(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Each and every day you’re inundated with fictional stories. Every episode of your favorite show is fictional. Many of the songs you may hear on the radio will share ideas in story form. In any given year, you’ll hear many more fictional stories than non-fictional ones. Hearing and sharing things in story form makes sense. As we saw last week, Jesus Himself often taught by sharing stories.
But we must not give in to the temptation to read other parts of the Scriptures and view them all as fictional stories. The people we often read about in the Old Testament – Abraham, Moses, David – they were real people. They lived real lives. The events of their lives were written down and recorded so we could remember what really happened.
Similarly, we have a lot of information from the life and ministry of Jesus. Yes, He may have taught crowds by using stories. But other events of His life were real.
As you read today, engage with this passage like it’s the first time you’ve read it. Picture yourself as one of Jesus’ disciples on the boat.
READING & JOURNALING:
What emotions do you think the disciples were experiencing during this storm? Be specific.
In what moments in your own life have you experienced similar emotions?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, it’s sometimes easy for me to think about the emotions others may be experiencing, but it’s difficult to be open and honest about what I’m feeling. Help me to grow in being open, honest, and transparent with others. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)
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