The Sea of Galilee sat in a kind of geologic "bowl," and was always subject to sudden, severe storms. Jesus calmed one of them and amazed his disciples. Yet he showed a different, even greater kind of power as he calmed the inner storms of an unstable man, healed a woman ailing for 12 years and gave life and hope back to a synagogue leader and his deathly ill child.

• Archaeologists found a boat from Jesus’ time in mud at the bottom of the Sea of Galilee. Such a small boat, with only a sail or oars for power, must have seemed terribly inadequate to deal with a violent storm. What "storms" are you facing for which your human resources seem inadequate? How can you open yourself to Jesus’ power and love, letting him help bring you peace as you face those storms?
• Whether facing a violent, disturbed outcast, an influential yet frantic synagogue ruler, or a "smothering" crowd in which one fearful invalid had touched him in faith, Jesus maintained his calm self-possession. What enabled Jesus to resist fear in situations that triggered it in most people? Do you believe his quiet confidence created a more supportive, safe environment for others to change their lives for the better?