Well, let’s go ahead and take a look at chapter 14 tonight as well.  Before we start though, answer me this one question: what would be your “dream” birthday present?

Well, as we take a look at this first section of chapter 14, we see someone asking for an interesting gift.  Let’s go ahead and take a look at that section, whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please.  (READ)

Why do you think Herod was afraid of Jesus?

What do you think caused him to fear John the Baptist?

Now, Herod’s actions were not decided on his own, instead, they were influenced by what other people thought.  How about you?  In what areas of your life are your actions being governed by fear of what others think?

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?

Well, that was an interesting passage.  Now, let’s move on.  After a busy day, or a stressful day, how do you unwind?

Well, in this next section, we see Jesus trying to unwind.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that at this time please.  (READ)

Why did Jesus withdraw?

How does Jesus react and deal with the interruption?

Describe how the disciples might have felt in verse 15?

What is the lesson that you learn from this story?

In your own life, how have you seen Jesus stretch your resources beyond what you could imagine?

Is there anything that anyone would like to add before we move on to the next passage?

Well, as we move on, in the next section that we are going to read, we read a familiar passage about faith.  Whoever has the last key, go ahead and read that for us please.  (READ)

On a scale of 1, play it safe, to 10, a real daredevil, how would you rate yourself as a risk taker?

How would you rate Peter?

When the disciples saw something walking on the water, what was their initial reaction?

How might you have reacted in the same situation?

As we look at Peter, why do you think he got out of the boat in the first place?

What caused him to begin to sink?

How was he saved?

In your life, when you start to “sink,” do you tend to reach out to Jesus, or do you try and swim on your own?

In the week to come, I would encourage you to take a series look at where God is leading you to step out of the boat and leave your comfort zone and walk in faith with Him.

At this time, allow me to read for you what the commentary has to say about chapter 14 as a whole.  It says, (READ COMMENTARY)

Before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, for next week we are going to try and read through Matthew chapters 15 and 16.  So that is what you can read and be ready for, for next week.

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