For the message, The Master & Commander of the Storms of Life given by Pastor John Ferguson at New

City Church of Calgary on February 2, 2014 These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures. You can use these by yourself for reflection, or with your family or small group for discussion.

Discussion Questions: Luke 8:22-25

Introduction:

! Trials in life seem to be an unavoidable reality. And not all trials are created equally. Some we seem to handle well. Others seem to rock our world and even our faith. ! Reflect on a time when you experienced something or witnessed something that really made you question God? Describe what that was like. ! Questions: ! 1. The text this week is a short four verses and fairly straightforward. Read through the text in Luke as well as

! !

! 2. When did the disciples go to Jesus? How does that illustrate they way we try to handle the trials of life? Can you see a reflection of the disciples in your own tendencies? If so, how so? ! 3. When the disciples ask Jesus, Dont you care that we are perishing (according to Marks account), what they really saying? What was implied in their question? ! were When are you tempted to question if God really cares for you? Can you think of a time, perhaps even recently, when you asked this question (at least in the mind)? ! 4. Combining the accounts from Mark and Luke, Jesus asks two questions: Where is your faith? and Why are so afraid? ! you first question seems to imply that their faith was misplaced. If so, in what were they trusting? ! The The second question is interesting. Jesus seems to think that it was entirely inappropriate to be afraid. ! ! 5. ! ! !
What is Jesus seeing that the disciples are totally missing. In other words, what are the disciples seeing (or not seeing) that Jesus sees clearly? When Jesus got up to speak, he simply silenced the waves and wind by authority and power of his command. What question surfaced in the disciples mind (vs. 25)? In what ways is this an entirely appropriate question? How do they answer their own question? Why were they even more afraid as they pondered this question?

the parallel text in Mark 4:35-41, and try to imagine what it would have been like to have been caught in the storm of your life with Jesus asleep and dead to the world. What would you see, feel, anticipate, question, desire, fear?

6. In the application of the message, Pastor John said that we need to develop a theology of the storms of life. What did he mean by this?

! What are some bad theologies of storms? ! Or to put it another way, what if our theology of the storms of life teach us that we have it within us to control
the storms? Or what if our theology tells us that if God really loves us and cares for us, he would not let us enter storms? Whats wrong with this thinking?

7. Pastor John also encourage us to trust in Christ without qualifications. What did he mean by that? What are some qualifications that people place on their relationship with God? In other words, how do some people put qualifications or conditions on believing that God cares for them? How have you done so?

! ! Conclusion: ! ! What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your ! Renewing your mind: ! ! Isaiah 43, Fear not, for I have redeemed; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass

life? How does this text help you understand your need for Jesus? How does this text challenge you to follow him?

through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.