"How Does Jesus Calm the Storms In Our Lives?"

Mark 4:35-41

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

“How Does Jesus Calm the Storms In Our Lives?”

STUDY NOTES:
How Does Jesus Calm the Storms In Our Lives?

READ: Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
 
REFLECT: Take some time to reflect on these questions as you listen to the message.

What is the worst storm you've ever been through?

The fisherman on the Sea of Galilee often faced storms, but this one was different.  They were seriously afraid they were going to drown. 

Furious Squall" = (gk: λαῖλαψ) a hurricane like, fierce storm.

Jesus was so tired that he was sound asleep in the front of the boat.

Have you ever felt like God is sleeping and ignoring the situation that has "swamped" you and threatens to drown you?  How do you respond?  

The disciples decided that there only hope was to wake Jesus up.  They needed real help that was beyond their ability to generate.
The FIRST step in Jesus calming the storms in our lives is to… 
STEP 1. Admit you are ____________________
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Mark 4:38

The second step and how Jesus calms the storms in our life...
STEP 2: Ask Jesus _______________________
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
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!”  Matthew 14:28-30
 
This is the third step in Jesus being able to calm the storms in us…
STEP 3: Watch and ______________________
(Jesus) got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Mark 4:39

The Fourth step in Jesus being able to calm the storms in us…
STEP 4: Wait __________________________
Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”  Mark 4:40-41
In what areas of your life are you tempted to respond with fear rather than faith?
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Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
 
CHALLENGE THIS WEEK:  Read, Reflect, & Respond to Hebrews 11 and Psalm 142
What did faith look like in each of the people listed in Hebrews 11? 
 
Who on this list is most encouraging and helpful to you? 
 
Psalm 142 – (NIV) - I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.
3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.
5 I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.
 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
 
~ David’s trial was:
 
~ David’s feeling about the trial:
 
~ David’s response to God:
 
~ What did David do to overcome the trial?
 
~ How did God work through David’s trial?
 
Cross out the name David and write in your own name in the questions above as you answer the same questions about a trial you’ve gone through. What are some of the valuable lessons you learned through your trials(s)?