FOLLOW ME: MADE BY JESUS › MESSAGE 4
MESSAGE 4 · Matthew 14:22–33
Faith: When Faith Wavers
Big Idea: Jesus reveals Himself as the sovereign Son of God who calls us to trust His word, holds us when our faith wavers, and leads us into deeper worship.
Jesus sends His disciples across the sea after feeding the multitude. They struggle while obeying Him, and He comes to them on the water. Peter steps out at Jesus’ word, wavers in fear, and is caught by Jesus; the scene ends with the disciples worshiping Him as God’s Son.
READ THE TEXT
MATTHEW 14:22–33 | NASB95
22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.
23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.
26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.
33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org
PETER’S FAITH WAVERS. JESUS DOES NOT.
Teaching Outline
- Jesus sometimes leads His disciples into circumstances that test their faith. — Matthew 14:22–24
- Jesus reveals His divine identity in the very thing His disciples fear. — Matthew 14:25–27
- Faith acts upon Christ’s word even before the circumstances change. — Matthew 14:28–29
- Our faith wavers when our circumstances become more compelling than Christ’s word. — Matthew 14:30–31
- Jesus uses wavering faith to lead His disciples into deeper worship. — Matthew 14:32–33
What We Covered
- Jesus sometimes leads His disciples into circumstances that test their faith.
- Jesus reveals His divine identity in the very thing His disciples fear.
- Faith acts upon Christ’s word even before circumstances change.
- Faith wavers when circumstances become more compelling than Christ’s word.
- Jesus uses wavering faith to lead His disciples into deeper worship.
Choose the resource you need
Use the participant handout during class. Review the completed notes afterward, or open the teaching slides for a visual summary of the lesson.
Didn’t attend the class? Start with the Completed Notes for the fullest public study resource.