The text for this lesson is Mark 4:35–41
Key Point
- Just as Jesus calmed the storm with His Word for the frightened disciples, so He calms and ends the storm of sin and its certain death by taking our sin on Himself and dying in our place so we may live eternally.
- Law: Sin causes me to fear and doubt that God cares for or loves me. My fears suffocate faith and lead me to despair and hopelessness.
- Gospel: God’s Son, who suffered and died for me, is the proof that God cares for me and will never leave me nor forsake me.
Discussion Points
- What does the Gospel of Jesus Christ have to do with your day-to-day troubles, or even those more stressful times of life, such as financial crisis, marital conflict, or the suffering of a loved one? To know that our sins are forgiven and that we live forever with Christ in heaven is good and true, but how does that help you now?
- Jesus has been teaching the crowds about the kingdom of God. Now evening has come, and what does Jesus say? Who goes with Him across the sea? What does the boat on the stormy sea symbolize (see 1 Peter 3:20–21)?
- What do the disciples say when they wake Jesus? Is the assessment of their condition completely accurate?
- How does Jesus respond to their request? Is He critical of the disciples?
- See Genesis 1:1–10. What does Jesus’ rebuke and calming of the storm demonstrate? What kind of “fear” are the disciples filled with?
- Read Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Does the story in Mark help us understand this any more? How does God help us when we feel burdened or tempted by great suffering or distress?
- What does it mean that the fullness of the deity dwells bodily in Christ (Colossians 2:9)? What comfort and confidence does this give us?
