GO SPORT
Study 3
Mark 4:35-41
Sport is full of incredible moments.
Times when someone does something that amazes us.
When was the last time you saw something amazing in your sport? What was it and why was it so amazing?
Ready
In the first half of Mark’s gospel, he tells us all about who Jesus was. Here Jesus has begun his day teaching large crowds and finished teaching his disciples. That night, Jesus suggests crossing a lake and will use what follows to show physically, what he’d been explaining and teaching earlier.
Why not have a read of the start of Chapter 4 and then continue with this story.
Set
Read Mark 4:35-41
This was a serious storm. The disciples were experienced fishermen and so this must have been a life threatening storm for them to react with such fear.
1. What impression do we get of the disciples here? How would you describe their feelings?
2. Compare the disciples to Jesus. How would you describe his reaction to the situation?
3. Who or what was Jesus speaking to in verse 39?
4. What happens? What has Jesus tried to teach his disciples here about who he is?
In verses 40-41 we see the disciples are terrified and frightened. This is not a surprise considering what they have just seen!
5. What tone do you think the disciples ask the question “who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him?”
6. How do you think they would answer this question at that moment in Mark’s account?
Go
Jesus announced the arrival of the ‘Kingdom of God’ and then begins to heal many and teach with real authority. The healings are not something Jesus wants to draw attention to and instead are to be seen as signs of a broken world being restored.
7. Imagine you were in a similar situation to the disciples. How would you react?
8. Imagine being in the boat when Jesus’ words calm the storm. What phrases would describe your feelings and reactions if you’d witnessed that?
9. The disciples were scared of the storm, but now seem petrified of Jesus. Can you understand the disciples’ reaction in verse 41? Would yours be similar or different? How?
10. How has this study helped your understanding of Jesus? At the moment how would you answer the question from verse 41: “Who, then is this man?” What are you going to do in response to your answer?