2018 Beach Retreat Leader Manual

TUESDAY: YOUR JOURNEY
PRAY. It is always a great idea to open your condo time
with prayer. You can pray specifically for students’ walls to
be torn down and for God to move in their hearts and lives.
NOW BEGIN BY OPENING UP THE DISCUSSION
TIME AND ASKING THEM WHAT THEY THOUGHT
OF THE FILM.
This might be awkward at first as some students might not
be as comfortable with each other yet. Allow for some
awkward silence and give them a chance to build some
courage to share.
Write their responses below:
• Just like Brian felt defeated by his standup act
and Peter felt defeated by the waves, we too
can feel defeated when we take our eyes off of
Jesus. Refer to some of their answers to the previous
questions. What was Jesus’ response to Peter?
Have students read Matthew 14:31 and give answer
Jesus responded with a question. “Why did you
doubt Me?” Explain that Peter probably felt really
convicted by that response because Peter knew
Jesus would never let him down. We just have to
keep our eyes on Him. Then pose the same question
to your students. Why do we doubt God?
• How can we leave Beach Retreat and go back home
with our eyes fixed on Jesus? Don’t accept “churchy”
answers. Make them dig deep for this one.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
• Have you ever been asked to do something super
far out of your comfort zone? Did you actually
do it and if so, how did you feel afterward?
This will probably be a question that can get a little
carried away. If it does, just wrap up the question and
connect their answers to what you’re about to discuss.
• Brian’s next two assignments are completely
out of his comfort zone. He asks Callie out on a
date face-to-face and also does standup comedy.
Does Brian do everything exactly right in either
of these situations? Allow students to answer – “no!”
In fact, after his standup act, he feels like he
failed. But Callie came in and showed him that
his mistakes didn’t matter and that she still cared
for him. What is your reaction when you feel
defeated or like you didn’t succeed at something?
This is a good opportunity to share your reaction. This
will help them relate to you on a more practical level.
• On our journey through life and in our
relationship with God, we will have seasons
where we are on track with God and moments
where we take our eyes off of Jesus. Peter let
himself get distracted by the waves and he took
his eyes off of Jesus. What happened when he
did that? What are some things that can take our
eyes off of Jesus?
BIBLICAL TEXT USED TODAY IN THE FILM:
Matthew 14:22-36
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and
go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the
crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went
up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was
evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a
long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the
wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night
He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples
saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said,
“It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not
be afraid.”
Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come
to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter
got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came
toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened,
and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold
of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you
doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.
And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying,
“You are certainly God’s Son!”
When they had crossed over, they came to land at
Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized
Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and
brought to Him all who were sick; and they implored Him
that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as
many as touched it were cured.
PRAY. Always end each morning condo time in prayer.