NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR JUNE 13, 2021 : TOPIC – CALMING THE STORM

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR JUNE 13, 2021 : TOPIC – CALMING THE STORM

Read previous NBC Sunday School Manuals here

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

Date: June 13, 2021

Topic: CALMING THE STORM

Devotional Reading: Psalm 107:23-32

Background Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

Lesson Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

GOLDEN TEXT

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. – Matthew 8:26

Objectives: By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:

• State the relationship between faith and miracles;

• Explain circumstances that can be compared with the winds and waves as used in the passage;

• Make personal commitment to trust in God, even when it seems there is delay in receiving answers to our prayers.

INTRODUCTION

Life is full of challenges and they come in different forms it can be an embarrassment in our day-to-day activities or sometimes a life-threatening situation. Even Christians experience storms of life, in spite of the fact that God is with them. However, our reaction to these challenges determine the spiritual maturity of believers. Recently, a pastor shared his experience with a young woman who refused to be consoled when she lost her husband and two children during Boko Haram attack and also lost her shop in a fire incident that razed the entire market. She groaned bitterly and concluded that God does not care about her, despite her commitment to His work and generosity to people. The fact remains that Christians are not immune to experiencing life’s challenges. One important thing is our disposition to life when we are faced with storms of life. The question is ‘should we complain and give enough reasons why we should not experience such or apportion blame either to God or other individuals?’

Challenges are common to humankind. The disciples of Jesus Christ experienced a life threatening storm on the Sea of Galilee, even when He was which them. Todays lesson centres on how they reacted to the storm and how Jesus Christ calmed the storm to the peoples amazement.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. Storm on the Sea            Matthew 8:23-25

Jesus had many followers probably cause of the miracles He performed. In the preceding verses, Jesus made it clear that strong determination is required to be His follower (vv.18-22). Immediately after this admonition, He entered a boat with His disciples to cross to the other side of the lake (Luke 8:22). Suddenly, they encountered a storm. It was so serious that the waves of the storm swept over the boat to the point of sinking. Nonetheless, Jesus was sleeping on the boat. The question is how could Jesus have slept in such a frightening situation? Although the Bible is silent about it but it is possible He did so to test the faith of the disciples to handle the situation. The wave became so terrifying that Jesus’ disciples exclaimed and woke Him up saying, “Lord, save us! Were going to drown!” (v. 25)

Obviously, the force of the wave was life-threatening. Particularly, as veteran fishermen who knew the consequences of bad weather on the sea, they would have tried every means to bring the situation under control. Unfortunately, they could not do much thus they went to Jesus for help so that they would not get drowned. It should be noted that Jesus presence in the boat did not prevent His disciples from experiencing storm on the sea. Likewise, the fact that we are believers does not mean we will not experience storms in life, which can be in form of terminal diseases, poverty, barrenness, spiritual attack, unemployment and so on. Truly, these challenges can be devastating to a point that Christians are faced with the fear of death. However, God has promised to be with us and to deliver us (Psalm 23:4; 32:6; John 16:33). However, we often struggle to solve our problems based on our experiences without acknowledging the power of God to save and deliver His people from danger. Christians should emulate the lifestyle of the disciples of Jesus who recognised His presence in the boat and quickly sought for His help

DISCUSSION TIME

1. Identify some life’s challenges that can be likened to the storm that hit the boat in the passage and state how to overcome them.

2. What does the disciples’ action in verse 25 teach believers?

B. Jesus Calms the Wind  – Matthew 8:26-27

In the midst of the ranging storm, Jesus’ disciples demonstrated measure of faith. They sought for His help so that they will not get drowned. Ordinarily, one would have expected Jesus to calm the storm immediately because the disciples were already frightened. But said to them, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid? By implication, Jesus expected the disciples to have demonstrated faith by controlling the Situation. Nevertheless, He got up and exercised His authority. He commanded the winds and waves to stop and immediately there was quietness. According to verse 27, those who witnessed the miracle were amazed and began to ask one another, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Jesus’ miracles often made people wonder about His supernatural power. The people were surprised that even inanimate things like the waves and the sea obeyed Him.

Without doubt, faith is a key to receiving miracles, according to Jesus’ expression in verse 26.

Of course, the disciples have been with Jesus for a while and had witnessed all the miracles He performed. Even so, they knew He has divine authority with which to rebuke the wind. It is not surprising then that the storm recognised Jesus’ voice and obeyed. The power of God is divine. Little wonder Apostle Paul declared: … at the name of Jesus every knees should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11) It is rather unfortunate that some Christians underestimate Jesus’ power to work miracles; hence, they seek for help where there is none. However, today’s lesson is an eye-opener that God knows our challenges. He is ready to respond to our earnest plea for help. Also worth mentioning in the passage is the fact that Jesus’ ability and calmness to sleep, in spite of the turbulent nature of the sea suggest that believers should learn to trust God during difficult times. He wants us to trust Him for intervention Proverbs 3:5-7), and not rely on our strength.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. How does faith guarantee our miracles?

2. Why is it that people nowadays magnify their problems and inadvertently over rate the power of the Devil above the power of God?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activities

~ Ask learners to form groups and then conduct a Scripture search that can offer verses of encouragement in times of storm and exchange it with one another.

~ Ask a few members to recount when they tried to use their knowledge or experience to handle a difficult situation and the result.

Take Home

√ God knows our situations and He is in control.

√ Believers are not exempted from experiencing life’s challenges.

√ God’s Word can be trusted for safety.

√ Christians should not be afraid because we have a God who cares.

√ Believers should learn to call on God in times of trouble.

√ God has power over every situation that troubles our hearts.

Leave a Reply