This message was a reflection on Mark 4:35-41. Below you will find the scripture text, main points, and discussion thoughts and questions for you use.

Scripture Text: 
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?”

Lesson 1: Let Us Seek Our Rest in Our Father’s Providence and Be About His Business

• What was Jesus doing before and after he got into and out of the boat?
• Why do you think Jesus able to sleep in the midst of the storm?
• Consider Ephesians 2:10. How are you letting God’s providence over your life and the fact that He has “good works prepared in advance” for you to walk in encourage you now?
• What unique challenges are you finding right now?

Lesson 2: Let Us Ask Ourselves Who We Think Jesus Is

• What did the disciples say to Jesus? What might this say about Jesus’ estimation of their faith?
• Read Isaiah 49:14-16. Charles Spurgeon says of this text: “What can be more astounding than the unfounded doubts and fears of God's favored people? The Lord's loving word of rebuke should make us blush; he cries, “How can I have forgotten thee, when I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands? How darest thou doubt my constant remembrance when the memorial is set upon my very flesh? I have graven thee.” It does not say, “Thy name.” The name is there, but that is not all: “I have graven thee.” See the fullness of this! “I have graven thy person, thine image, thy case, thy circumstances, thy sins, thy temptations, thy weaknesses, thy wants, thy works; I have graven thee, everything about thee, all that concerns thee; I have put thee altogether there. Wilt thou ever say again that thy God hath forsaken thee when he has graven thee upon his own palms?”
• Are you challenged right now to remember that God cares about you and has not forgotten you? If so, how do you see this coming out in your life?
• What are you doing to fight to see God as He really is right now? Do you think that is adequate for your daily spiritual nourishment right now?

Lesson 3: Let Us Always Be Going to God through Jesus For His Glory and Our Good

• How did Jesus immediately respond to their fear? (What did He do before He rebuked the disciples?)
• Consider that Jesus was whipped and beaten and pierced and hung bleeding bearing our sins until He was lifeless, so that the door shutting us out from God’s throne of grace and mercy would be smashed to pieces.  
• Now read Hebrews 4:14-16. When should we come to God?
• Consider the final words of the disciples in our text from Mark 4. Now read Isaiah 51:1. What do we deprive God of when we fail to come to Him in our desperate need? Why is this not a good thing for us?

Lastly, pray. Bring to the Lord any and every trouble and struggle in your heart, trusting in His good and able heart.