Beulah Baptist Church – The Reverend Jerry D. Black, Pastor Sunday School Lesson – June 27, 2021 Reverend Mark Seals - Minister of Christian Education Brother Michael Moore - Superintendent Dr. Debra Moore - Teacher/Facilitator

Quarterly Theme: Confident Hope- Unit 1: Teaches about Faith Lesson 4: Why Do You Doubt? Printed Text & Background: : 22-33; Devotional Reading: Isaiah 38:16-20

Aim for Change/Learning Objectives By the end of the lesson, we will: 1. RECALL the amazing story of the storm at sea followed by Jesus’ appearance walking on the water. 2. REPENT of failing to trust in God when caught up in a crisis. 3. DEVELOP habits of trust that enable us to overcome our doubt about God’s care.

In-Focus: Highlights a couple’s (Warren and Angela) crises to show how we [Christians] might also doubt and not trust the Lord’s ability and power to care for us and do the impossible in our lives.

Unifying Principle – An Amazing Feat – In the depth of [a] crisis, people are often caught between TRUST and DOUBT. Will one trust that one’s help will come? Jesus, by walking on water to save His disciples, demonstrated His divine empowerment to be the Savior of all.

Key Verse – “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31, KJV).

People, Places, and Times Sea of – This account of Jesus’ sovereignty comes to us through the According to Matthew (around AD 80-90). Here, Jesus, again (Matthew (8:23-27), is found at this body of water. It is not very explicit in Matthew’s account (14:22-33) as the , but in Mark’s Gospel (6:45-53), it is clear where the events take place of . Jesus also did some of His most notable , at least 18, in and around the communities (Gennesaret, , , ) bordering the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus, the disciples and, specifically, the Apostle Peter – (Simon) Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen and the first disciples Jesus called (:16-17). Even though Peter had an impulsive nature and forceful personality, he had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter (for Cephas) which means “rock” (:18). Even though Peter denied Jesus three times before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and was the first to preach to the crowds. He became a passionate and tireless ambassador of Jesus Christ, and the “Rock” upon which Jesus built the church. Jesus used Peter to teach us to trust (by faith) rather than doubt.

Background In the previous chapters and verses, Jesus performed multiple miracles and engaged in preaching and teaching. It was during this time that He also dealt with devasting news regarding the imprisonment and execution of his cousin, . While Jesus really wanted to retreat and get away from the crowds of people so that he could rest, the people followed and found Jesus. When the evening set in, the disciples sought to send the people away to find their own food. Of course, Jesus objected to this and

1 ordered His (confused) disciples to find the multitude something to eat. This was Jesus’ way (plan) to display His unquestionable power and provide convincing proof of His ability to defy natural law. This is when Jesus blessed His Father, turned little into overflow (two fish and five loaves of bread), and fed five thousand men, not including women and children (Matthew 14:13-21). After this, Jesus sent the disciples away by boat, to the other side of the Sea of Galilee so he could “go up” and Replenish His Power.

The Lesson-at-a-Glance - (Matthew 14:22-33) 1. Jesus Replenishes His Power (vv. 22-23) 2. Jesus Defies the Laws of Nature (vv. 24-27) 3. Jesus Calls Peter to Step Out (vv. 28-29) 4. Jesus’ Power Declared (vv. 30-33)

In Depth/With More Light on the Text - Matthew 14:22-33 1. Jesus Replenishes His Power (vv. 22-23) Jesus had finished an exhausting time of ministry and meeting the spiritual and natural needs of the people and wanted to commune, alone with His Father in prayer. He sent the disciples away by boat to the other side (Gennesaret) of the body of water (Sea of Galilee) as he dismissed the multitude in preparation to recharge and regroup. This speaks to Jesus’ humanity and how he provides a model [for us] for how we should make time to commune with the father.

2. Jesus Defies the Laws of Nature (vv. 24-27) As Jesus spends time with His Father, Matthew shifts the scene to show that after some time has transpired, the disciples and the boat on which they are traveling have encountered torrential winds and waves that are too much for even the experienced fishermen who are also afraid. It is now, during the fourth watch of the evening, when Jesus, having seen what was going on, literally stepped out and walked on the water. Not realizing that it was Jesus, the disciples, real afraid, now, cried out in terror, “It’s a !” (phantasma). While walking on the water with its contrary wind and waves, Jesus calls on the disciples to “take courage” and calm down (Encouragement). Jesus’ appearance on the water was not an everyday occurrence and has never been repeated. Jesus defies natural laws and shows the disciples and us, his Divinity/Divine Nature.

3. Jesus Calls Peter to Step Out (vv. 28-29) Peter, one of the disciples on the boat, was oftentimes the bold spokesman of the group and the one who would ask tough questions. Peter [thinks he] recognizes Jesus’ voice, and with some power that Jesus had freely given earlier to the disciples, Peter, with his extroverted personality, decides to put his “new abilities to a test by stating, “If it be thou (since it is you), ask me to come to You by walking on the water” (v. 28). Peter tested his own power/ability (given by Jesus) and responded to the simple one-word invitation from Jesus, “come.”

4. Jesus’ Power Declared (vv. 30-33) Peter stepped out of the boat and briefly walked (by faith) on the water. Peter noticed through his natural senses, what was happening around him. The wind got strong(er) and he became afraid. As will happen to us, Peter took his eyes off Jesus. It did not take long for Peter to start sinking when he took his eyes off Jesus and put it on the wind (something other than Jesus). His faith and feet waivered, thereby, causing him to fear that he would sink and drown. This created doubt, causing him to lose confidence, trust, belief and, above all, faith. After this happened to Peter, Jesus’ actions to rescue him and get him to safety were immediate. The question posed to Peter (and to believers) was/is, “Why did you doubt [me]?” (v.31, NLT). Soon, thereafter, Peter and Jesus are in the boat, the waves and winds cease, things become peaceful and the other disciples worship Jesus and acknowledge Him as the (v.33).

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Discuss the Meaning Jesus’ response to Peter’s cry for help was immediate. What does that mean for when you cry for help? What keeps us in fear? What makes us doubt? What things can we do corporately and individually to step out on faith?

Liberating Lesson God is still performing signs and wonders today as we call on the Name of His Son Jesus. Our lesson teaches that we should seek the Lord’s Will for our lives to receive vision and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to get in alignment to make the miraculous happen in our lives.

Application for Activation Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the sake of the joy set before Him endured the Cross and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. If we truly believe that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us, we must TRUST and not DOUBT that we are safe in His arms and follow His lead. Keep your eyes on Jesus!

Words to Know: Galilee Gennesaret Phantasma Feat Fear Doubt

Notes:______

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