“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Mark 4:39 (KJV)
Before you start
At Jesus' word, the disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee. A violent storm hits while Jesus sleeps in the stern. The disciples wake Him in terror; He calms the storm and asks them about their faith.
Read Mark 4:35–41 aloud from any translation. Invite volunteers to read; never put anyone on the spot.
Icebreaker · 5 minutes
What's the worst weather you've ever been caught in?
Observe · what does it say?
- Whose idea was it to cross the lake?
- What do the disciples say when they wake Jesus (verse 38)?
- What questions are asked after the storm stops?
Interpret · what did it mean?
- The disciples were following Jesus and still hit a storm. What does that tell us?
- Why do you think they were more afraid after the calm (verse 41)?
Apply · what does it ask of us?
- What storm are you in right now?
- What would it look like to bring it honestly to Jesus this week?
On your campus
Use during a stressful season (registration holds, midterms). Close by writing storms on paper and praying over them together.
Closing prayer
Jesus, You are in the boat with us. Speak peace to the storms we're in, and to the ones inside us. Amen.
Take home
Text someone this week: "How's your storm? I'm praying."
What is shared in this study stays in the room. If anyone is in crisis, call or text 988; in immediate danger, call 911.