Leader Bible Study
Jesus had just fed more than five thousand people on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. After sending away the people and directing His disciples to go back across the sea, Jesus went to a mountain to pray. It was late, and He sought to be alone with His Father. Jesus was preparing to fulfill His Father’s plan. Before long, He would die on the cross and rescue people from sin.
While Jesus prayed, the disciples struggled to cross the sea. A storm came and tossed their boat up and down. They didn’t make any progress against the waves. Then, in the early morning hours, they saw a figure walking toward them on the water. They thought it was a ghost, but it was Jesus!
Peter asked Jesus to command him to come out on the water, and Jesus called to him. Peter walked on the water too—until he remembered the storm. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and he began to sink. Peter cried out to Jesus, “Save me!”
Jesus took Peter by the hand, and they got into the boat. The wind and waves calmed. Though Peter had doubted, the disciples worshiped Jesus. Clearly, He was no ordinary man; this was the Son of God—the promised Messiah!
Jesus proved that He can be trusted. His miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection showed that He is who He says He is. As you teach kids, encourage them to look to Jesus in faith every day. We can seek Him for our salvation and for help as we live in this world. Even in the midst of fear and doubt, we can hold out our empty hands and cry, “Lord, save me!” He will answer, and we can respond in worship of our Lord and Savior.
The BIBLE Story
Jesus Walked on Water
Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 6
Jesus had been teaching crowds of people by the Sea of Galilee. It was getting late, so He told His disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side of the sea. Jesus sent the crowds away and went up on the mountain to pray by Himself.
That evening, the boat was far from the shore. The wind blew, and the waves tossed the boat around. Jesus was still on the mountain alone.
Around three in the morning, Jesus came toward His disciples, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Jesus, they were terrified.
“It’s a ghost!” they cried.
Right away, Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It’s Me. Do not be afraid.”
Peter answered, “Lord, if it really is You, tell me to come to You on the water.”
So Jesus said, “Come!”
Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw how strongly the wind was blowing, he was afraid. Peter began to sink.
“Lord, save me!” he cried.
Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed Peter. Jesus said, “You have little faith. Why did you doubt?”
They got into the boat and the wind stopped. Then everyone in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Christ Connection: Jesus proved that He can be trusted. His miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection showed that He is who He says He is. Only Jesus can save us when we look to Him in faith.
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