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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.
"After one wonder, disciples terrified by another"
Friday, 1 September 2017
Matthew 14:21 Those eating numbered about five thousand men, plus women and children.
22 Immediately he had the talmidim get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away. 23 After he had sent the crowds away, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night came on, and he was there alone. 24 But by this time, the boat was several miles from shore, battling a rough sea and a headwind. 25 Around four o’clock in the morning, he came toward them, walking on the lake! 26 When the talmidim saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said and screamed with fear.
22 Immediately he had the talmidim get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away. 23 After he had sent the crowds away, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night came on, and he was there alone. 24 But by this time, the boat was several miles from shore, battling a rough sea and a headwind. 25 Around four o’clock in the morning, he came toward them, walking on the lake! 26 When the talmidim saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said and screamed with fear.
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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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Ginger Rothhaas
Ginger is a graduate of Saint Paul School of Theology. She and her husband Rob have a son, a daughter, and a high energy dog. She loves writing, conversations over coffee, and teaching spiritual classes.
When I get scared, it feels as if a storm is rising in my head. Thoughts start pounding like a hard rain. Worries begin swirling like gusty winds. My ability to focus comes and goes like angry waves. My brain gets flooded with worst-case scenarios.
The storm often starts as an inner-voice questioning my decisions or abilities. It then becomes a noisy mess of pummeling self-criticism and attack, constantly screaming, ‘You can’t do this!’
I imagine this is what Peter may have been feeling as he was called to trust Jesus and leave the boat in the middle of the storm.
In Mark’s telling of the story, as Jesus calms the storm, he uses the Greek word that translates as “hush.” I don’t read it as Jesus yelling with a booming voice; instead I imagine it as a soft comforting whisper of “hush,” like a mother might say to soothe a baby.
I am learning to ask God for help to calm the storms in my brain. When I feel the thoughts of fear brewing, I imagine God whispering to the worry: “Hush. I have plans for her today--don’t derail her with fear.”
I am guessing we will all have days of grief and fear when stepping out of bed in the morning feels like stepping out of a boat into deep water with a storm raging around us. When this happens, close your eyes and hear God whispering: “Huuussshhhh. I’ve got you, you can do this, we can do this, one step at a time."
Ginger RothhaasGinger is a graduate of Saint Paul School of Theology. She and her husband Rob have a son, a daughter, and a high energy dog. She loves writing, conversations over coffee, and teaching spiritual classes.
When I get scared, it feels as if a storm is rising in my head. Thoughts start pounding like a hard rain. Worries begin swirling like gusty winds. My ability to focus comes and goes like angry waves. My brain gets flooded with worst-case scenarios.
The storm often starts as an inner-voice questioning my decisions or abilities. It then becomes a noisy mess of pummeling self-criticism and attack, constantly screaming, ‘You can’t do this!’
I imagine this is what Peter may have been feeling as he was called to trust Jesus and leave the boat in the middle of the storm.
In Mark’s telling of the story, as Jesus calms the storm, he uses the Greek word that translates as “hush.” I don’t read it as Jesus yelling with a booming voice; instead I imagine it as a soft comforting whisper of “hush,” like a mother might say to soothe a baby.
I am learning to ask God for help to calm the storms in my brain. When I feel the thoughts of fear brewing, I imagine God whispering to the worry: “Hush. I have plans for her today--don’t derail her with fear.”
I am guessing we will all have days of grief and fear when stepping out of bed in the morning feels like stepping out of a boat into deep water with a storm raging around us. When this happens, close your eyes and hear God whispering: “Huuussshhhh. I’ve got you, you can do this, we can do this, one step at a time."
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"Peter’s great faith, and his wavering trust"
Saturday, 2 September 2016
Matthew 14:27 But at once Yeshua spoke to them. “Courage,” he said, “it is I. Stop being afraid.” 28 Then Kefa called to him, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come!” he said. So Kefa got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Yeshua. 30 But when he saw the wind, he became afraid; and as he began to sink, he yelled, “Lord! Save me!” 31 Yeshua immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “Such little trust! Why did you doubt?” 32 As they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 The men in the boat fell down before him and exclaimed, “You really are God’s son!”
