Enduring the Storms

Week 5: Enduring the Storms

Mark 4:35-41 and 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal)

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants share where they have seen God at work in the last week (or month, if needed).

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes)

Read: Mark 4:35-41 and 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

• If participants are willing, invite them to tell of the last “storm” or difficult season they encountered in their lives.
• What is the disciples’ question to Jesus in Mark 4:38? Why might this have been particularly hurtful to Jesus? [It was likely hurtful to hear they questioned whether he cared about their well-being.]
• Why might Jesus be using the same phrases against the wind and sea (in v. 39) that Jesus uses when casting out demons (see Mark 1:25 as one example)? [It reveals that more is going on than merely a physical threat, as bad as that was.]
• After everything the disciples had seen to this point of being with Jesus, why was their reaction what it was in verse 41? [Only God could command the waves and seas, and here Jesus does it! What does that imply about Jesus?]
• Why might it be important that Paul can speak about “now” being the day of salvation while also listing potential storms (1 Corinthians 6:4-5)? [It proves that experiencing salvation does not diminish the fact that we will all have to endure trials.]
• Why is it important that Paul is addressing this to the entire community (and using the plural of the word ‘you’)? [They are in this together and that is how they will survive the storms that they will face.]

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End by praying the following or a similar prayer: