Every day we have to choose between comfort or growth. Comfort may be the American Dream, but it’s not God’s heart for us. God calls us to grow, and grow up. We have to take risks, step out on faith and trust Him if we’re going to become the men He created us to be.

This week we are looking at a story found in Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 6. It’s the account of Jesus walking on water and Peter asking Jesus to call him out to walk on the water too. Join us as Scott and our guests, Ian and Ariea break down what it looks like to push through fear and step out on faith.

 

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Winter has been in full swing the past couple weeks. What are your thoughts on the winter season? Do you love the cold and the snow? Do you hate it because scraping off your car in the morning is annoying? Are you somewhere in between?

What is one way you’ve been winning this past week? This could be in your marriage, with your kids, with your career, or any other part of your life.

Read Matthew 14:22-32. Is there anything from this passage that sticks out to you? What does this passage say about who Jesus is? What does this passage say about how we should respond to Jesus?

When Jesus says “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” what comes to mind? Our relationship with Jesus is one where we can come to him no matter how we have fallen short or how much we have failed. Do you believe that to be true?

Read Matthew 14:29. Take a moment and imagine you are one of the disciples sitting in the boat. You see this figure walking out towards you. You hear this figure tell you to not be afraid. Then you see Peter step out of the boat and onto the water. Then you see Peter WALKING on the water towards Jesus. What would your initial reaction be? What would you be feeling?

Where in your life do you need to trust Jesus? What circumstances in your life have the chance to get in the way of keeping your eyes on Jesus? Is there anything you can be doing to best set yourself up to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus even when these circumstances come up?

As Christian, we are called to treat others as Jesus has treated us. Is there anyone in your life you need to treat with the same tenderness as Jesus treated Peter? Is there anyone you need to ask forgiveness from because you have treated them without tenderness?

Which of these applications that Scott mentioned stood out to you the most? Which of these are hardest for you to run after? 

  (1) Taking risks are necessary for growth. 

  (2) Faith in God is crucial. 

  (3) Failure is not the end. 

   (4) Overcoming fear is essential. 

  (5) Stepping out in obedience leads to life change and missional impact.

What else from the podcast spoke to you?

What did God/Holy Spirit speak/prompt/say to you?  What’s God asking you to do?  What does He want to give you?  What does He want you to lay down?

RESOURCES

• If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got To Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg.

• Oceans, Hillsong UNITED

 

NEXT STEPS 

• Join Fight Club in Danville

• Register for the Pre-marriage Workshop at southland.church/marriage

• Join a Group at southland.church/groups

• For any other questions or comments email [email protected]