Sunday School: Rescued from Doubt

Welcome!
We're so happy you've decided to join us today!

When we met in person, we were able to share our joys and concerns with each other. Take some time to think about your past week. What joys and concerns do you have? If you would like, you can share them in the comments so that we can all pray. When you are ready, use the prayer below (from Flagstaff Federated Community Church) to get started.

Gracious and Eternal God,
As your redeeming work brings together what is scattered and mends what is broken, unite us with the scattered and broken people of our community, nation, and world. Bind up all of our wounds, and heal us in spirit, that we may return refreshed and renewed as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

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This week's lesson is on Matthew 14:22-33.

Today's lesson teaches that the power of Jesus is the basis for our security as God’s people, not the consistency of our faith.

This story takes place on the sea of Galilee where storms can arise quickly.  Peter had a problem with consistency.  Jesus’ power was greater than Peter’s doubt, just as it is greater than our doubts.  Trusting the Lord whom we do not see, is hard to maintain when the negative things we do see test our faith.  Is doubt, then, a symptom of inconsistent faith?  It can be if it is never resolved, if it leads us to abandon our hope and trust in Christ.  But if doubt prompts us to call out to the Lord for help, then double is a seeking faith -  faith that seeks understanding, faith the seeks the divine work of peace in the middle of fear.  You can know that the Lord hears you and that the certainty of his faithfulness is more important than the size of your faith.  When things go smoothly, we barely think about the Lord being with us.  The Lord knows your distress and will come to you if you bid him do so.  Remember: He is with you right now as well  He is always with his people, to the end of the age.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for your almighty power at work in Jesus to save and protect us.  We affirm his promise not to abandon us, that even when we die, we will live with you.  Direct our hearts to you whenever life makes us afraid, we prey.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen,

Remember:  Cry out to Jesus, who overcomes our doubt.

Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New Revised Standard Version.

Next week's lesson will be on Leviticus 13:45-46, and Luke 17:11-19.