[1]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 Bible Studies for Life curriculum.*
Bible Passage: Mark 4:35-41
Discussion Questions: What forms of power really get your attention? How can we reconcile the truth of Jesus’ power with the fact that He doesn’t always calm the storm? In your everyday life, what does it mean to depend on Jesus’ power?
Food for thought:
We can expect bad days. We can even anticipate bad weeks or even months. They come with living on a fallen earth with fallen humanity. But we are never to define peace by our circumstances. We have a far better source for peace — and for courage. In fact, it is the only true source. Jesus told us clearly, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
[2]Only Jesus has that kind of power. In Mark 4, we get an insider’s glimpse into the depth and scope of that power when Jesus and his disciples find themselves at sea during a serious storm. In the deepest dark of night, out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, the storm surely must have caught the disciples off guard. The storm tested not only their boating expertise, but also their emotions.
In the midst of the chaos, Jesus got up from His slumber and spoke to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” Two brief commands, and the storm obeyed. Jesus told the storm to be quiet, to stop its noise, to hush its fuss. Similar to a parent correcting an unruly toddler, Jesus told the sea to settle down.
We all face uneasy times; whether economic, health-related, relational or financial, they often can cause us to feel powerless or overwhelmed. But Jesus has power like no other. And He will use His power on our behalf.
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life is a family of resources that addresses key issues in the lives of adults, students and kids. Visit www.biblestudiesforlife.com [3] and use it to help you “Connect the Unconnected, Strengthen Families, and Disciple People With Wisdom.” Free session downloads are available, as well as PDFs and videos that accompany this Bible study resource.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool [4].