16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
Personal Reflection and Discussion
1. When you were younger did you have a certain fear that you consider silly now?
2. Compare this account with the account in Matthew 14:25-33. Assuming they are the same incident, the Matthew account is much richer as it includes the part of Peter also walking on the water. What lessons can we learn from Peter? (See John 16:33, Hebrews 12:2)
3. What waves tend to distract your focus and attention, causing you to take your eyes off of Jesus? Or, do they move you to intensify your focus upon Jesus?
4. When/how has Jesus enabled you to transcend your troubles (not necessarily removing them, but enabling you to rise about them and/or overcome them)?
5. What did the disciples fail to see in the feeding of the 5000 that may have helped them in this situation?
6. Do you think they needed his physical presence in order for them to be safe? Do you?
7. How does knowing the word “frightened” in the Greek share commonalities with Hebrews 12:28-29? What are the differences?
Prayer
Jesus, I love this passage. In the story of the 5000, when you were added to the equation of five loaves and two small fish, 5000 plus people were fed with 12 baskets of leftovers. Just so, with You in the equation of my life, or the equation of anyone’s life, there is always “more than enough.” Thanks for being in the equation of my life. Thanks for being my life’s equation.
Greek Word of the Day
English Word: were frightened | Transliterated Word: phobeo
To frighten, to be alarmed. To be in awe of, to revere, be afraid.
Family Engagement Activity
Do Trust Falls as a family! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cyw_Kvu0Zs
Record and post online. Talk about being able to trust someone in the dark.
Going Activities To Consider
Thank someone today for your ability to trust someone else. Thank God that you are able to trust Him. Follow through on a promise, develop trust somehow today. Maybe ask God for forgiveness for a time that you weren’t trusting Him. Make a list of storms God has seen you through and share that with someone else.