Peter's Principles of Successful Living #1 Good Questions: These lesson Have Groups Talking! www.joshhunt.com

Matthew 4:18 - 20; 14:22 - 33; John 1:35 - 42 ⁽¹⁾

ACCOUNTABILITY

• What have you read in your private time alone with God recently that has challenged you, encouraged you, or convicted you?

OPEN

• Let's each share our name and one risk you have taken some time in your life.

DIG

1. As we read this passage, look for what it means to follow Christ.
2. Matthew 4.18 - 20. Is the calling to follow Christ necessarily a calling to become a fisher of men?
3. Can you be a good Christian without being a fisher of men?
4. How would you describe your journey toward God making you to be a fisher of men? What have you learned on this journey?
5. How can we become effective fishers of men?
6. What did it cost Peter to follow Christ?
7. What does following Christ cost us? ⁽²⁾

Matthew 14:22 - 33

8. How was it that Jesus got separated from his disciples in this story?
9. What is the fourth watch of the night? ⁽³⁾
10. Verse 28. When Peter says, "If it is you," do you hear doubt or confidence in his voice?
11. John Ortberg has a great book with a fantastic title: If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat. Was the wind blowing when Peter took his first step on the water?
12. Why didn't Peter see the wind and waves at first?
13. This story is a picture of risking for God. Have you ever taken a risk for God? Tell us about it.
14. Is following God normally risky?
15. Why does God lead us into risky places?
16. Is following God safe?
17. Who had more faith, Peter, or the rest of the disciples?
18. How does a willingness to take risks benefit us?
19. Have you know people who were to willing to risk too much? Who could tell such a story?
20. How do you evaluate the wisdom of taking a particular risk?
21. How much does the subjective element-"I just feel like this is what God wants me to do"-play into it?
22. On the whole, do you think you tend to take risks too easily, or play it safe?
23. Who do you think felt better about this day, Peter or the other disciples?
24. How do we become a little more like Peter, with a willingness to get out of the boat?
25. Anyone facing a risky situation right now?
26. How can we pray for one another this week?

1. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [19] "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." [20] At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 [NIV]

[22] Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. [23] After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, [24] but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

[25] During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. [26] When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

[27] But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

[28] "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

[29] "Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

[31] Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

[32] And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. [33] Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Matthew 14:22-33 [NIV]

[35] The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. [36] When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"

[37] When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. [38] Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"

They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

[39] "Come," he replied, "and you will see."

So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.

[40] Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. [41] The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). [42] And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). John 1:35-42 [NIV]

2. Following Christ is both a free gift and a costly endeavor. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 [NIV]

3. Some translations spell this out. Keep in mind they didn't have wrist watches, so the exact time was likely a bit of a guess.

At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. Matthew 14:25 [Msg]

About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. Matthew 14:25 [NLT]

Between three and six o'clock in the morning, he came to them. He was walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25 [GW]