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Questions in this GPS marked with Ø are particularly recommended for group discussion. Group leaders may add other discussion questions, or substitute other questions for the marked ones, at their discretion.
-------Questions in this GPS marked with Ø are particularly recommended for group discussion. Group leaders may add other discussion questions, or substitute other questions for the marked ones, at their discretion.
"Jesus’ power brought a psalm to life"
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Psalm 107:23 Those who go down to the sea in ships,
plying their trade on the great ocean,
24 saw the works of Adonai,
his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the storm-wind arose,
lifting up towering waves.
26 The sailors were raised up to the sky,
then plunged into the depths.
At the danger, their courage failed them,
27 they reeled and staggered like drunk men,
and all their skill was swallowed up.
28 In their trouble they cried to Adonai,
and he rescued them from their distress.
29 He silenced the storm and stilled its waves,
30 and they rejoiced as the sea grew calm.
Then he brought them safely
to their desired port.
31 Let them give thanks to Adonai for his grace,
for his wonders bestowed on humanity!, Mark 4:35 That day, when evening had come, Yeshua said to them, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So, leaving the crowd behind, they took him just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. 37 A furious windstorm arose, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was close to being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern on a cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, “Rabbi, doesn’t it matter to you that we’re about to be killed?” 39 He awoke, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind subsided, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no trust even now?” 41 But they were terrified and asked each other, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the waves obey him?”
plying their trade on the great ocean,
24 saw the works of Adonai,
his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the storm-wind arose,
lifting up towering waves.
26 The sailors were raised up to the sky,
then plunged into the depths.
At the danger, their courage failed them,
27 they reeled and staggered like drunk men,
and all their skill was swallowed up.
28 In their trouble they cried to Adonai,
and he rescued them from their distress.
29 He silenced the storm and stilled its waves,
30 and they rejoiced as the sea grew calm.
Then he brought them safely
to their desired port.
31 Let them give thanks to Adonai for his grace,
for his wonders bestowed on humanity!, Mark 4:35 That day, when evening had come, Yeshua said to them, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So, leaving the crowd behind, they took him just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. 37 A furious windstorm arose, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was close to being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern on a cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, “Rabbi, doesn’t it matter to you that we’re about to be killed?” 39 He awoke, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind subsided, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no trust even now?” 41 But they were terrified and asked each other, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the waves obey him?”
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Psalm 107 held four poetic pictures of God’s saving power. Verses 23-31, the picture of God quieting a storm on the sea, had particular power for the Hebrew people, for whom the sea’s tumult was a symbol of fearful chaos only God could tame (cf. Psalm 74:13-17, Psalm 89:9-12). Jesus’ followers who’d fished Galilee for a living had a healthy respect for the strong storms that could blow up on that landlocked lake. To see Jesus act out that divine power before their eyes was indeed awe-inspiring.
• Only God, the Hebrews believed, could restrain the sea’s stormy chaos (cf. Jeremiah 5:22). Our world still faces many “storms” (e.g. recent terrorist attacks in Charlottesville and Barcelona). Have you seen God in any way bring peace during such storms and their aftermath? If so, list ways you’ve seen or still see God at work for good in these tragic situations.
Ø Think of one big personal life “storm” you’ve had to live through. How did you make your way in that stormy season of life? Did you have a sense Jesus was “in the boat” with you? Scott Krippayne sang, “Sometimes He calms the storm, And other times He calms His child.” * In which of those ways has Jesus most supported you in life’s storms? How has that impacted your relationship with God, and shaped the person you are today?
Ø Think of one big personal life “storm” you’ve had to live through. How did you make your way in that stormy season of life? Did you have a sense Jesus was “in the boat” with you? Scott Krippayne sang, “Sometimes He calms the storm, And other times He calms His child.” * In which of those ways has Jesus most supported you in life’s storms? How has that impacted your relationship with God, and shaped the person you are today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I’d always prefer that you calm the storms that blow into my life. But thank you, not only for making things outside me better for, but for supporting and calming me no matter what I’m facing. Amen.
* Lyric from “Sometimes He Calms the Storm.” Songwriters: Benton Kevin Stokes, Tony W. Wood © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group.
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Chris Abel
Chris Abel is the Young Adults Pastor at Resurrection, and he describes himself as a "Pastor/Creative-type/Adventurer." A former atheist turned passionate follower of Christ, he completed his seminary education in Washington, DC. Before coming to Resurrection, Chris was a campus pastor near St. Louis, MO.
“Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?” He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm. Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?” Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:37-40)
When I was in elementary school, my mom took my brother and me to an amusement park with one of those carousels with the swings. Even though I saw people getting on and off without injury or death, I was too afraid to go on the ride because I might fall off. But the that's not the reason I remember this moment. What made it memorable for me was my brother’s attitude.
He was THRILLED to get on the ride. And he was three years younger than me.
I was stunned, jealous, embarrassed, and wanted to want to get on the swing, too. But I couldn’t overcome my fear. So instead, I stood on the sidelines as my mother and brother rode the swings.
And
they
loved
every
moment.
This was one of many moments of me standing on the sidelines. For most of my life, I was the kid who played it safe. And for mostly good reasons... I didn’t want to get hurt. I was smart and fear has this sinister kind of logic that makes a lot of sense in any given moment. But as I grew up, amazing experiences kept being presented and I kept missing out.
I kept standing on the sidelines.
Fear was a big part of my life and it was making me miss out on life. But when I became a Christian (again) in my 20’s, my relationship with fear changed. I had made a commitment that my life wasn’t for myself, that I would follow this Jesus guy, and it had the unintended effect of reducing the power of fear in my life.
Suddenly I wasn't on the sidelines. I was in the boat.
It turns out that the source of fear is often a preoccupation with self. It was a spiritual experiment. The more I was focused on myself, the more I was afraid. They more I focused on following Jesus, the bolder I became and the bigger life I lived.
Now, confession. I’m still pretty self-focused today. But at some point I got in the boat with Jesus and he has brought me places I would never have gone on my own. I’ve become someone I would never have been able to become through sheer willpower. And as I hand over pieces of my life, bit by bit, what happens is the fear changes to faith.
Yet when I hoard my life, keep it to myself, worry about my own future, and am driven by selfish ambition…
…the fear returns with a vengeance.
For me, this story is an illustration of what happens in my life. When I follow Jesus, the storms of fear don’t flood my boat like they once did.
There is a calmness in the chaos.
And I will forever be grateful for the sleeping Rabbi who taught me to trust… even when I’m not very good at it.
Chris AbelChris Abel is the Young Adults Pastor at Resurrection, and he describes himself as a "Pastor/Creative-type/Adventurer." A former atheist turned passionate follower of Christ, he completed his seminary education in Washington, DC. Before coming to Resurrection, Chris was a campus pastor near St. Louis, MO.
“Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?” He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm. Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?” Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:37-40)
When I was in elementary school, my mom took my brother and me to an amusement park with one of those carousels with the swings. Even though I saw people getting on and off without injury or death, I was too afraid to go on the ride because I might fall off. But the that's not the reason I remember this moment. What made it memorable for me was my brother’s attitude.
He was THRILLED to get on the ride. And he was three years younger than me.
I was stunned, jealous, embarrassed, and wanted to want to get on the swing, too. But I couldn’t overcome my fear. So instead, I stood on the sidelines as my mother and brother rode the swings.
And
they
loved
every
moment.
This was one of many moments of me standing on the sidelines. For most of my life, I was the kid who played it safe. And for mostly good reasons... I didn’t want to get hurt. I was smart and fear has this sinister kind of logic that makes a lot of sense in any given moment. But as I grew up, amazing experiences kept being presented and I kept missing out.
I kept standing on the sidelines.
Fear was a big part of my life and it was making me miss out on life. But when I became a Christian (again) in my 20’s, my relationship with fear changed. I had made a commitment that my life wasn’t for myself, that I would follow this Jesus guy, and it had the unintended effect of reducing the power of fear in my life.
Suddenly I wasn't on the sidelines. I was in the boat.
It turns out that the source of fear is often a preoccupation with self. It was a spiritual experiment. The more I was focused on myself, the more I was afraid. They more I focused on following Jesus, the bolder I became and the bigger life I lived.
Now, confession. I’m still pretty self-focused today. But at some point I got in the boat with Jesus and he has brought me places I would never have gone on my own. I’ve become someone I would never have been able to become through sheer willpower. And as I hand over pieces of my life, bit by bit, what happens is the fear changes to faith.
Yet when I hoard my life, keep it to myself, worry about my own future, and am driven by selfish ambition…
…the fear returns with a vengeance.
For me, this story is an illustration of what happens in my life. When I follow Jesus, the storms of fear don’t flood my boat like they once did.
There is a calmness in the chaos.
And I will forever be grateful for the sleeping Rabbi who taught me to trust… even when I’m not very good at it.
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"After one wonder, disciples terrified by another"
Friday, 1 September 2017
Matthew 14:21-26
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Herod had just executed John the Baptizer, and Jesus sought solitude as he dealt with his grief over John’s death (cf. Matthew 14:13). The crowds followed him, though, and he ended up miraculously feeding over 5,000 people. He again went to be alone, while the disciples sailed to the other side of the lake. Due to another storm, he went to rescue the disciples—but seeing a figure walking toward them on the water completely unnerved them.
• “On a popular level, many Gentiles and probably a number of Jews believed in ghosts, although such a belief technically contradicted mainstream Jewish views of the afterlife (heaven or hell and future resurrection).” * What fears, if any, do you deal with based on popular culture, even though they may not fit into your more careful understanding of Jesus’ teachings?
• The story began with a sense of urgency: “Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat” (verse 22). John’s gospel said that after he fed 5,000 people, Jesus had to avoid a move to forcibly declare him a military leader and king (see John 6:15). Have you ever had to take urgent action to stay in tune with God’s purposes for your life? Are you facing any pressures like that today?
Prayer: O God, keep me open to your presence in my world and my life. If you show yourself in an unexpected way, help me to welcome you with joy rather than with fear. Amen.
* HarperCollins Christian Publishing. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Kindle Locations 220067-220068). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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"Peter’s great faith, and his wavering trust"
Saturday, 2 September 2016
Matthew 14:27-33
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“Literally, Jesus says, “I am”; although this can mean, “It is I,” the activity in the context supports an allusion to Jesus’ deity (cf. Ex 3: 14).” Then Peter spoke up. He showed that mix of faith and doubt most of us wrestle with at times: “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” Next thing he knew, he was striding across the water! It worked until he lost his focus on Jesus. The strong wind distracted him and his fear took over. “As he began to sink, he shouted, ‘Lord, rescue me!’” And Jesus did.
Ø Scholar Myron Augsberger wrote, “We might ask, ‘Peter, how did you do it? Had you practiced, had you studied yoga, had you studied surface tension?’ And Peter might have answered, ‘It was when I thought of surface tension that I began to sink!’ Faith rivets its attention solely on the Master who says ‘Come’…. The primary meaning is that Jesus as Lord of creation can be present in the lives of people in this material world.” ** In what perhaps stormy parts of your life do you need Christ’s comforting, calming presence today? What gives you confidence that he can and will be with you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, at times I’m riding high, walking toward you in faith! At times my fears distract me and take my eyes off you. Remind me that your love and salvation are always in reach, even when I feel as though I’m sinking. Amen.
* HarperCollins Christian Publishing. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Kindle Locations 220070-220071). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
** Myron Augsburger, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 24: Matthew. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982, comment on Matthew 14:28-31.
Family Activity: Ask each person to share one or two of his or her personal struggles, fears or worries. Ask everyone else to simply listen—not to try and take the worries or fears away. Read Isaiah 41:10. Choose to spend some quiet time together with your family inviting God to help you overcome your fear and bring each of you peace. Maybe you want to take a brief walk. You might each want to spend some time reading. Maybe you prefer listening to music. Encourage everyone to ask God to calm their hearts and to fill them with peace during their quiet time. Also ask each person to find a word or an item during the quiet time that will help him or her carry that peace every day. Share your experiences as a family and pray God’s peace for one another. Ask God to help you persevere through your challenges.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Family and friends of Wendy Mataya on her death, 8/19
• Ben Stephenson, Jr, and family on the death of his father Ben Stephenson, Sr., 8/17
• Howard Janzen and family on the death of his wife Cherine Janzen, 8/17
• Gwen Gepford and family on the death of her father Robert Hughes, 8/16
• Janie Stepp and family on the death of her father Sherman Calvin Cassady, 8/4
• Dave Aldrich and family on the death of his father Vernon James “Bus” Aldrich, 7/26
• Arika Ledom and Ashley Elston and families on the death of their grandfather Vernon James “Bus” Aldrich, 7/26
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You might also like
God trusted Peter (and us) to speak of his wonderful acts
“You are…a people who are God’s own possession”
“He appointed twelve and called them apostles”
“When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees”
“They left their nets”
Or download this week's printable GPS.-------
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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You might also like
God trusted Peter (and us) to speak of his wonderful acts
“You are…a people who are God’s own possession”
“He appointed twelve and called them apostles”
“When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees”
“They left their nets”
Or download this week's printable GPS.-------
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
-------
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