Reel Luke

Jesus Calms a Storm

Luke 8:22-25

Helpful Stuff to Know

The lake in this story is the Sea of Galilee. It’s the lowest freshwater lake on the planet, surrounded by hills and cliffs. When winds swirl above and descend onto the lake, severe storms often result. Jesus grew up in Galilee and spent much time there. He often sailed across the lake with his disciples.

Some of the disciples were fishermen, so being on a lake in a storm would have been familiar for them.

The word translated “faith” in verse 25 means conviction, strong belief, trust, loyalty, and faithfulness. It means more than simple belief.

Be Sure Not to Miss

When Jesus stopped the storm, the disciples were shocked, which means they weren’t expecting him to do that when they woke him up. More likely they just wanted another set of hands to help lash the sails, secure things in the boat, and bail water out of the boat.

The disciples went from being terrified of the storm to being terrified and amazed by Jesus’ power.

Jesus was strong enough to stop a storm (he was fully God) and also tired enough to take a nap (he was fully flesh-and-blood human).

Jesus didn’t laugh or make fun of the disciples for being afraid. The situation was truly terrifying and he understood that.

The disciples knew Jesus better than most other humans did, but they were still learning who he truly was. We too must learn to know Jesus better and better each day.

Be Careful About

This story is not a metaphorical message promising that “Jesus will calm all the storms in your life.” Jesus said that anyone who follows him will face challenges and difficulties. This story is about something that actually happened. The lesson in this story is that Jesus listens to us, is with us, and has divine power — not that he will calm and eliminate all the hard parts of life.

Reel Questions

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Reel Setting (place)

Where did this story happen? (Describe the setting — in a house, on a road, by a lake, in a city, etc.)
What do you think that place looked like? smelled like? sounded like?
Do you think it matters that this story happened in that specific place? Why?
What about the place in this story feels familiar? What feels strange?

Reel People (characters)

Make a list of all the people in this story and give a one-word description of each (include “crowd” if there is one). Why did you choose that word?
What does Jesus say and do in this story? List all the things. Does anything surprise you? Why?
Which person (besides Jesus) is most interesting to you? Why?
What details about the characters do you wish were included or explained in the story? Why?
Why do you think [choose a specific character or the crowd] spoke or acted the way they did?
What are some different things that [the person from previous question] could have said or done? How would that have changed the story?
What do you think the onlookers were thinking and feeling as things were happening in this story? Why?
How do you think the main characters might have changed after this story? Why? (Sometimes it tells us, like with Zacchaeus, but other times it doesn’t.)
How do you think the crowd or onlookers might have changed after this story? Why?
If you’d been there, where would you have been standing or sitting? What would you have been thinking or feeling? Why?

Reel Events (plot)

List all the events in the story.
List some details that aren't included but are assumed in the story.
What do you think are the two or three most important moments in this story? Why?
If this story were a film, when would the music be scary or tense? When would it be joyful or upbeat? Why?
What do you think maybe happened right before this story? What do you think maybe happened right after this story?
Does the biblical story before or after this one matter to this story? How? Why do you think that?
What are some different ways things could have happened or ended in this story?
If this story were happening today in your school or town, what are ways Jesus might have acted or explained things for your context?
What would you call this story if it were a full-length book or movie? Why?

Real Faith

What’s a way people could misunderstand or misuse this story?
Why do you think this story is in the Bible? Why would God want us to read and learn from it?
What are you learning about Jesus (or his Father or the Spirit) from this story?
What are you learning about following Jesus (living for Jesus and living like Jesus) from this story?
After reading this story, what are some questions you have about Jesus and following him?

Story-Specific Questions

What do you think about Jesus both taking a nap and stopping a storm?

Why do you think Jesus said, “Where is your faith?” to the disciples? What do you think he meant?

Why do you think the disciples were so surprised by Jesus’ power?

Why do you think this story is in the Bible? What do you think we are supposed to see and learn from it?