Open the meeting with prayer for the men, Teen Challenge, the
families of all the men and the leading of the Holy Spirit in this morning's
study.
Bible Study based on Matthew 14:22-33
Break the group into 5 small groups if there are more than
25 guys add a sixth group and they can do the group 5 lesson.
Give each group the verses they are to study and then
explain to the entire group, with the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Leader YOU choose a leader, note taker and spokes person for each group.
Assign the verses, tell them to read the verses before and
after for context, then spend 20 minutes discussing the verses and applying
them to their lives.
Format:
1.
What is going on in the verses
2.
Center theme of the verses
3.
Message to us from the verses
The Discussion notes are for the leader to guide the
discussion of each set of verses.
At the end discuss the complete set of scripture: Ending
Discussion of Matthew 14:22-33.
Jesus walks on water:
Matthew 14:22-33
Group 1 VS 22-24
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat
and go on ahead of him to the other side while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After
he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later
that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable
distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Discussion: Look at the verses before 22 Jesus had just fed
5,000 and could have taken the crown. The crown without the cross has no value.
Whenever Jesus sends the Apostles out in a boat, there is
going to be a test. It may be that
the fisherman return to normal where they try to do everything on their own
without God’s leading.
When God gives us direction, and we follow that direction we
must still ask for His leadership in every move that we make. Prayer is powerful!
Group 2 VS 25
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on
the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were
terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
Discussion: The disciples saw Jesus and they were still
terrified why is this, how soon we forget what Jesus has done for us. In this
example, He just fed 5,000 so how
hard is it to walk on water. Jesus was walking above the waves above the
trouble, above the trials He is getting ready to ask Peter to walk with Him
The Apostles are in a terrible storm, and they are afraid of
Jesus. Why do we wait so long to call on the Lord?
Group 3 VS 27-28
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is
I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to
you on the water.”
Leader: The phrase "it is I" is the same as
"I am" the powerful words Jesus used in the Garden that knocked the
soldiers and Judas to the ground. (John 18:5-6)
“Lord if it is you” Peter is our example Lord I know it is
you directing me but....Lord I know you provide but…Lord I know you direct me
to tithe but…Lord I trust you but…Peter is asking for proof, He saw Jesus He
still wanted proof, this is us.
Group 4 VS
29-30
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and
came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to
sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Discussion When Peter had his eyes on Jesus, when Jesus was
the center of his attention not even defying the laws of physics matter, Peter
lived his life on water he knew he could not walk on water, but with Jesus all
things are possible. Then Peter
went back to normal he said I cannot walk on water he began to sink.
What is this in our lives, when we do not trust Jesus and
take His promises as true.
Group 5 VS 31-32
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.
“You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the
Son of God.”
Discussion:
Peter called on the Lord put Him back in the center of His life and
IMMEDIATELY Jesus reached out and caught him. We doubt all the time. Most notable we take Jesus out of the
center then doubt creeps in, in all situations. Once again Jesus proves He is
the Son of God
Ending Discussion of Matthew 14:22-33.
The Apostles take their eyes off of Jesus maybe they were
discussing how the heck they just fed 5,000, more than likely they were focused
on the storm rather than on Jesus. Then Jesus walked above the storm and cam to
their rescue.
We need to keep Jesus at the center of our lives. It is easy
to focus on the situation or the trial. Jesus is above any situation and trial
we need to focus on Him. We need to be faithful to obey His commands and do
what pleases Him and He will stamp out the situation.
The message of the Power Of Prayer from RA Torrey: the power
of prayer is that it keeps Jesus in the center of our lives.
What is your prayer commitment are you spending time with
the King that He wants to spend with you.
Glad Tidings Men in Ministry
