Teacher Notes
Bible Stories for Adults
Jesus Walks on Water
Matthew 14:22-33
Welcome and Announcements
Next Week - Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet (John 13:1-20)
Bible Words to Remember:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. John 14:1
Opening Prayer
A Lesson for Jesus' Disciples (John 20:27-31)
Who did the followers of Jesus think He was?
Luke 24:19, 21 = A mighty prophet, had hoped He was the Messiah
How did people who had looked to Jesus as the Messiah feel when He died?
Luke 23:48 = In despair, Hope was lost
Did the apostles share this feeling or did they trust in Jesus' promise to return?
John 20:19 = They were afraid and stayed behind locked doors
How readily did they accept the fact that Jesus had risen as He had said?
Mark 16:9-14 = They didn't believe although they had many reports from witnesses
What lesson had the apostles missed despite their years with Jesus?
John 20:27-29 = Put their trust in Jesus; Stop doubting and believe
How are we, 2000 years later, able to see Jesus as our Messiah?
John 20:30-31 = The Spirit brings us faith through God's Word and His Story
Today's lesson, Jesus Walks on Water, shows both faith and doubt in action
A Year Earlier (Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29)
What had happened about a year before Jesus was arrested?
Matthew 14:3-5 = Herod arrested John the Baptist to silence him, too popular to kill
How seriously did Herod want to have John killed?
Mark 6:19-20 = Herod didn't care, but Herodias held a grudge & wanted him dead
How did Herodias get an opportunity to get revenge on John?
Mark 6:21-23 = Her daughter danced at Herod's birthday and was granted a wish
For what did the daughter ask?
Mark 6:24-25 = Herodias had her ask for John the Baptist's head
Did Herod try to change her mind?
Mark 6:26-28 = No, he didn't want to go back on his word in front of his guests
What did Herod think when he later heard of another prophet?
Matthew 14:1-2 = He thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead
How did Herod react when he actually met this second prophet a year later?
Luke 23:8-11 = Excited to see a show, turned to scorn when He didn't perform
Jesus Hears of John's Death (Matthew 14:12-13; Mark 6:31-32)
How quickly did news spread of John's death?
Matthew 14:12 = Disciples learned right away & buried him, Immediately told Jesus
How did Jesus react to this sad news?
Matthew 14:13a = He went away by boat to a solitary place (near Bethsaida)
Did Jesus go off by Himself?
Mark 6:31-32 = No, He took His apostles
No Rest For the Weary (Matthew 14:14-16; Mark 6:33-36)
How relaxing was it for Jesus when they arrived at this solitary place?
Mark 6:33-34 = Crowd beat Him there & was waiting for Him, shepherdless sheep
How were the apostles able to allow their leader to be pushed beyond exhaustion?
Mark 6:35-36 = They looked for a way to get rid of the people
How did Jesus respond to this opportunity to rest and mourn John's death?
Matthew 14:16 = He felt responsible for them and told the apostles to fix dinner
Impromptu Catering Service (Matthew 14:17-21; Mark 6:37-44)
What did the apostles think of Jesus' command to feed this huge crowd?
Mark 6:37 = It was a ridiculous request, they couldn't do it if they wanted
How did Jesus show them that all it took was a little faith?
Mark 6:38-43 = He fed the crowd with 5 loaves and 2 fish; 12 basketfuls were left
How large was this crowd? = Men ate separate from women & children in public
Matthew 14:21 = 5000 men, plus women & children (probably 10-15,000)
Insights From John (John 6:1-13)
When did this happen?
John 6:4 = As people were getting ready to go to Jerusalem for Passover
Had Jesus known that He was going to do this miracle? = Philip was from nearby Bethsaida
John 6:5-6 = Yes, He commented to Philip when they landed to get them thinking
What kind of loaves were used and where did they come from? = flat cakes, 1/2" thick
John 6:8-9 = Barley (only the poor made bread from animal feed); lowly boy
What lesson was Jesus teaching that Paul later learned?
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 = God's power comes through our weakness
What other lesson did Jesus have that He explained to the same crowd the next day?
