READ:

MATTHEW 14:22-33
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Intro Question:
Would you describe yourself generally as a risk-taker or risk-averse?

Context:

Where are the disciples, what time of day is it and what has happened just before this story?

Story:
What do these verses tell us about how the disciples might be feeling about heading out on to the sea at night? Why do they go?

The ‘fourth watch of the night’ is the darkest part (3-6AM)…Is it cruel of Jesus to have waited til this point to come to the disciples?

Many of God’s people have done miraculous things but were not considered to be God…why do the disciples worship Jesus as God after this miracle? (READ: Job 9:8 for help)

Is Peter’s story meant to be a cautionary tale or an example? How do you know?

If the disciples had not obeyed Jesus and gone out to sea, what danger and power would they have missed out on?

Apply:

What do we miss out on when we ‘play it safe’ as followers of Jesus?

What’s a risk you could take this week to follow Jesus?

Have you ever considered taking a short-term mission trip? Why/why not?

Pray:

Pray that we would be people who step out in faith and experience the danger and power of Jesus.

Are there people you can be inviting to the Alpha course that we can be praying for?