Jesus Calms the Storm
September 24 | DNA Guide
Be Real Together:
Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.
Read Together: Matthew 8:23-27 CSB
The One Question:
Ask this question at your family meal or DNA.
This passage deals with a real life storm Jesus and his first disciples faced, and while it’s literally the account of a physical storm, the way it’s
positioned in Matthew’s Gospel serves to tell a greater story about the life of a Christ-follower. In the midst of the storms you’ve faced in your life, do you take the posture of the disciples (frantic, afraid, lacking confidence) or the posture of Jesus (restful, peaceful, unworried)?
positioned in Matthew’s Gospel serves to tell a greater story about the life of a Christ-follower. In the midst of the storms you’ve faced in your life, do you take the posture of the disciples (frantic, afraid, lacking confidence) or the posture of Jesus (restful, peaceful, unworried)?
Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your DNA or for personal study.
It's hard to rest well when we are looking for security in life's circumstances. But that’s what makes Jesus categorically different than us. He was and is 100% secure in his relationship with his Heavenly Father. David Guzik says that “His mind and heart were peaceful enough — trusting in the love and care of His Father in heaven —that He could sleep in the storm.” What circumstances in your life do you find yourself relying on to keep the peace in your heart? (As long as I meet my financial goals…as long as my spouse and I are good…as long as everything goes according to plan…etc.)
Matthew 8:25-26a: "So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" You may read that and feel like Jesus was being a little harsh. However, if we dig a little deeper we are reminded that Jesus has earned the right based on what he had ALREADY DONE in their midst. Recall, if you’ve read it, some of what Jesus has done just in Matthew’s Gospel: healed the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law, healed a sick and demon-possessed man, cleansed a man with leprosy, healed the centurion’s servant, & healed several other sick and demon-oppressed people. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” The same one who performed all those miracles we have read so far in Matthew is still performing miracles now! Reflect on a time in your life where Jesus has shown up for you. Share that experience with your Group.
“The promise is not that all the storms in your life will end soon. The Bible does not guarantee this, nor can anyone else. Your cancer may not go away, and that struggle in your marriage may not end this week, or even this year. As a believer, your confidence is not that these storms will end very soon, but that in the midst of the storms in your life, you will never be alone. God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, will be with you every step in the midst of the storm. Faith is not confidence that trials won't come your way. Faith is confidence that no matter what wind and waves come your way in this world, the God of the universe will be right there in the boat with you. His power and His presence will see you through. Christian, you are not alone, and ultimately you are safe in the presence of the One who has ultimate authority over all disaster,” (David Platt). Does this quote resonate with you in any way today?
Matthew 8:25-26a: "So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" You may read that and feel like Jesus was being a little harsh. However, if we dig a little deeper we are reminded that Jesus has earned the right based on what he had ALREADY DONE in their midst. Recall, if you’ve read it, some of what Jesus has done just in Matthew’s Gospel: healed the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law, healed a sick and demon-possessed man, cleansed a man with leprosy, healed the centurion’s servant, & healed several other sick and demon-oppressed people. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” The same one who performed all those miracles we have read so far in Matthew is still performing miracles now! Reflect on a time in your life where Jesus has shown up for you. Share that experience with your Group.
“The promise is not that all the storms in your life will end soon. The Bible does not guarantee this, nor can anyone else. Your cancer may not go away, and that struggle in your marriage may not end this week, or even this year. As a believer, your confidence is not that these storms will end very soon, but that in the midst of the storms in your life, you will never be alone. God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, will be with you every step in the midst of the storm. Faith is not confidence that trials won't come your way. Faith is confidence that no matter what wind and waves come your way in this world, the God of the universe will be right there in the boat with you. His power and His presence will see you through. Christian, you are not alone, and ultimately you are safe in the presence of the One who has ultimate authority over all disaster,” (David Platt). Does this quote resonate with you in any way today?
Pray Together:
Take time to pray with and for each other.