Note: You can still access the introductory lesson or Lesson One for this online study of “Unshakeable Faith.” Download the PDF version of Week Two here.
Do you sometimes feel like life is mundane? Each day we drag ourselves out of bed, get ourselves or the kids off to school, spend hours at work, do laundry, cook dinner, clean toilets, tackle homework, then fall into bed – only to get up and do it all over again.
Or maybe you wish your life was mundane. Perhaps you are facing a difficult trial or circumstance that consumes your thoughts, time, and strength. Maybe your world has been turned upside down by grief or tragedy and you don’t know where to turn.
In the mundane or the overwhelming, do you have confidence in the One you call “Lord?” In this week’s study we will examine the identity of Jesus. We’ll see how Peter’s growing understanding of the nature of Jesus strengthened his faith and gave him the confidence to follow Him no matter where He led.
Unshakeable Faith Trait Two:
Secure in Your All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Sovereign God
When Jesus called Peter to follow Him, Peter knew He was a great teacher sent by God. But as the weeks and months passed, Peter learned much more about the power and authority of Jesus.
Look up the following Scriptures. Each passage relates a miracle of Jesus that demonstrates His divine authority over a specific area. Draw lines from the passages on the left to the corresponding areas of power and authority on the right. (Note: Many biblical scholars believe that Mark based his gospel record on Peter’s eyewitness testimony.)
Mark 1:21-28 nature
Mark 1:40-42 demons
Mark 2:1-11 material world
Mark 4:35-41 disease
Mark 5:35-43 forgiveness of sin
Mark 6:39-44 death
Jesus has the authority over demons. He can heal any sickness and cure every disease. Jesus can still the wind and calm the waves. He even has power over sin and death. Peter witnessed all this firsthand. His experiences with Jesus strengthened and grew his faith. Peter came to know that Jesus was more than a great teacher. Peter learned that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16).
Now consider how He is able to work in your life.
Does Jesus have the power and authority to work in any and every circumstance of your life?
On the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus’ ascension, Peter and the other believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. Armed with his knowledge of Jesus and the Spirit’s power, Peter preached his very first sermon and 3,000 were saved! Not long after this, Peter and John were arrested for teaching about Jesus.
Read Acts 4:8-13. What declaration did Peter make to the Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin) in verse 12?
Did Peter seem concerned about his current life circumstances? If not, why do you think he wasn’t concerned?
Peter’s complete confidence in the Person of Christ impacted every aspect of his life. For over thirty years the identity of Jesus kept him standing firm. Through persecution, hardship, prison, and even martyrdom, Peter stood unshakeable on the power and authority of Jesus.
Read Colossians 2:9-10. What do you learn about the nature of Jesus?
Based on these truths, how is Jesus able to work in the circumstances of your life?
God is able to do anything! However, He doesn’t always act like we want or expect. Even though He is all-powerful and loving, sometimes He allows us to go through circumstances that cause pain. But even in the midst of the pain, God is always with us. He strengthens and comforts us in the midst of our troubles. And we can trust that He will work through our circumstances to accomplish His eternal purposes. (For more on these truths read the following Scriptures: Isaiah 43:2; Ps 23:4; John 14:16; Matt 28:20; Ps 147:3; Is 40:27-31; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Phil 4:13; James 1:2-4; Romans 5:2-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Rom 8:28-29.)
Group Discussion: Has your view of Jesus been limited? What specific circumstance do you need to trust Jesus with today?
Note about the study: We will be studying deep truths of God, but the study will not be extremely time intensive. My goal is for you to be able to complete the reading and questions each week in about 15 minutes. So, even if you are participating in another study you can join in! Also, although no other material is required, the Bible study Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living, would be great companion material. Get it now from Amazon.
Thanks Kathy, I think I just saw my faith rising (referring to my comment on lesson One) In these difficult times I will Keep my eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of my faith (Heb 12:2) because He has power of all things.
Kathy,
I am taking part in the online study along with the bible study book “Unshakable Faith”. I am feeling that God is speaking very clearly to me through the study. As I have been reading my daily devotional “My Utmost for His Highest” (Chambers), it has seemed to fit exactly into the study also. October 1 & 2 are about the mountain top experience…specific mention of Peter. I think it is so exciting when things fit together like that. Looking forward to continuing this study. Thank you for making it available.
May God richly bless you, Lynn
Lynn, God has done the same with me so many times. It seems when He wants to make sure we get something He repeats the lesson over and over. Thanks for sharing with us what God is teaching you.