NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the YOU curriculum.
Bible Passage: John 6:16-21
Discussion Questions:
— How do storms remind us of our dependency on Jesus Christ?
— How does Jesus’ presence ultimately calm your spirit, especially in tough times?
— How does the recognition of Jesus’ presence change everything?
Food for Thought:
When you’re a kid, having a parent around can change everything. A parent figures this out quickly when teaching their kid to ride a bike. At first, their kid wants Mom or Dad holding on and running alongside them. They keep saying stuff like, “Don’t let go!” or “Stay with me.” They just feel safer knowing you’re there.
The same thing goes for us in life. We all hit those moments where having Jesus around takes the edge off our fear, and we don’t want Him to leave. The incredible truth? No matter what goes down, Jesus is always by our side, walking with us through it all. In today’s passage, we’re going to see another powerful and unique sign of Jesus Christ’s divinity.
Read today’s passage, John 6:16-21. Not only do we see the priority of prayer, but we also see an example of submitting to authority. It was later in the evening after Jesus had just performed this amazing miracle of feeding the 5,000. When Jesus sent them by boat to Capernaum, about five miles from where they began, the disciples could have easily questioned Him for sending them by dark on the commonly treacherous Sea of Galilee. Yet, they surrendered to Jesus’ commands and obeyed, even when He sent them into the dark.
With the Sea of Galilee extending 600 to 700 feet below sea level, and with the way the mountains on the northwestern side of the lake were formed, a natural wind tunnel could stir storms at a moment’s notice. When the disciples were in the dark and in the middle of the night, a storm began to affect their journey to Capernaum (v. 18).
While we don’t understand the reasons for the storms, we must learn how to navigate through these storms in our lives, even when the purpose or end is unclear. We certainly don’t want to have to do it without Jesus.
Jesus didn’t just reveal His nature in this moment. He brought peace to the disciples. The words that they heard Jesus cry out were, “It is I. Don’t be afraid” (John 6:20). Jesus’ statement is similar to the way God revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush when He called Himself “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus’ purpose was no doubt to reassure the disciples that the One who had all authority and power was in their presence. And in His presence, there is peace and no room for fear. Now that Jesus was with them, the disciples’ fears would settle like the storm, and all would be well. We can share in the same security in the storms we face when we realize that with Jesus’ nature and character comes His presence and peace.
Let’s consider how the miracle of Jesus walking on water is a sign of His nature to this point. First, just as in the miracle of the feeding of 5,000, Jesus shows providential compassion and care for people. Second, the authority that Jesus showed over nature, particularly the sea, was a sign of God’s sovereignty. Jesus wants His followers to understand that no matter how many difficulties we encounter and no matter how unequal to the task our own strength may be, He will not allow us to fail ultimately. We can all have unsteady hearts through the storms we face. Sometimes we let doubts and fears creep in. But let’s learn the lessons of storms.
— Sometimes storms teach us to trust.
— Sometimes storms teach us to find our purpose.
— Sometimes storms teach us to surrender.
— Sometimes storms teach us to be prepared.
When Jesus entered the boat, the winds died down, and the sea became calm. The lesson Jesus teaches us in this moment is that He is the anchor in the storm to whom we should cling, and He is the One who will see us through our storms.
YOU
YOU is committed to providing a complete Bible study experience for small groups and classes. Every session is written through an urban and multiethnic lens that provides relevant, engaging and applicable studies that not only encourage and equip people, but also motivate them to mission. This flexible, non-dated, all-in-one quarterly resource offers weekly Bible study for leaders and learners, devotionals and teaching plans, as well as articles on hot topics and missions. For additional downloadable online teaching resources, visit You.Lifeway.com.
Other ongoing Bible study options offered by Lifeway for all ages can be found at Lifeway.com/SundaySchool.
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