WHY ARE YOU AFRAID?
LESSON FOR THE JUNIOR CLASSES
STUDY SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 8
Lesson 2 June 12, 2021
Key verse
“He said to them, Why are you afraid, you men of little faith? Then He got up, and rebuked the winds and the sea: and it became perfectly calm”.
Matthew 8:26
INTRODUCTION AND STUDY.
Little babies, little children, big children, teenagers, and even adults all suffer from being afraid. Some babies are afraid that the milk they always get is not coming and they will scream until mother gives them milk. Children when they begin to grow up are afraid of the dark and parents sometimes have to stay with them until they fall asleep. Later they become afraid of bullies, or even teachers that are stern in the classroom and so they are afraid to ask the teacher questions when they do not quite fully understand what they are being taught.
Then as they grow even older teenagers are afraid they will not get enough money to buy the latest styles and the up to date video games. Then they might even live in fear that they will not get high enough marks to go to post -secondary school and university.
Then as adults they worry most about money, marriage, and supporting their family.
Over and over again we see people being afraid of many different things.
Jesus’ disciples had their share of fear. Once they were in a boat with Jesus going from one part of the Sea of Galilee to the other side. This Sea is a large lake surrounded by high hills and the winds were sometimes so powerful that they would sweep down on to the Iake and cause terrible storms, wrecking many ships and drowning many fishermen and sailors.
Some of the disciples were experienced fishermen and accustomed to dealing with the rough waves on the Lake but this storm was exceptionally terrible. Some people think Satan, otherwise called the devil, caused this storm to try to drown Jesus and the disciples. This of course could not happen for Jesus is all-powerful while the Devil though he has some power and pretends to be stronger than he really is, is under God’s control.
The storm was so exceptionally bad the disciples were terrified. While the storm and the noise raged Jesus, who had been very tired because He had been teaching so many people and had been swamped by the demands of multitudes coming to Him for healing, was in a sound sleep.
The disciples were helpless. They rushed to Jesus and woke Him up, asking Him to do something for they were all going to die. Was He not worried about that?
Jesus woke up, looked at them, and asked them why they had so little faith in Him as the Key Verse said. Jesus was unhappy with them for they should have known that if Jesus is with them or with you, no storm can do them or you great harm. There might have rough waters and some fear, but they should have peace in any storm they faced.
Jesus then commanded the storm to be quiet, and the Sea to be calm. They obeyed the voice of Jesus. Jesus had all the power and could control everything. Jesus thought the disciples had understood that for they had seen Him heal every kind of sickness, cast out demons that troubled people, and had provided food for thousands.
Disciples and followers of Jesus must know He and the Father in Heaven are concerned about them. They were under the greatest protection. They must have faith in God’s ability to secure them and because of that they should not be afraid. When the storm obeyed Jesus the disciples were astounded that Jesus even controlled the winds and the Sea. They exclaimed, What kind of Man is this?
This is a Lesson for all of us. Nothing is more powerful than God. He will always protect you and if necessary take you Home to be with Him. Once you understand the great love God has for you, you will not have a bad storm creating fear in your heart even if the storms and waves outside are terrible and threatening. These storms are there to made you stronger, become more patient, and trust more in God. So, there is no reason to be afraid. Call on Jesus for help if you ever feel afraid. He will solve the problem