BOTTOM LINE: Storms reveal the direction of my faith.

1. Jesus joins me in my storms.

2. When I am in fear, faith shrinks.

3. When I am in Christ, faith grows.

4. Jesus is faithful, even when I am not.

5. The power of God is greater than the most powerful storm.

Start Talking

What has been your scariest experience in a storm (a literal storm!)?

Where did you instinctively go or what did you instinctively do to find safety to or shelter? Why was that your first instinct and why did you trust that to be your safest option?

Start Thinking

Read Matthew 14:22-23. Why do you think Jesus wanted to be alone? What does this show about his priorities? How do you think this may have even prepared him for what is about to happen next?

What do you think this example should mean for us? How should this impact our priorities? How do you think following this example will help prepare us - and is even necessary for us - to face the storms that we will walk through?

Start Sharing

Read Matthew 14:24-26. When have you been in a storm (metaphorically speaking) and when Jesus showed up or God began to intervene, it seemed even scarier in the moment? What was it about God's intervention that may have even seemed like yet another trial or another difficulty, but it was really His presence at work?

Read Matthew 14:27-31. When have you experienced momentary peace like Peter in the midst of your storm because you saw Jesus at work, but then when the storm continued your faith was challenged again? How did you experience Jesus still being faithful to you even when your faith may have shrunk again?

Jesus asked Peter, "Why did you doubt me?" as if He wanted Peter to learn from this storm in a way that would grow his faith and prepare him for the next storm. What is it for you that causes you to doubt Jesus in the midst of your storms?

Start Doing

Read Matthew 14:32-33. Has worship been your response when you've been rescued from your storms? What can you do to worship Jesus even now and this week in response to his faithfulness to you through your storms?

When you face a storm in the future, what can you learn from Peter so that you can stay focused on Jesus? What specifically can you do to make sure the direction of your faith stays toward Jesus rather than fear?

How will the way you respond to storms impact others around you? How can you use the storms you've been through and your experience of Jesus in those moments as a story to share with people who are far from God or with people who are also going through their own storms?

Start Praying

What is a storm that you have been through, are in now, or can see coming? Pray for each other to keep your eyes on Jesus and grow in your faith with Jesus. Pray for each other to be prepared to share these stories with others as a way to disciple them closer to Jesus.