Do Not Be Afraid (Pentecost 11A Gospel)

Download a printable PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Pentecost 11A Gospel.

Text: Matthew 14:22-33 for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Series A

Objectives

Participants will learn that there will be times of doubt and hesitation in life, but Jesus will be there for us to reach out and help us get through.

Materials Needed

Bible
Copies of this study
Names of all participants on slips of paper
Pencil

Group Guidelines

Have each participant write their name on a slip of paper. Draw names one by one, filling each team with 4-6 people. The first name drawn for each group is the group leader.

Building Community

1. Talk about the most exciting adventure you would like to be a part of. What makes it exciting? Would any part of the adventure be frightening? Why would you choose such an adventure?
2. As a group, write down any situations that you think teens might be afraid to take part in or do.

Looking at God’s Word

Have a volunteer read Matthew 14:22-33

1. The passage starts out with Jesus sending the disciples away and dismissing the crowd. He then goes up on a mountainside to pray. Why does Jesus do this?
2. The disciples begin another adventure. What causes the disciples’ boat to rock?
3. What was their first thought when the disciples saw Jesus? Why do you think they didn’t know it was Jesus at first?
4. Why does Peter ask Jesus to tell him to “come to (him) on the water?” What do you think Peter was thinking as he started walking on the water to Jesus? When does Peter begin to sink ?What does this tell us about Peter?
5. What does Jesus do when Peter cries out? Do you think Jesus knew that Peter was going to doubt and sink? What does this tell us about Peter?
6. Apparently Jesus performs another miracle as He and Peter get into the boat. What is this miracle? What is the disciples’ response after seeing these miracles?

Reinforcing What Has Been Learned

1. Place yourself as one of the disciples in the boat on a dark and stormy night. You see what is described in Matthew 14:22-33. How would this experience effect the way you understand Jesus? Would this be a life-changing experience for you? What would you want to do after you got back to land?
2. There are several lessons for us to learn from this reading. Compare Peter’s water-walking attempt with the times you are tempted to doubt. (Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 14:27.)
3. At the start of this lesson, you wrote down situations that you thought teens might be afraid to take part in or do. Some of these situations might be good to stay away from and others might be good to take part in. What can you learn from this lesson that would help you as you face some of these situations in the future?
4. How should we respond as we see God’s miracles at work in our lives or the lives of those around us?

Closing

Close with prayer thanking God for the miracles He performed through Jesus and the ones He performs in our lives today. Ask for His guidance and strength as we face difficult situations and times that we are tempted to doubt.

by Lisa Day