Summer Sunday School - June 21

Summer Sunday School

Passages for Sunday June 21st

Psalm 107:1-9 and Mark 4:35-41

Read Psalm 107:1-9

Background       Psalm 107 begins the fifth section of the Book of Psalms. It is a lengthy psalm which presents a ‘Cliff Notes’ version of the history of the Hebrew people. It was written at a perilous time when the people of God doubted if they could continue. The psalmist helps his people recall the past goodness of God during previous difficult years. The purpose of the psalm is to strengthen their faith by relying upon God, Who has never deserted them.

Questions

a)      How do we give thanks to God? What moments of deliverance and blessing have we known from God in our lives?

b)      What causes people to wander away from God? What brings them back to Him?

c)       Why did God deliver the Hebrew people from their past distresses? How has that deliverance affected us today?

d)      How does God satisfy our souls? What makes us hunger and thirst for His love?

e)      Psalm 107 is written for the deliverance of entire community. How can our church express and present this to our own community?

Read Mark 4:35-41

Background       This short Gospel passage is all about Jesus calming the storm. It reveals to us the power of Christ in dangerous circumstances; the fear of the disciples in the midst of the storm; and the wonder they experienced after Jesus intervened to save their lives. The passage was also written at a time when the First Christians were being persecuted, which caused them to question their faith and fear for their own lives.

Questions

a)      What are your initial thoughts about this story? Has it helped you in the midst of your own troubles?

b)      Why did Jesus ask His disciples to take the boat across to the other side of the Lake? What did He hope to do over there?

c)       How did the storm affect the disciples? What did they fear most?

d)      Jesus is asleep during the storm, in the stern of the boat. What does this tell us about Him? The disciples questioned whether Christ cared for their safety. What does this tell us about them?

e)      Jesus commands the storm and waves to be still. Where does that power come from? What does this tell us about who Jesus really is?

f)       Jesus questions the faith of the disciples, who have allowed their fears to over-rule their beliefs. Have we ever experienced that same kind of faithless fear? How was it remedied?