Sermons with Boats in Them #1: A 27-Footer, a Great Windstorm of Wind, and a Cushion – Reflection Questions

Mark 4:35-41

4:35  On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” ³⁶ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. ³⁸ But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” ⁴¹ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

1. What does Mark mean by saying the disciples “took” Jesus “in the boat, just as He was” in 4:36?
2. It’s easy to talk about being strong in our faith, but it’s a different story when we’re living through circumstances like those described in Mark 4:37! Have you experience any ‘the-boat-is-filling’ trials? What was your initial response to the storm? Did your response change over time? How did you navigate the trial? How did the Lord show you His faithfulness in the storm?
3. What elements of the story reveal that the disciples under-estimated the One who was in the boat with them? In what ways have you underestimated Him in your life? Do you still underestimate Him? Is He the first One you go to when a trial comes, or do you turn to Him only after you’ve exhausted other options?
4. What’s the significance of the shift in the disciple’s fear in 4:38 and their fear in 4:41? How is their “fear” [literally, timidity, cowardice] in Mark 4:38 a “bad” fear (see John 14:27, 2 Timothy 1:7)? How is their “fear” [literally, terror] in Mark 4:41 a “good” fear (see Revelation 1:17-19; Isaiah 6:1-8)?
5. Compare the Lord’s behavior in the storm (Mark 4:38) with Psalm 3:5, Psalm 4:8 and Proverbs 3:24. How do these verses help to explain Jesus’ demeanor?
6. How does the Lord offer us the ability to ‘rest’ in the storm even as He did (see John 14:27)?