John 6:25-27, 30-35 = I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry...
What other food was given by Jesus to these followers? = Jesus Christ God's Son, Savior
John 6:11 = Fish - Greek is ichthus - Iesous Christos Theou Uios Soter
Finally Some Rest (Matthew 14:22-23; Mark 6:45-46)
How were Jesus' tired disciples finally successful in getting away from the crowd?
Mark 6:45 = Jesus had them take the boat to Bethsaida, He'd catch up on land
Was Jesus able to get any kind of rest Himself?
Mark 6:46 = Yes, He went up on a mountainside to pray
Was there another reason Jesus went up on the mountain by Himself?
John 6:14-15 = To keep the people from trying to make Him King
Why would Jesus resist this desire of the people?
Matthew 4:8-10 = He saw He was being tempted by Satan
"A Three Hour Cruise" (Mark 6:47-48)
After a tiring day, how relaxing was the 7 mile sailing trip across the lake? = J6:19 - 3.5 mi
Mark 6:47-48a = A sudden storm came up, they had to furl the sails & start rowing
Did this storm help Jesus beat them by land to the other side? = 4th watch was 3-6 am
Mark 6:48b = The storm slowed them, but Jesus also took a short cut
How relieved were the apostles when they saw Jesus coming to help them? = Terrified
Matthew 14:26 = To sailors, a ghost on the water meant they'd perish in the sea
The Peace of God (Mark 6:49-50)
Which of the apostles saw this ghost and how did Jesus comfort them?
Mark 6:49-50 = All saw Him, Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.
Does this remind you of another story that also showed the apostles' superstitious doubts?
Luke 24:36-39 = Easter evening, Peace be with you. It is I. Why are you troubled?
What is significant about the way Jesus identified Himself in these two stories?
Exodus 3:13-14 = Yahweh was derived from Hebrew word for I am, Jesus is God
How did Jews respond when Jesus later made this statement in public?
John 8:58-59 = They tried to stone Him for blasphemy
Stepping Out in Faith (Matthew 14:28-31)
How did Peter reveal his eager faith when he realized it was Jesus and not a ghost?
Matthew 14:28 = He asked Jesus to just say the word so Peter could come to Him
Did Peter follow through in faith when Jesus gave him the command?
Matthew 14:29 = Yes, he walked in faith & his faith held him up on the water
What happened the instant Peter turned his eyes from Jesus and focused on himself?
Matthew 14:30 = He began to sink when he thought of doing it on his own
How did Jesus respond to Peter's cry for help?
Matthew 14:31 = He reached out His hand
O, Ye of Little Faith (Matthew 14:31)
Jesus says these words three other times. What were the circumstances then?
Matthew 6:28-31 = Human worries of needs - clothes, food, drink, etc
Matthew 8:23-26 = Apostles afraid of storm on the lake
Matthew 16:5-10 = Apostles worried about forgetting to bring bread
What message is Jesus giving in all four situations?
Matthew 6:33 = Seek God's kingdom in faith and He'll take care of you
Two More Miracles (Matthew 14:32-33)
What third miracle happened in this story (after Jesus and Peter walking on the water)?
Matthew 14:32 = The wind died down when Jesus got in the boat
How did the apostles respond to these amazing miracles?
Matthew 14:33 = They worshipped Jesus & stated faith in Him as the Son of God
What fourth miracle then happened?
John 6:21 = They immediately reached the shore where they were heading
A Place of Rest (Matthew 11:28)
After an exhausting night, were Jesus and the apostles finally able to get some rest?
Mark 6:54-56 = No, people immediately recognized Jesus & came from all over
Where were the apostles able to find rest? = See also Hebrews 13:5-6 (Share verse below)
Matthew 11:28 = Come to Me, all you who are weary..., and I will give you rest
Closing Prayer
Copyright © 1997 by Kurt Rosenhagen
Use of this material is provided free of charge for use in personal or group Bible Study, no permission needed.
The author reserves all rights for use in published material or in uses where fees are involved.
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kurt@biblestoriesforadults.com