being used to assert my will? (Acts 15:26-41)
What would Godly counsel say? (Proverbs 13:10; 20:5)
Do I have peace? (Philippians 4:7; James 1:5)

Jesus walked on the water and calmed the storm to show:

His character and reveal his power.
The shallowness of security.
The futility of self-salvation projects.

Genuine faith is not without doubts (Matthew 14:31)
Genuine faith is not without failure (Matthew 14:29-30)

Jesus is compassionate to our doubtes and failures (Matthew 14:31)

Study Guide

Step One: Open
Read Matthew 14:22-36 and pray to open your time together in God’s word.

Step Two: Icebreaker (Optional)
This past Friday was Cinco De Mayo, in your opinion, which restaurant has the best tacos and why?

Step Three: Discuss

What stood out to you the most in this weekend’s teaching? What was challenging, encouraging, or confusing to you?
As you look over and study this story of Jesus walking on water, no matter where you might be in your faith journey…
a. Who do you relate more to now: Peter, when he stepped out of the boat in faith, or the other disciples who remained in the boat who were not sure what to make of Jesus or the situation? Why?

b. How does this story help you to look at or “recognize Jesus” in a new way? Explain your answer.
Speaking of “Can I trust God?” - read both Matthew 14:13-21 & Matthew 15:29-39 - two more stories of Jesus that take place both right before and shortly after this story. As you read each, place yourself in these stories as one of the disciples experiencing this firsthand.
a. What questions about trusting God do you think were going on in the minds of the disciples at this moment?

b. What about you today? What questions about trusting God do you still have?
Read John 14:6-7. What does Jesus mean in these two verses that help a person learn to lean in and trust God? Maybe even eventually jump out of a boat in storm-level trust?

Step Four: Close in Prayer