EPISODE 01: Jesus Can Do Anything

You’d think the disciples would have figured it out earlier. They’d watched Jesus turn water into wine, heal the sick, and restore a man’s withered hand. They’d even seen Him raise a boy from the dead. But when Jesus hushed a howling wind and calmed crashing waves, the disciples truly got it: Jesus really was God’s Son. And He really could do anything—anything at all.

Today we’ll GET INTO a boat and join the disciples as they sail into an entirely new view of Jesus. After the video, we’ll TALK IT UP and ACT IT OUT, discovering what it means to us today that Jesus is able to do anything.

So gather everyone to watch “Walking on Water.” Spoiler alert: It’s going to be a bumpy ride (but it turns out OK in the end)!

In today’s video, Jesus does what can’t be done—and doesn’t even break a sweat. And He doesn’t claim He can do anything; He just proves it. Use these questions to TALK IT UP and explore what God’s Word tells us about Jesus being able to do anything:

How did Jesus walking on water and quieting a windstorm show He can do anything?
Given that Peter sank, how did Peter walking on water show that Jesus can do anything?
Where else in the Bible do you see evidence that Jesus can do anything?
Someone who can do anything deserves praise! If you could say one sentence to Jesus right now to praise Him for who He is and what He can do, what would you say? Say it!

Superman can fly. Black Panther sees in the dark. Wolverine sprouts claws. And Batman … well, he has a really cool car.

All the superheroes selling graphic novels and filling movie screens can do something amazing—but none of them can do anything.

Plus, they’re all fictional. But Jesus is real.

That means Jesus is in a class of His own. No one like Him has walked on the planet since God strolled in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. And no one like Jesus will set foot here again until He returns. His power knows no bounds. His authority has no limit. Even the wind and waves obey when He speaks.

You know someone who can literally do anything. How great is that?

Find a sketch pad and draw a scene from today’s video. Pick one that illustrates the power and authority of Jesus. Show it to a friend and together fill in a speech bubble over Jesus’ head.
Challenge someone who’s sure to pin you in an arm-wrestling match. As you struggle, think about the disciples rowing into a brutal wind. How is what you’re feeling like what they may have felt?
What’s a wrong in the world that you’d like Jesus to address? In what ways are you willing to let Him work through you to help fix what’s broken? Tell Him.
Peter took a risk when he obeyed Jesus. What’s a risk you can take to obey Jesus this week? Tell someone so that person can pray for you and follow up to see how it went.
See what you can discover about Jesus’ authority and power with a quick game of Staying Afloat.

These questions will help you connect the Bible story to your life. Use all the questions or pick 1 or 2—your choice!

If Jesus really can do anything, why do you think He doesn’t heal everyone who’s sick and fix everything broken in this world?
Tell about a time you felt a windstorm in life—a loss, illness, or costly mistake—was about to capsize your boat. In what ways did Jesus appear to offer help? How did it all turn out?
Given what you’ve discovered about Jesus’ power and authority, how might you think about Him differently? How might you treat yourself, Jesus, or others differently?

Explain: There’s plenty that sets Jesus apart from others who have great authority and power. One of those things is that Jesus is accessible, welcoming friendships with everyone—even those of us who aren’t powerful and hold positions of authority. As our friend, Jesus wants to hear from us, and we’re going to speak with Him now.

Pair up and talk about this: What’s something you’d like Jesus to do for someone you know?

After you share, pray together—either out loud or silently—for the people who were mentioned in conversation.

Close by asking everyone to say along with you, “In Your name, Jesus, we ask this. Amen.”

Sharing what God’s doing in and through us is a reminder to us, an encouragement to others, and it praises Jesus. Here are ways you might share what you’ve discovered about Jesus having the authority and power to do anything:

Peter needed a helping hand that only Jesus could provide. While you can’t do anything, you can do something to help others. Donate a gently used toy, coat, or other items to a shelter or charity.
The disciples felt alone in the windstorm, beyond the reach of help and security. This week reach out to someone who’s lonely—an elderly relative, a person isolated by illness or fear, a friend who’s slipped off your radar. Make a connection and see how Jesus can use it to fill the person’s needs.
Do something for a family member who’s experiencing a storm in life. Volunteer to do a chore normally assigned to that person and, as you do the work, pray for your family member. Do what you can do and invite Jesus to do what only He can do.

If you can, post what Jesus has inspired you to do. Use the hashtag #GodInAction so we can see what you’re up to!

Matthew 14:22-33; John 6:15-21; Mark 6:45-52