“But he said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid.’”

* THE STORM OF LIFE WITHOUT JESUS (16-19)

1. After Jesus fed the crowd and they had eaten to their fill, what did the disciples do? How might they have felt after this?

2. Read Mark 6:45. According to Mark, why did the disciples leave first? How did Jesus view the crowd? (Mk 6:34)

3. Why did Jesus withdraw to the mountain? What might he have prayed about?

4. What had the disciples learned in spite of the unsuccessful retreat? How might they have felt as they crossed the lake without Jesus?

5. What happened as their boat moved to the middle of the lake? How did they react when they saw Jesus walking on the water? What does this suggest about their spiritual condition?

* THE STORM OF LIFE WITH JESUS (20-21)

6. What did Jesus do and say? What did he want to teach them about himself? Think about verse 20 again. What do these words teach us about Jesus? About our fears?

7. What did the disciples do when they recognized Jesus? What happened? What can we learn here about how to overcome in the storms of life? Can you think of anyone who has been in a storm with Jesus?