Jump Overboard, Leave Your Comfort Zone

Lesson Point:

Many times, we focus on our failures, or worse, the failures of others. It’s simple – other people’s failures make us feel good about ourselves, so we like to remind others about them, whether it’s in school, relationships, or church. In this lesson, students will learn that when they go overboard for God, even if things don’t go their way, they aren’t a failure if they’re being obedient to Him. Sometimes, and that’s not up to us to figure out, but obedience always beats disobedience.

Scripture:

• Philippians 4:13
• Matthew 14:24-29

Materials Needed:

• Bible
• Some Inflatable boats (1-2)
• Stopwatch

Activity:

1. Place a couple of inflatable boats in front of your room
2. Have a “boat jumping” contest with your students
3. Pick a few of your students (either one per boat, or use the same boats and use a stopwatch to time students as they participate), and have them race from one boat to the other — while saying the phrase “Toy Boat” as they take each step.
4. Tell them that if they mess up while saying it, they’ll have to start over.
   • If they take a step without saying, “Toy Boat”, then they’ll have to start over also.

Discuss:

1. Ask how many students know the story in Matthew 14 about Peter walking on the water.
2. Tell your students to list the things that peter did wrong
   • He took His eyes off Jesus;
   • He concentrated on his fears
   • He focused on his surroundings
   • He doubted his ability to actually do what God called him out to do
   • He doubted God’s decision to call him out of the boat
   • He doubted that God would protect him from the winds and the raging waves
   • He feared and didn’t put his trust in God
   • …
3. Another truth to the story, which is simple, and often overlooked, however, is:
   • Peter was the only disciple in the boat that was willing to jump out of the boat – his comfort zone – and to to Jesus.
   • He got close enough for Jesus to reach out and grab him, and no matter what we think about him, Peter still got to walk (even if just for a little while) on water!
   • How many other times do we hear about someone doing that in the Bible?

Reflect:

• Instruct the students to list things that they might be interested in “jumping overboard” and doing for God.
• Now have them list down what they think keeps them from doing the things on their lists.
  • The truth is, we’re full of fear, and God promises us in Philippians 4:13 that we don’t have to be afraid, for He’s with us.
• Ask the students, which would they rather be:
  • Comfortable in their surroundings, even if they knew Jesus wanted them to come to Him;
  • Uncomfortable because they’d left their comfort zones, but are now walking on water, knowing that God is with them?
• Challenge them to “jump overboard” in their relationships and obedience to Jesus this week.
• Pray for help and discernment for God’s voice this week, the boldness to ask God to call them out of their “boats”, courage to step out, and for their focus’ to remain on Him all the way.

50

SHARES

Share on Facebook

Tweet