Thinking About Getting Out of the Boat V
August 24, 2008
Lesson 5: Walking on Water
Wednesday and Sunday Adult Bible Class – Summer Lesson Series
West Broad Church of Christ
August 24 and September 7, 2008
Dr. J.L. Nesmith, Jr., Facilitator
(Adapted from materials by John Ortberg)
Introduction:
We learned previously that the question of calling cannot be answered easily, but it can be answered. That being true, what happens after you have identified your calling? How will you live it out? What impact can you expect?
I. Expressing Exhilaration (Matt 14:29)
Let’s take a moment to discuss the concept of “exhilaration.”
• Taking a ride;
• Making a decision;
• Exhilaration and Peter;
• Exhilaration and us
Question: Have you felt a sense of spiritual exhilaration, lately? Do you want to?
II. Rehearsing Risk (Luke 1:36-38)
The biblical references to God’s absolute power are intriguing.
• Power in the Psalms;
Question: How do these verses make you feel? How is it that we Christians are often hesitant to risk in God?
• Considering information and transformation;
The example of Israel
The example of Naaman
Acknowledging information about God’s power is not enough. Question: How does this truth apply to our work and mission at West Broad? What steps will you take to move from information to appropriation and demonstration?
III. Fostering Faith
It is probably fair for us to say that faith often involves trial and error.
• A hint from Hollywood;
• An example from nature;
• The solution of the Psalmist
Point: the more you know the Father, the greater your faith will be in the Father. Question: Do you feel a need to “know” God better? What steps will you take to accomplish this?
IV. Challenging Comfort
There are areas where we feel most comfortable trusting God. Question: Think of your spiritual comfort zones. What are they?
• On moving beyond my “zone;”
• Success and the “zone;”
Every water-walking attempt gives your faith a chance to grow. And the more you attempt, the more you grow.
Conclusion:
The Christian will experience exhilaration, enhanced faith, and the expansion of spiritual comfort zones when he or she decides, on a daily basis, to get out of the boat and move forward in Jesus. While the effort is made by you, the emphasis is not on you; it is on the wonderful things God will accomplish through you by his power. But you have to get your feet wet, first. That being true, how “dry” are the soles of your soul, right now?
