Jesus is capable of rapid climate change

Luke 8: 22 – 25

Describe the most frightening storm you have experienced while traveling.

Based on the context of this passage, why are they heading across the lake at this point?

Imagine you are actually one of the disciples in the boat when the sea storm overtakes them. What do you see? What do you smell, what does your skin feel, what do you hear, what do you taste? What emotions are racing through your mind at this point?

What clues do we have in this story to understand exactly how difficult this particular storm actually was?

Precisely describe Jesus’ activities and demeanor as the storm is raging about the boat. Why in the world is he sleeping so comfortably as their world is falling apart?

What does it tell us about the disciples that they frantically wake Jesus in the middle of the storm?

What would you have said to Jesus at this point if you were trying to wake him up?

What would have happened to them if they had simply allowed Jesus to continue sleeping?

When is the last time you found yourself in a situation that was out of your control and Jesus seemed to be asleep?

What is the appropriate way for a disciple to respond in such a challenging situation?

What would be the overall atmosphere on the boat after the sky’s clear at Jesus’ command?

Why does Jesus reprimand them about their lack of faith in such an obviously challenging situation?

How can we go about building the kind of faith that Jesus expects out of his disciples in this story?

What does it demonstrate about Jesus that he can speak and the sea calms down?

Why does this miracle produce such a deep emotive response from the disciples?

What can you do to help your friends answer their questions about who Jesus really is?

Victory in the Big Leagues

Mark 9: 14 - 29

When is a time that you really wish you could have assisted someone in distress but did not have the means or ability to do so?

If you were the father of this young boy, what emotions would be dominating your thoughts as you bring him to Jesus?

Describe the presenting symptoms of this spiritual malady.

In verse 19 Jesus is obviously annoyed. What is it about the disciples’ inability to help this boy that so deeply frustrates him?

Why does he heal the boy even though he is annoyed at the situation?

What does it tell us about spiritual reality that being in Jesus’ presence triggers another episode?

Imagine you are part of this boy’s family. What impact would his spiritual sickness be having on you?

What is the goal or purpose of this spirit in the life of this boy?

What is a spiritual issue in your life that is making life difficult on those around you?

Jesus corrects the father’s misguided understanding of his abilities in verse 23. Meditate on Jesus’ answer to the father for 5 minutes.

Why does Jesus consider it important enough to delay his work of power to make sure this guy understands?

What does the father’s response to Jesus reveal about his spiritual state and openness?

What might explain the father’s weakened level of faith in this text?

When is a time in your spiritual walk that you have had the desire to trust Jesus but have had difficulty doing so?

Spend some time praying the father’s request to Jesus concerning your own areas of unbelief.

What can we do to effectively help those who are facing spiritual bondage?

What does it mean to “rebuke” a spirit, and why does Jesus do that in this situation?

Describe Jesus’ method of exorcism with this boy.

What are spiritual difficulties that tend to be frustratingly reoccurring in your life?

How can we get victory over those kinds of spiritual strongholds?

Why do the disciples wait until later to ask Jesus about their failure?

What can we surmise about spiritual struggle from Jesus’ answer to them?

Why is prayer so pivotal in gaining spiritual freedom?

How did the disciples end up “praying” in this passage?

How prepared are you through prayer for the spiritual challenges you face in serving others?

What can you do this week to more seriously and intentionally improve your prayer life?

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Victory Before Fans & Detractors

Matthew 12: 22 - 37

Describe an experience at a sporting event where you inadvertently cheered for the wrong team.

Imagine you are the people bringing this seriously incapacitated man to Jesus.

What would you be thinking and feeling as you approached Jesus?

What is it about this specific healing event that made people wonder whether Jesus was the anointed?

How have you seen Jesus move and work in power over the past twelve months?

What is it that Jesus did in your life or the lives of those around you that made you consider following him?

Why in the world do the religious leaders suspect witchcraft as the source of Jesus’ power?

In verses 25 – 30 Jesus gives a very rich, yet complex argument against him tapping an evil power source.

What does this argument teach us about the realities of the spiritual realms?

Why does Jesus mention their people who are practicing exorcism?

What is the relationship between the Spirit of God and the kingdom of God?

In what way does victory over spiritual darkness herald the arrival of God’s reign?

What are some ways that we, as Jesus’ followers, can be involved in defeating spiritual evil?

Why does Jesus bring up the topic of blaspheming the Spirit at this point in the conversation?

What does it mean to actually speak against the Holy Spirit?

Why does Jesus consider misunderstanding his actual source of power to be such a serious offense?

In what way would such an action be impossible for which to receive forgiveness?

How have the religious leaders come dangerously close to this action in this very debate?

How can you be sure that you have not committed the unforgivable sin?Why does God take so seriously what we say with our mouths?

What is the relationship between what we speak verbally (or write) and what exists in our inner person?

Why are the words we speak such a powerful barometers of our spiritual status?

When are times in your life that you tend to speak “careless words” to other people?

What needs to change in the way that you speak to others in your family, at work, among friends?

What needs to change in your heart tonight? Are you willing to take that before Jesus?