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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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Dave Robertson
Dave Robertson is the Director of Community Life at Resurrection West.
Don't be afraid. There are so many things to fear. That being said, I don't like being fearful of things. When I was six, I had a bad experience on a horse that bolted with me on it. In college, I took Western Riding in part to overcome my fear. A fear I had became a pleasure of life.
I do have a fear of snakes and have not overcome that one yet. Former Atlanta Constitution humorist Lewis Grizzard once wrote he believed it was a fallacy that there is more than one kind of snake. There is only one kind, he said...the dreaded Copperheaded Water Rattler. It is poisonous and it will bite you.
Peter and the disciples had much to fear. They were in a storm, unable to reach land, as the waves continued to batter their boat. Now they see a ghostly figure appearing to approach them from the middle of the lake. I can imagine how terrifying that must have been.
But Jesus reassures them, "Be encouraged. It's me. Don't be afraid." Peter responded to fear by requesting to draw near to Jesus. I think of the story in John's gospel where one of the resurrection appearances of Jesus happens when the disciples are in the boat and they see Jesus at the shore. Peter leaps out of the boat to get to Jesus as quickly as possible.
Many times when we are fearful we desire to draw near to Jesus. One lesson we derive from this story is how God enabled Peter to walk on the water. Our hope isn't necessarily that God will help us get through these fearful times, but that God's power is so strong we can not only get through them, we can act in ways that go beyond our own control or power.
God is with us. Don't be afraid.
God is going to help us do something wonderful. His power is with us. Keep clinging to Jesus and drawing near. God is at work. Expect something great. Don't look at the waves and how high they are. Keep clinging, keep hoping, keep believing.
Don't be afraid. God is with you. Together, you've got this. Keep moving forward. God will help you to the other side of whatever you are going through. When you get through it, your natural response will be, "You must be God's Son!"
Dave RobertsonDave Robertson is the Director of Community Life at Resurrection West.
Don't be afraid. There are so many things to fear. That being said, I don't like being fearful of things. When I was six, I had a bad experience on a horse that bolted with me on it. In college, I took Western Riding in part to overcome my fear. A fear I had became a pleasure of life.
I do have a fear of snakes and have not overcome that one yet. Former Atlanta Constitution humorist Lewis Grizzard once wrote he believed it was a fallacy that there is more than one kind of snake. There is only one kind, he said...the dreaded Copperheaded Water Rattler. It is poisonous and it will bite you.
Peter and the disciples had much to fear. They were in a storm, unable to reach land, as the waves continued to batter their boat. Now they see a ghostly figure appearing to approach them from the middle of the lake. I can imagine how terrifying that must have been.
But Jesus reassures them, "Be encouraged. It's me. Don't be afraid." Peter responded to fear by requesting to draw near to Jesus. I think of the story in John's gospel where one of the resurrection appearances of Jesus happens when the disciples are in the boat and they see Jesus at the shore. Peter leaps out of the boat to get to Jesus as quickly as possible.
Many times when we are fearful we desire to draw near to Jesus. One lesson we derive from this story is how God enabled Peter to walk on the water. Our hope isn't necessarily that God will help us get through these fearful times, but that God's power is so strong we can not only get through them, we can act in ways that go beyond our own control or power.
God is with us. Don't be afraid.
God is going to help us do something wonderful. His power is with us. Keep clinging to Jesus and drawing near. God is at work. Expect something great. Don't look at the waves and how high they are. Keep clinging, keep hoping, keep believing.
Don't be afraid. God is with you. Together, you've got this. Keep moving forward. God will help you to the other side of whatever you are going through. When you get through it, your natural response will be, "You must be God's Son!"
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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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