The Word

1. Read Matthew 14:22-33.

What do you think Peter was thinking when he told Jesus “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water”?

How did Jesus respond to Peter’s challenge? What does this tell you about Jesus?

Why did Peter sink?

What was he afraid of?

What happened when Peter finally realized he couldn’t save himself?

How did Jesus respond to Peter’s call?

Did Jesus refuse Peter’s cry for salvation? Has he ever refused anyone’s plea?

2. Read Proverbs 3:5-6.

Did Peter take Solomon’s advice?

How could Peter have trusted more? What did he do wrong?

In order to be saved from the sea, Peter had to choose to trust Jesus with his life and ask for help. Peter learned that he could not escape the sea by himself. He had to trust Jesus with everything, every bit of himself: his past, his present, and his future. Perhaps Peter finally began to realize that Jesus was not only the Savior of his life, but also the Savior of his soul.

“How often the disciple’s experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Savior in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best” (Desire of Ages, p.336).

3. Read Romans 8:38-39

What does this verse tell us about God’s love?

Did Peter think that the wind and waves were more powerful than Jesus? Why?

Is there anything powerful enough to take away God’s love for you?

Summary: Trust in God because He loves you for who you are, and nothing can take that away.

4. Read Romans 3:23, 6:23 (1^st half)

What is the end result of sin? Why?

What happened when Peter stopped trusting Jesus?

What did Jesus do when He heard Peter’s cry?

Does Jesus force you to be saved? Did He grab Peter before Peter asked?

How do you get help from Jesus?

Summary: Peter needed to tell Jesus that he needed Him. We must tell Jesus the same thing.

5. 1 John 1:9

What is Jesus’ promise to us in this passage?

What would Jesus do for you if you told Him all of your sins and gave Him your trust?

Summary: Confessing your sins to Jesus frees you from any guilt and allows you to get back into the boat safely.

6. Read Romans 6:23 (2^nd part)

What does God desire to give us?

Can we do anything to earn this gift? (*TEXT*)[ER1]

What gift did Jesus give Peter out in the water?

How much more so does He want to give everyone eternal life?

Summary: Jesus desperately wants to save you from the sin you’re drowning in and give you eternal life. He is your Savior.

7. Read Revelation 3:20

What must we do to have Jesus be with us?

How did Peter accept Jesus?

Will Jesus refuse any offer to come into someone’s heart if they ask?

Summary: Invite Jesus into your heart. He WILL come in.

Try It Out!

How incredible would it be if you completely trusted God? What if you accepted His free gift of forgiveness and salvation, trusting that He promises it to everyone who confesses and asks? If you were able to let God lead you down the path He has for you, you could find yourself in some amazing places and situations. Nothing could come between you and what God has planned for you. Jesus desires for you to completely trust in Him—not in yourself, others, or anything else. He wants you to accept Him like Peter did as he sank into the water. We are sinking. We need to let Jesus save us and give us the gift of eternal life.

Sometimes we let fear keep us from God. Take this time now to pray and ask God to help you trust in Him. Ask Him to show you what you are still clinging to and what is keeping you from a deeper relationship with Him. Think about the amazing gift that He is offering and longing for you to accept.

Ask: Write down a list of things that are holding you back from trusting in God. Pray over them individually and ask God for His help. Tell Him that you relinquish your control and give Him all of your problems. He will take them from you and He will not betray your trust.

Date: 2015-02-16; view: 609