Mark - Lesson 6...Continued from page 3

DAY FIVE:  Sidelight:  Growing through Difficulty

That night on the Sea of Galilee was one of the major tests of faith that Jesus allowed His men to experience to that point, and it speaks volumes to us as well.  First we must remember that Mark wrote to Roman believers who were beginning to experience persecution and difficulties because of their faith in Christ.[ix]  This account would give them hope that through every storm, Jesus is there, and at work even when they don’t understand or are afraid. 

1.  It is always for our best when God brings or allows us to experience trials and tests of our faith, for they allow us to practice the truths He teaches, or learn by failing to do so.[x] How do the following passages address our spiritual growth through times of difficulty?  List several of the benefits of these things that you discover.

Psalm 119:67, 71, 75

James 1:2-8, 12-18

1 Peter 1:3-9

2.  None of us wants the rebuke of the Lord for our lack of faithfulness and failure, but the disciples sure got it!  Let’s consider the mistakes they made so that we can avoid a failure of faith like they experienced. 

First, Jesus commanded them to go to the other side of the sea; essentially this was also a promise that they were going to make it.  As Warren Wiersbe well put it, God’s commands are His enablements, and even facing a rough road doesn’t mean we won’t make it, for He has assured us that we will.[xi] What comfort does Isaiah 41:9-13, 43:1, 2 give us when we face life’s storms and trials?

Secondly, they missed the fact that it was Jesus with them in the boat; the same Jesus who that day had touched and healed others, whose great teachings they had heard.  They didn’t understand yet that Jesus was in control of each situation they would face with Him.  What comfort can you gain about how He will never abandon us in any situation we come across (Isaiah 46:4; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5b, 6)?

Third, the other fact they missed was that Jesus’ sleeping through this all didn’t mean He didn’t care (was concerned about and interested in) the fact that they were “perishing” (being completely destroyed).  Certainly the situation was about as difficult as it could have been, but simple trust in His Father and confidence in His Word was all the assurance Jesus needed to allow Him to rest in the peace of God.[xii] How can we too have His peace during the storms of life (Psalm 4:8; Isaiah 26:3, 4; John 14:27, 16:33; Philippians 4:6, 7)?

Scripture Memory:  Can you write out this week’s passage by memory here below?  Give it a try, and keep reviewing the passage several times throughout the day.

Mark 4:40: