Exit Us – Day 17
BIBLE READING PLAN WEEK 4
EXITING OUR COMFORT
DAY 2
In our readings this week, we’re focusing on the key idea from Exodus 5 & 6: “Sometimes the most uncomfortable moments in our life are so we can find our comfort in God.” Today, we will read from Mark 4 as we think more about that.
Reading: Mark 4:35-41
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Reflection:
In this story, the disciples fear for their lives and wonder if Jesus really cares for them.
In our “storms” we may question if God cares, but as we get to know God, we will realize that He is powerful and loves us deeply – and we can trust Him fully.
- Is there a “storm” you’re walking through right now?
- How does this story encourage you to persevere?
- Talk to God about your storm, asking him to help you keep your eyes on Him.
Reading: Mark 4:35-41
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Reflection
This is a story that must have been fun to tell…AFTERWARDS. But in the moment, the disciples (who are experienced fishermen) are fearing for their lives. And what’s Jesus doing? Sleeping! The one who told them to go across the lake, is sleeping on a cushion, all while they get ready to drown! “Don’t you care?”, they ask. How often do we say the same thing when the going gets tough? If God cares and really is powerful, surely he’d do something!
What happens next must have been remarkable to witness. Just three words from Jesus’ mouth and a storm turns into perfect stillness. Then on that boat, gently bobbing in the water, Jesus asks about their faith: “Why are you so afraid?” Ironically, the disciples are “terrified” no longer at the storm, but at witnessing someone with such great power (5:41). That terror however would eventually turn to complete trust, and the disciples would endure many “storms” for Jesus because they knew He cared and He was all powerful. We can do the same!
- Is there a “storm” you’re walking through right now? Is there something about it that makes you question God’s care or His power?
- How does this story encourage you to persevere?
- Talk to God about your storm, asking him to help you keep your eyes on Him.
Reading: Mark 4:35-41
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Reflection:
Imagine that you are scared of heights. Like, REALLY scared of heights. And you and your best friend decide to go skydiving. First of all… terrifying. And as you’re skydiving, in the middle of falling through the sky, towards the ground, you realize… you have no parachute! I think it’s pretty obvious that you would be scared, right? Of course you would be! You’re flying towards the ground with no parachute! Now, imagine that your friend looks at you, mid fall with no parachute, and says ‘hey, why are you so afraid?’ UM, WHAT? How could they not know why you were afraid?? I think it’s pretty clear that you should BOTH be scared out of your mind right now, right?? In our Bible reading today, we see a situation where the disciples are SO scared of the situation that they’re in. But Jesus basically says ‘hey guys, why are you so afraid?’ To the disciples, it’s pretty obvious why they are so afraid. And in our fake skydiving story, it seems pretty obvious why you would be afraid. But Jesus knows that in the end, He is WAY more powerful than whatever it is that you are afraid of. In the boat, Jesus calmed the seas. But in our life, Jesus is there to help us through whatever it is that you might be afraid of in the moment. No one that is reading this is currently skydiving without a parachute (I hope!), but you’re probably going through or will go through something scary, or hard. And in that moment, remember that Jesus is with you, and He is stronger than whatever it is that is scaring you.
- What is something that scares you? How can Jesus help you through that fear?
- Have you ever been through a time where you didn’t think you could do it alone? Do you think that Jesus helped you in that moment? What are some ways that He helped you? (parents, this is a good time to share a story from your own life, too)
Focus Verse: He said to the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4: 40
Devotional:
The adventure of the disciples terrified on a boat during a storm is a story that must have been fun to tell…AFTERWARDS. But in the moment, the disciples (who are experienced fishermen) are fearing for their lives. And what’s Jesus doing? Sleeping! “Don’t you care?” they ask. How often do we say the same thing when the going gets tough? If God cares and really is powerful, surely he’d do something! Just three words from Jesus’ mouth and a storm turns into perfect stillness. Then on that boat, gently bobbing in the water, Jesus asks about their faith: “Why are you so afraid?” Their fear, however, would eventually turn to complete trust, and the disciples would endure many “storms” for Jesus because they knew He cared and He was all powerful. We can do the same!
- Is there a “storm” you’re walking through right now? Is there something about it that makes you question God’s care or his power?
- How do these verses encourage you to persevere?
- Talk to God about your storm, asking him to help you keep your eyes on Him.
Focus Verse: He said to the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4: 40
Devotional:
The adventure of the disciples terrified on a boat during a storm is a story that must have been fun to tell…AFTERWARDS. But in the moment, the disciples (who are experienced fishermen) are fearing for their lives. And what’s Jesus doing? Sleeping! “Don’t you care?” they ask. How often do we say the same thing when the going gets tough? If God cares and really is powerful, surely he’d do something! Just three words from Jesus’ mouth and a storm turns into perfect stillness. Then on that boat, gently bobbing in the water, Jesus asks about their faith: “Why are you so afraid?” Their fear, however, would eventually turn to complete trust, and the disciples would endure many “storms” for Jesus because they knew He cared and He was all powerful. We can do the same!
- Is there a “storm” you’re walking through right now? Is there something about it that makes you question God’s care or his power?
- How do these verses encourage you to persevere?
- Talk to God about your storm, asking him to help you keep your eyes on Him.